JP2003122514A - Printer and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer used from a plurality of user computers, and capable of reducing the cost and labor required for installing and communizing in the network, and easily confirming and monitoring the operating condition from the user computers and giving an operational instruction. SOLUTION: The printer 11 is provided with a Web server means, and the printer is connected to the Internet 3 through the Web server means, whereby the user computers 12, 21, 51 are enabled to share the information on the printer itself and the data stored in the printer on the Internet 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a copying function and a printing function and a communication system, and more particularly to a printing apparatus which can be shared on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an environment in which a large number of users use a plurality of computers, a computer is used to share software resources such as data and software, or hardware resources such as a copying machine, a printer and a modem. It is performed to connect each other on a network. When such networking is performed, it is common to share hardware resources such as a copying machine, a printer, a modem, etc. and a database via a computer called a server. For example, when sharing a printer, a printer server is provided, and the printer server sets or changes the printer operation in response to a request from the user.

However, in order to perform mutual communication between such a server machine and a user machine to monitor, set and control the operation of the shared resource, both the server machine and the user machine are dedicated. There is a problem that a control device is required. If the installation of the server machine and the user machine is limited to the local area network such as LAN, the control device for each machine is relatively simple, but if the range is expanded to the external network, it will be shared. The problem arises that a more complex device must be provided for every machine that is expected to use a copier, printer, modem, etc.

[0004]

As described above, when the conventional printing apparatus is installed in a network and shared, it is necessary to provide a dedicated control device for each device of the printing apparatus server and user computer. Therefore, there was a problem that labor and cost at the time of installation were increased. The present invention solves this problem relatively easily, can be used from multiple user computers, can reduce the cost and effort required for installation and sharing in a network, and can operate from the user computers. It is an object to realize a printing device in which it is easy to check, monitor, and instruct operation of the state.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is installed on a network together with a plurality of user terminals, is commonly used by the user terminals via the network, and stores image data. A printing apparatus having a copying function and a printing function of image data and text data is provided with a web server unit, and by connecting to the Internet via the Web server unit, the user terminal can be the device itself on the Internet. It is possible to share the information and the data accumulated in the device. As a result, we realized a printing device that can exchange data on the Internet,
The cost and labor required for sharing the network can be reduced.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the name of the printing device refers to a facsimile, a copying machine, an image forming device,
It is a generic term for a single-function device such as a printer and a multifunction device that has a combination of these facsimile function, copying function, image forming function, and printer function.

According to the present invention, in such a printing apparatus,
A person who provides services (provides copiers and printers)
It is possible to maintain copier / printer devices via the network (device monitoring, data exchange such as program download), and by utilizing that technology, the printing device is equipped with a web server function in the device, and the device status is managed via the Internet. The purpose is to be able to post data and device data on the Internet and download them. It is also an object to obtain an advertising income by further providing an advertising area on the home page of the printing device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus of the present invention and a communication system including the same. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates an internal arrangement of A, reference numeral 11 indicates a printer of the present invention, and reference numeral 12
Indicates one of the computers (user machines) in the company A, and the reference numeral 13 represents a LAN provided in the company A and including the printing device 11 and the computer 12. Further, reference numeral 2 indicates an arrangement in the company B, and reference numeral 21 indicates one of the computers in the company B. Further, reference numeral 3 is the Internet, reference numeral 4 is data developed on the Internet 3, reference numeral 5 is an environment of a destination, and reference numeral 51 is a computer of a destination. The printing apparatus 11 has a web server function built therein. By using this function, documents and the like stored in the HDD of the device can be posted on the Internet 3 and the LAN 13 can be used.
Data can be shared even by people who are not connected by, for example, users of the computer 21 and the computer 51.

Further, the distribution function of the web server allows the exchange of documents between companies such as A company 1 and B company 2 using the in-house printing device 11 and the Internet 3
Can be done through. Further, the web server causes the homepage developing means to function, publishes the homepage on the Internet, and provides an advertising area for the company in the homepage to advertise to the user who downloads the document or the like and to publish it. Information can be passed.

Further, on the home page published by the web server, the home page data (HTML data) can be directly downloaded to the device from the service center managing the printing device 11 by the data editing means of the web server. You can manage your homepage in a new state. Furthermore, the contract between the service center that manages the printing device 11 and the company allows the we
b. Manage advertisements on websites published on the Internet using the server. As a result, the company and the service center owning the printing device 11 can obtain the advertising income.

The method of providing an advertisement area on a home page according to the present invention is one of the users who want to purchase a printing device.
This is effective for users who have purchased a printing device having a function of setting an advertising area. If the printing device is used in an environment not connected to an external network, the advertising data is stored in the printing device in advance. When outputting a document in which an advertisement may be inserted, the user sets an advertisement area from the operation unit or operation PC of the device and outputs the print result. Then, the serviceman checks the number of the printed advertisement-containing documents counted by the counting device of the device, thereby giving points to the user and providing a corresponding service. Advertising contractors collect the advertising fee according to the number of pages or by contracting for one device.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a file download page using the Internet according to the present invention. The advertising area is displayed on part of the page. On the other hand, when the printing device with the built-in advertising printing device is used in the LAN connected to the external network, the network management side checks whether the function of the advertising area is enabled, The advertisement data matching the range is transmitted to the server that controls / monitors the printing device in the LAN. With this setting, the most ideal advertisement is printed on the output paper. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the network management side according to the present invention provides an advertisement area on the home page created by the printing apparatus via the web server of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a communication system including the printing apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 indicates the internal arrangement of the company A, and reference numeral 11 indicates the printer of the present invention, reference numeral 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes one of the computers (user machines) in the company A, and reference numeral 13 is a LAN provided in the company A and including the printing device 11 and the computer 12. Reference numeral 3 indicates the Internet, reference numeral 4 indicates data developed on the Internet 3, reference numeral 6 indicates a service center, and reference numeral 7 indicates an advertiser. The service center 6 is connected to the printing apparatus 11 via the Internet 3, exchanges HTML data and advertisement data with the printing apparatus 11, manages the device status, and manages and adjusts income according to the advertisement used. To do.

[0014]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1 of the present invention, a printing apparatus installed on a network and commonly used by user terminals via the network and having a copying / printing function is provided. By being connected to the Internet via the server means, the user terminal shares the information of the device itself and the data accumulated in the device on the Internet. In this way, the printing device itself is
By becoming a server, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus capable of exchanging data on the Internet.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the web server is provided with a delivery function for delivering the scanned document on the Internet. This makes it possible to prepare documents to be exchanged between companies simply by transferring data to a device and setting a password. In addition, a paper-based document can be stored in the HDD of the device simply by scanning with a copying apparatus, which facilitates the exchange of documents.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a homepage development function is provided in which a homepage is opened to the public on the web server and an advertisement area is provided therein.
As a result, it is possible to provide an advertising area on a homepage that is open to the public on the Internet, to advertise the advertisement to users who have come to view documents and the like, and to earn advertising income.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a web server is provided with a data editing function for customizing and updating HTML data. As a result, the HTML data on the web server can be easily updated, and the latest information can always be published on the Internet.

According to the invention of claim 5 of the present invention, the web server is provided with an advertisement management function of managing advertisements in the advertising area and updating or deleting the advertisements based on the advertisement contract.
As a result, a management apparatus (service center) that manages a printing apparatus and a user who purchases a device by making an advertisement contract and posting an advertisement on a homepage can earn advertising income.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present invention is a communication system comprising a management device connected to the printing device of the present invention via the Internet, wherein the management device is HT to the printing device.
It exchanges ML data and advertising data, manages the device status, and manages and adjusts advertising revenue. This allows the management device (service center) to manage the printing device and
By making an advertisement contract and posting an advertisement on the homepage, it is possible to configure a system in which a service center that manages a printing apparatus and a user who purchases a device can obtain advertisement income.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus of the present invention and a communication system including the same.

FIG. 2 is an example of a file download page of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a home page of the printing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a communication system including the printing apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 A Internal placement 2 B Internal placement 3 Internet 4 Data developed on the Internet 5 Environment on the go 6 service centers 7 Advertiser 11 Printing device 12 computer (user machine) 13 LAN 21 computer 51 computer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 13/00 547 G06F 13/00 547V

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus, which is installed on a network together with a plurality of user terminals, is commonly used by the user terminals via the network, and has a function of copying image data and a function of printing image data and text data. In, by having a web server means and being connected to the internet via the web server means, the user terminal can share the information of the device itself and the data accumulated in the device on the internet. A printing device characterized by: 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web server unit has a distribution unit that distributes a scan document on the Internet. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web server means has a homepage developing means for publishing a homepage on the Internet and providing an area for advertisement therein. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the web server unit has a data editing unit that customizes and updates HTML data. 5. The home page expansion means of the web server means has an advertisement management function of managing advertisements in the advertising area and updating or deleting the advertisements based on an advertisement contract. The printing device according to. 6. A printing apparatus according to claim 3, comprising a management apparatus connected via the Internet, wherein the management apparatus manages HTML data, advertisement data, and device status management with respect to the printing apparatus. A communication system characterized by performing and managing advertising income.