JP2002169999A - System and method for printing request, and computer- readable recording medium with program for making computer execute the method recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select whether an image being originally read in its own scanner part is to be printed in its own printing part by using an image forming device capable of printing in its own printing part or requested to an external printing supplier. SOLUTION: A printing control server 120 generates a list of estimation result meeting the printing situation of each printing company 140 when having accepted an estimation request from a copy machine 100. The list of the generated estimation result is sent back to the copy machine 100 of an estimation request source, and the copy machine 100 displays this estimation result on the keyboard. Also, the delivery of printing data is performed between the copy machines 100 and the servers 140 for the printing companies through the printing control server 120, and at the same time, the charge control is implemented through a charge control server 150.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention issues a print data print request from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user to a print company server owned by a plurality of print companies via a print management server. Print request system,
Print request method, and a computer-readable recording medium that records a program that causes the computer to execute the method, particularly, using an image forming apparatus that can print an image originally read by its own scanner unit by its own printing unit, The present invention relates to a print request system, a print request method, and a recording medium that allow a user to select whether to print with its own print unit or to request an external printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a printing system in which image data is transmitted from a customer's personal computer to a printing company via the Internet, and the customer receives a printing service provided by the printing company, has become widespread. In particular, there are many sites that provide New Year's card print services on the Internet, and due to various conditions such as layout, number of print colors, number of sheets, etc.
Estimates including delivery dates are also made.

As described above, when a large number of external printing companies that provide a large amount of copy services at a low cost appear, even if the image can be copied by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine in an organization, cost performance is reduced. Considering this, there may be cases where business should be outsourced to an external printing company.

[0004] For this reason, conventionally, what is to be copied by a copying machine or the like in an organization and what should be outsourced to a printing company are separated in advance,
It was manually adjusted and selected which printing company to outsource. Specifically, the object to be copied is read by a scanner or the like and transmitted to a printing company by data, or sent by courier service or mail.

[0005]

However, if such sorting of the copying object, selection and adjustment of the subcontractor, and the like are performed manually, there is a problem that the human labor becomes large. In particular, considering a case where a copy target is read by a scanner or the like and transmitted to a printing company, such work can be performed by a scanner unit of a copier arranged in a workplace. Sorting is not efficient.

[0006] From these facts, the image data is read by the scanner unit of the copying machine which is often arranged inside many organizations, and printed by its own printing unit on this copying machine.
It is desired to be able to select whether to outsource business to an external printing company.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image read by its own scanner unit by its own printing unit is used by its own printing unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a print request system, a print request method, and a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to execute the method, which can select whether to print or request an external printer. And At this time, a print request system, a print request method, and a print request method that allow the user to select the best print condition from a plurality of print conditions based on the estimation result, and that can print on their own print unit if the conditions are not met.
Another object is to provide a recording medium.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the above object, a print request system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a print request server which is owned by a plurality of printing companies via a print management server from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user. A print request system for requesting printing of print data, wherein each image forming apparatus includes:
An estimate requesting unit for sending an estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data to the print management server and requesting an estimate is provided, and the print management server is configured to perform printing periodically distributed from each printing company server. A storage unit for storing a schedule, and an estimate list for generating a list of estimation results including a scheduled printing time of each printing company based on the print schedule stored in the storage unit when an estimate request is received from the image forming apparatus. The image processing apparatus further includes: a generation unit; and an estimation list returning unit that returns a list of estimation results generated by the estimation list generation unit to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimation.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the print management server stores a print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and each image forming apparatus sends the print schedule to the print management server. Requests for quotation by sending quotation request data indicating a request for quotation of print data, and when the quotation request is received from the image forming apparatus, the quotation result including the scheduled printing time of each printing company based on the print schedule stored in advance. And a list of generated estimation results is sent back to the image forming apparatus that made the request for the estimation, so an image forming apparatus that can originally print the image read by its own scanner unit by its own printing unit is used. You can select whether to print on your own printing unit or to request an external printer, and, based on the estimation results, And the printers selectable, also if match condition can be printed by its own printing unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in the print request system according to the first aspect, the storage unit further stores a printing fee for printing by the plurality of printing companies, and Generating a list of estimation results including a scheduled printing time and an estimated charge by each printing company based on the print schedule and the print charge stored in the storage unit when the estimate request is received from the image forming apparatus. Features.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, print charges for printing by a plurality of printing companies are further stored, and when a request for quotation is received from the image forming apparatus, the stored print schedule and print charges are stored. A list of the estimation results including the scheduled printing times and the estimated charges by the respective printing companies is generated based on the above, so that a printing company suitable for the printing schedule and the printing cost can be quickly and efficiently selected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print request system for printing from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user to a print company server owned by a plurality of print companies via a print management server. A print request system for requesting data printing, wherein each image forming apparatus includes an estimate requesting unit for sending an estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data to the print management server and performing an estimate request, The print management server, when receiving an estimate request from the image forming apparatus, transfers an estimate request to the plurality of print company servers, and an estimate request transfer unit that receives the estimate request from the plurality of print company servers. An estimate list generating means for generating a list of estimation results summarizing the estimation results, and a list of the estimation results generated by the estimation list generating means An estimate list returning means for returning to the image forming apparatus, wherein each print company server stores the print schedule of the print company, and stores the estimate when receiving an estimate request from the print management server. An estimation result generation unit that generates an estimation result including a scheduled printing time of the printing company based on the printing schedule stored in the unit; and an estimation result that transmits the estimation result generated by the estimation result generation unit to the print management server. Transmitting means.

According to the third aspect of the invention, each printing company server stores a printing schedule of the printing company, and each image forming apparatus indicates a request for print data estimation to the printing management server. When the request for quotation is sent by sending the quotation request data, the print management server transfers the quotation request to a plurality of printing company servers, and each printing company server Generates the estimation result including the scheduled print time of the job, sends the generated estimation result to the print management server, and the print management server generates a list of estimation results that summarizes the estimation results received from the multiple printing company servers. Then, the print management server returns the list of the generated estimation results to the image forming apparatus that has made the estimation request. In can efficiently select a compatible printing company to printing conditions.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print request system according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the image forming apparatus displays a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on an operation panel. Control means, and a printing company selection means for selecting a printing company to make a print request based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel,
The print management server further includes a reception notifying unit that notifies reception information to the image forming apparatus and a printing company server of the selected printing company when receiving a selection result from the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus displays a list of the estimation results returned from the print management server on the operation panel, and makes a print request based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. Since the printing company to be selected is selected and the print management server receives the selection result from the image forming apparatus, the reception information is notified to the image forming apparatus and the printing company server of the selected printing company. Thus, preparation for transmitting print data to a printing company can be performed quickly and efficiently.

The print request system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the print request system according to the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a charge management server for managing a print charge associated with a print request from the image forming apparatus to a printing company. The image forming apparatus further includes a charge notifying unit configured to notify the charge management server of a charge associated with the quote request and a charge associated with the print request, wherein the charge management server is configured to transmit the charge management server to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is characterized by transmitting bill data.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the charge associated with the quote request and the charge associated with the print request are notified to the charge management server which manages the print charge associated with the print request from the image forming apparatus to the printing company. Since the fee management server transmits the bill data to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, the fee can be collected quickly and efficiently.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print request system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing company server receives a deposit from a user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data. When the payment management server transmits payment notice data to the charge management server, the charge management server pays a charge by a user of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notification data. It is characterized by managing the situation.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the printing company server accepts a payment from the user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data, the payment notice data is transmitted to the charge management server. And the fee management server manages the fee payment status by the users of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notification data, so that the fee payment status is efficiently managed. be able to.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the print request system according to the first to sixth aspects, the image forming apparatus transfers the print data when making a print request for the print data. Selecting means for selecting whether to deliver, or when delivery is selected by the selecting means,
Home delivery request means for requesting home delivery to the print management server;

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus requests the printing of the print data, the image forming apparatus selects whether to transfer the print data or deliver the print data. Since the home delivery request is made to the print management server, the home delivery procedure can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Further, the print request system according to the invention of claim 8 is the invention of claim 7, further comprising a delivery management server owned by a home delivery company, wherein the print management server comprises:
A home delivery processing unit for sending home delivery label data to the image forming apparatus of the home delivery requester when receiving a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus, and making a home delivery request to the delivery management server; It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, when the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus,
The home delivery label data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that requested the home delivery, and a home delivery request is made to the delivery management server owned by the home delivery company, so that the image data can be efficiently delivered in cooperation with the home delivery company. can do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the print request system according to the eighth aspect, when the printing company receives home delivery of a recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, An arrival notification is sent from the company server to the delivery management server.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the printing company receives the home delivery of the recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, the printing company server notifies the delivery management server of the arrival. As a result, the home delivery situation can be managed efficiently.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print request method, wherein a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user print via a print management server to a print company server owned by a plurality of print companies. A print request method of a print request system for making a data print request, wherein the print management server stores a print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and each image forming apparatus includes: An estimate requesting step of sending an estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data to the print management server to make an estimate request, and a printing step stored in the storage step when an estimate request is received from the image forming apparatus. An estimate list generating step of generating a list of estimation results including a scheduled printing time of each printing company based on a schedule; and And returning estimate list step of returning a list of the generated quotation results to estimate the requesting image forming apparatus, characterized in that it contains a.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the print management server stores a print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and each image forming apparatus
A request for quotation is sent by transmitting quotation request data indicating a request for quotation of print data to the print management server, and when an quotation request is received from the image forming apparatus, printing of each printing company is performed based on a pre-stored print schedule. A list of estimated results including the scheduled time is generated, and the generated list of estimated results is returned to the image forming apparatus that has made the request, so the image originally read by its own scanner unit is printed by its own printing unit. It is possible to select whether to print on its own printing unit or to request an external printer, using an image forming apparatus capable of printing. A printing company can be selected, and if the conditions are not met, printing can be performed by its own printing unit.

[0028] In a print request method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the storing step further stores a print fee for printing by the plurality of printing companies, and Generating a list of estimation results including a scheduled printing time and an estimated charge by each printing company based on the print schedule and the print charge stored in the storage step when receiving an estimate request from the image forming apparatus. Features.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, print charges for printing by a plurality of printing companies are further stored, and when a request for quotation is received from the image forming apparatus, the stored print schedule and print charges are stored. A list of the estimation results including the scheduled printing times and the estimated charges by the respective printing companies is generated based on the above, so that a printing company suitable for the printing schedule and the printing cost can be quickly and efficiently selected.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print request method for printing from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user to a print company server owned by a plurality of print companies via a print management server. A print request method of a print request system for requesting printing of data, wherein each print company server stores a print schedule of the print company, and each image forming apparatus transmits a print schedule to the print management server. An estimate requesting step for sending an estimate request by sending estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data; and, when the print management server receives an estimate request from the image forming apparatus, the estimate request is sent to the plurality of print jobs. A quote request transfer step of transferring the request to the company server; and, when each printing company server receives the quote request from the print management server, the storage step. An estimation result generating step of generating an estimation result including the scheduled printing time of the printing company based on the stored printing schedule, and an estimation result transmitting step of transmitting the estimation result generated by the estimation result generation step to the print management server An estimation list generating step in which the print management server generates a list of estimation results summarizing the estimation results received from the plurality of printing company servers, and a step in which the print management server generates the estimation list in the estimation list generation step And a step of returning a list of the obtained estimation results to the image forming apparatus requesting the estimation.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, each printing company server stores the printing schedule of the printing company, and each image forming apparatus sends a print data estimation request to the printing management server. When the request for quotation is sent by sending the quotation request data, the print management server transfers the quotation request to a plurality of printing company servers, and each printing company server Generates the estimation result including the scheduled print time of the job, sends the generated estimation result to the print management server, and the print management server generates a list of estimation results that summarizes the estimation results received from the multiple printing company servers. Since the print management server returns the list of the generated estimation results to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimation, the print management server inquires of the printing company server. It can be selected efficiently compatible printing company to printing conditions by the formula.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing request method according to the tenth to twelfth aspects, the image forming apparatus displays a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on an operation panel. A control step, a printing company selection step of selecting a printing company that makes a print request based on the estimation results displayed in a list on the operation panel, and when the print management server receives the selection result from the image forming apparatus. A notification step of notifying reception information to the image forming apparatus and a printing company server of the selected printing company.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the image forming apparatus displays a list of the estimation results returned from the print management server on the operation panel, and makes a print request based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. Select the printing company you want to do,
When the print management server receives the selection result from the image forming apparatus, it notifies the reception information to the image forming apparatus and the printing company server of the selected printing company. Preparation for transmission can be performed quickly and efficiently.

A print request method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the print request method according to the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the print management method manages a print fee associated with a print request from the image forming apparatus to a printing company. A charge notifying step of notifying a charge associated with the quote request and a charge associated with the print request, wherein the charge management server transmits bill data to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. .

According to the fourteenth aspect, the charge associated with the quote request and the charge associated with the print request are notified to the charge management server which manages the print charge associated with the print request from the image forming apparatus to the printing company. And the charge management server
Since the bill data is transmitted to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the fee can be collected quickly and efficiently.

In a printing request method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourteenth aspect, the printing company server receives a payment from a user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data. In this case, payment notice data is transmitted to the charge management server, and the charge management server pays a charge by a user of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notice data. It is characterized by managing the situation.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the printing company server receives payment from the user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data, the printing management server sends the payment notification data to the charge management server. And the fee management server manages the fee payment status by the users of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notification data, so that the fee payment status is efficiently managed. be able to.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the print request method according to the tenth to fifteenth aspects, when the image forming apparatus makes a print request for the print data, the print data is transferred. And a home delivery requesting step of requesting the print management server for home delivery when home delivery is selected in the selecting step.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus requests printing of print data, the image forming apparatus selects whether to transfer the print data or deliver the print data. Since the home delivery request is made to the print management server, the home delivery procedure can be performed quickly and efficiently.

[0040] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the print request method according to the sixteenth aspect, when the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus,
The method further includes a home delivery processing step of transmitting home delivery label data to the image forming apparatus of the home delivery request source and making a home delivery request to a delivery management server owned by the home delivery company.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, when the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus, the print management server transmits the home delivery label data to the image forming apparatus of the home delivery request source, and Since a home delivery request is made to the delivery management server owned by the company, image data can be efficiently delivered in cooperation with a home delivery company.

The print request method according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention is the print request method according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein when the printing company receives home delivery of the recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, An arrival notification is sent from the company server to the delivery management server.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, when the printing company receives the home delivery of the recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, the printing company server notifies the delivery management server of the arrival. As a result, the home delivery situation can be managed efficiently.

A recording medium according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the tenth to eighteenth aspects, so that the program becomes machine-readable. Thereby, the operation of any one of claims 10 to 18 can be realized by a computer.

[0045]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a print request system, a print request method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Will be described in detail. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine system will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a print request system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG.
A plurality of copiers 100a to 100c (hereinafter, "copier 10
0 ") is connected to the print management server 120 via the public line network 110. The print management server 120 has a management database 130, and also includes a print company A server 140a and a print company server 1
40b, a printing company C server 140c (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "printing company server 140") and a charge management server 150 are connected.

The copier 100 is connected to each printing company server 14.
In this case, the user makes a print request on the operation panel of the copier 100 when a large number of originals need to be copied. By performing the operation, the print management server 120 can make a print request for each printing company server 140.

The print management server 120 is a server device that provides a print estimation service and a print request service to each copying machine 100 based on the print schedule and price list of each printing company stored in the management database 130. Specifically, the print management server 120 periodically receives the distribution of the print schedules of the respective printing companies from the respective printing company servers 140, and stores the distribution schedules in the management database 1 together with the price lists of the respective printing companies.
30. Then, when a request for quotation is received from the copier 100, the printing schedule and the printing fee for each printing company are calculated with reference to the distribution schedule and the price list stored in the management database 130, and
An estimate result in which these are listed is created, and the copying machine 100
Return to. The print management server 120 also performs charge management in cooperation with the charge management server 150.

The printing company server 140 is a server device owned by an external printing contractor (printing company) that performs printing of print data. Each printing company enables the print management server 120 to make an appropriate estimate. For this purpose, the price list is transmitted to the print management server 120 in advance, and the print schedule is periodically updated.
Send to

The charge management server 150 determines each of the copying machines 1 based on the charge details received from the print management server 120.
This is a server device that sends invoice data to the user No. 00, receives payment notification data from the printing company server 140, and performs charge management based on the bill data and the payment notification data. .

Next, the print management server 120 shown in FIG.
Will be described more specifically. FIG. 2 shows FIG.
3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print management server 120 illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 20 denotes an interface unit 121 and an estimation processing unit 12
2, a print request processing unit 123, a charge processing unit 124,
And a control unit 125.

The interface unit 121 is provided for each copier 1
An interface unit for exchanging data with the printing company server 140 and the charge management server 150.

The estimation processing unit 122 calculates the paper size, the number of sheets,
Request for quotation including the number of copies and the presence or absence of bookbinding
If it is accepted from 0, the processing unit returns the estimation result including the cost required for the copying and the scheduled printing time (delivery date) to the copying machine 100. The estimation is performed based on the printing schedule and price list of each printing company stored in the management database 130.

The print request processing unit 123 is a processing unit that, when receiving a print request for image data designating a printing company from the copier 100, issues a reception number and relays the image data to the designated printing company. is there. It should be noted that the content of the print request from each copying machine 100 and the image data are stored in the management database 130.

The fee processing unit 124 is provided in the management database 1
This is a processing unit that periodically processes the print request content from each copying machine 100 stored in the printer 30 into a bill detail form and transmits it to the bill management server 150. The printing company server 140
When the payment notice data is received from the payment management server 150, the payment notice data is transferred to the fee management server 150.

The control unit 125 is a control unit that controls the entire print management server 120, and specifically, performs data transfer between the processing units and writes and reads data to and from the management database 130.

Next, the print management server 120 shown in FIG.
Will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the estimation processing by the print request system shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the estimation processing procedure of the print management server 120 shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the price list of each printing company is already stored in the management database 130.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, first, the print management server 120 periodically
Receives the status notification (step S301), and updates the schedule stored in the management database 130 (step S302).

Thereafter, when an estimate request is received from the copying machine 100 (step S303), an estimate result is generated based on the schedule and price list of each printing company stored in the management database (step S304), and the generated estimate The result is transmitted to the copying machine 100 that has requested the estimation (step S305).

When the copying machine 100 receives the estimation result, the estimation result is displayed on the operation panel (step S306), a printing company is selected on the operation panel (step S307), and printing is performed. A print request is made to the print management server 120 by designating a company.

The print management server 120 that has received the print request is the copier 100 and the print company server 140.
Is notified of the reception number (step S308), and the printing company server 140 that has received the reception number waits for the image data (step S309).

On the other hand, the copying machine 10 receiving this reception number
In step S310, the scanner unit scans the original and creates image data (step S310), transmits the created image data to the print management server 120, and the print management server 120 transfers the image data to the corresponding print company server. Then, when the printing company server 140 receives the image data (step S311), it returns a reception confirmation response (step S312).

Next, the management database 13 shown in FIG.
The price list and schedule stored in 0 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a price list stored in the management database 130 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, here, a case is shown in which a table holding the price per sheet for each printing company for each paper size and color or black and white is used.

For example, printing company A (Company A) prints A4 size black and white at 1 yen, Company B prints A4 size black and white at 1.2 yen, and Company C prints A4 size black and white at 0 yen. It is .9 yen. By using such a price list, it is possible to obtain information for determining which printing company is cheaper for the user.

FIG. 6 shows the management database 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schedule stored in a schedule 30; As shown in the drawing, here, a case is shown in which a schedule for each printing company has a schedule table written in units of one day.

For example, in this example, the schedules of Company B and Company C are scheduled until November 2, and processing cannot be requested until after November 3, but according to Company A's schedule, This shows a situation where the day is vacant and processing can be requested on November 2. For this reason, by using such a schedule, it is possible to know which printing company can perform the printing process earliest.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule stored in the management database 130 shown in FIG. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating an example of a schedule stored in the management database 130 illustrated in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a display menu for selecting a mode setting of “copy mode” or “estimation request mode” is displayed on the operation panel. When this “estimation request mode” is selected, As shown in FIG.
A display menu for specifying the quotation conditions is displayed.

Here, for example, A4 monochrome size, number 1
When a quotation request is made by designating the condition of 00 sheets, 200 copies, and binding, the print management server 120 performs the quotation processing already described, and the display menu of the quotation result display as shown in FIG. Is done. The price and delivery date for each company are displayed in this estimation result.

Next, when the company B is selected and ordered on the operation panel, the reception number is returned from the print management server 120. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

When the user presses the confirmation button, a display menu prompting the user to set a document is displayed as shown in FIG. 8A, and when the user sets the document and presses the confirmation button, the display menu shown in FIG. As shown in (2), a display menu is displayed to the effect that image data that has been subjected to compression or the like as necessary has been created. Then, when the user presses the send button,
As shown in FIG. 8C, a display menu indicating the transmission state of the image data is displayed. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the display menu indicating the reception confirmation is displayed as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

Next, the charge management server 150 shown in FIG.
A specific description will be given of charge management centered on. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining charge management centered on the charge management server 150 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in the figure, the print management server 120
When the charge processing unit 124 periodically processes the print request content from each copying machine 100 stored in the management database 130 into a charge specification and transmits it to the charge management server 150 (step S801), the charge management server 150 is
The invoice data is transmitted to the user of each copying machine 100 on the closing day (step S802).

When the user of the copying machine 100 pays a fee to the printing company (step S 803), the printing company server 140 transmits the payment notice data to the fee management server 150 via the print management server 120. (Step S804). The fee management server 150 manages the payment status of the fee based on the bill data and the payment notice data.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when the print management server 120 receives an estimate request from the copying machine 10, the print management server 120 generates a list of estimation results according to the printing status of each printing company 140. Then, a list of the generated estimation results is returned to the copying machine 100 that has requested the estimation, and the copying machine 100 is configured to display the estimation results on the operation panel. Therefore, an appropriate printing company is outsourced quickly and efficiently. Can be selected as a trader.

Further, since print data is exchanged with the print company server 140 via the print management server 120 and charge management is performed via the charge management server 150, the print data is exchanged. And fee management can be easily performed.

(Embodiment 2) By the way, in the first embodiment, the case where the print data is transferred through the public line network has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Can be delivered by home delivery or the like. In particular, when the data amount of the print data is enormous or when it is desired to maintain high security, home delivery or the like is often desirable. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case will be described in which the user of the copying machine can select one of data transfer and home delivery.

First, the configuration of the print request system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a print request system according to the second embodiment.
1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the print management server 120 shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a delivery procedure for delivering a recording medium on which print data is recorded by the print request system. It is.

As shown in FIG. 10, this print request system has a configuration in which a delivery management server 160 is added to the print request system shown in FIG. This delivery management server 16
Reference numeral 0 denotes a server for managing delivery by home delivery of a recording medium on which print data is recorded.
It dispatches vehicles to 00 users, notifies scheduled arrival times, manages delivery status, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 11, the print management server 120 has a configuration in which a delivery processing unit 126 is added to the print management server shown in FIG. This delivery processing unit 126
Is a processing unit that performs processing related to home delivery of a recording medium on which print data is recorded.

More specifically, when a delivery request by home delivery is received from the copying machine 100, the data of the label to be attached to the recording medium is returned to the multifunction device 100, and the delivery request data is transmitted to the delivery management server 160. . Further, when the arrival notification data is received from the printing company server 140, this arrival notification data is transmitted to the delivery management server 160. Further, when the delivery fee is received from the delivery management server 160, the delivery fee is stored in the management database 130, and is periodically notified to the fee management server 150.

As shown in FIG. 12, when vehicle allocation request data is received from the copying machine 100 via the print management server 120 (step S1201), the delivery vehicle is sent to the user of the copying machine 100. (Step S120
2).

On the other hand, if copier 100 makes a delivery request by home delivery, print management server 120 transmits to copier 100 label data (label data) to be attached to a recording medium on which print data is recorded. Send. For this reason, the user of the copying machine 100 prepares for delivery in which the label is printed and attached to a recording medium.

When the delivery vehicle arrives at the user of the copying machine 100, the delivery medium delivers the recording medium to the printing company server (step S120).
3), the printing company server 140 is the delivery management server 16
0, and transmits the arrival notification data (step S12).
04).

The delivery management server 160 manages the delivery status of the recording medium based on the dispatch request data and the arrival notification data. Although not shown here for convenience of description, the delivery fee is notified to the fee management server 150 via the print management server 120.

Next, an example of a display on the operation panel of the copying machine 100 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a display on the operation panel of the copying machine 100 shown in FIG. When the user of the copier 100 performs the operation described above from the operation panel and obtains the reception number from the print management server 120, the reception number is displayed as shown in FIG. A display menu for selecting a network or mail is displayed on the operation panel.

When the user designates Takkyubin (registered trademark) and presses the send button, a display menu including the document receiving time is displayed on the operation panel as shown in FIG. Note that the original receiving time is transmitted from the delivery management server 160 via the print management server 120. After that, when you press the confirmation button,
As shown in FIG. 13C, a display menu indicating that label printing has been completed is displayed. Here, the cost is displayed together with the courier service, the network, or the mail, but the time until the image data arrives may be displayed.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the delivery management server 160 receives the delivery request data, the delivery vehicle delivering the recording medium on which the image data is recorded is changed to the delivery vehicle of the user of the copying machine 100. In addition to allocating the vehicle, the delivery status is managed by the arrival notification data and the vehicle allocation request data received from the printing company server 140, so that the recording medium on which the image data is recorded quickly and smoothly by home delivery to the printing company. Can be delivered.

(Embodiment 3) By the way, in the first embodiment, the schedule of each printing company is managed by the management database 130 of the print management server 120. However, the print management server 120 When a request for quotation is received from
It is also possible to request an estimate of 0.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, a case will be described in which the print management server 120 does not perform the estimation processing, but the respective printing company servers 140 perform the estimation processing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining estimation processing by the print request system according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this print request system, the estimation process is performed only by the print company server 140, and the print management server 120 collects it.

As shown in the figure, the print management server 120
When a request for quotation is received from the copying machine 100, the request for quotation is made to each printing company server 140. Then, the print management server 120 is connected to each print company server 14.
When the estimation results are received from 0, the respective estimation results are listed and returned to the copying machine 100 that has requested the estimation.

For this reason, each printing company server 140
It must have the estimation processing unit 122 shown in FIG. 2, and must also have a schedule and a price list in the management database 130.

As described above, in the third embodiment, each printing company server 140 performs an estimation process in response to an estimation request from the copying machine 100, and the print management server 120 summarizes the estimation results. The processing is returned to the copying machine 100, so that the processing load on the print management server 120 can be reduced.

In the first to third embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a copier system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the functions of the copier, facsimile, and scanner are described. The present invention can also be applied to a system of various image forming apparatuses such as a multifunction peripheral in which the above is integrated.

[0096]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print management server stores the print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and allows each image forming apparatus to store the print schedule. When requesting an estimate by transmitting estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data to the print management server, and receiving an estimate request from the image forming apparatus,
Based on the pre-stored print schedule, a list of estimation results including the scheduled printing time of each printing company is generated, and the generated list of estimation results is returned to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimation. Using an image forming device that can print the image read by the scanner unit on its own printing unit, you can select whether to print it on your own printing unit or request an external printing company, and Based on this, it is possible to select a printing company with the best conditions from among a plurality of printing companies, and to obtain a printing request system capable of printing on its own printing unit if the conditions are not met.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, printing charges for printing by a plurality of printing companies are further stored, and when a request for quote is received from the image forming apparatus, the stored printing schedule and printing are stored. Since it is configured to generate a list of estimation results including the scheduled printing time and the estimated fee by each printing company based on the fee, printing capable of quickly and efficiently selecting a printing company suitable for the printing schedule and the printing cost. This has the effect that a request system can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each printing company server stores the printing schedule of the printing company, and each image forming apparatus requests the print management server for an estimate of print data. When the request for quotation is made by sending the request for quotation shown, the print management server transfers the request for quotation to the servers for a plurality of printing companies, and the servers for the printing companies perform the printing based on the printing schedule stored in advance. Generates the estimation result including the scheduled printing time of the company, sends the generated estimation result to the print management server, and the print management server displays a list of estimation results that summarizes the estimation results received from the plurality of printing company servers. Since the print management server is configured to generate and return a list of the generated estimation results to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimate, An effect that efficient print request system capable of selecting a compatible printing company to printing conditions in a manner to obtain.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus displays a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on the operation panel, and requests printing based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. Select the printing company that performs the
When the print management server receives the selection result from the image forming apparatus, the print management server notifies the reception information to the image forming apparatus and the printing company server of the selected printing company. This has the effect of providing a print request system capable of quickly and efficiently preparing for transmission.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the charge associated with the quote request and the charge associated with the print request are sent to the charge management server that manages the print charge associated with the print request from the image forming apparatus to the printing company. Notify and charge management server
Since the invoice data is configured to be transmitted to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, an effect is obtained that a print request system capable of promptly and efficiently collecting a fee can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the printing company server accepts a payment from the user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data, the payment notice is sent to the charge management server. The data is transmitted, and the fee management server is configured to manage the fee payment status by the users of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the invoice data and the payment notification data, so that the fee payment status is efficiently managed. This provides an effect that a print request system that can perform the job is obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus requests printing of print data, the image forming apparatus selects whether to transfer the print data or to deliver the print data. In addition, since a home delivery request is made to the print management server, a print request system capable of performing a home delivery procedure quickly and efficiently is obtained.

According to the invention of claim 8, when the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus, the print management server transmits the home delivery label data to the home delivery requesting image forming apparatus, Since the home delivery request is made to the delivery management server owned by the company, it is possible to obtain a print request system capable of efficiently delivering image data in cooperation with a home delivery company.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the printing company receives the home delivery of the recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, the printing company server notifies the delivery management server of the arrival. With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain a print request system capable of efficiently managing the delivery status.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the print management server stores a print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and each image forming apparatus sends a print schedule to the print management server. Request for quotation by sending estimate request data indicating a request for quotation of print data, and when the request for quotation is received from the image forming apparatus, the quotation including the scheduled printing time of each printing company based on the print schedule stored in advance. Since a list of results is generated, and the generated list of estimation results is configured to be returned to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimation, an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image read by its own scanner unit by its own printing unit can be used. You can choose whether to print on your own printing unit or request an external printer, and based on the estimation result, you can select the most And selectable printers of favorable conditions, also an effect that the print request method capable of printing in its printing unit unless match condition is obtained.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, printing charges for printing by a plurality of printing companies are further stored, and when a request for quote is received from the image forming apparatus, the stored printing schedule and printing cost are stored. Since it is configured to generate a list of estimation results including the scheduled printing time and the estimated fee by each printing company based on the fee, printing capable of quickly and efficiently selecting a printing company suitable for the printing schedule and the printing cost. This has the effect that a request method can be obtained.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, each printing company server stores the printing schedule of the printing company, and each image forming apparatus requests the print management server for an estimate of print data. When the request for quotation is made by sending the request for quotation shown, the print management server transfers the request for quotation to the servers for a plurality of printing companies, and the servers for the printing companies perform the printing based on the printing schedule stored in advance. Generate a quotation result that includes when the company will print,
The generated estimation result is sent to the print management server, and the print management server generates a list of the estimation results that summarizes the estimation results received from the plurality of printing company servers, and the print management server generates the generated estimation result. Is returned to the image forming apparatus that is the requester of the estimate, so that a printing request method that can efficiently select a printing company that meets the printing conditions by an inquiry method for the printing company server is obtained. To play.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the image forming apparatus displays a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on the operation panel, and requests printing based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. The printing management server is configured to notify the reception information to the image forming apparatus and the printing company server of the selected printing company when the print management server receives the selection result from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, there is an effect that a print request method capable of quickly and efficiently preparing for transmission of print data to a printing company is obtained.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the charge associated with the quote request and the charge associated with the print request are sent to the charge management server which manages the print charge associated with the print request from the image forming apparatus to the printing company. Since the notification and the charge management server are configured to transmit the bill data to the plurality of image forming apparatuses, a print request method capable of promptly and efficiently collecting the charge is obtained. .

Further, according to the fifteenth aspect, when the printing company server accepts a deposit from a user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data, the deposit notice is sent to the charge management server. The data is transmitted, and the fee management server is configured to manage the fee payment status by the users of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the invoice data and the payment notification data, so that the fee payment status is efficiently managed. Thus, there is an effect that a printing request method capable of performing printing can be obtained.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus requests printing of print data, the image forming apparatus selects whether data transfer or home delivery of the print data is performed, and home delivery is selected. In addition, since the home delivery request is made to the print management server, a print request method capable of performing the home delivery procedure quickly and efficiently is obtained.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, when the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus, the print management server transmits home delivery label data to the home delivery requesting image forming apparatus. Since the home delivery request is made to the delivery management server owned by the company, it is possible to obtain a print request method capable of efficiently delivering image data in cooperation with a home delivery company.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, when the printing company receives the home delivery of the recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, the printing company server notifies the delivery management server of the arrival. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain a print request method capable of efficiently managing the home delivery situation.

According to the nineteenth aspect, by recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the tenth to eighteenth aspects, the program becomes machine-readable. Accordingly, there is an effect that a recording medium capable of realizing any one of claims 10 to 18 by a computer can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a print request system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a fee management server shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of an estimation process performed by the print request system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an estimation processing procedure of the print management server illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a price list stored in the management database shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule stored in the management database shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule stored in the management database shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule stored in the management database shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining charge management centering on the charge management server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a print request system according to a second embodiment.

11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print management server illustrated in FIG.

12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a delivery procedure for delivering a recording medium on which print data is recorded by the print request system shown in FIG. 10;

13 is a diagram showing an example of a display on an operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an estimation process by a print request system according to a third embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 100a, 100b, 100c Copier 110 Public network 120 Print management server 121 Interface unit 122 Estimation processing unit 123 Print request processing unit 124 Charge processing unit 125 Control unit 126 Delivery processing unit 130 Management database 140, 140a, 140b, 140c Printing company server 150 Charge management server 160 Delivery management server

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 A D // B41F 30/00 B41F 30/00 Z

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A print request system for issuing a print data print request from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user to a print company server owned by a plurality of print companies via a print management server. Each image forming apparatus includes an estimate requesting unit for sending an estimate request data indicating an estimate request for print data to the print management server to perform an estimate request. A storage unit for storing a print schedule distributed periodically, and an estimation result including a scheduled printing time of each printing company based on the print schedule stored in the storage unit when an estimation request is received from the image forming apparatus. An estimate list generating means for generating a list of estimates, and a list of estimation results generated by the estimate list generating means to the image forming apparatus of the estimate request source. A print request system, comprising: a list of means for returning a list of quotes to be returned. 2. The storage unit further stores a printing fee for printing by the plurality of printing companies, and the estimation list generation unit stores the estimation fee in the storage unit when receiving an estimation request from the image forming apparatus. 2. The print request system according to claim 1, wherein a list of estimation results including a scheduled printing time and an estimated charge by each printing company is generated based on the stored print schedule and print charge. 3. A print request system for requesting printing of print data from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user to a printing company server owned by each of the plurality of printing companies via a print management server. Each image forming apparatus includes an estimate requesting unit that sends estimate request data indicating a request for an estimate of print data to the print management server to make an estimate request, and the print management server performs estimation from the image forming apparatus. When receiving a request, an estimate request transfer unit that transfers the estimate request to the plurality of printing company servers, and a list of estimation results that summarizes the estimation results received from the plurality of printing company servers. An estimate list generating unit, an estimate list returning unit that returns a list of estimation results generated by the estimate list generating unit to the image forming apparatus that has requested the estimate, A server for storing a printing schedule of the printing company; and a printing company based on the printing schedule stored in the storing unit when a request for quotation is received from the printing management server. And an estimation result transmitting unit that transmits the estimation result generated by the estimation result generating unit to the print management server. Print request system. 4. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a display control unit for displaying a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on an operation panel; and a print request based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. A printing company selection unit for selecting a printing company, wherein the print management server, when receiving a selection result from the image forming apparatus, to the image forming apparatus and a printing company server of the selected printing company 4. The print request system according to claim 1, further comprising a reception notifying unit for notifying the reception information by a notification. 5. A charge management server for managing a print charge associated with a print request from the image forming apparatus to a printing company, wherein the image forming apparatus reduces a charge associated with the quote request and a charge associated with the print request. 5. The charge management server according to claim 1, further comprising a charge notification unit configured to notify the charge management server, wherein the charge management server transmits bill data to the plurality of image forming apparatuses. 6. The print request system described in 1. 6. The printing company server transmits payment notice data to the fee management server when receiving payment from a user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data. 6. The print request system according to claim 5, wherein the charge management server manages a charge payment status by a user of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notice data. 7. When the image forming apparatus requests printing of the print data, the image forming apparatus selects a data transfer or a home delivery of the print data, and the home delivery is selected by the selection unit. The print request system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a home delivery request means for requesting home delivery to the print management server. 8. A delivery management server owned by a home delivery company, wherein the print management server sends home delivery label data to the home delivery requesting image forming apparatus when receiving a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus. 8. The print request system according to claim 7, further comprising a home delivery processing unit that transmits the home delivery request to the delivery management server. 9. When the printing company receives home delivery of a recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company,
9. The print request system according to claim 8, wherein the print company server notifies the delivery management server of an arrival. 10. A print request from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user via a print management server to a print company server owned by each of the plurality of print companies to request print data to be printed. A method wherein the print management server stores a print schedule periodically distributed from each print company server, and each image forming apparatus requests the print management server to estimate print data. And an estimate requesting step of sending an estimate request data to indicate an estimate request.When an estimate request is received from the image forming apparatus, the printing schedule time of each printing company is determined based on the print schedule stored in the storage step. An estimate list generating step of generating a list of estimation results including the list of the estimation results generated by the estimation list generating step Print request method characterized by including a quote list returning step for returning to the image forming apparatus. 11. The storage step further stores a printing fee for printing by the plurality of printing companies, and the estimation list generation step includes the step of: receiving a request for estimation from the image forming apparatus, 11. The print request method according to claim 10, wherein a list of estimation results including scheduled printing times and estimated charges by each printing company is generated based on the stored print schedule and printing charges. 12. A print request from a plurality of image forming apparatuses owned by a user via a print management server to a print company server owned by each of the plurality of print companies to request printing of print data by a print request system. A method, wherein each printing company server stores a printing schedule of the printing company, and each image forming apparatus transmits estimation request data indicating a request for estimation of print data to the printing management server. An estimate requesting step of making an estimate request; and, when the print management server receives an estimate request from the image forming apparatus, an estimate request transfer step of transferring the estimate request to the plurality of printing company servers. When each printing company server receives a request for quotation from the printing management server, the printing company server makes a request based on the printing schedule stored in the storing step. An estimation result generation step of generating an estimation result including a printing schedule time of a printing company; an estimation result transmission step of transmitting the estimation result generated by the estimation result generation step to the print management server; An estimate list generating step of generating a list of estimation results summarizing respective estimation results received from the plurality of printing company servers; and the print management server estimates a list of estimation results generated by the estimation list generation step. A print request method, comprising: a quote list returning step of returning to the requesting image forming apparatus. 13. The image forming apparatus, wherein: a display control step of displaying a list of estimation results returned from the print management server on an operation panel; and a print request based on the estimation results listed on the operation panel. A printing company selection step of selecting a printing company, and when the print management server receives a selection result from the image forming apparatus, reception information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and a printing company server of the selected printing company. 13. The print request method according to claim 10, further comprising: a reception notifying step of notifying the print request. 14. A charge notification step for notifying a charge associated with the quote request and a charge associated with the print request to a charge management server that manages a print charge associated with a print request from the image forming apparatus to a printing company. 14. The system according to claim 10, further comprising the charge management server transmitting bill data to the plurality of image forming apparatuses.
The print request method according to any one of the above. 15. When the printing company server receives payment from a user of the image forming apparatus in response to the bill data, the printing company server transmits payment notification data to the fee management server, 15. The print request method according to claim 14, wherein the fee management server manages a fee payment status by a user of the plurality of image forming apparatuses based on the bill data and the payment notice data. 16. When the image forming apparatus requests printing of the print data, a selecting step of selecting whether to transfer the print data or deliver the print data, and a case where the home delivery is selected by the selecting step. The print request method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, further comprising a home delivery request step of requesting home delivery to the print management server. 17. When the print management server receives a home delivery request from the image forming apparatus, the print management server transmits home delivery label data to the image forming apparatus that is the home delivery requester, and the delivery management server owned by the home delivery company. 17. The printing request method according to claim 16, further comprising a home delivery processing step of making a home delivery request to the client. 18. When the printing company receives a home delivery of a recording medium storing the print data from the home delivery company, the printing company server notifies the delivery management server of the delivery. The print request method according to claim 17, wherein 19. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 10 is recorded.