JP2002014794A - Print controller, portable terminal, server, print control method, data processing method of portable terminal, data processing method of server, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely structure a print system which can provide flexible charged services by charging various processes carried out to provide various services of the print system. SOLUTION: The controller of a printer 103 determines the value for the processing of information to be printed, calculates the print charge for the object information according to the determined value, displays the calculated print charge on a display 102 and also displays a downloaded print image of the object information to the user to let the user confirm the contents, and collects the print charge through a charge collecting device 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a portable terminal, a server, a print control method, and a portable terminal for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. And a data processing method of a server and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system that issues a print request from a portable terminal via a wireless network or a wired network and prints the data to a printing apparatus connected to the network.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-78328 discloses an image processing service system for performing printing from a personal computer (PC) to a copying machine installed in a convenience store or the like.

In the above-mentioned image processing service system, the printing service is charged based on a communication printing fee in addition to a color printing output fee or a scanner usage fee.

[0005]

However, the above image processing service system does not consider the case where the provision of the information itself is charged. In addition, when the user issues a print instruction from a mobile terminal having a limited display capability, such as a small display or a monochrome display, for example, a mobile phone as a mobile mobile communication terminal, the print image is checked before actually printing. It is convenient if possible, but if the information is charged, it is necessary to consider the charge not only for printing itself, but also for displaying the print image. Otherwise, for example, if the user only checks the print image on the display of the portable terminal device and does not give a print instruction, if the user does not collect the fee, the information on the information distribution server side which is the provider of the pay information is required. This is because the provided service is not charged, and the payment becomes unpaid, resulting in a profit and loss.

As described above, in providing a print service by the conventional image processing service system, various forms of information service provision are being formulated, and not only one print service form cannot meet various needs. In addition, the billing process for the information service business intended by the service provider is limited and the business for the purpose of collection cannot be developed, and there are obstacles to performing various information providing services by flexibly incorporating the billing process into the service business. The problem that it became was pointed out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to print information to be printed from one of information distribution servers based on address information received from a terminal device. Obtain, when performing a printing process based on the obtained print target information, determine the price associated with the processing of the print target information, based on the determined price, calculate the printing fee for the print target information, The calculated printing fee is displayed on the display device, and the printing fee is collected, so that any one of the information distribution servers is accessed according to the information acquisition request from the terminal device, and the printing service is provided for the printing target information. Print control that allows a provider to freely build a printing system that can collect a legitimate fee by clearly indicating to the user the service provision fee calculated by the print requestor To provide a location and a mobile terminal and a server, and a printing control method and a data processing method and a server data processing method and a storage medium of the portable terminal.

A second object is to obtain print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received from the terminal device, and to perform a print process based on the obtained print target information. At this time, a price for processing the print target information is determined, a print fee for the print target information is calculated based on the determined price, and the calculated print fee is displayed on the display device and downloaded. By displaying the print image of the print target information to the user and confirming the contents, and collecting the print fee,
The print image of the downloaded print target information is checked before starting printing, and the print service provider prints the print target information downloaded by accessing one of the information distribution servers according to the information acquisition request from the terminal device. A print control apparatus, a portable terminal, a server, and a print control method capable of freely constructing a print system capable of collecting a legitimate fee by clearly indicating a service provision fee associated with a print process calculated to a requester to a user. And a data processing method for a portable terminal, a data processing method for a server, and a storage medium.

Further, a third object is to obtain print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received from the terminal device, and perform a print process based on the obtained print target information. At this time, a price associated with the printing process of the print target information is determined, and based on the determined price,
A print charge for the print target information is calculated, and the calculated print charge is displayed on a display device, and when a print image of the downloaded print target information is displayed to a user, a price associated with display processing of the print target information is considered. To determine
Based on the determined price, a display fee for the print target information is calculated, the calculated display fee is displayed on a display device, and the display fee and the print fee are collected while confirming the contents. Before starting printing, the user can visually confirm the print image of the downloaded print target information, and access any information distribution server according to the information acquisition request from the terminal device to print the downloaded print target information. A print control apparatus that allows a service provider to freely construct a printing system that allows a user to clearly indicate a service provision fee associated with a print process and an image display process calculated by a print requester and to collect a legitimate fee. Patent application title: Mobile terminal and server, print control method, mobile terminal data processing method, server data processing method To provide a storage medium.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium, Address information receiving means for receiving address information for obtaining desired print target information from any of the information distribution servers from the terminal device (corresponding to the wireless interface 104 and the wired interface 105 shown in FIG. 1).
Acquiring means for acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received by the address information receiving means (the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1).
3), a price determining unit (corresponding to the controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, and the acquisition unit. A printing unit (corresponding to a printer engine of the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) that performs a printing process based on the acquired print target information, and a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined by the price determination unit. Calculating means for calculating, a display control means for displaying the printing fee calculated by the calculating means on a display device (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1), and Charge collection means for collecting the printing charge calculated by the calculation means (corresponding to the charge collection device 111 shown in FIG. 1)
And

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the price determination means determines a price from address information of the print target information.

[0013] In a third aspect of the present invention, when the acquisition means acquires the print target information, the consideration determination means determines the consideration from consideration information provided by a provider of the print information. Things.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the price determination means determines the price from the price information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium. Address information receiving means (wireless interface 104, shown in FIG. 1) for receiving address information for obtaining more desired print target information from the terminal device.
An acquisition unit for acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received by the address information reception unit (e.g., a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1); And a price determining means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server.
A printing unit (a printer 1 shown in FIG. 1) for performing a printing process based on the print target information acquired by the acquiring unit.
03), and first calculating means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined by the price determining means. A first display control means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for displaying the printing fee calculated by the first calculating means on a display device; A fee collection unit (corresponding to the fee collection device 111 shown in FIG. 1) for collecting the printing fee calculated by the calculation unit, and a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit. Creation means (the controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1 develops the data on a memory (not shown) and performs the creation processing); Second display control means for displaying on said display device a print image was (printer 103 shown in FIG. 1
).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium. Address information receiving means (wireless interface 104, shown in FIG. 1) for receiving address information for obtaining more desired print target information from the terminal device.
An acquisition unit for acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received by the address information reception unit (e.g., a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1); Equivalent), first consideration determining means (equivalent to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for determining consideration for processing of print target information distributed from the information distribution server, and acquisition by the acquisition means. A printing unit (corresponding to a printer engine of the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for performing printing processing based on the printing target information, and a printing fee for the printing target information based on the price determined by the first price determining unit. (A controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1)
First display control means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for displaying the printing fee calculated by the first calculation means on a display device; The first charge collecting means (corresponding to the charge collecting apparatus 111 shown in FIG. 1) for collecting the printing charge calculated by the first calculating means and the print target information acquired by the acquiring means should be displayed. Creation means for creating a print image; second display control means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for displaying the print image created by the creation means on the display device; Price determining means (corresponding to a controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for determining a price associated with display processing of print target information distributed from Based on the consideration as determined by consideration determining means, second calculating means for calculating the rates shown on the display of the print image (the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1
And third display control means (corresponding to the controller in the printer 103 shown in FIG. 1) for displaying the display fee calculated by the second calculation means on the display device. And a second charge collecting means (corresponding to the charge collecting device 111 shown in FIG. 1) for collecting the display charge calculated by the second calculating means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first price determination means determines a price from address information of the print target information.

In an eighth invention according to the present invention, the first consideration determining means, when acquiring the print target information by the acquisition means, calculates a price from the consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. Is determined.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the first consideration determining means determines the consideration from the consideration information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition means.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the second price determination means determines a price from the address information of the print target information.

An eleventh invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the second consideration determining means, when acquiring the print target information by the acquisition means, uses the consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information to determine the price. Is determined.

[0021] In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the second price determination means determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition means.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the printing device processes the information to be printed so that the information can be printed out.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus is capable of printing and outputting the print target information in color or monochrome.

In a sixteenth aspect according to the present invention, the acquisition unit is configured to output a print object from one of the information distribution servers via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information receiving unit. Information is acquired.

A seventeenth invention according to the present invention is a print control method in a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium. An address information receiving step (step S801 shown in FIG. 18) of receiving address information for obtaining desired print target information from the information distribution server from the terminal device, and an address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step of acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the
(Step S804) shown in FIG. 15 and a price determining step (Steps S2620 and S26 shown in FIG. 15) of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server.
22), a printing step of performing a printing process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step (step S1306 shown in FIG. 28), and a printing process for the print target information based on the price determined by the price determination step. Calculation process for calculating the printing fee (step S2601 shown in FIG. 15)
To S2610), a display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated in the calculation step on a display device (step S2610 shown in FIG. 15), and the calculation step performed by the calculation step before the start of the printing processing in the printing step. A fee collection step of collecting a printing fee (step S120 shown in FIG. 27)
5).

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the price determination step, when the print target information is obtained in the obtaining step, the price is determined from the price information provided by the provider of the print target information. Things.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the price determination step, the price is determined from the price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

A twenty-first invention according to the present invention is a printing control method in a printing control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium. An address information receiving step (step S801 shown in FIG. 18) of receiving address information for obtaining desired print target information from the information distribution server from the terminal device, and an address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step of acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the
(Step S804) shown in FIG. 15 and a price determining step (Steps S2620 and S26 shown in FIG. 15) of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server.
22), a printing step of performing a printing process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step (step S1306 shown in FIG. 28), and a printing process for the print target information based on the price determined by the price determination step. First calculation step of calculating the printing fee (step S2 shown in FIG. 15)
601 to S2610) and a first display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated in the first calculation step on a display device (steps S2601 to S2610 shown in FIG. 15).
A charge collecting step (step S1205 shown in FIG. 27) for collecting the printing charge calculated in the calculating step before the printing processing in the printing step is started, and the print target information acquired in the acquiring step. A creation step of creating a print image to be displayed (step S1206 shown in FIG. 27) and a second display control step of displaying the print image created by the creation step on the display device (step S2610 shown in FIG. 15) And

A twenty-second invention according to the present invention is a print control method in a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium. An address information receiving step (step S801 shown in FIG. 18) of receiving address information for obtaining desired print target information from the information distribution server from the terminal device, and an address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step of acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the
(Step S804) shown in FIG. 15 and a first price determination step (Step S2620 shown in FIG. 15) for determining the price associated with the processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server.
S2622), a printing step of performing a printing process based on the printing target information acquired in the acquiring step (step S1306 shown in FIG. 28), and the printing target based on the price determined in the first price determining step. A first calculation step of calculating a print charge for information (steps S2601 to S2610 shown in FIG. 15) and a first display step of displaying the print charge calculated in the first calculation step on a display device
Display control step (step S2610 shown in FIG. 15)
And a first charge collecting step (step S1205 shown in FIG. 27) for collecting the printing charge calculated in the first calculating step before the printing processing in the printing step is started. A creation step of creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information (step S1206 shown in FIG. 27), and a second display control step of displaying the print image created by the creation step on the display device (FIG. 15, a second price determination step (steps S2620 and S2622 shown in FIG. 15) for determining a price associated with the display processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server. A second calculation step (FIG. 15) for calculating a display fee for displaying the print image based on the price determined in the price determination step. Step S2601~S2610)
A third display control step (step S2610 shown in FIG. 15) of displaying the display fee calculated by the second calculation step on the display device; and a display fee calculated by the second calculation step. And a second fee collection step (step S1205 shown in FIG. 27).

In a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the first price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first consideration determining step, when acquiring the print target information in the acquisition step, the first consideration determination step is performed based on consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. Is determined.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first consideration determining step, consideration is determined from consideration information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

In a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

In a twenty-seventh aspect according to the present invention, in the second price determination step, when the print target information is obtained in the obtaining step, the second price determination step is performed based on price information provided by a provider of the print target information. Is determined.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the second price determination step, the price is determined from the price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus processes print target information to enable print output.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the printing device is capable of printing and outputting print target information in color or monochrome.

[0041] In a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit is configured to execute printing from one of the information distribution servers via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information receiving unit. Information is acquired.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium is provided from any of the information distribution servers. An address information receiving step of receiving address information for acquiring print target information from the terminal device; and, based on the address information received in the address information receiving step, print information from one of the information distribution server devices. An acquisition step of acquiring the information, a price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server device, and printing performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step. A calculating step for calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined in the price determining step; A program for executing a display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated in the step on the display device, and a fee collecting step of collecting the printing fee calculated in the calculating step before starting the printing process in the printing step. Is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

In a thirty-fifth aspect according to the present invention, in the price determination step, when the print target information is acquired in the acquisition step, a price is determined from consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. Things.

In a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the price determination step, the price is determined from the price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. An address information receiving step of receiving address information for acquiring the print target information from the terminal device, and, based on the address information received in the address information receiving step, the print target information from any of the information distribution servers. An acquisition step of acquiring, a price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, and a print step of performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step. Based on the price determined in the price determination step,
A first calculation step of calculating a print charge for the print target information, a first display control step of displaying the print charge calculated by the first calculation step on a display device, and a start of a print process by the print step A charge collection step for collecting the printing charge calculated in the calculation step, a creation step for creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired in the acquisition step, and a creation step for the creation step. And a second display control step of displaying the printed image on the display device. The program is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium is provided from any one of the information distribution servers. An address information receiving step of receiving address information for acquiring the print target information from the terminal device, and, based on the address information received in the address information receiving step, the print target information from any of the information distribution servers. An acquisition step of acquiring, a first price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, and performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step. A printing step, and a first calculating step of calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined in the first price determining step. A first display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated by the first calculating process on a display device, and collecting the printing fee calculated by the first calculating process before starting the printing process in the printing process. A first fee collection step, a creation step of creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired in the acquisition step, and displaying the print image created in the creation step on the display device. A second display control step, a second price determination step of determining a price associated with a display process of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server,
A second calculating step of calculating a display charge for displaying the print image based on the price determined in the price determining step, and a second step of displaying the display fee calculated in the second calculating step on the display device. A program for executing a display control step of No. 3 and a second charge collecting step of collecting the display charge calculated in the second calculating step, the program being recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner. is there.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

According to a fortieth aspect of the present invention, in the first consideration determining step, when acquiring the print target information in the acquisition step, the first consideration determination step is performed based on consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. Is determined.

According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, in the first consideration determining step, consideration is determined from consideration information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

In a forty-second aspect according to the present invention, in the second price determination step, a price is determined from address information of the print target information.

According to a forty-third aspect of the present invention, in the second price determination step, when the print target information is obtained in the obtaining step, the second price determination step is performed based on price information provided by a provider of the print target information. Is determined.

According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second price determination step, the price is determined from the price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface.

In a forty-sixth aspect according to the present invention, the printing device processes the information to be printed so as to be able to print out.

According to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus is capable of printing and outputting print target information in color or monochrome.

According to a forty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the acquisition unit is configured to print a print object from any information distribution server via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information reception unit. Information is acquired.

According to a forty-ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for inquiring a server about a fee for printing a selected address, and displaying a fee for printing the selected address received from the server. And means for requesting the server to print the selected address.

A fiftieth invention according to the present invention has a means for selecting a printing device when printing a selected address.

According to a fifty-first aspect of the present invention, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

[0061] In a fifty-second invention according to the present invention, the display means displays the selected address without displaying a page of the selected address.

[0062] In a fifty-third invention according to the present invention, the display means displays the selected address in a identifiable manner as to whether or not the address can be printed.

According to a fifty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for receiving, from a terminal, an inquiry about a fee for printing a selected address, means for determining a fee for printing a selected address, Means for notifying the terminal of a fee for printing the selected address.

A fifty-fifth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the fee for printing the selected address is a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

According to a fifty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a step of inquiring a server about a fee for printing a selected address and displaying a fee for printing the selected address received from the server are displayed. And a step of requesting the server to print the selected address.

A fifty-seventh invention according to the present invention has a step of selecting a printing device for printing a selected address.

According to a fifty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

According to a fifty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the displaying step, the selected address is displayed without displaying the page of the selected address.

[0069] In a sixty aspect of the present invention, in the displaying step, whether or not the selected address is printable is identifiably displayed.

According to a sixty-first aspect of the present invention, a step of receiving from a terminal an inquiry about a fee for printing a selected address, a step of determining a fee for printing a selected address, Notifying the terminal of a fee for printing the selected address.

According to a sixty-second aspect of the present invention, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

According to a sixty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for inquiring a portable terminal of a fee for printing a selected address to a server, and for printing a selected address received from the server. And a program for executing a step of displaying a fee for the selected address and a step of requesting the server to print the selected address are recorded in a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

A sixty-fourth invention according to the present invention has a step of selecting a printing device for printing a selected address.

According to a sixty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

In a sixty-sixth aspect according to the present invention, in the displaying step, the selected address is displayed without displaying the page of the selected address.

According to a sixty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the displaying step, the selected address is identifiably displayed as to whether or not the selected address is printable.

According to a sixty-eighth aspect of the present invention, a server
A step of receiving a charge inquiry from the terminal for printing the selected address, a step of determining a charge for printing the selected address, and a charge for printing the determined selected address. A program for executing the step of notifying the terminal is recorded in a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0078] In a sixty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Is included.

[0079]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a wireless portable terminal (portable terminal). Reference numeral 117 denotes a memory card insertion slot for inserting a memory card, which is provided in the wireless portable terminal 101. That is, the wireless portable terminal 101 is the memory card 1
17 are available. Reference numeral 102 denotes a display capable of displaying a print image. The display 102 includes, for example, a touch-type display, and an input operation can be performed by touching a component on a screen.

The display 102 has a display size enough to display a print image. However, this does not mean that the print image has the resolution necessary to display the number of dots in the vertical and horizontal directions of the print image without excess or shortage. In general, printed images have high resolution due to the recent increase in definition of printing devices, and it is not practical to provide a display with an equivalent resolution because the size becomes too large and the cost becomes very high. That is, it is only necessary to have a resolution that does not cause discomfort when displaying the print image, and it is not necessary to fit the image in one screen.
It is sufficient that the entire screen can be grasped by an operation such as scrolling within a range that the user can accept.

On the other hand, with the recent enhancement of the functions of the printing apparatus itself, a larger display than before has been mounted. This is because a more sophisticated user interface (UI) is required in order to easily show complicated functions to the user. If a large display is mounted for the UI, if it is shared for displaying print images, no new cost will be incurred.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a printer which includes a printing mechanism and a microcomputer, and also controls various parts such as control of the display 102 and control of a wireless interface and a wired interface described below.

A wireless interface 104 is connected to the printer 103 and communicates with an external device wirelessly. 10
Reference numeral 5 denotes a wired interface, which is connected to the printer 103 and communicates with external devices by wire.

Reference numeral 106 denotes a wired network, which can take any form regardless of whether it is a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. A wired portable terminal 107 is connected to a wired network. Reference numeral 108 denotes a mail server, which performs electronic mail communication with the wireless portable terminal 101 or the wired portable terminal 107.

A wireless gateway 109 acts as an intermediary between the wired network 106 and a wireless communication path. 110
Is a Web server, and wireless mobile terminal 101, wired mobile terminal 107 or wired interface 105, and Hy
per Text Transfer Protocol
1 (HTTP), the Web page is communicated.

Reference numeral 111 denotes a charge collection device for collecting charges. The charge collection device 111 includes a charge display 112 for displaying charges, change, and other information, a cash card, a credit card, an electronic money card, and the like. A card insertion slot 113 for inserting a card and a currency insertion slot 114 for inserting bills and money are provided. If information such as a charge and change is displayed on the display 102, the charge display 112 is not essential.

Reference numeral 116 denotes a memory card insertion slot into which a memory card is inserted. Display 102, printer 10
3, wireless interface 104, wired interface 1
05, fee collection device 111, and memory card insertion slot 1
Reference numeral 16 constitutes one printing apparatus.

A printing device management server 115 manages a plurality of printing devices. If multiple printing devices are located in a large area, store the address information where they were located,
When a certain address is designated, a printing device closest to the address can be searched.

Reference numeral 118 denotes a memory card which can be inserted into each memory card insertion slot of the wireless portable terminal 101 and the printer 103. The memory card 118 is used for data transfer by hand carry between the two.

In the first embodiment, the wireless portable terminal 1
Reference numeral 01 has a mail receiving function, receives a mail from the mail server 108, and can display the contents of the mail on its display. Wireless portable terminal 101 and mail server 108
The communication between the communication interface and the wired interface 105 is performed through a wireless gateway 109 on the network 106.

FIG. 2 shows the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mail displayed on a display of FIG. Since the size of the screen of the wireless portable terminal 101 is limited, only a part of the text can be displayed in many cases. Even better, Hyper Text Ma
Even if an e-mail described in rkup Language (HTML) is received, if it contains an image, it is rare that the user can display it in a satisfactory manner.

For example, in the mail example shown in FIG.
In the sentence Universal Resource Loc
address (URL) exists (underlined portion starting with http), but the wireless portable terminal 101 directly displays the address (URL is WWW) on the Web page indicated by the URL.
W (if pointing to eb page)
If the web page can be displayed on the screen, there is nothing better than that.

However, the display capability of the wireless portable terminal 101 may be difficult in some cases, and it may be difficult to realize a screen that is easy for the user to see when it is forcibly displayed.

More specifically, when an image of a large size exceeding the size of the display is to be displayed, naturally only a part of the image can be displayed. In order to show the whole image, operability is poor where scrolling is supported,
If you shrink, the details will be lost. You may be able to display only monochrome. In consideration of the above disadvantages, the wireless portable terminal 101 only displays the URL as it is, and does not access the Web page.

However, in order to indicate that the Web page indicated by the URL is printable, the wireless portable terminal 10
1 displays the URL underlined on the screen. If there are a plurality of URLs in the mail, each is displayed with an underline.

FIG. 3 shows the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a URL list managed by the storage device of FIG.

In the present embodiment, URLs are stored in the form of a list as shown in FIG. 4, indicating that a plurality of URLs are selected and stored by a procedure described later.

In FIG. 3, not only the resources accessed by HTTP but also the File Transfer Prot
Resources accessed by ocol (FTP) are also included.

In this embodiment, for convenience, the URL
However, the URL does not have to be a URL in a narrow sense, and only needs to be an identifier indicating a resource on a network that is uniquely addressed. Therefore, it may indicate data in a general database.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. The URL at the time of mail reception in the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG. This corresponds to a storage procedure (based on communication processing between the mail server and the mobile terminal). In addition, S201 to S205 indicate each step.

First, when the mail server 108 first receives a mail sent to the user of the wireless portable terminal 101, the mail is transmitted to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S
201). The wireless portable terminal 101 receives the mail (S202) and displays the contents of the mail on its display (S203).

Note that the mail receiving method is not limited to the above method, and the mail server 108
When the e-mail sent to the user No. 01 is received, the e-mail is stored in the mail server 108, and when the wireless portable terminal 101 makes a mail transmission request to the mail server 108, Terminal 101
The mail may be transmitted to the user.

As described above, if there is one or more URLs in the mail that the user wants to print,
The user selects one or more URLs to be printed by a predetermined operation, and the selected URLs are stored in a storage device (not shown) in the wireless portable terminal 101 (S204).

Then, after selecting the URL, it is determined whether or not another mail is to be displayed (S205). If so, the process returns to step S203 to display another mail. Then, in the above-described procedure, U
RL can be selected.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that no other mail is to be displayed, the mail receiving procedure ends. The selection and storage of the URL described above is not always possible only at the time of receiving a mail.

Next, a URL storage procedure at the time of accessing a Web page will be described with reference to a display example shown in FIG. 5 and a flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a Web page displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 101. Since the display capability of the wireless portable terminal 101 is limited, the Web page cannot be displayed in a complete form. Contains a photograph image of the product, but is not displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101. Instead, its existence is indicated by the word "image". Also, other U
Although a pointer to the RL, that is, a link may be included, the existence of the link is underlined (underlined product code shown in FIG. 5).

It is to be noted that the web server 110 or the wireless portable terminal 101 may replace the photo image data portion of the product with the word “image”.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to a URL storage procedure at the time of accessing a Web page. Note that S1401 to S1401
1405 corresponds to the step on the mobile terminal side,
Steps S1452 to S1452 correspond to steps on the Web server side.

First, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 is referred to as We
b Using an application such as a browser,
An acquisition request for page b is made (S1401). In this example, an acquisition request for a page on the Web server 110 is made. When the Web page acquisition request message is passed to the Web server 110 via the network 106, the Web server 110 determines in step S1451 that the Web page
Upon receiving the page acquisition request message, the Web server 110 that has received the message transmits the corresponding Web page to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S1452).

In response, wireless portable terminal 101 receives (acquires) the returned Web page (S140).
2), a Web page is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101, for example, in the display format shown in FIG. 5 (S14).
03).

Next, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 selects and stores a URL of a Web page to be displayed and printed by a predetermined operation (S1404).

In the example of FIG. 5, if the user wants to view the product image, the user selects the URL of the Web page itself, that is, the same URL.
If you want to see the first Web page, select that URL.

It is not possible to select only one URL.
A plurality can be selected simultaneously. In the example of FIG. 1 and No. 1 2 URLs can be selected at the same time. To show that both are selected,
For example, both links are highlighted.

Then, it is determined whether or not to display another Web page (S1405). If it is determined that another Web page is to be displayed, the process returns to step S1401, where a Web page acquisition request process is performed, and no display is performed. If so, the process ends.

Note that the storage of the URL is not only possible from an application such as mail or Web browsing.

That is, a desired URL may be input by directly inputting an instruction to press an operation key provided on the wireless portable terminal 101 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of URL input displayed on the display of FIG.

In FIG. 7, by operating the keys of the wireless portable terminal 101, "Please input the URL to be printed."
, And a cursor indicated by a prompt character “>” and a black square are displayed.

Here, the user inputs an arbitrary URL by using a keyboard (not shown) of the wireless portable terminal 101. Here, “http://xyz.co.jp/”
Is assumed to have been entered. Next, the input URL is stored by a predetermined operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to another URL storage procedure at the time of accessing a Web page.

When a predetermined operation is performed on the wireless portable terminal 101, a URL input screen is displayed (S150).
1). Here, as shown in FIG.
Please enter , A prompt character ">" and a cursor indicated by a black square are displayed. Here, the user inputs an arbitrary URL using a keyboard (not shown) of the wireless portable terminal 101 (S15).
02). Here, "http://xyz.co.jp"
/ ".

Next, the URL entered by a predetermined operation is input.
Is stored (S1503). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not another URL is input (S1504). If it is determined that another URL is input by a predetermined operation, the process returns to step S1501 and returns to the URL input screen display.

On the other hand, in step S1504, another URL
If it is determined that is not input, the process ends.

The above-mentioned method, that is, UR
L, storing URL from Web page, direct URL, and other methods
L can be entered. It is conceivable to input or select a URL from various applications and store it. In the present invention, any method may be used as long as the URL can be stored. Whichever method is used, the stored URLs are assumed to be stored together in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101 in the list format shown in FIG.

Next, as described above, the wireless portable terminal 10
1 stores the URL stored in the storage device as a printing device (printer).
The procedure for sending a print reservation to the URL and making a print reservation for the URL will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

FIGS. 9 to 11 are flowcharts showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. Corresponds to the data processing procedure exchanged. S501 to S513
Corresponds to the step on the wireless portable terminal 101 side,
Steps S555 to S555 correspond to steps on the printing apparatus management server 115 side.

First, when a predetermined operation for making a print reservation is performed in the wireless portable terminal 101, it is checked whether the printing device information is already stored in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101 (S501). If it is determined that the information is already stored, the process proceeds to step S512.

As will be described later, once a printing device (printer 103) is selected, information for identifying the printing device is stored in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101 at that time, and step S501 is executed again later. Then, the answer is Yes, and there is no need to select a printing device again.

On the other hand, if the printing device is selected first in step S501, the printing device is not stored. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S502 to check whether the printing device list is already stored in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101 ( S502),
If it is determined that the information is already stored in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101, the process proceeds to step S512.

As will be described later, once the printing device list is obtained, the printing device list is stored at that time, and later,
When step S502 is executed again, Yes
Thus, there is no need to obtain the printing device list again.

On the other hand, if the printing device list is obtained first in step S502, since the printing device list is not stored in the storage device of the wireless portable terminal 101, the process proceeds to step S503, and the wireless portable terminal 101 connects to the network. Here, various network connection methods are conceivable. For example, if the wireless portable terminal 101 functions as a terminal of the portable telephone network, the provider of the wireless portable terminal 101 to which the wireless portable terminal 101 subscribes based on the protocol of the portable telephone network. A call will be made to the subscriber telephone number. If the wireless portable terminal 101 functions as a wireless LAN terminal, a data packet is transmitted based on the wireless LAN protocol. Any method may be used, but here, it is assumed that the connection to the network 106 is established through the wireless gateway 109.

Next, the wireless portable terminal 101 sends a printing device list request message to the printing device management server 115 (S504). The printing device management server 115 can manage a plurality of printing devices. Therefore, the number can be smaller than that of the printing apparatus. In some cases, it can be realized on one machine nationwide or worldwide. To access the printing apparatus management server 115, it is necessary for the application or user to remember the address, but this is easy for the above reasons.

When the printing device list request is received from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S551), the printing device management server 115 obtains the printing device list managed by itself, and
The request is transmitted to the requesting wireless portable terminal 101 (S
552).

Next, the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the printing device list transmitted from the printing device management server 115 (S505). At that time, the printing device list is stored for later use. This is not required. When the memory capacity is tight, it is free to not store or delete the stored one.

Next, a printing device for printing is selected from the printing device list received from the printing device management server 115 (S506). Note that various methods are conceivable as a selection method from the printing device list. For example, the wireless portable terminal 1
01 is Global Positioning Sys
If a tem (GPS) device is provided, the current position can be grasped by the GPS device, and the printing device closest to the current position can be selected from the printing device list. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select from a list. Here, it is assumed that the printing device is selected by some method. When selected, the wireless portable terminal 101 obtains identification information indicating the selected printing device, that is, ID. At that time,
The ID is stored for later use.

If the ID itself includes information that can be selected by the user based on the information, such as the address information of the printing apparatus, only the ID needs to be stored. Further, when such information is not included in the ID, information that can be selected by the user based on the information, such as address information, included in the printing device list is stored together with the ID.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S501 that the printing device to be printed is already stored, the printing device is selected from one or more stored printing devices (S512). This is possible because, as described above, information is stored that allows the user to select a printing device. Then, similarly to step S502, connection to the network is made (S513), and the process proceeds to step S507.

Regardless of the above sequence, the wireless portable terminal 101 transmits a terminal ID for distinguishing it from other wireless portable terminals to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S507). The management server 115 receives this (S553) and stores it. In addition, terminal ID
May be like a telephone number of the wireless portable terminal 101, or a special I / O defined only for a portable terminal that can receive the print reservation and print execution service of the present invention.
D may be used. The special ID assignment may be static or dynamic. In the case of dynamically assigning the ID, a sequence in which the printing apparatus management server 115 assigns the ID to each portable terminal is required. However, the sequence is not particularly described because it may be any sequence.

Next, an ID indicating the selected printing apparatus is transmitted to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S508).
The printing apparatus management server 115 receives this (S55).
4) Remember.

Next, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 checks the U
The RL is selected by a predetermined operation (S509). In addition,
At that time, that is, the wireless portable terminal 101 when the URL is selected
Display, for example, a URL as shown in FIG.
A list selection screen is displayed.

FIG. 12 shows the wireless portable terminal 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display of No. 1 and corresponds to a URL list selection screen including a charge inquiry or designation of print reservation.

In FIG. 12, first, prior to selection,
A list of stored URLs is displayed. In this example, when three URLs are displayed according to the display capability, for example, when the key “1” on the wireless portable terminal 101 is pressed, the first URL is selected, and the selected URL is selected. The displayed URL is highlighted.

Next, it is determined whether to inquire about the fee for printing or displaying the selected URL, that is, a key sequence assigned to inquire about the fee, for example, the wireless portable terminal 10
It is determined whether the key “#” and “1” on “1” have been successively pressed (S510). If it is determined that the key “#” and “1” on the wireless portable terminal 101 are continuously pressed, The wireless portable terminal 101 selects the URL selected as a parameter.
Is sent to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S511).

Then, when the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the charge inquiry message transmitted from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S555), the URL which is a parameter,
To obtain the fee for the URL (S651).

As described above, the printing device management server 1
In step S651, a fee for display and a fee corresponding to various printing modes are obtained, and the obtained fee is sent to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S652). At this time, as a method of sending the charge data, a method of sending all the charge data obtained above to the wireless portable terminal 101 at once can be considered. Even if all the fee data is collected, the data size does not increase, so that this method does not impose a load on the printing apparatus management server 115, the wireless portable terminal 101, or the network 106.

As a method of sending the second charge data, when sending the charge inquiry message in step S511, the wireless portable terminal 101 sends information indicating what form the charge information is desired as a parameter. Alternatively, the printing apparatus management server 115 may send a fee in the requested form.

In this method, the data to be displayed is reduced for the wireless portable terminal 101, so that the display method is simplified.

Upon receiving the fee from the printing device management server 115, the wireless portable terminal 101 displays the fee on the display as shown in FIG. 13 (S60).
1).

FIG. 13 shows the wireless portable terminal 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display of No. 1 and corresponds to a URL list selection screen including charge information, charge inquiry or designation of print reservation.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, http
p // xyz. co. This is an example in which as a result of making a charge inquiry for jp /, the display charge: free, the print charge: A4: monochrome: 10 yen are displayed at the bottom of the display.

Here, the printing fee is displayed only when the paper size is A4 and monochrome because of the screen size. However, if fee data relating to various printing forms has already been sent, the user can perform a predetermined operation. By performing the above, other data can be displayed.

Next, the wireless portable terminal 101 sets the key “# 2” assigned to the key indicating the print reservation by the user.
(S602). It is determined whether or not a key sequence consisting of an input of a key "2" following a key "#" (the same applies hereinafter) is pressed (S602). If it is determined that a print reservation is made, the process proceeds to step S603. In the present embodiment, the fee inquiry determination in step S510 shown in FIG.
If NO is determined, the process proceeds to step S602, that is, in step S509, the first UR
After the selection of L, when the screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101, the user can proceed to the print reservation by pressing the key "# 2" without inquiring about the fee.

In the procedure for making a print reservation, first, the wireless portable terminal 101 sends a print reservation message to the UR.
This is sent to the printing apparatus management server 115 together with the L parameter.

The printing apparatus management server 115 transmits the print reservation message transmitted from the wireless portable terminal 101 to the U
When the print target ID is received together with the RL parameter (S653), a print target ID is created for the parameter URL (S65).
4).

Here, the print target ID is for identifying the print target (only display is performed, and the print target is referred to as a print target even if printing is not performed as a result), and the print target ID obtained in step S553 is obtained. It is calculated so as to be uniquely obtained from the device ID, the terminal ID obtained in step S554, and the URL, and so that the same print target ID is not derived from different printing device IDs, different terminal IDs, or different URLs. You.

In this way, even if the same URL is designated, if the designation is made by a different user, it is recognized as a different printing target, so that the user is not mistaken when executing the printing.

Since the printing apparatus management server 115 must hold print reservation information for each user, it is essential to distinguish users. Otherwise, after the printing for the user A is completed, the print reservation information for this URL is deleted, and when the user B attempts to print for the same URL, the print reservation information has already been deleted and printing cannot be performed. It can be.

The printing device ID is used to calculate the printing object ID.
, The print target is distinguished by the printing device even for the same user. This is, for example, store A
I made a print reservation for the printing device placed in
Since the destination is suddenly changed, it is possible to cope with a case where the user wants to make a print reservation for the same URL for the store B without changing the print reservation for the store A.

The method of calculating the print target ID is simply as follows.
A combination of the above three parameters may be used. However, since security is weak, it is conceivable to calculate a unique value from the three parameters and then encrypt it.

When the print target ID is obtained in this manner,
The print target ID is stored in the printing apparatus management server 115 together with the above three parameters based on, for example, the table format shown in FIG. 14 (S655).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a parameter table managed in a storage device in the printing device management server 115 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, the parameter table includes a print target ID, a printing device ID, and a terminal I.
D, password, user name, user ID, URL, print reservation time (time information at the time of reservation), and the like. The password, user name and user ID will be described later.

Next, the printing apparatus management server 115 obtains a charge for the URL in the same manner as in step S651 (S656), and obtains the calculated charge on the wireless portable terminal 101.
(S657). Further, the printing device management server 11
5 transmits the URL reserved for printing and the fee for the URL to the designated printing apparatus (S658).
The printing apparatus that has received this starts downloading the print target indicated by the URL, as described later.

When receiving the charge data from the printing apparatus management server 115, the wireless portable terminal 101 displays the charge on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101 (S6).
04).

What is to be done when the same print target ID as the already stored print target ID is calculated when the print reservation is made. In this case, the overwriting is performed, but a warning message may be sent to the user.

That is, from step S655 to step S655
A warning message is sent to the wireless portable terminal 101 instead of 657. At this time, print reservation time information indicated by the print target ID already stored is also sent as a parameter.

[0169] Then, the wireless portable terminal 101 receives this, and displays, on the display based on the print reservation time information, "Already reserved for the same URL. The print reservation is made at XX / XX / XX / XX / XX min. It was done "
Is displayed.

In this manner, the user can confirm the duplication of the print reservation, and can give the user a sense of security that the printing apparatus management server 115 is performing the duplication check of the print reservation.

At this point, when ending the print reservation (S6
05), an end message is sent to the printing apparatus management server 115 by a predetermined operation using a key on the wireless portable terminal 101 (S606), and the network is disconnected (S7).
01), the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S605 that the process proceeds to a fee inquiry and print reservation for another URL,
The process returns to the URL selection in step S509.

On the other hand, the printing apparatus management server 115 determines whether an end message has been received (S659).
If it is determined that an end message has been received, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S659 that the end message has not been received, step S555 is performed.
And a fee inquiry message can be received.

Since the operation of the printing apparatus management server 115 is of the message driven type, after step S554,
Both the charge inquiry message and the print reservation message can be received. This corresponds to step S55.
This is indicated by a black circle between Step 4 and Step S555 and a branch exiting therefrom and leading to Step S653.

Therefore, after a print reservation for a certain URL, a print reservation can be made continuously without inquiring of a fee for a different URL. Further, as shown by the black circle in FIG. 10, after the charge inquiry is completed, by sending a print reservation end message without making a print reservation,
It can also be terminated.

In the sequence described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, the printing apparatus management server 115 performs the processing in step S553.
A plurality of charge inquiry messages and a plurality of print reservation messages can be received from the reception of the terminal ID to the end of the print reservation up to step S659. , It is assumed that the originating address is included in the other part of the data packet containing the message, but with the current network communication protocol, there is no special premise). Is assumed.

Therefore, when a message is received, the terminal ID of the message is immediately obtained, and there is no need to include the terminal ID in the message. However, for this purpose, the printing apparatus management server 115 must monitor the state of the wireless portable terminal 101 and wait for a print reservation end message.

Although not described above, it is necessary to measure the time-out by the timer means to forcibly end the print reservation in case the print reservation end message does not finally arrive. There is.

In order to eliminate this inconvenience, steps S507 and S508 must be performed by the wireless portable terminal 101.
Then, the terminal ID and the printing device ID are stopped from being sent, and both may be sent as parameters when the message is sent.

That is, when sending a print reservation message, the terminal ID, the printing device ID, and the URL are sent as parameters. To send a price inquiry message,
In addition to the URL parameter, if necessary, a terminal ID or a printing device ID may be sent. For example, a printing device ID may be required if the printing fee varies from printing device to printing device. At that time, in the charge calculation procedure in step 2610 shown in FIG.
May be required as an additional parameter.

In this manner, the sequence of the printing apparatus management server 115 can be made stateless.

[0183] Regarding the acquisition of the printing device list starting from step S504, the same printing list is returned to any terminal, and there is no need to recognize the difference between the terminals, so there is no need to send the terminal ID.

However, if it is necessary to recognize the difference between the terminals, for example, by changing the printing device that can perform printing for each terminal, if the terminal can be identified as described above, a printing device list request is issued. Or send the end ID in the parameters of the message.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied. The fee calculation processing in the printing apparatus management server 115 (see FIG. 10). It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure (detailed process of step S656). Note that S2601 to S2610 correspond to the printing device management server 11
Corresponding to the step on the fifth side, S2651 to S2654 are:
This corresponds to the steps on the content server side, here on the Web server 110 side shown in FIG.

When a charge calculation request is issued for a certain URL, first, it is determined whether the charge is fixed regardless of the URL (S2601). For any URL, if the fee is free or a nationwide uniform fee is set, it is fixed and it is easy to find the fee. If fixed, get the fixed fee (S
2620).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2601 that the URL is not fixed, the fee for the URL is stored in a storage device (not shown) in the printing device management server 115, for example, as shown in FIG.
(S2602).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a fee table for a URL managed by a storage device in the printing device management server 115 shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 16, in this embodiment, each UR
For L, a state is shown in which the possibility of making a charge inquiry to the content server indicated by the URL, the display charge, the print charge, and the expiration date of the charge are set.

For example, xyz. co. When accessing the host belonging to the jp domain via http, the display fee and the printing fee of the resource obtained by the access are both free, and the period during which the resource is free continues indefinitely unless the expiration date data is changed. I have.

On the second line, the URL column is http: //
/ Www1. xyz. co. jp /, and the domain name overlaps with the first line. In this case, the data whose matching part is longer is adopted. That is, step S2
At 602, for example, http: // www1. xy
z. co. jp / index. When determining whether or not the URL “html” is stored, xyz. co. j
The p portion matches the first and second lines, but the second line includes the www1 portion, so the second line is adopted. Therefore, the printing fee at this time is 100 yen.

The expiration date column in the third line has no expiration date. This means that the cache has no expiration date, that is, it is invalid. In other words, it indicates that the stored display fee and print fee data must not be returned to the wireless portable terminal 101 as it is, but the fee must be inquired to the content server indicated by the URL.

Update of the data in the table shown in FIG. 16 is performed using data of a response to a charge inquiry to the content server described later. If the content server does not support the fee inquiry, the fee data may be directly input on the printing device management server 115. An example is the data in the fourth row, and the column indicating whether or not a charge inquiry can be made contains data indicating that the inquiry cannot be made. The fields of the display fee and the printing fee are directly input.

Now, in step S2602, UR
If it is determined that the fee for L is stored, the expiration date for the URL is checked to determine whether or not the URL is within the validity period (S2621). Is read out (S26
22), and proceed to step S2610.

On the other hand, in step S2602, if it is determined that the fee for the URL is not stored, or if it is stored, the expiration date is expired, or it is determined that the expiration date is not expired, the fee inquiry of FIG. Looking at the availability column, it is determined whether or not the content server indicated by the URL can receive the charge inquiry message (S2603). If it is determined that the charge inquiry can be made, U is used as a parameter using a predetermined protocol.
RL is added, and a fee inquiry message is sent to the content server (S2604).

When the content server receives the fee inquiry message transmitted from the printing device management server 115 (S2651), the fee for the content indicated by the parameter URL is obtained, and the fee is transmitted to the printing device management server 115. (S2652).

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the fee from the content server (S2605), the flow advances to step S2609.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2603 that the content server cannot receive the charge inquiry message, a request to acquire the content indicated by the URL is sent to the content server (S2).
2606).

The printing apparatus management server 115 sends U
When the content server receives the acquisition request of the content itself indicated by the RL (S2653), the content server transmits the requested content to the printing apparatus management server 115.
(S2654).

[0200] When the printing apparatus management server 115 acquires the content transmitted from the content server (S2607), if the content includes fee data, it acquires it (S2608). On the other hand, if it is not included, both the display fee and the printing fee are free.

As described above, after using the fee inquiry message or obtaining the fee data included in the content, the obtained fee is stored in the storage device of the printing device management server 115 (S2609). ),at the same time,
When the expiration date data is obtained, it is also stored. As described above, the fee for displaying and printing the content itself is obtained.

However, this is basically a fee paid to the content provider as a price for providing the content, and does not include a fee to be collected by the installer of the printing apparatus. Therefore, the cost of the display itself or the printing itself to be collected by the installer of the printing apparatus is added (S2610), and the process ends.

[0203] The method of determining the display cost is free, 10 yen, a fixed fee, a method of multiplying the content display fee by a fixed ratio, or a combination of the above two methods. A method is conceivable.

Then, the display cost obtained here is
The display fee to be presented to the wireless portable terminal 101 is added to the display fee of the content itself obtained as described above.

In addition, as a method of determining the printing cost, the printing cost varies depending on the size of the paper to be printed, the distinction between color printing and monochrome printing, the type of paper, and the like. For example, it is calculated based on the data on the additional charge shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of additional charge data managed in the storage device of the printing device management server 115 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 17, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus management server 115 stores and manages data relating to the additional charge for each attribute (paper size, color / monochrome, paper type, additional print charge). By adding each additional fee to the fee for printing, a fee corresponding to various printing modes can be finally obtained, and the fee presented to the wireless portable terminal 101 can be calculated.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure of a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, and corresponds to a procedure for storing print targets in the printing apparatus. Note that S801 to S811,
Steps S901 to S903 indicate steps on the printing apparatus side.
Reference numeral 658 denotes steps on the printing device management server side,
51 to S852 indicate steps on the Web server side,
853 and S854 indicate steps on the FTP server side,
S951 and S952 show steps on the content server side.

The printing apparatus management server 115 determines in step S6
At 58, the URL and fee are sent through the wired interface 105 to the designated printing device, ie, the printer 103. When the printer 103 receives the URL transmitted from the printing device management server 115 (S8)
01), the format of the URL is checked, and it is first determined whether the access is a Web access (S802).
If the access is determined to be a Web access such as tp, the printer 103 issues a request to acquire a Web page indicated by the URL to the Web server 110 indicated by the URL (S803).

When the Web server 110 receives the URL from the printer 103 (S851), it obtains the requested Web page and sends it to the printer 103 (S85).
2).

Then, the printer 103 is connected to the Web server 1
When the Web page is received from the server 10 (S804), the Web page is stored in a storage device (not shown) in the printer 103 (S805), and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S802, the Web
If it is determined that the access is not an access, it is determined whether or not the URL is an FTP access (S806). If it is determined that the URL is an FTP access, for example, the protocol of the URL is FTP, a request to acquire the file indicated by the URL is sent to the URL. (Step S80).
7).

When the FTP server receives a request to acquire the file indicated by the URL from the printer 103 (S853), the FTP server obtains the requested file, and
03 (S854).

When the printer 103 receives the file from the FTP server (S808), the printer 103
Files are stored in a storage device (not shown)
809), and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step S806, the FTP
If it is determined that the access is not an access, it is determined whether the URL is a URL that the printer 103 supports the protocol and can access (S810). UR
An acquisition request for the content indicated by L is made to a content server (not shown) indicated by the URL (S901).
Then, the content server transmits the UR from the printer 103.
When a request to acquire the content indicated by L is received (S95
1) The requested content is obtained and sent to the printer 103 (S952).

When the printer 103 receives the content requested from the content server (S90)
2) The content is stored in a storage device (not shown) in the printer 103 (S903), and the process ends.

In the above description, the term “content” is used. However, a Web page and a file accessed by FTP are also a kind of content. Therefore, in the above third sequence, everything is said, but in order to clearly explain that various contents can be acquired and stored with various protocols, examples of Web access and FTP access are given. Was. Naturally, even if the content is accessed by a protocol other than these, if the printer 103 can acquire the content, it can be stored.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
1 corresponds to a procedure for confirming a print reservation. In addition,
S3101 to S3109 and S3201 to S3203 indicate steps on the information processing apparatus side, and S3151 to S315
8, S3251 shows steps on the printing apparatus management server side.

First, upon performing a predetermined operation for confirming a print reservation, the wireless portable terminal 101 connects to a network (S3101). Then, the terminal ID described above
Is transmitted to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S310).
2).

When the printing device management server 115 receives the terminal ID from the portable terminal 101 (S3151),
It is checked whether or not there is a print reservation made by the portable terminal 101 with reference to the reservation table shown in FIG.
3152) If it is determined that there is a print reservation, the reservation summary is transmitted to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3153). The reservation summary includes information such as how many print reservations are made in total and how many reservations are made for a printing device in which store. Also, a printing device ID corresponding to the printing device having the reservation is sent. Other information may be included.

When the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the reservation summary from the printing device management server 115 (S310)
3), the wireless portable terminal 101 in the data format shown in FIG.
Display the reservation summary on the display.

FIG. 22 shows the wireless portable terminal 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display 1 and corresponds to an example of a reservation summary display screen.

In the above-described flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, there may of course be procedures for checking the print reservation, transmitting, receiving, and displaying the reservation summary. However, when the print reservation is made first, it is clear that the print reservation data has not been stored yet, and therefore, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sequence shown in FIG. 20 is omitted.

When the user of wireless portable terminal 101 performs a predetermined operation to confirm the details of the reservation, it is determined whether or not the operation is a reservation confirmation operation (S3104). Proceeds to step S3107, if it is determined that the operation is a reservation confirmation operation, the wireless portable terminal 101 transmits a reservation confirmation request message to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S3105).

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the reservation confirmation request message from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3154), it reads out the reservation contents from the reservation table shown in FIG.
15 transmits to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3155).
Here, as the contents of the reservation, in addition to the outline of the reservation, the print target ID, the URL, the printing device ID or the location of the printing device, the reservation time, and the like are transmitted for each of the reserved cases.

When the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the data on the reservation content from the printing device management server 115 (S3106), it displays this in an appropriate format.

Subsequently, when the user performs a predetermined operation in order to cancel the reservation, it is determined whether or not the operation is a reservation cancel request (S3107). If the process proceeds to step S3201 and it is determined that the request is for canceling a reservation,
Printing Reservation Cancellation Request Message to Printing Device Management Server 1
15 (S3108). At this time, the print target ID of the reservation to be canceled is sent together as a parameter.

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the reservation cancel request message from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3156), the reservation is canceled by deleting the reservation data indicated by the print target ID from the table shown in FIG. Then, a response message indicating that the reservation has been canceled is transmitted to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3158).

When the wireless portable terminal 101 receives a response message from the printing apparatus management server 115 (S3
109), for example, a confirmation message such as “Reservation has been canceled” is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101.

[0230] If no confirmation or cancellation of the reservation is performed in the wireless portable terminal 101, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation indicating the end has been performed (S30).
3201) If it is determined that the predetermined operation indicating the end has been performed, an end message is transmitted to the printing apparatus management server 11.
5 (S3202), disconnect the network (S320)
3203), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3201 that the request is not an end request, the process returns to step S3104.

Then, the printing apparatus management server 115 determines whether or not an end message has been received from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3251). If it is determined that the end message has been received, the processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3251 that the printing apparatus management server 115 has not received the end message from the wireless portable terminal 101, the process proceeds to step S3.
Returning to 154, the reservation confirmation request message can be received.

As described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the wireless portable terminal 101 can repeat the reservation confirmation and the reservation cancellation as many times as desired.

As in FIGS. 9 and 10, the printing apparatus management server 115 is of a message driven type and can process any of a reservation confirmation message, a reservation cancel message, and an end message.

Further, if the terminal ID is sent as a parameter of the message, the control of the printing apparatus management server can be made stateless, and the transmission / reception of the end message becomes unnecessary as in FIGS. 9 and 10. It is. Since these are the same in the following sequence, they will not be further described.

[0237] The above-described operations of the fee inquiry, the print reservation, the reservation confirmation, and the reservation cancellation do not require any operation on the printing apparatus, and can be executed from a place remote from the printing apparatus.

FIGS. 23 to 28 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
This corresponds to a procedure in which the wireless portable terminal 101 occupies the printing device. S1001 to S1008, S1101, S1
102, S3401, and S3402 indicate steps on the mobile terminal side, and S1051 to S1056, S1151 to S1
153, S3451, S3851, S3852, S13
51 and S1352 indicate steps on the printing apparatus management server side, and S1071, S1072, S1171-S117
8, S3471, S3801 to S3804, S1201
S1209 and S1301 to S1310 indicate steps on the printing apparatus side.

When printing is to be executed, if the printing apparatus is being used by someone else, it cannot be used naturally. It is necessary to occupy the printing device, but it is most certain to actually stand in front of the printing device and use it. However, it is necessary to input a password or the like in order to authenticate that the person who is standing in front of the printing apparatus has made the print reservation (this embodiment will be described later). .

On the other hand, when the print reservation is made, the terminal ID becomes the user identification means. Therefore, when the terminal ID is notified to the printing apparatus by some method, the printing apparatus is occupied and other users are occupied. If they are not used, the purpose of authentication and possession can be achieved. According to this method, the printing apparatus can be occupied by a predetermined operation as in the case of the print reservation.
There is no need to input a password or the like, and there is an effect that it is not necessary for a human to memorize the password and the ID to be identified.
For the reason described above, a printing device occupation procedure is provided.

In FIG. 23, steps S1001 to S1006 and steps S1051 to S1055 are the same as the procedure shown in FIG. 20, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Then, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 selects a printing device to be occupied from printing devices reserved for printing by a predetermined operation (S1007). In the display example of the reservation summary shown in FIG. 22, by pressing the key “1”,
For example, the printing device of convenience store A Musashi Nakahara store is selected.
If the reservation summary provides less information, the user may not be able to identify the printing device. In that case, it is conceivable to select the printing device after confirming the reservation details (S1006).

Next, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 sends a printing device occupation request message to the printing device management server 115 by a predetermined operation (S1008). At this time, the printing apparatus ID of the selected printing apparatus is added to the message as a parameter.

When the printing device management server 115 receives the printing device ID from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S10)
56) Send a printing device occupation request message to the printing device indicated by the parameter printing device ID. At this time, the terminal ID of the wireless portable terminal 101 that has issued the printing device occupation request is also sent as a parameter.

Then, when the printer 103, which is the printing device requested to be occupied, receives the printing device occupation request message from the printing device management server 115 (S1071). At this time, it is determined whether it is not used by anyone or whether it can be occupied (S1072). If it is determined that occupation is not possible, a printing device occupation NG message is sent to the printing device management server 115. After transmission (S3471), the process ends.

When the printing device management server 115 receives the printing device occupation NG message from the printing device, the printing device management server 115 sends a printing device occupation NG message to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S3451), and the process ends. I do.

When the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the printing device occupation NG message from the printing device management server 115 (S3401), it displays that the printer 103 could not be occupied, and disconnects the network (S340).
2), the process ends.

In this case, the occupation has failed, and
The occupation request may be redone.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1072 that the file is not used by anyone and can be occupied,
The printing device transmits a printing device occupation OK message to the printing device management server 115 (Sl171).

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the printing apparatus occupation OK message from the printing apparatus,
A printing device occupation OK message is sent to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S151).

Here, when the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the printing device occupation OK message from the printing device management server 115 (S101), it is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101 that the printer 103 has been successfully occupied. The network is disconnected (S1102), and the process ends.

Note that, as described in the above-mentioned print reservation and reservation confirmation, other messages can be sent by a predetermined operation before disconnecting the network, but since the printer 103 is already occupied. , Wireless mobile terminal 101
It is desirable for the user to execute printing using the printer 103 as soon as possible.

On the other hand, the printer 103 checks in step Sl1
After 71, a timer (not shown) is started (S117).
2). This timer measures the time until the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 actually operates the printer 103. As described above, the printing device occupation request message is sent to the printer 103 via the network 106. That is, at the time of sending the printing device occupation request message, the printing device occupation request message can be sent even if the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 is not in front of the printer 103.

However, it is not convenient for the user to occupy the printer 103 all the time without being in front of the printer 103. Therefore, the printer 103 uses the timer to measure the time until the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 actually operates the printer 103, and determines whether or not a predetermined timeout period has been exceeded. If it is determined that the printer 1 has been
03 is controlled to return to an idle state where it can be used.

Then, within the timeout period, the printer 1
If any operation is performed on 03, the timer is stopped. Thereafter, there is no timeout, so that the user can operate slowly. The above printer 10
Some operations on the printer 3 include key operations on the printer 103 for starting functions such as selection, display, printing, and deletion of a reserved print target, or touch on the touch panel (when the printer 103 has a touch panel, described later). )).

Then, after step Sl172, the printer 103 stores the list of print targets reserved by the wireless portable terminal 101 and already downloaded and stored from the content server, as shown in FIG.
2 is displayed (S117).

FIGS. 29 to 31 are views for explaining examples of the print reservation list displayed on the display 102 connected to the printer 103 shown in FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 29, the terminal ID of the wireless portable terminal 101 is 0, which is the telephone number of the terminal.
It is assumed that 44-111-1111 is used. Further, it is assumed that the current print mode of the printer 103 is that the paper size is A4 and color and high-grade paper are used. The printer 103 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 29 based on the reservation and fee information sent from the printing device management server 115 and the print mode. When the screen size is small, the components of the screen may change.
For example, the fee display may be displayed when a print target is selected. Also, in the example of FIG. 29, since no URL has been selected yet, a “display” button, a “print” button, and a “delete” button at the bottom of the screen are displayed to indicate that the print target cannot be displayed, printed or deleted. The outline of the "" button is in a state of being indicated by a broken line.

Although not described in the above flowchart, the screen display in FIG. 29 is changed by changing the print mode by a predetermined operation on the printer 103. For example, FIG. 31 shows a screen display when the paper size is changed to A3. By changing the paper size, the printing fee is recalculated and a new printing fee is displayed.

In this way, after displaying the print target list (Sl173), the printer 103 checks whether the above-mentioned timeout has occurred.
It is checked whether an end operation has been input (S117).
4). The ending operation is performed by pressing the “end” button in FIG.

If the determination is Yes, the process returns to the idle state where anyone can use it (S115), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined as No at step S1174, it is checked whether or not an input for deleting all the print targets has been made (Sl176). The print target all deletion operation is performed by pressing the “delete all” button shown in FIG.

Here, if it is determined that the input of all the print targets has been input, all the data of the print targets already stored are deleted from the storage device (Sl177). Then, a print reservation all deletion request message is sent to the printing apparatus management server 115 (Sl178). This message includes, as parameters, a terminal ID that is currently being processed and a printing device ID that are associated with the user who performed the all deletion operation. After that, if all data is deleted, neither display nor printing can be performed any more, so the process returns to the idle state (Sl175), and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the print reservation all deletion request message transmitted from the printer 103 (S1152), the terminal ID and the printing apparatus ID of the parameters match from the print reservation data shown in FIG. Is deleted (Sl153).

[0265] On the other hand, if it is determined as No at step Sl176, the printer 103 checks whether or not an operation of selecting a print target has been performed (S3801). Note that in the display example shown in FIG. 29, three URLs are displayed.
0 is selected, and the selected row is highlighted.

[0266] Since the display, printing, and deletion of the print target can be performed, the outline of the button is displayed to indicate that the "display" button, "print" button, and "delete" button at the bottom of the screen can be pressed. Changes from the broken line display state shown in FIG. 29 to the solid line display state.

If it is determined in step S3801 that there is no operation to select a print target, the flow returns to step S1173 to perform any of the above operations or wait until a timeout.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3801 that there has been a selection operation, it is next checked which function button has been pressed, and whether or not the "Delete" button has been pressed to delete the print target. If it is determined (S3802) that the “Delete” button has been pressed, the selected print target is deleted from the storage device (S3803). Then, the printer 103 sends a print reservation deletion request message to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S380).
4).

It should be noted that a print target ID indicating the deleted print target is added as a parameter to this message. As a result, the number of print targets is reduced by one, and a new print target list is displayed on the display 102 (Sl173).

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the print reservation deletion request message from the printer 103 (S3851), it deletes the print reservation data shown in FIG. 14 having the same print target ID (S385).
2).

If it is determined in step S3802 that the "delete" button has not been pressed, it is determined whether the "display" button has been pressed as a display request (S120).
1) If it is determined that the “display” button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1301. If it is determined that the “display” button has been pressed, whether a display fee is required for the selected URL. Is determined (S1202),
If it is determined that the display fee is not required, step S1
Proceeding to 206 and thereafter, if it is determined that the display fee is required, it is next checked whether the fee has been collected (S12).
03). In the case where an amount equal to or greater than the display fee has already been input to the fee collection device 111 from the currency input port 114, the fee is determined to have been collected, and the process proceeds to step S1206 and thereafter, and it is determined that the fee has not been collected. Is checked whether a fee can be collected (S120).
4).

Here, for example, the fee collection device 111
A card such as a cash card, a credit card, or an electronic money card is inserted into the card insertion slot 113, and it is possible to withdraw the displayed fee from the account, or the remaining balance is more than the displayed fee, If the display fee can be collected, the process proceeds to Yes, and the display fee is collected by actually debiting the account or transferring electronic money from the card (S1).
205).

At that time, a message such as "Is the XX circle debited. Are you sure?" Is displayed on the display 102 connected to the printing apparatus 103, and the user is asked for confirmation. May be.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1204 that the fee cannot be collected, the printer 103 displays on the display 102 that the fee has not been paid (S12).
08), it is determined whether or not an instruction to cancel the display operation is issued (S1209), and it is waited that either the insertion of the fee into the currency slot 114 or the insertion of the card into the card slot 113 is performed. The process returns to step S1203.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1209 that the predetermined time has timed out, it is regarded as cancel, and the flow advances to step S1301.

On the other hand, if the display fee is not required in step S1202, or if the fee has already been collected in step S1203, or if the fee has been collected in step S1205, a print image is created from the stored print target data. Then, the print image is displayed on the display 102 (S1207). In this way, the user can confirm whether the print target is worth printing before performing the actual printing.

On the other hand, if there is no display request in step S1201, or if a print image is created in step S1207, or if the display request is canceled in step S1209, the flow advances to step S1301 to check whether there is a print request. .

It should be noted that the presence or absence of a print request is determined by determining whether or not a “print” button has been pressed on the display screen shown in FIG. 29. If it is determined that a “print” button has been pressed, it is determined that there is a print request.

The print image is displayed on the display 102.
Is displayed, the print image is displayed. There is a "Print" button on the same screen, and the user presses it or returns from the screen displaying the print image to the display screen shown in FIG. And press the “Print” button.

If it is determined in step S1301 that there is a print request, it is determined whether a printing fee is required for the selected URL (S1302).
If it is determined that a printing fee is required, it is further checked whether a fee has been collected (S1303).

If it is determined that a fee equal to or higher than the printing fee has already been entered into the fee collecting device 111 from the currency slot 114, this check proceeds to Yes.

On the other hand, if No is determined in step S1303, it is checked whether a fee can be collected (S1304). This check is performed in the same manner as the above-described check for collecting the display fee.

If the printer 103 determines that the printing fee can be collected, the process advances to Yes to collect the printing fee (S1305).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1304 that the fee cannot be collected, the printer 103 displays on the display 102 that the fee has not been paid (S13).
09), it is determined whether or not to cancel the printing operation (S1310).
The process waits for any of the cards to be inserted into the card insertion slot 113, and when any of the cards is inserted into the card insertion slot 113, the determination is NO and the process returns to step S1303.

[0285] On the other hand, in step S1309, the charge is inserted into the currency input port 114 or the card is inserted into the card insertion port 113.
If it is determined that the predetermined time waiting for any of the insertions to be performed has timed out, it is determined to be canceled, and the determination in step S1309 is YES,
It returns to step S1173.

On the other hand, if no printing fee is required in step S1302, or if a fee has already been collected in step S1303, or if a fee has been collected in step S1305, printing is performed based on the stored print target data. The process is executed (S1306). Then, after printing is performed, the print target data becomes unnecessary, so the print target data is deleted from the storage device (S1307).

Next, a print reservation deletion request message is sent to the printing apparatus management server 115 (S1308). The print target ID of the print target whose printing has been completed is added as a parameter to this message.

When the printing apparatus management server 115 receives the print reservation deletion request message from the printer 103 (S1351), it deletes the data with the same print target ID from the print reservation data shown in FIG. 14 (S13).
52).

On the other hand, if there is no print request in step S1301, the print reservation deletion request message has been sent (S1308), or the print request has been canceled (S1310), the flow returns to step S1173.
It can be displayed, printed or deleted for other reservations.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
In the procedure from print reservation to printing using the wireless portable terminal 101, the printing device management server 115 inquires about charges and holds print reservation data, but the printing device management server 115 holds and manages a printing device list. Only the printing apparatus may be configured to perform only charge inquiry and hold print reservation data. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. The procedure for storing the URL to be displayed or printed in the wireless portable terminal 101 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 32 to 34 are flowcharts showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. , Corresponding to a procedure for making a print reservation. Note that S1801 to S180
8, SS1901 to S1906, S2001 to S200
Reference numeral 6 denotes steps on the side of the portable terminal 101.
S1852 shows steps on the printing device management server side,
S1871, S1872, S1951-S1953, S
Reference numerals 2051 to S2058 denote steps on the printer 103 side.

First, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 makes a network connection by a predetermined operation (S18).
01). Further, a printing device list request message is sent to the printing device management server 115 by a predetermined operation (S1802).

Then, when the printing device management server 115 receives the printing device list request message from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S1851), the printing device list managed by the printing device management server 115 is sent back to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S1852). ).

When the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the printing device list from the printing device management server 115 (S1).
803), the wireless portable terminal 101 selects a printing device to be printed from the printing device list (S1804).
The sequence up to this point is the same as the sequence shown in FIG. 9 and is not described in the flowchart shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, the data of the printing device or the printing device list obtained once may be stored and used later.

However, what is different from FIG. 9 is that the data of the printing device list here includes information for the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 to identify the printing device, for example, address information and printing device ID, as well as wireless information. Address information necessary for sending a message from the portable terminal 101 to the printing apparatus is included.

When the user selects a desired printing device, the address is obtained. Then, the terminal ID is directly transmitted to the wired interface 105 and the printer 103 indicated by the address to the printer 103 (S1805). Then, the printer 103 connects to the wireless portable terminal 101 through the wired interface 105.
When the terminal ID is received from (S1871), the terminal I
D is stored.

Next, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 checks the target U before making a charge inquiry or printing reservation.
The RL is selected by a predetermined operation (S1806). Here, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation for inquiring about a fee for printing or displaying the selected URL is performed (S1807), and if it is determined that a predetermined operation for inquiring about the fee is performed. Sends a charge inquiry message to the printer 103 with the URL selected as a parameter (S
1808).

Then, the printer 103 is connected to the wireless portable terminal 1.
01 when the charge inquiry message is received (S1
872) The URL as a parameter is obtained, and a fee for the URL is obtained (S1951).

Note that the procedure for obtaining the fee for the URL is the same as the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 described in the first embodiment, and the printer management server 115 may be replaced with the printer 103 in FIG.

Therefore, it is assumed that the data of the tables as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 are stored in the printer 103 in this embodiment.

After obtaining the fee for the URL in this way, the fee is transmitted to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S1).
952).

Then, the wireless portable terminal 101 is connected to the printer 1
03, the received fee is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101 (S190).
1). Here, it is determined whether or not to make a print reservation (S1).
902), when the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 performs a predetermined operation for making a print reservation, the determination proceeds to Yes.

After the selection of the first URL (S180)
6) It is also possible to proceed directly to print reservation without making a charge inquiry.

Next, the wireless portable terminal 101 checks whether a password has been entered (S1903).

In the present embodiment, a password is entered each time a print reservation is made. However, multiple URLs can be used for one print reservation.
, A print reservation can be made, and it is not necessary to input a password for each URL reservation. If a password is input first, no further password input is required in the same print reservation sequence.
When the process first comes to step S1903, no password has been entered yet, so the process proceeds to No.

Next, "Enter password?" Is displayed on the display of wireless portable terminal 101, and an inquiry is made as to whether a password has been entered. Entering a password is not required. The purpose of the password is to authenticate the user who made the print reservation, but the same purpose can be obtained by the terminal ID or the user ID described later. Of the above two,
If the user chooses to use one of the authentication methods,
When asked "Enter password?"
Answer o.

[0307] If the answer is Yes, a screen for inputting the user's name and password is displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal 101. Here, the user inputs a name and a password (S1905). And the wireless portable terminal 101
Sends the input name and password to the printer 103 (S1906).

Then, the printer 103 is connected to the wireless portable terminal 1.
When the name and password transmitted from 01 are received (S1953), the name and password are stored.

Next, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 sends a print reservation message to the printer 103 by a predetermined operation using the selected URL as a parameter (S2).
001). Since the print reservation has already been determined in step S1902, the predetermined operation may not be performed. In this case, a print reservation message is sent at the same time as the name and password. On the other hand, if the above-described predetermined operation is performed, a procedure for canceling the operation on the way can be introduced. In other words, although not shown in the sequence, after inputting the name and the password (S1905), the user is asked to confirm again whether to actually make the print reservation. It is displayed on the display and prompts the user for input. Step S if the user selects the reservation execution menu
If 2001 or later is executed and the reservation cancel menu is selected, the process proceeds to step S2004. By doing in this way, cancellation on the way is also possible.

When the printer 103 receives the print reservation message transmitted from the wireless portable terminal 101 (S205)
1) The print reservation data shown in FIG. 14 is checked to determine whether there is a reservation having the terminal ID or a reservation having the password and the user name, and determine whether the reservation is the first reservation (S2052).

Here, when there is no reservation having the terminal ID or the reservation having the password and the user name, and it is determined that the reservation is the first reservation, the printer 103 assigns the user ID by an arbitrary method, and 101 (S2053). On the other hand, if it is not the first reservation, since the user ID has already been assigned, step S2053 is not performed.

[0312] Then, the wireless portable terminal 101 is connected to the printer 1
03 (S200).
2) This is stored in preparation for later reservation confirmation, reservation cancellation, display of a print image, or use at the time of printing.

That is, like the terminal ID, the password and the user's name, it can be used for user authentication.

On the other hand, the printer 103 transmits the designated UR
L and the data used for user authentication, ie, terminal ID, password and user name, user ID
A print target identification ID for identifying a print target is created using at least one of the three (S205).
4). After creation, the URL, terminal ID, password, user name,
It is stored together with the user ID. It should be noted that there is no need to store the missing data. In short, it is sufficient that the minimum data that can identify the user and identify the print target is available.

Next, the fee for the URL is obtained in the same manner as in step S1951 (S2055). Then, it is sent to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S2056).

Then, the wireless portable terminal 101 is connected to the printer 1
03 is received and displayed (S200)
3). After transmitting the fee in this way, the printer 103 accumulates print targets in accordance with the same processing procedure as described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 (S205).
7).

When the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 ends the print reservation, an end message is transmitted to the printer 103 by a predetermined operation (S2).
005). Then, the network is disconnected (S20).
06), the process ends.

On the other hand, from step S2004 to step S2004
By proceeding to step 1806, it is possible to repeatedly make a charge inquiry and print reservation to another URL without terminating the print reservation.

Then, the printer 103 is connected to the wireless portable terminal 1.
01 to determine whether an end message has been received (S
2058), in the case of Yes, the print reservation sequence from the wireless portable terminal 101 ends.

On the other hand, in step S2058, as long as no end message has been received from wireless portable terminal 101, steps S1872 to S2058 can be repeated to receive a charge inquiry or print reservation.

The storage of the print target in step S2057 may not be performed here, but may be performed after the print reservation by the wireless portable terminal 101 ends.

[0322] In step S1805, first the terminal I
D is sent, but as described above, there is another means for user authentication, so transmission of the terminal ID is not essential.
Instead of the terminal ID, a method of first sending a password and a user name, a method of assigning a user ID when the printer 103 recognizes the connection of the wireless portable terminal 101 in a connection-oriented connection, If the user has a fixed network address, a method of assigning a user ID based on the address may be considered as an alternative.

Further, when the above method is used instead of transmitting the terminal ID, the terminal confirmation first, the reservation cancellation, the display of the print image, or the printing procedure described below are performed first. , The user can be authenticated by sending a password, a user name, and a user ID.

The procedure for confirming the print reservation and canceling the print reservation from the wireless portable terminal 101 can be realized by the same sequence as the procedure shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 20, the operation procedure of the printing apparatus management server 115 may be replaced with the operation procedure of the printer 103.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied, in which a wireless portable terminal 101 displays and prints a print image. Corresponds to the procedure. Note that steps S2201 to S2205 indicate steps on the wireless portable terminal 101 side, and steps S2251 to S2263 correspond to steps on the printer 103 side.

First, in the idle state, the printer 103 monitors whether a terminal ID is input (S103).
2251). Here, when the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 connects to the network (S2201) and sends the terminal ID (S2202), the process proceeds to Yes in the determination of step S2251. Further, when the wireless portable terminal 101 sends a printing device occupation request message by a predetermined operation (S2203),
When it is determined whether there is a printing device occupation request (S
2258), proceed to Yes to send back a printing device occupation OK message to the wireless portable terminal 101 (S2260). Then, all deletion, deletion, display of a print image, and printing of the print target after step S172 are executed.

[0327] On the other hand, in step S2258, the printer 1
Even if the terminal ID is input from the wireless portable terminal 101 to the printer 03, the printing device occupation request message does not always come next, and another message may come. In that case, the determination is No, and another command is accepted (S225).
9).

On the other hand, if No in step S2251, that is, if it is determined that the user operates the printer 103 directly, the user
It is assumed that execution of reserved printing is selected in the operation menu 3 (S2252). Then, the printer 103 displays a user name and a password or a user ID on the display 102.
Is displayed as shown in FIG. 35 (S2).
253).

Next, it is determined whether the user has input a user name and a password (S2254) or a user ID (S2255). If any of them is Yes, the printer 103 is turned on as shown in FIG. It is checked whether there is data having the same user name and password or the same user ID from the print reservation data (S2).
261) When it is determined that there is no reservation, the fact that there is no reservation is displayed on the display 102 (S2262), and when the user confirms it (S2263), the user name and password or the user ID or the terminal ID are again displayed. Returning to step S2253, an input screen is displayed so that an input can be made.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2261 that there is a reservation, all deletion, deletion, display of a print image, and printing of the print target after step S1733 are executed.

Note that, in the present embodiment, step S
By performing an operation of only transmitting the terminal ID in the wireless portable terminal 101 as shown in 2202, the terminal ID can be input in step S2256, and thereafter, all deletion of the print target after step S1733,
Execute deletion, display of a print image, and printing. If the terminal ID has been input as described above, it is not checked whether or not there is a reservation (S2261). This is because the terminal ID cannot be arbitrarily determined by the user. Is trusting the terminal ID, and does not mean that there is a reservation. If there is no reservation, it is assumed that the reservation list is displayed with 0 items in step S1173.

Then, in step S2257, it is determined whether or not any of the above-mentioned inputs have been made, and whether or not the input has been canceled is determined (S2257). If it is determined that the input has been canceled, the process ends. Although not shown, the time until the input is calculated by the timer, and the timeout is regarded as cancel. Until cancelled, it is assumed to wait for any of the above inputs.

In the above description of FIG. 36, it has been described that all deletion, deletion, display and printing of the print image are executed after step S1172 and step S1173, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 28. There are some differences between the sequence and the sequence following FIG. 36. In the sequence following FIG. 36, a print data management request message (step Sl178, step S3804, step S1308) is issued when all print reservations are deleted, print reservations are deleted, or reservations are deleted upon completion of printing. It is not sent to the server 115.

This is because the print reservation data is not in the printing apparatus management server 115 but in the printer 103 itself, and these steps are unnecessary.

Next, in selecting a printing device, the wireless portable terminal 101 is not selected from the printing device list.
And the printing device perform direct wireless communication,
First, the process broadcasts a packet inquiring about the presence of a printing device, and then proceeds to a process of selecting a printing device that has responded to the packet (the response message also includes the identifier of the printing device). Hereinafter, the processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0336] Since the broadcasting of the packet itself can be performed by wire, the above method can be performed by wire. However, wireless communication that does not require a cable connection is more convenient for a portable terminal. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the wireless portable terminal 101 directly communicates with the wireless interface 104 of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied, and a direct wireless communication procedure between the wireless portable terminal 101 and the printing apparatus. Corresponding to S2301 to S2304 correspond to the wireless portable terminal 1
Steps S2351 to S2353 correspond to steps on the printer 103 side.

First, in order to check whether there is a printing device near the wireless portable terminal 101, a predetermined operation is performed.
The search packet of the printing device is broadcasted wirelessly (S2301). Thereafter, it is monitored whether a printing device has been found, that is, whether a printing device presence notification packet has been returned from the printing device (S2302). If the monitoring is stopped by a predetermined operation or a timeout occurs without a printing device being found, it is regarded that the monitoring has ended (S2303), and the process ends.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the printer 103 is monitoring a broadcasting packet and has received a printing device search packet (S2351). Printer 103
Broadcasts a printing device presence notification packet to notify the wireless portable terminal 101 that the user is in the vicinity (S2352). Note that the address of the wireless interface 104 is added as a parameter to this packet.

Then, the wireless portable terminal 101 receives the printing device presence notification packet, knows the address of the printer 103, and transmits the terminal ID of the wireless portable terminal 101 to the printer 103 as in step S1805 (S230).
4).

Then, the printer 103 is connected to the wireless portable terminal 1.
When the terminal ID transmitted from S.01 is received (S235)
3) After that, the sequence is the same as the sequence shown in FIG. However, communication between the wireless portable terminal 101 and the printer 103 is not performed through the wired interface 105,
This is performed through the wireless interface 104.

In the procedure shown in FIG. 37, when there are a plurality of printing devices within the range of the printing device search packet transmitted by the wireless portable terminal 101, a plurality of printing device presence notification packets are transmitted. Will be. In this case, in order to provide a criterion for selecting a printing device, parameters such as the type, function, and installation location of the printing device are added to the printing device presence notification packet, and the printing device is determined by the wireless portable terminal 101 based on the information. What is necessary is just to make it select. Alternatively, as the simplest method, there is a method of selecting the printing device which first issued the printing device presence notification packet. This is because this printing device is considered to be the printing device closest to the wireless portable terminal 101.

[0343] Various methods other than those described above can be considered as a method of selecting a printing apparatus. Regarding any addressing method, a protocol is understood between the wireless portable terminal 101 and the printing device, and a method of directly specifying the address of the printing device from the wireless portable terminal device 101,
Alternatively, when passing through a wireless base station and a switching facility, a method of directly specifying an address, such as specifying a telephone number of the wireless interface 104, is conceivable. Here, any method may be used for selecting the printing apparatus.

Now, in the above embodiment, the wireless portable terminal 10
Although an example in which a wireless communication path is opened between the wireless communication interface 1 and the wired interface 105 or the wireless interface 104 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a case where the wired portable terminal 107 communicates with the wired interface 105 through the wired network 106. Normally, wireless communication is performed, but there is a portable terminal that becomes a wired portable terminal due to the installation of a wired interface. The present invention can be applied to such a mobile terminal.

From the selection of the printing apparatus described in the above embodiment to the communication according to the protocol such as the print request and the print instruction, all can be applied by the wired communication. In the wired portable terminal 107, without going through the wired network 106,
By directly connecting the wired portable terminal 107 and the wired interface 105 using a cable, the printing device selection procedure can even be omitted.

Further, in the present invention, as described in the above embodiment, communication through a wireless or wired network is not essential. The URL for printing can be notified from the portable terminal to the printing device also through the storage medium. Hereinafter, an example thereof will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The URL for printing is transmitted from the portable terminal through the storage medium. This corresponds to the procedure for notifying the printing device. Note that step S2401 indicates steps on the wireless portable terminal 101 side, and steps S2451 to S245
Reference numeral 6 corresponds to a step on the printer 103 side.

[0348] A memory card 118 is inserted into the memory card insertion slot 117 of the wireless portable terminal 101 shown in FIG.

When the URL to be printed as described in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 is stored, the memory card 118
These URLs are also stored. After the storage, the user of the wireless portable terminal 101 removes the memory card 118 from the memory card insertion slot 117 (S2401).

Then, the user inserts the removed memory card 118 into the memory card insertion slot 116 of the printer 103 (S2451).

Next, the printer 103 determines whether the inserted memory card 118 has the correct data format or version, and whether the data itself is valid.
It is determined whether the memory card is valid (S2452),
If the memory card is not valid, a message that the memory card is invalid is displayed on the display 102 (S245).
5), end the processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2452 that the memory card is valid, the memory card 1
It is checked whether or not the URL to be printed is included in 18 (S2453). If it is determined that the URL is not included, the fact that the URL does not exist is displayed on the display 102 (S2456), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2453 that the URL is included, it is read out (S24).
54), it is stored as print target data in the same manner as the print reservation data shown in FIG. 14, and functions such as display of a print target list, display of a print image, and execution of printing after step S1173 can be executed.

In this case, the terminal ID, the password, the user name, the user ID, and the like are not input. However, since the user has already used the printer 103,
There is no need for them and there is no problem.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

FIGS. 4, 6, 8 to 11, 15, 15, 18 to 21, 23 to 28, 3 in this embodiment.
The functions shown in FIGS. 2 to 34 and FIGS. 36 to 38 may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, C
The present invention is applicable to a case where a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as a D-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

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 code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0365]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the sixty-sixth aspect, when acquiring print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received from the terminal device and performing print processing based on the acquired print target information, Determining a price for processing the print target information, calculating a print fee for the print target information based on the determined price, displaying the calculated print fee on a display device, and collecting the print fee. This allows the print service provider to clearly indicate to the user the service provision fee calculated by the print requester for the print target information to be downloaded by accessing any of the information distribution servers in accordance with the information acquisition request from the terminal device. It is possible to freely construct a printing system capable of collecting a legitimate fee.

[0366] Further, based on the address information received from the terminal device, print target information is obtained from any of the information distribution servers, and when print processing is performed based on the obtained print target information, the print target information is obtained. Is determined based on the determined price, a printing fee for the printing target information is calculated, the calculated printing fee is displayed on a display device, and a print image of the downloaded printing target information is displayed. Is displayed to the user to confirm the contents, and a print fee is collected, so that the print image of the downloaded print target information can be confirmed before the start of printing, and any information can be checked according to the information acquisition request from the terminal device. The print service provider accesses the distribution server and downloads the print target information with the print processing calculated by the print requestor. Explicitly the service providing fee to the user can construct a printing system that can collect legitimate rates freely.

Further, based on the address information received from the terminal device, print target information is obtained from any of the information distribution servers, and when print processing is performed based on the obtained print target information, the print target information is obtained. Determining the price associated with the printing process, calculating the printing fee for the printing target information based on the determined price, displaying the calculated printing fee on a display device, and printing the downloaded printing target information. When displaying an image to a user, a price for displaying the print target information is determined, a display fee for the print target information is calculated based on the determined price, and the calculated display fee is displayed on a display device. And print the downloaded print image of the print target information before starting printing by collecting the display fee and printing fee while confirming the contents. The print processing is performed by the print service provider by the print requester for the print target information, which is visually confirmed by the display and accessed by accessing one of the information distribution servers according to the information acquisition request from the terminal device. And a service providing fee associated with the image display processing can be clearly indicated to the user, and a proper fee can be collected.

Further, the server inquires of the fee for printing the selected address to the server, displays the fee for printing the selected address received from the server, and selects the fee based on the display. Since the print request of the address is sent to the server, the print request can be made while the user checks the charge accompanying the print request on the portable terminal.

[0369] Also, since a printing device for printing the selected address can be selected, information obtained from the address selected by the user can be obtained from a familiar printing device.

[0370] Further, the fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Can be provided separately.

Also, since the selected address is displayed without displaying the page of the selected address, even if the display size is limited, even if the portable terminal has a limited display size, an effective selection for acquiring information is required. The destination can be reliably recognized.

Further, since whether or not the selected address is printable is displayed in an identifiable manner, it is possible to immediately recognize whether or not the information provided from the selected address is printable.

Further, upon receiving an inquiry about the fee for printing the selected address from the terminal, the fee for printing the selected address is determined, and the fee for printing the selected address is determined. Is notified to the terminal, so that the print charge can be displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal from the server providing the print service in a timely manner.

The fee for printing the selected address includes the fee for displaying the selected address and the fee for printing the selected address. Can be individually displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal of the user who uses the system, by individually applying the system to the system.

Therefore, in providing various services in a printing system using a portable terminal, a server, and a printing apparatus, a printing system capable of providing a flexible pay service by charging various display processing and printing processing generated individually. Can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a print control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mail displayed on a display of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a URL list managed in a storage device of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in a printing system to which a print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Web page displayed on a display of the wireless portable terminal illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a URL input displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

12 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the display of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a parameter table managed in a storage device in the printing device management server illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

16 is a diagram showing an example of a fee table for a URL managed by a storage device in the printing device management server shown in FIG.

17 is a diagram illustrating an example of additional charge data managed in a storage device of the printing device management server illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure of a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure of a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a seventh data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display of the wireless portable terminal shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an eighth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reservation list displayed on a display connected to the printer illustrated in FIG. 1;

30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reservation list displayed on a display connected to the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print reservation list displayed on a display connected to the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a ninth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a ninth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a ninth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a user ID authentication input screen displayed on a display connected to the printer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tenth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tenth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a tenth data processing procedure in a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 wireless portable terminal 102 display 103 printer 104 wireless interface 105 wired interface 106 network 107 wired portable terminal 108 mail server 109 wireless gateway 110 web server 111 toll collection device 112 toll display 113 card insertion slot 114 currency input slot 115 printing device management server 116 Memory card slot 117 Memory card slot 118 Memory card

Claims (69)

[Claims] 1. A print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein desired print target information is obtained from one of the information distribution servers. Address information receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device, address information for performing, based on the address information received by the address information receiving means, obtaining means for obtaining print target information from any information distribution server, A price determination unit that determines a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server; a printing unit that performs a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit; and the price determination unit. Calculating means for calculating a printing fee for the information to be printed based on the determined price; and printing calculated by the calculating means. A print control apparatus, comprising: a display control unit that displays a charge on a display device; and a charge collection unit that collects a print charge calculated by the calculation unit before the printing process starts by the printing unit. 2. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said price determining means determines a price from address information of said print target information. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the price determination unit determines a price from price information provided by a provider of the print target information when the print unit obtains the print target information. The print control device as described in the above. 4. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the price determination unit determines the price based on price information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit. 5. A print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein desired print target information is obtained from any one of the information distribution servers. Address information receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device, address information for performing, based on the address information received by the address information receiving means, obtaining means for obtaining print target information from any information distribution server, A price determination unit that determines a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server; a printing unit that performs a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit; and the price determination unit. First calculating means for calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the determined consideration; First display control means for displaying the calculated print charge on a display device, charge collection means for collecting the print charge calculated by the calculation means before the printing processing by the printing means is started, and acquisition means A printing unit that creates a print image to be displayed based on the acquired print target information; and a second display control unit that displays the print image created by the creation unit on the display device. Print control device. 6. A print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein desired print target information is obtained from one of the information distribution servers. Address information receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device, address information for performing, based on the address information received by the address information receiving means, obtaining means for obtaining print target information from any information distribution server, A first price determination unit that determines a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server; a print unit that performs a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit; Calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined by the first price determining means;
Calculating means, a first display control means for displaying the printing fee calculated by the first calculating means on a display device, and a calculating means for calculating the printing fee by the first calculating means before the printing processing by the printing means is started. A first fee collecting unit that collects the print fee, a creating unit that creates a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired by the acquiring unit, and a print image created by the creating unit. A second display control unit for displaying on a display device; a second price determination unit for determining a price associated with a display process of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server; and a determination by the second price determination unit. Second calculating means for calculating a display charge for displaying the print image based on the received price; and displaying the display charge calculated by the second calculating means to the display device. A print control apparatus comprising: third display control means for displaying; and second charge collection means for collecting a display charge calculated by the second calculation means. 7. The printing control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first price determination unit determines a price based on address information of the print target information. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first consideration determining means determines a consideration based on consideration information provided by a provider of the printing information when the acquiring means acquires the information to be printed. The print control device according to claim 5. 9. The print control according to claim 5, wherein the first price determination unit determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit. apparatus. 10. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second price determination unit determines a price from address information of the print target information. 11. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second price determination unit determines a price based on price information provided by a provider of the print target information when the print unit obtains the print target information. The print control device according to claim 6. 12. The printing control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second price determination unit determines the price based on price information included in the print target information acquired by the acquisition unit. 13. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface. 14. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus processes the print target information to enable print output.
The print control device according to any one of claims 5 and 6. 15. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is capable of printing out the print target information in color or monochrome. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains print target information from one of information distribution servers via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information receiving unit. The print control device according to claim 1, 5 or 6, wherein 17. A print control method in a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and a terminal device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control method includes the steps of: An address information receiving step of receiving address information for obtaining target information from the terminal device; and obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step, a price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, a print step of performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step, A calculating step of calculating a printing fee for the printing target information based on the price determined in the price determining step; A display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated by the display device on a display device, and a fee collecting step of collecting the printing fee calculated by the calculating process before starting the printing process in the printing process. Printing control method. 18. The printing control method according to claim 17, wherein the price determination step determines a price from address information of the print target information. 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein in the price determining step, when the print target information is acquired in the acquisition step, a price is determined from consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. The print control method described in the above. 20. The print control method according to claim 17, wherein said price determination step determines a price based on price information included in said print target information acquired in said acquisition step. 21. A print control method in a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control method includes the steps of: An address information receiving step of receiving address information for obtaining target information from the terminal device; and obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step, a price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, a print step of performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step, A first calculating step of calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the price determined in the price determining step; A first display control step of displaying the printing charge calculated by the first calculation step on a display device; and a charge collection step of collecting the printing charge calculated by the calculation step before starting the printing processing in the printing step. A creation step of creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step; a second display control step of displaying the print image created by the creation step on the display device; And a printing control method comprising: 22. A print control method in a print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and a terminal device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the print control method includes the steps of: An address information receiving step of receiving address information for obtaining target information from the terminal device; and obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received in the address information receiving step. An acquisition step, a first price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server, and a print step of performing print processing based on the print target information obtained in the obtainment step. Calculating a print fee for the print target information based on the price determined in the first price determination step.
A first display control step of displaying the printing fee calculated by the first calculating step on a display device; and a calculating step performed by the first calculating step before starting the printing process by the printing step. A first fee collection step of collecting the printing fee, a creation step of creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired in the acquisition step, and a print image created in the creation step. A second display control step of displaying on a display device; a second price determination step of determining a price associated with a display process of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server; and a second price determination step. A second calculation step of calculating a display charge for displaying the print image based on the received consideration; and displaying the display charge calculated in the second calculation step to the display device. A print control method comprising: a third display control step of displaying; and a second charge collection step of collecting the display charge calculated in the second calculation step. 23. The print control method according to claim 21, wherein the first price determination step determines a price from address information of the print target information. 24. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first price determination step determines a price based on price information provided by a provider of the print target information when the print target information is obtained in the obtaining step. The print control method according to claim 21. 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first price determination step determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.
Or the print control method described in 22. 26. The print control method according to claim 22, wherein the second price determination step determines a price from address information of the print target information. 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the second price determination step determines a price from price information provided by a provider of the print target information when the print target information is obtained in the obtaining step. The print control method according to claim 22. 28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second price determination step determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.
The print control method described in the above. 29. The print control method according to claim 17, wherein the terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface. 30. The printing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the printing apparatus processes the print target information to enable print output.
The print control method according to any one of claims 21 and 22. 31. The print control method according to claim 17, wherein the printing apparatus is capable of printing out the print target information in color or monochrome. 32. The printing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the obtaining unit obtains print target information from one of the information distribution servers via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information receiving unit. Claim 1
7. The print control method according to any one of 7, 21 and 22. 33. A print control device for controlling a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, to obtain desired print target information from one of the information distribution servers. An address information receiving step of receiving the address information from the terminal device; an obtaining step of obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution server devices based on the address information received in the address information receiving step; A price determining step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the information distribution server device; a printing step of performing a printing process based on the print target information acquired in the obtaining step; and the price determining step. A calculating step of calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the determined consideration; A computer that records a program for executing a display control step of displaying a print charge on a display device and a charge collection step of collecting the print charge calculated by the calculation step before the printing process starts in the print step. A readable storage medium. 34. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein said price determination step determines a price from address information of said print target information. 35. The method according to claim 33, wherein, when acquiring the print target information in the obtaining step, the consideration determination step determines a consideration from consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. The storage medium according to the above. 36. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein said price determination step determines a price from the price information included in said print target information acquired in said acquisition step. 37. A print control device that controls a printing device that can communicate with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium, and obtains desired print target information from any of the information distribution servers. An address information receiving step of receiving the address information from the terminal device; an obtaining step of obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received in the address information receiving step; A price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the distribution server; a printing step of performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step; and a price determination step. A first calculation step of calculating a printing fee for the print target information based on the consideration, A first display control step of displaying the obtained printing fee on a display device, a fee collecting step of collecting the printing fee calculated by the calculating step before the printing process is started by the printing step, A program for executing a creation step of creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information, and a second display control step of displaying the print image created by the creation step on the display device. A computer-readable storage medium that stores the recorded information. 38. A print control device that controls a printing device capable of communicating with a plurality of information distribution servers and terminal devices via a predetermined communication medium to obtain desired print target information from one of the information distribution servers. An address information receiving step of receiving the address information from the terminal device; an obtaining step of obtaining print target information from any of the information distribution servers based on the address information received in the address information receiving step; A first price determination step of determining a price associated with processing of the print target information distributed from the distribution server; a print step of performing a print process based on the print target information acquired by the acquisition step; Based on the consideration determined by the decision process,
A first calculation step of calculating a print charge for the print target information; a first display control step of displaying a print charge calculated by the first calculation step on a display device; A first charge collecting step for collecting the printing charge calculated in the first calculating step, and a creating step for creating a print image to be displayed based on the print target information acquired in the acquiring step. A second display control step of displaying the print image created in the creation step on the display device; and a second price determination for determining a price associated with display processing of print target information distributed from the information distribution server. A second calculating step of calculating a display fee for displaying the print image based on the price determined in the second price determining step; and A third display control step of displaying the display charge calculated by the calculation step on the display device, and a second charge collection step of collecting the display charge calculated by the second calculation step. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program. 39. The storage medium according to claim 37, wherein said first price determination step determines a price from address information of said print target information. 40. The first price determination step, wherein, when the print target information is acquired in the acquisition step, a price is determined from consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. The storage medium according to claim 37 or 38. 41. The method according to claim 37, wherein the first price determination step determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.
Or the storage medium of 38. 42. The storage medium according to claim 38, wherein said second price determination step determines a price from address information of said print target information. 43. The second price determination step, wherein, when the print target information is acquired in the acquisition step, a price is determined from consideration information provided by a provider of the print target information. The storage medium according to claim 38. 44. The method according to claim 38, wherein the second price determination step determines a price based on price information included in the print target information acquired in the acquisition step.
The storage medium according to the above. 45. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein said terminal device is a wireless portable terminal device having a wireless communication interface. 46. The printing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the printing apparatus processes the print target information to enable print output.
A storage medium according to any one of claims 37 and 38. 47. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein the printing apparatus is capable of printing out the print target information in color or monochrome. 48. The printing apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the obtaining unit obtains print target information from one of the information distribution servers via a printing device management server device based on the address information received by the address information receiving unit. Claim 3
39. The storage medium according to any one of 3, 37, 38. 49. A means for inquiring the server of a fee for printing the selected address, a means for displaying a fee for printing the selected address received from the server, and the selected address And a means for making a print request to the server. 50. The portable terminal according to claim 49, further comprising means for selecting a printing device when printing the selected address. 51. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Item 49. The portable terminal according to Item 49. 52. The portable terminal according to claim 49, wherein the display unit displays the selected address without displaying a page of the selected address. 53. The portable terminal according to claim 49, wherein the display unit displays the selected address as identifiable as to whether or not the address can be printed. 54. A means for receiving, from a terminal, a charge inquiry for printing a selected address, a means for determining a charge for printing a selected address, and printing the determined selected address. A means for notifying a terminal of a fee for performing the service. 55. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Item 52. The server according to Item 52. 56. A step of inquiring a server of a fee for printing the selected address, a step of displaying a fee for printing the selected address received from the server, and a step of displaying the selected address. Making a print request to the server. 57. The data processing method for a portable terminal according to claim 56, further comprising a step of selecting a printing device when printing the selected address. 58. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Item 60. The data processing method for a portable terminal according to Item 56. 59. The data processing method according to claim 56, wherein the displaying step displays the selected address without displaying the page of the selected address. 60. The data processing method for a portable terminal according to claim 56, wherein, in the displaying step, whether or not the selected address is printable is identifiably displayed. 61. A step of receiving, from a terminal, a fee inquiry for printing a selected address, a step of determining a fee for printing a selected address, and printing the determined selected address. Notifying the terminal of the fee for the server. 62. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. 61. The server data processing method according to item 61. 63. A step of inquiring the server about a fee for printing the selected address to the server, a step of displaying the fee for printing the selected address received from the server, A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a step of requesting a server to print a selected address. 64. The data processing method for a portable terminal according to claim 62, further comprising a step of selecting a printing device when printing the selected address. 65. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Item 63. The storage medium according to Item 62. 66. The storage medium according to claim 62, wherein the displaying step displays the selected address without displaying a page of the selected address. 67. The storage medium according to claim 62, wherein, in said displaying step, whether or not said selected address is printable is identifiably displayed. 68. A step of receiving, from the terminal, a charge inquiry for printing the selected address from the terminal, a step of determining a charge for printing the selected address, and And a step of notifying a terminal of a charge for printing the address. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the program. 69. The fee for printing the selected address includes a fee for displaying the selected address and a fee for printing the selected address. Item 68. The storage medium according to Item 68.