JP2005071130A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved print system that uses a printer connected to a network. <P>SOLUTION: A data processing server 10 executes user-designated data processes on object data such as document data or image data. The data processes executed by the data processing server 10 and the object data thereof are designated by the user via a client PC 40 or the printer 20. The data processing server 10 stores the results of the data processes in a database 30, creates a list of completed data processes among the data processes executed, and provides the list to the user. The user selects the desired completed data process based on the list of completed data processes, and obtains and prints the process result data of the completed data process using the printer 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system using a printing apparatus connected to a network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a network system in which a user prints image data using a copying machine installed in a convenience store or the like. In this network system, a user sends image data from a personal computer to a web server via a homepage, and reads and prints the image data of the web server from a copying machine installed in the town. Thus, even a personal computer user who does not own a printer can print out.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a print control apparatus that can process and edit arbitrary information acquired by connecting to an information source directly from a printing apparatus without using a data processing apparatus such as a personal computer. This print control device connects directly to an information source based on an Internet address specified by an operation panel provided on the printing device, acquires and accumulates desired information, and lays out and edits the accumulated information. Can be output.

JP 2000-78328 A JP 2000-68664 A

  In the network system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when image data is transmitted to a web server, a reception code provided in advance from the web server is attached together with the file name of the image data. When printing the image data, the user inputs a reception code to the copying machine, so that the image data corresponding to the reception code is transmitted from the web server to the copying machine.

  However, when transmitting image data to a web server, there are many cases where it is desired to transmit a plurality of image data used for a plurality of business operations at once. In this case, in the network system, a plurality of pieces of image data are associated with one reception code. Therefore, when printing is performed by specifying a reception code in the copying machine, all of the plurality of pieces of image data are to be printed. End up. That is, there has been a problem that the printing target cannot be freely selected in the copying machine.

  In the print control apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, the copier accesses a home page on the Internet, downloads all links on the home page, develops a page image on the memory of the copier, and then prints. There is a need. For this reason, a large amount of memory is required on the copying machine, and there is a problem that it takes time until the printing is started after the printing instruction is given.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an improved printing system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a printing system including a data processing server and a printing apparatus connected to each other via a network, and the data processing server includes target data. On the other hand, a data processing unit that executes data processing designated by the user, and an end list generation unit that generates a list of end data processings that have been processed among at least one data process executed by the data processing unit; The printing apparatus includes: a data acquisition unit that acquires processing result data of end data processing selected by a user based on the list of end data processing; and printing that prints the acquired processing result data Part.

  In the above configuration, examples of target data include document data and image data. Examples of data processing include processing for creating a summary of document data, processing for combining document data and image data, and image processing for processing a plurality of image data into a single piece of image data. According to the above configuration, since the end data processing is selected by the user based on the list of end data processing, it is possible to print only the print target required by the user.

  Preferably, the data processing server stores a storage control unit that stores each processing result data of the data processing in a storage area corresponding to the data processing, and a storage in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored. An address information providing unit that provides address information for specifying an area to the user, and the data acquisition unit of the printing apparatus is stored in the storage area using the address information provided by the user. Process result data is acquired.

  Preferably, the data processing server further includes a billing information generating unit that generates billing information corresponding to each of the data processing, and the printing apparatus supports processing result data acquired by the data acquiring unit. Only when the payment processing of the fee is confirmed for the fee for the processing result data indicated in the charging information, the printing unit is controlled to print the processing result data. It is further assumed that an accounting processing unit that can be made available. In the above configuration, examples of payment processing for processing result data include insertion of cash into the printing apparatus and withdrawal of charges by a credit card. According to the above configuration, billing information can be set freely. Since the charging information can be set according to data processing, it is possible to charge for the quality of information.

  Preferably, the data processing server provides a registration page including a list of target data and a list of data processing to the user, and uses the registration page to perform processing of target data and data processing used in the data processing unit. A data processing accepting unit that accepts designation from the user is further included. Preferably, the end list generation unit generates a list describing a data processing name assigned to each end data process by a user as the end data process list.

  In order to achieve the above object, a data processing server according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a data processing unit that executes data processing specified by a user for target data, and each of the data processings. A storage control unit that stores processing result data in a storage area corresponding to the data processing, and an end list generation that generates a list of end data processings that have been processed among at least one data processing executed by the data processing unit And address information for providing the user with address information for specifying a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored for the end data processing selected by the user from the end data processing list And a providing unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to a preferred aspect of the present invention performs data processing on target data, stores the processing result in a storage area corresponding to the data processing, and A printing apparatus that provides a user with address information for specifying a storage area and is connected via a network to a data processing server that generates billing information corresponding to each of the data processes, the address information An address information acquisition unit that acquires from the user, a data acquisition unit that acquires processing result data of a data process specified by the user from the storage area, using the acquired address information, and the data acquisition unit The billing information corresponding to the processed result data is acquired, and the charge for the processed result data indicated in the billing information is Only if the payment processing of gold has been confirmed, it is assumed to have a charging processing unit that permits printing of the processing result data, and a printing unit that prints the authorized processing result data.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing method according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is a printing method in a network system including a data processing server and a printing apparatus, and the data processing server performs processing on target data. Execute the data processing specified by the user, and generate a list of end data processing that has been completed among the at least one data processing that has been executed, and the printing apparatus can perform the processing based on the list of end data processing It is assumed that the processing result data of the end data processing selected by the user is acquired and the acquired processing result data is printed.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes a procedure for executing data processing specified by a user on target data, and processing result data of each of the data processing. A procedure for storing in a storage area corresponding to the data processing, a procedure for generating a list of end data processing of the data processing designated by the user, and a list of the end data processing by the user. For the selected end data processing, the computer is caused to execute a procedure for providing the user with address information for specifying a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored.

  The present invention can provide an improved printing system.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to the present invention. In the printing system of FIG. 1, the data processing server 10 and the printing apparatus 20 are connected via the Internet 60, and the database 30, the client PC 40, and the Web server 50 are each connected to the Internet 60. The client PC 40 is, for example, a personal computer that is used daily by the user, and the printing apparatus 20 is, for example, a multifunction machine equipped with a copying function, a scanner function, and a FAX function, and is installed in a convenience store or the like.

  The data processing server 10 executes data processing designated by the user on target data such as document data and image data. The target data may be registered in advance in the data processing server 10 or the database 30, may be acquired from the Web server 50, or may be provided from the client PC 40. Data processing executed by the data processing server 10 and target data thereof are designated by the user via the client PC 40 or the printing apparatus 20.

  The data processing server 10 stores the result of the data processing in the database 30, generates a list of the end data processing that has been completed among the executed data processing, and provides it to the user. The user selects a desired end data process based on the end data process list, acquires the processing result data of the end data process using the printing apparatus 20, and prints it.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a processing procedure of the printing system of FIG. The operation of the printing system in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The parts shown in FIG. 1 will be described with the reference numerals in FIG.

  In this printing system, the user completes user registration with the data processing server 10 in advance, and accesses the data processing server 10 from the client PC 40 or the printing device 20 using the ID and password issued at that time. (Login) (S100).

  When accessed by the user, the data processing accepting unit 11 of the data processing server 10 provides the user with a registration page unique to the user (S102). The registration page shows a list of target data available to the user and a list of data processing (jobs).

  The user uses the client PC 40 or the printing apparatus 20 to select the target data desired to be processed and the data processing content from the list shown on the registration page, and requests the data processing server 10 to perform data processing. (S104). The target data is document data or image data. Data processing refers to processing for creating a summary of document data, processing for collecting document data referenced by document data (for example, HTML format), processing for combining document data and image data, and combining a plurality of image data. Image processing to be processed into a single image data, processing to clean an image, image scaling processing (resolution conversion processing), and the like. When the user desires data processing of target data not shown in the registration list, the user transmits the target data to the data processing server 10 together with a request for data processing contents. At this time, the URL of the Web server 50 storing the target data may be transmitted instead of the target data itself.

  When the data processing accepting unit 11 of the data processing server 10 accepts a request from the user, the data processing unit 12 executes the requested data processing on the target data (S106).

  Further, the billing information generating unit 13 generates billing information corresponding to each data processing executed in the data processing unit 12 (S108). The billing information includes information regarding the data processing fee according to the complexity of the data processing and the payment method of the fee.

  Then, the storage control unit 14 stores the processing result data of the data processing and the billing information corresponding to the data processing in the database 30 (S110). At this time, a storage area corresponding to each data process is selected. For example, a URL corresponding to each data process is attached. Of course, the structure which uses the some database 30 separately may be sufficient.

  The end list generating unit 15 generates a list of end data processes in which the process result data and the billing information are stored in the database 30 and the process is completed, and the list is provided to the user (S112). The list of end data processing shows a list of data processing IDs corresponding to the end data processing. As the data processing ID, when the user requests data processing in S104, a data processing name is set for each data processing, and the data processing name is used. In addition, the processing date at the time of requesting the data processing, the file name of the target data to be processed, or the writing portion of the document if the target data is a document may be used.

  The user uses the client PC 40 or the printing device 20 to select a desired data process from the end data process list, and transmits the selected data process ID to the data processing server 10 (S114).

  When data processing is selected by the user, the address information providing unit 16 of the data processing server 10 specifies a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored for the end data processing selected by the user. Address information to be provided is provided to the user (S116). The address information indicates a URL corresponding to the processing result data. The address information is provided to the client PC 40 or the printing apparatus 20.

  When the address information is provided to the client PC 40, the user records the address information on a movable recording medium (for example, a USB memory, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.). The printing apparatus 20 is provided with a connection portion with a recording medium. Therefore, the user can supply address information to a printing apparatus installed in a convenience store or the like by recording and carrying the address information on a movable recording medium.

  The user downloads processing result data from the database 30 to the printing apparatus 20 based on the acquired address information (S118). That is, the address information acquisition unit 21 of the printing apparatus 20 acquires address information from the user, and the data acquisition unit 22 downloads the processing result data from the database 30 based on the acquired address information.

  The charging processing unit 23 of the printing apparatus 20 acquires charging information corresponding to the processing result data acquired by the data acquiring unit 22. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the fee indicated in the billing information has been paid (S120). The payment of the fee may be performed by directly inserting cash into the printing apparatus 20 or may be a post-payment process using a credit card or the like. The charging processing unit 23 controls the printing unit 24 to print the processing result data only when the payment of the fee for the processing result data is confirmed.

  Then, the printing unit 24 prints the processing result data determined to be printable by the charging processing unit 23 (S122).

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment mentioned above is only a mere illustration in all the points, and does not limit the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in S112 of FIG. 2, a list of end data processing is generated using a Web page, and a link to the processing result data is set in each end data processing shown on the Web page. On the other hand, the printing apparatus 20 has a Web page display function, and the user selects desired data processing from the Web page displayed on the printing apparatus 20. The printing apparatus 20 downloads the processing result data from the database 30 based on the link to the data processing selected by the user.

  Alternatively, the user uses the browser function of the client PC 40 to display a Web page related to the end data processing list, selects a desired data process from the Web page, and downloads the processing result data to the client PC 40. Then, the processing result data may be printed using the print function of the browser.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the process sequence of the printing system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10 data processing server, 20 printing device, 30 database, 40 client PC.

Claims (9)

In a printing system including a data processing server and a printing apparatus connected to each other via a network,
The data processing server
A data processing unit that executes data processing designated by the user on the target data;
An end list generation unit that generates a list of end data processes that have been processed among at least one data process executed by the data processing unit;
Have
The printing apparatus includes:
A data acquisition unit that acquires processing result data of end data processing selected by the user based on the list of end data processing;
A printing unit for printing the acquired processing result data;
Having
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The data processing server
A storage control unit for storing each processing result data of the data processing in a storage area corresponding to the data processing;
An address information providing unit that provides a user with address information for specifying a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored;
Further comprising
The data acquisition unit of the printing apparatus includes:
Using the address information provided by the user to obtain processing result data stored in the storage area;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The data processing server
A billing information generator for generating billing information corresponding to each of the data processing;
Further comprising
The printing apparatus includes:
The charging information corresponding to the processing result data acquired by the data acquisition unit is acquired, and the charge for the processing result data indicated in the charging information is confirmed only when the payment processing of this charge is confirmed. An accounting processing unit that controls the printing unit to enable printing of the processing result data;
Further having
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The data processing server
A data processing reception unit that provides a user with a registration page including a list of target data and a list of data processing, and receives specification of target data and data processing used in the data processing unit from the user using the registration page ,
Further having
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The end list generation unit generates a list describing a data processing name given to each end data process by the user as the end data process list,
A printing system characterized by that. A data processing unit that executes data processing designated by the user on the target data;
A storage control unit for storing each processing result data of the data processing in a storage area corresponding to the data processing;
An end list generation unit that generates a list of end data processes that have been processed among at least one data process executed by the data processing unit;
An address information providing unit that provides the user with address information for specifying a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored for the end data processing selected by the user from the end data processing list; ,
Having
A data processing server characterized by that. Data processing is performed on the target data, the processing result is stored in a storage area corresponding to the data processing, address information for specifying the storage area is provided to the user, and each data processing is performed A printing apparatus connected via a network to a data processing server that generates billing information,
An address information acquisition unit for acquiring the address information from a user;
A data acquisition unit that acquires processing result data of data processing specified by a user from the storage area using the acquired address information;
The billing information corresponding to the processing result data acquired by the data acquisition unit is acquired, and the fee for the processing result data indicated in the charging information is limited to the case where payment processing of this fee is confirmed. A billing processing unit that permits printing of the processing result data;
A printing unit for printing the permitted processing result data;
Having
A printing apparatus characterized by that. A printing method in a network system including a data processing server and a printing apparatus,
The data processing server
Execute data processing specified by the user for the target data,
Generating a list of end data processes in which at least one of the executed data processes has been completed;
The printing apparatus includes:
Obtaining processing result data of end data processing selected by the user based on the list of end data processing;
Printing the acquired processing result data;
A printing method characterized by the above. A procedure for performing data processing specified by the user on the target data;
A procedure for storing each processing result data of the data processing in a storage area corresponding to the data processing;
A procedure for generating a list of end data processes that have been processed among the data processes specified by the user;
A procedure for providing the user with address information for specifying a storage area in which processing result data corresponding to the end data processing is stored for the end data processing selected by the user from the list of end data processing;
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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