JP3507408B2 - Printing system, print control method, server device, terminal device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, a print control method, a server device, a terminal device, and a storage medium, which can easily print data such as XML documents or Web information whose format information is not fixed, on the go. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been possible to obtain a print result as intended by a user through a printing device when data created by an application and having fixed format information is printed.

[0003]

However, when it is desired to easily print data whose format information has not been determined on the go, it cannot be printed by the conventional method or the printing result depends on the printing system. Could not obtain the intended print result.

Therefore, the present invention provides a printing system, a print control method, a server device, a terminal device, and a storage medium that can easily print data whose format information has not been determined in a format intended by the user on the go. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in a printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention, a terminal device having a printing function and a server device are connected via a network, and the terminal is provided. a printing system for printing data that has been input to the apparatus, the server apparatus includes a format information storage means for storing a plurality of format information, stored by the format information storage unit in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device A method for transmitting the format information, wherein the terminal device receives the advertisement transmitted by the transmitting means.
Receiving means and the format information received by the receiving means but to receive the format information of different ad-format to one another
Based on the
Display means for displaying a screen for selecting a format,
A printing unit that prints data including the advertisement in a format including the advertisement selected on the screen .

Further, the server device includes an advertisement storage means for storing the advertisement, and a format information generating means for generating said format information using the stored advertisement by the advertisement storage unit, wherein the format information the format information created by the creation means may be stored is the format information storage unit, the terminal apparatus, in accordance with the instructions, the print setting means for performing print setting data including the advertisement, selection by the screen in accordance with the print settings set by been formatted information and the print setting unit, and a print data creating means for creating print data based on the data including the advertisement, the indicia
Based on the print data created by the printing data creating means
The printing means Te that is printed preferred.

Furthermore, the terminal apparatus includes: a print image creating means for creating a print image, said image creation
Comprising a confirmation means for confirming a print image created by means, a charging means for charging the printing, and registration means for registering the format information used for printing, said registration means
It is preferably capable of printing different data using the format information registered again by.

Further, a selection confirmation means for confirming whether or not to select a format that includes the ad-format, or to select the format when it is confirmed, selects <br/> the ad-format and an advertisement format information determining means for determining whether,
If it is determined that selecting the ad-format, the table
It is preferable that the displaying means displays the screen .

Furthermore, it is ensured that the format is not selected.
If accepted, the predefined format information will be
It is preferably used as format information .

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method, wherein a printing system in which a terminal device having a print function and a server device are connected via a network is used to print data input to the terminal device. In the control method,
A storing step to keep store a plurality of format information in the server device, a transmission step of transmitting the stored format information in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device, by the terminal device, said feeding
The advertisements sent in the communication process are different from each other.
A receiving step of receiving format information of a plurality of advertisement-containing formats, and based on the format information received in the receiving step.
Select the ad format from the above-mentioned multiple ad formats.
Display step to display a screen for selecting
A printing step of printing data including the advertisement in the selected advertisement-containing format .

A server device according to a seventh aspect is connected to a terminal device having a printing function via a network,
A server device for transmitting format information used for the printing to the terminal device in order to print the data input to the terminal device, and a format information storage unit for storing a plurality of the format information, the document according to an instruction from the terminal device
And a transmission means for transmitting the format information stored by the formula information storage means .

The terminal device according to claim 8 is a terminal device which is connected to a server device via a network and has a function of printing input data, and is stored by a format information storage unit included in the server device. It's wide
Transmitting means for transmitting an instruction on entering and tell it to send formatted information different ad-format to one another in the server device is transmitted by the transmitting means the server device comprises
A receiving unit that will receive the format information, by the receiving means
Based on the format information received, the plurality of ad receipts
Display a screen to select the ad-containing format from the formula
With the display means and the format with the advertisement selected on the screen,
A printing unit that prints the data including the advertisement .

Further , according to an instruction, a print setting unit that performs print setting of data including the advertisement, the format information selected on the screen, and the print set by the print setting unit. according to the setting, the data including the advertisement
And a print data creating means for creating print data based, it is preferable that the printing means for printing based on the print data created by the printing data creating unit.

Further, a print image creating means for creating a print image, a confirming means for confirming the print image created by the image creating means , a charging means for charging for printing, and format information used for printing It is preferable that the printing apparatus further comprises a registration unit for registering, and is able to print another data by reusing the format information registered by the registration unit .

Further, a selection confirmation means for confirming whether or not to select a format that includes the ad-format, or to select the format when it is confirmed, selects <br/> the ad-format and an advertisement format information determining means for determining whether,
If it is determined that selecting the ad-format, the table
It is preferable that the displaying means displays the screen .

Furthermore, make sure that the format is not selected.
If accepted, the predefined format information will be
It is preferably used as format information .

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

The storage medium according to claim 13 is executed by a computer that controls a terminal device connected to a server device via a network and stores a program for printing input data. In the above, the program is transmitted by the server device.
A receiving procedure for receiving the format information transmitted by the receiving means, and a receiving procedure based on the format information received in the receiving procedure.
Based on the above, the advertisement-containing format is selected from the plurality of advertisement-containing formats.
Display procedure for displaying the screen for selecting
And a printing procedure for printing the data including the advertisement in the format including the advertisement selected in .

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a printing system, a printing control method, a server device, a terminal device and a storage medium of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a printing system according to the first embodiment. This printing system uses We via the Internet.
b The server and the printing terminal are connected to each other. In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a Web server, which has an advertisement database (DB) 1, a format information DB 2, a DB manager 3, an output tool 4, a print driver 5, and the like, and creates various formats. There are advertisement-free types and advertisement-containing types in the created formats, and in the advertisement-containing types, various formats are created using advertisements provided by an advertisement provider company. Further, the content of the advertisement is changed regularly, and when the user selects the format containing the advertisement, the discount is made by using the advertisement fee collected from the advertisement providing company.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various discount services.
The figure (A) shows a charge of 50 yen for A4 size without advertisement, and the figure (B) shows A4 size with advertisement (Advertisement / P
The charge is 40 yen when (age = 20%), and the figure (C) shows A4 size with advertisement (advertisement / Page = 80
%) Shows a charge of 10 yen, and FIG. 6D shows a charge of 20 yen when the size is A4 and there is an advertisement (advertisement / Page = 60%).

The various created formats are stored in the format information DB 2 in addition to information such as price of each format, information of default format, format management information, and managed by the DB manager 3.

The output tool 4 provides a Web menu for receiving a request for downloading / uploading format information from the printing terminal, executing the request, reading data, selecting a format, creating print data, and the like.

On the other hand, 2000 is a convenience store,
It is a printing terminal installed in a copy / print service shop, etc., and downloads with the Web server 3000.
Format information D that stores the format information to be uploaded
Have B8. The format information is managed by the DB manager 9. An output tool 7 having a browser function performs a series of print processing together with the print driver 6 that creates print data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship among an advertisement providing company, a store and a user who use the printing system. Convenience stores and other stores provide printing services to increase customer attraction and profit. The user can pay the data printing fee, select a desired format, and print cheaply. The advertisement provider pays the advertisement fee because it can be expected to have an advertising effect on the user.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a printing processing procedure in the printing terminal 2000. This processing program is stored in a storage medium in the printing terminal 2000 and is executed by a CPU (not shown) in the printing terminal 2000. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial screen of the operation unit of the printing terminal 2000. The guidance for the print service is displayed on the initial screen.

First, the print data for printing is read in (step S1). Subsequently, the format selection and print setting processing of the read data are performed (step S
2). Charge processing is performed (step S3), and printing is executed (step S4). Then, it is determined whether or not the used format is to be registered (step S5). If the registration is not performed, the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if the registration is performed, the printing terminal 2000 or the Web server 3000 is used.
The registration of the format is executed (step S6).

Further, an instruction as to whether or not another data is to be printed using the same format is received, and the determination is made (step S7). When another data is printed using the same format, the process of reading the data to be printed is performed (step S8), the print setting process is performed (step S9), and the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if another data is not printed in step S7, the process ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure for reading the data to be printed in step S1.
First, the storage location of data to be printed is the printing terminal 2000.
Wait for input or designation above (step S1)
1). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data read operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 for designating a place where data to be printed is stored (exists). On this reading operation screen, it is possible to select and read data on a CD-ROM, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a memory card and the Internet.

When the storage location is input or designated, it is determined whether the data is readable data (step S12). If the data is not readable data, an error message is displayed (step S20) and the process ends. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation screen on which an error message is displayed when a read error occurs.

On the other hand, if the data is readable in step S12, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of data in the designated data storage location (step S13).
If there is not a plurality of data, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if there is a plurality of data, the selection of data is instructed (step S14), and one data is awaited (step S15). When one piece of data is designated, it is determined whether or not the format is converted to a more suitable format (step S16). When the format is converted to a more suitable format, the format conversion is executed (step S17). On the other hand, when the format conversion is not performed, the process directly proceeds to step S18.

The read data is displayed on the screen (step S18). Then, it is determined whether the display is correct (no problem) (step S19). If it is displayed correctly, the processing is terminated, while if it is not displayed correctly, an error message is displayed (step S20),
The process ends.

9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the print setting / format selection processing procedure in step S2. In the present embodiment, when the user selects the format,
First, let's select whether or not to select a format.If you select "Select", you will be prompted to select whether to use the format with advertisements. A format containing advertisements is presented and selected, and when no format is selected, a predetermined format is used as a default format. In addition, a paper size is selected as a method for enabling print settings.

First, it is determined whether or not the previously registered format is used (step S31). When using the previously registered format, the user is made to select the format (step S32), and the process proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, if the previously registered format is not used, the format information is downloaded (step S33). Wait for the format information to be downloaded (step S
34) When the download of the format information is completed, the format information selection menu is displayed (step S35).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 in which the format information selection menu is displayed. In this format information selection menu, select "Do not select format", "Select format with advertisement", "Select format without advertisement".
You can choose the street. It is determined whether the format is selected but not selected (step S36). When the format is selected but not selected, a predetermined default format is used (step S42). On the other hand, if the format is selected in step S36, it is determined whether or not the format with advertisement is selected (step S37). When the format with advertisement is selected, the format with advertisement is displayed among the formats downloaded in step S33 (step S3).
8). On the other hand, if the format with advertisement is not selected, the format without advertisement is displayed among the formats downloaded in step S33 (step S39).

Thereafter, a format selection instruction is given (step S40), and the selection of a format is waited (step S4).
1). When the format is selected, the process proceeds to step S43. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 for selecting a format including an advertisement. In this screen,
It is possible to select the format intended by the user from the eight types of formats.

Then, a print setting execution instruction is issued (step S43). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 that allows the user to select the paper size and perform print settings. Paper size is A3, B4, A4, Lett
er, A5, and B5 sizes can be selected. It waits until the paper size is selected (step S44), and when the paper size is selected, it is determined whether the print image display is selected (step S45).

If the print image display is not selected, the process proceeds to step S48. If the print image display is selected, a print image in which the data and the selected format are combined is created (step S46). The print setting information is displayed (step S47). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a print image and print setting information are displayed. A file name, size, and paper size are displayed as print setting information.

It is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction (step S48). If there is no print execution instruction, the process returns to step S43. On the other hand, if there is a print execution instruction, printing is performed through the print driver 6. Data is created (step S49), and the process ends.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the charging processing procedure in step S3. First, the print charge of the data for which printing has been performed is calculated using the format information downloaded previously (step S51). The slip is displayed on the screen (step S52). FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a slip is displayed. This screen shows the charges for the printing service.

Subsequently, the payment method is presented (step S53). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a screen for selecting a charging method is displayed. There are three payment methods available: cash register, coin shooter, and credit card. It is determined whether the cashier is selected as the payment method (step S5).
4) If the cash register is selected, the slip is printed (step S55). Then, when payment at the cash register is completed and the print password acquired at that time is input (step S57), the print password is input,
The process ends.

On the other hand, when the cashier is not selected as the payment method in step S54, it is determined whether or not the coin shooter is selected as the payment method (step S5).
6). When the coin shooter is selected, the payment is instructed (step S58), and the payment is waited (step S60). When the payment is completed, the processing ends.

On the other hand, when the coin shooter is not selected in step S56, it is determined whether or not various cards are selected as the payment method (step S59). When various cards are not selected, the process returns to step S53. . On the other hand, when various types of cards are selected, it is determined whether or not various types of cards have been settled and printing can be performed immediately (step S61). If various card payments are completed and printing is possible immediately, the processing ends. On the other hand, if the various card payments have not been completed and printing is not possible immediately, the process waits until the print password is input (step S62), and when the print password is input, the process ends.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the printing terminal installed at the store can be used to easily print the data whose format information is not fixed in the format intended by the user.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment,
As a method for enabling the print setting of the data for which printing is instructed, the case where a process for selecting the orientation of the paper to be printed is added to the first embodiment will be described. The configuration of the printing system in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The printing process in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except the process of step S2 in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the print setting / format selection processing procedure in the second embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. This flowchart is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the same step numbers are assigned to the same step processes as those of the first embodiment.

First, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not the previously registered format is used (step S31). When the previously registered format is used, the format is selected (step S32), and the process proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, if the previously registered format is not used, the format information is downloaded (step S33). Wait until the format information download is completed (step S34), and when the format information download is completed, the format information selection menu is displayed (step S34).
35, see FIG. 11).

It is judged whether the format is selected or not (step S36). If the format is selected but not selected,
A predetermined default format is used (step S42). On the other hand, if the format is selected in step S36, it is determined whether or not the format with advertisement is selected (step S37). When the format with advertisement is selected, the format with advertisement is displayed among the formats downloaded in step S33 (step S38). On the other hand, if the format with advertisement is not selected, the format without advertisement is displayed among the formats downloaded in step S33 (step S39).

Thereafter, a format selection instruction is given (step S40, see FIG. 12), and the process waits until a format is selected (step S41). When the format is selected, step S
The process shifts to step 43.

Then, a print setting execution instruction is issued (step S43). Furthermore, it waits until the paper size is selected (step S44, see FIG. 13), and when the paper size is selected, waits for the paper orientation to be selected (step S44A). FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 that allows the user to select the print orientation and set the print settings. When the paper orientation is selected, it is determined whether the print image display is selected (step S45).

If the print image display is not selected, the process proceeds to step S48. If the print image display is selected, a print image in which the data and the selected format are combined is created (step S46). The print setting information is displayed (step S47, see FIG. 14).

It is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction (step S48). If there is no print execution instruction, the process returns to step S43. On the other hand, if there is a print execution instruction, printing is performed through the print driver 6. Data is created (step S49), and the process ends.

In the second embodiment, by setting the paper orientation to print, it is possible to print in a format more intended by the user.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
As a method for enabling the print setting of the data for which printing is instructed, the case where a process for selecting the number of copies to be printed is added to the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the printing system in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The printing process in the third embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except the process of step S2 in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the print setting / format selection processing procedure in the third embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. This flow chart is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the same step numbers are assigned to the same step processes as those of the first and second embodiments. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In FIG. 20, when a predetermined default format is used (step S42), or after the format is selected in steps S32 and S41, an instruction to execute print setting is issued (step S43).

Then, it waits for the paper size to be selected (step S44, see FIG. 13), and when the paper size is selected, waits for the paper orientation to be selected (step S).
44A, see FIG. 19). When the paper orientation is selected, the process waits until the number of copies is designated (step S44B). Figure 21
Printing terminal 2000 displaying a screen for specifying the number of copies
It is a figure which shows the operation screen of. When the number of copies is designated, it is determined whether or not the print image display is selected (step S45).

If the print image display is not selected, the process proceeds to step S48. If the print image display is selected, a print image in which the data and the selected format are combined is created (step S46). The print setting information is displayed (step S47, see FIG. 14).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction (step S48). If there is no print execution instruction, the process returns to step S43. On the other hand, if there is a print execution instruction, the print driver 6 The print data is created through (step S49), and the process ends.

In the third embodiment, by designating the number of print copies, it is possible to print at once without the same trouble.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment,
As a method for enabling the print setting of data for which printing is instructed, in the case where the number of copies to be printed is more than that of the third embodiment, a plurality of copies are continuously printed or one copy is divided. The case where processing for selecting whether to perform printing by adding is shown. The configuration of the printing system in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The printing process in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except the process of step S2 in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the print setting / format selection processing procedure in the fourth embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. This flow chart is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the same step numbers are assigned to the same step processes as those of the first, second and third embodiments. The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In FIG. 22, when a predetermined default format is used (step S42) or after the format is selected in steps S32 and S41, an instruction to execute print setting is issued (step S43).

Then, it waits for the paper size to be selected (step S44, see FIG. 13), and when the paper size is selected, waits for the paper orientation to be selected (step S).
44A, see FIG. 19). When the paper orientation is selected, the process waits until the number of copies is designated (step S44B, see FIG. 21). When the number of copies is designated, it is determined whether the number of copies is plural (step S44C).

When the number of copies is plural, it is judged whether continuous printing is performed for printing of plural copies or printing is performed by dividing one copy at a time (step S).
44D). FIG. 23 shows a printing terminal 2 for making print settings as to whether continuous printing is performed or printing is performed separately for each copy.
It is a figure which shows the operation screen of 000. On the other hand, step S4
If the number of copies is not plural in 4C, the process proceeds to step 45.

Then, it is determined whether or not the print image display is selected (step S45). If the print image display is not selected, the process proceeds to step S48,
When the print image display is selected, a print image in which the data and the selected format are combined is created (step S4).
6) The print image and print setting information are displayed (step S47, see FIG. 14).

It is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction. (Step S48). FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a print execution operation screen of the printing terminal 2000, which is displayed when it is selected to print one copy at a time. If there is no print execution instruction, the process returns to step S43. On the other hand, if there is a print execution instruction, print data is created through the print driver 6 (step S49), and the process ends.

In the fourth embodiment, when printing a plurality of copies, it is possible to select continuous printing or printing one copy at a time. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing in consideration of user convenience.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fifth embodiment,
As a method for enabling the print setting of the data for which printing is instructed, the case where a process for selecting whether to perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing is added to the fourth embodiment will be described. The configuration of the printing system in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. The printing process in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment except the process of step S2 in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the print setting / format selection processing procedure in the fifth embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. This flowchart is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and the same step numbers are assigned to the same step processes as those of the first, second, third and fourth embodiments. There is.
The process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

In FIG. 25, when a predetermined default format is used (step S42) or after the format is selected in steps S32 and S41, an instruction to execute print setting is issued (step S43).

Then, it waits for the paper size to be selected (step S44, see FIG. 13), and when the paper size is selected, waits for the paper orientation to be selected (step S).
44A, see FIG. 19). When the paper orientation is selected, the process waits until the number of copies is designated (step S44B, see FIG. 21). When the number of copies is designated, it is determined whether the number of copies is plural (step S44C).

When the number of copies is plural, it is determined whether continuous printing is performed for printing of plural copies or printing is performed separately for each copy (step S).
44D, see FIG. 23). On the other hand, if the number of copies is not plural in step S44C, the process proceeds to step 44E.

Further, it waits for selection of single-sided printing or double-sided printing (step S44E). FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 for making print settings for single-sided printing or double-sided printing. When single-sided printing or double-sided printing is selected, it is determined whether the print image display is selected (step S45).
If the print image display is not selected, step S48
When the print image display is selected,
A print image in which the data and the selected format are combined is created (step S46), and the print image and print setting information are displayed (step S47, see FIG. 14).

It is determined whether or not there is a print execution instruction. (Step S48, see FIG. 24). If there is no print execution instruction, the process returns to step S43. On the other hand, if there is a print execution instruction, print data is created through the print driver 6 (step S49), and the process ends.

In the fifth embodiment, since it is possible to select one-sided printing or two-sided printing, it is possible to perform printing with further consideration given to the convenience of the user.

The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments, and the functions shown in the claims or the embodiments Any structure can be applied as long as the function of the structure can be achieved.

For example, the data to be printed is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the storage location and data type of the HTML or XML document stored in the floppy disk owned by the user, Web information on the Internet, etc. are not particularly limited.

The printing terminal is composed of a plurality of devices (for example,
Computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.)
You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where a recording medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. Nor. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the storage medium for supplying the program code shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 6, 9, 10, 15, 18, 18, 20, and 25 is, for example, a floppy disk. Disk, hard disk, ROM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-R
OM, CD-R, DVD, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer actually operates based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where a part or all of the processing of (1) is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the program code read from the storage medium is subjected to a part or all of the actual processing by the CPU provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, It goes without saying that this includes cases where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by processing.

[0091]

According to the present invention, data for which format information is not determined can be easily printed in a format intended by the user on the go.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various discount services.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship among an advertisement providing company, a store, and a user who use the printing system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a printing processing procedure in the printing terminal 2000.

5 is a diagram showing an initial screen of an operation unit of the printing terminal 2000. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reading processing procedure of data to be printed in step S1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a data read operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 for designating a place where data to be printed is stored (exists).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation screen on which an error message is displayed when a read error occurs.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in step S2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in step S2 following FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 in which a format information selection menu is displayed.

FIG. 12 is a printing terminal 200 for selecting a format including an advertisement.
It is a figure which shows the operation screen on 0.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 that allows a user to select a paper size and perform print settings.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a print image and print setting information are displayed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a charging processing procedure in step S3.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a slip is displayed.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an operation screen on the printing terminal 2000 on which a screen for selecting a charging method is displayed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in the second embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 that allows the user to select the print orientation and set the print settings.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in the third embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 on which a screen for designating the number of copies is displayed.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in the fourth embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 for making print settings as to whether continuous printing is performed or printing is performed separately for each copy.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a print execution operation screen of the printing terminal 2000, which is displayed when it is selected to print one copy at a time;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a print setting / format selection processing procedure in the fifth embodiment of the portion corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an operation screen of the printing terminal 2000 for making print settings for single-sided printing or double-sided printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 advertisement database (DB) 2.8 Format information database (DB) 4, 7 Output tool 5, 6 print driver 2000 Printing terminal 3000 Web server

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI G06F 13/00 550 G06F 13/00 550F 17/60 124 17/60 124 326 326 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12 B41J 21/00 B41J 29/00 G06F 13/00 550 G06F 17/60

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing system in which a terminal device having a printing function and a server device are connected via a network to print data input to the terminal device, wherein the server device stores a plurality of format information. a format information storage unit that, the format information storing means in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device
And a transmission unit that transmits the format information stored by the terminal device, wherein the terminal device transmits the advertisements transmitted by the transmission unit to each other.
Based on the receiving means for receiving the format information of a plurality of different advertisement-containing formats and the format information received by the receiving means ,
Select an ad format from multiple ad formats
A printing system comprising: a display unit that displays a screen for displaying the data; and a printing unit that prints the data including the advertisement in a format including the advertisement selected on the screen . Wherein said server device includes an advertisement storage means for storing said advertisement, and format information creating means by using the advertisement said stored by advertisement storage unit to create the format information, the format information the format information created by the creation means may be stored is the format information storage unit, the terminal apparatus, in accordance with the instructions, the print setting means for performing print setting data including the advertisement, selection by the screen Format information and the print setting means
In accordance with the print settings set by, including the advertising
And a print data creating means for creating print data based on the no-data, the print data created by the print data creating means
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints based on the printing. 3. The terminal device includes a print image creating means for creating a print image, a confirming means for confirming the print image created by the image creating means , a billing means for charging a print, and a print And a registration means for registering the format information used in the step 1, wherein the format information registered by the registration means can be reused to print another data.
Or the printing system according to 2. 4. A selection confirmation means for confirming whether or not to select a format that includes the ad-format, when it is confirmed to select the format, determines whether to select the ad-format and an advertisement format information determination hand <br/> stages, it is determined that selecting the ad-format
In this case , the display means displays the screen, and the printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. It was confirmed that the format was not selected
If the predetermined format information is the default format information
The printing system according to claim 4, characterized by using as. 6. A print control method for printing data input to a terminal device by using a printing system in which a terminal device having a print function and a server device are connected via a network, wherein a format is used in the server device. a storing step to keep store a plurality of information, a transmission step of transmitting format information said stored according to an instruction from the terminal device, by the terminal device, transmitted in the transmission step, wide
A receiving step of receiving format information of a plurality of advertisement-containing formats in which notifications are different from each other, and based on the format information received in the receiving step,
Select an ad-filled form from the multiple ad-filled forms
A print control method comprising: a display step of displaying a screen for displaying the data; and a printing step of printing data including the advertisement in a format including the advertisement selected on the screen . 7. A server which is connected to a terminal device having a print function via a network and transmits format information used for the printing to the terminal device in order to print the data input to the terminal device. an apparatus, and format information storage means for storing a plurality of the format information, the format information storing means in accordance with an instruction from the terminal device
And a transmission unit that transmits the format information stored by the server device. 8. A terminal device, which is connected to a server device via a network and has a function of printing input data, wherein the advertisement information stored in the format information storage means of the server device is mutually different. Different ad formats
Transmitting means for transmitting an instruction to transmit the formatted information to the server apparatus, a receiving unit that will receive the format information transmitted by the transmitting means the server device comprises, in the received format information by the receiving means Based on
Select an ad format from multiple ad formats
A terminal device , comprising: a display unit that displays a screen for displaying the data; and a printing unit that prints the data including the advertisement in a format including the advertisement selected on the screen . 9. Depending on the instructions, the print setting means for performing print setting data including advertisement, format information selected by the screen and the printing setting means
In accordance with the print settings set by, the advertisement
And a print data creating means for creating print data based on the data including the, the print data created by the print data creating means
9. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein the printing unit prints based on the printing. 10. A print image creating means for creating a print image, a confirming means for confirming the print image created by the image creating means , a billing means for charging a print, and format information used for the print. 9. A registration means for registering the information, and the format information registered by the registration means can be reused to print another data.
Or the terminal device according to item 9. 11. A selection confirmation means for confirming whether or not to select a format that includes the ad-format, when it is confirmed to select the format, determines whether to select the ad-format and an advertisement format information determination hand <br/> stages, it is determined that selecting the ad-format
In this case , the display means displays the screen, and the terminal device according to any one of claims 8 to 10. 12. It is confirmed that the format is not selected.
If you select the default format information,
The terminal device according to claim 11, which is used as a report . 13. A storage medium, which stores a program for printing input data, which is executed by a computer that controls a terminal device connected to a server device via a network, wherein the program is the server. A receiving procedure for receiving the format information transmitted by the transmitting means included in the device, and based on the format information received in the receiving procedure.
Select the ad format from the above-mentioned multiple ad formats.
A storage medium comprising: a display procedure for displaying a screen for selection and a printing procedure for printing data including the advertisement in a format including the advertisement selected on the screen .