JP2002175160A - Network print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network print system in which required information can be directly received an image forming device from a Web server. SOLUTION: Identification information for controlling printing information and position information for indicating the position of the printing information are transmitted to the Web server 3 from the image forming device 1. The Web server 3 retrieves the printing information being printing information indicated by the position information, and adapted to the identification information, and transmits this printing information to the image forming device 1. For example, when designating the printing information including no advertisement by the identification information, this printing information is transmitted to the image forming device 1 from the Web server 3, and this printing information is printed by the image forming device 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a Web server,
The present invention relates to a network print system including an image forming apparatus that receives print information from a Web server via a network and prints the print information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and an image forming apparatus are used to receive and print information from a Web server via a network. The information processing device acquires information from the Web server,
This information is converted into printable print information, and the print information is provided to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus prints out images, characters, and the like indicated by the print information.

However, if the amount of information from the Web server is too large, the load on the information processing apparatus increases. For this reason,
In recent years, if information from a Web server is in a format that can be handled by an image forming apparatus, the information is directly provided to the image forming apparatus.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-134276 discloses a format of information that can be directly obtained from a Web server to an image forming apparatus, obtains only printable information, and obtains a CGI program, an audio file, or the like. A technique has been disclosed in which the acquisition of information in a non-printable format is inhibited.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, if the information is in a printable format, all of the information is obtained unconditionally, and information that cannot be printed or information that is not required to be printed is included in the information. Even if they were mixed, they could not be removed.

On the other hand, in recent years, the Internet is rapidly spreading, and information and services provided by Web servers are used as advertising media. For example, We
An advertisement is attached to a homepage provided by the server b.

[0007] If the home page is received and printed by the above-described conventional apparatus, the advertisement is always printed, and the advertisement cannot be excluded from the print target.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a network print system capable of directly receiving necessary information from a Web server to an image forming apparatus. And

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network print system including a Web server, and an image forming apparatus configured to receive print information from the Web server via a network and print the received information. The image forming apparatus includes: a transmission unit configured to transmit identification information for managing the print information and position information indicating a position of the print information; and the print information is transmitted from the Web server in response to the identification information and the position information. And printing means for receiving and printing the print information.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, identification information for managing print information and position information indicating the position of the print information are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the Web server. Therefore, the Web server can search for print information that is print information indicated by the position information and that is compatible with the identification information, and transmit the print information to the image forming apparatus. For example, if print information that does not include an advertisement is specified by the identification information, the print information is transmitted from the Web server to the image forming apparatus, and the print information is printed by the image forming apparatus.

In the present invention, the identification information is set for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0012] When the identification information is set for each image forming apparatus in this manner, the Web server identifies the image forming apparatus based on the received identification information, and provides print information to the image forming apparatus. Can be determined. For example, in a store such as a convenience store in which an image forming apparatus is set, a fee can be charged to a user of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to identify such an image forming apparatus and provide print information for a fee.

Further, in the present invention, the identification information is set for each of a plurality of pieces of position information.

If the identification information is set for each position information in this way, the Web server determines the correspondence between the received position information and the identification information, and then provides the print information to the image forming apparatus. be able to. For example, if the position information and the identification information are given only to the image forming apparatus of a store such as a convenience store, the print information can be provided for a fee.

Further, in the present invention, the information processing terminal device further includes an information processing terminal device connected to the Web server through a network, and the information processing terminal device has an obtaining unit for obtaining identification information for managing print information from the Web server. Have.

By using an information processing terminal device (for example, a personal computer), identification information and the like can be obtained from a Web server. For example, W
After transmitting and receiving the display information from the eb server to the information processing terminal device, displaying the display information on the information processing terminal device, and confirming the contents and advertisement indicated by the display information,
The server b transmits / receives identification information for managing print information and position information indicating a position of the print information to / from the information processing terminal device. Further, the identification information and the position information thus obtained are input to the image processing apparatus and stored.

Further, in the present invention, the acquisition means of the information processing terminal device receives the provision of the advertisement information from the Web server, and acquires the identification information as a compensation.

As described above, if the identification information is given to the information processing terminal device in exchange for the provision of the advertisement information, the provision of the advertisement information becomes easy.

Further, in the present invention, the acquisition means of the information processing terminal device requests the advertisement information from another Web server through the Web server, and receives the provision of the advertisement information from the other Web server. Obtain identification information.

Here, the advertisement information is not provided from the Web server, but is provided from another Web server.

Further, in the present invention, the identification information includes print validity information for validating printing. For example, the print valid information indicates the number of times the print information can be printed or the printable period of the print information.

As described above, the number of printable times and the printable period are set based on the print validity information, and the printing is limited to these times and periods, and the provision of the print information can be restricted.

In the present invention, the Web server stores in advance print information in a format suitable for the image forming apparatus in association with various kinds of information, and stores various print information in accordance with position information from the image forming apparatus. When any of the information is specified, the print information corresponding to the specified information is transmitted.

For example, when various types of information are moving images and sounds, respective print information in a format suitable for the image forming apparatus is set in accordance with the information, and the position from the image forming apparatus is set. When any of various types of information is specified by the information, print information corresponding to the specified information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. Thus, even when a moving image or a sound is requested from the image forming apparatus, some print information can be provided to the image forming apparatus. Further, various types of information may be Web page images, and print information may be clearer images. Alternatively, various types of information may be in a Web page XML language, and print information may be in a print control language that can be analyzed by the image forming apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, upon receiving the identification information and the position information from the image forming apparatus, the Web server sets print information according to the identification information, and includes an information selection control means for transmitting the print information. Have.

If such information selection control means is provided, it is not necessary to store print information corresponding to various kinds of identification information in advance, and print information corresponding to the identification information is set. Printing information can be provided. For example, print information is created and provided by executing a CGI program based on the identification information.

Further, in the present invention, the print information includes advertisement information and content, and the Web server transmits only the content of the print information according to the identification information. Alternatively, the print information includes the advertisement information and the content, and the Web server transmits the advertisement information and the content of the print information separately according to the identification information.

When the print information includes the advertisement information and the content, only the content is provided according to the identification information. If the advertisement information and the content are separately provided, only the content is printed or the advertisement is provided. It is possible to print information and content separately.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the network print system of the present invention. The system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing terminal device 2 connected to the Internet, and a Web server 3 included in a WWW (World Wide Web) 4 formed on the Internet. Image forming apparatus 1
Accesses the Web server 3 via the Internet, acquires print information from the Web server 3, and prints the print information on a recording sheet. The information processing terminal device 2 accesses the Web server 3 through the Internet,
Various types of information are acquired from the web server 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 for controlling the entire apparatus, an operation input unit 13 for performing operation input, a communication unit 10 for performing data communication with the Web server 3 through the Internet, Identification information,
A URL identification information storage unit 12 storing location information (URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) and the like, and a Web server 3
A web page analyzing unit 14 for analyzing a web page received from a web page, a print information expanding unit 15 for expanding print information obtained by analyzing the web page, and a recording sheet for storing images, characters, symbols, and the like indicated by the print information. And a printing unit 16 for printing on the printer.

The control unit 11 inputs the identification information and the URL from the operation input unit 13, reads the identification information and the URL from the storage unit 12, and transmits the identification information and the URL from the communication unit 10 to the Web server 3 via the Internet. .

The URL indicates the position of information of the Web server 3, and is used for searching this information. The identification information is for managing print information, and includes a password, print authentication information, print validity information, attributes of the image forming apparatus, and the like. Alternatively, the identification information is set for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, or is set for each of the plurality of URLs. For example, when the identification information is accessed from the information processing terminal device 2 to the Web server 3,
The information is provided from the eb server 3 to the information processing terminal device 2. Then, identification information is input or stored in the image forming apparatus 2 by operating the operation input unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 2 or data communication from the information processing terminal apparatus 3 to the image forming apparatus 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing terminal device 2. The information processing terminal device 2 includes a control unit 21 for controlling the entire device, an operation input unit 23 for performing operation input, and a communication unit 20 for performing data communication with the Web server 3 through the Internet. , We
The display unit 24 includes a display unit 24 for displaying a Web page or the like received from the b server 3 on a display screen, and an identification information storage unit 22 for storing identification information acquired from the Web server 3.

The control unit 21 receives a URL from the operation input unit 23
Is input, the communication unit 20 accesses the Web server 3 via the Internet, and receives information indicated by the URL from the Web server 3. The identification information included in the received information is stored in the identification information storage unit 22,
The Web page included in the received information is displayed on the display unit 24.
Is displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the Web server 3. The Web server 3 includes a communication unit 30 for performing data communication with the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing terminal apparatus 2 via the Internet, and data transmitted and received between the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing terminal apparatus 2. Information control unit 31 that handles HTML and Hyper Text Markup Lang
uage), CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program, GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), etc.
There are provided various information storage units 32 storing L and a print information storage unit 33 storing various print information.

The information selection control section 31 receives a URL and identification information from the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing terminal apparatus 2 and
According to the RL and the identification information, various information and print information are searched from the various information storage unit 32 and the print information storage unit 33, and W
An eb page or the like is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 or the information processing terminal device 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a schematic process for transmitting and receiving print information from the Web server 3 to the image forming apparatus 1.

First, in order to obtain print information of the Web server 3, the image forming apparatus 1 sets identification information and a URL, and transmits these to the Web server 3 (step S5-1).

In the Web server 3, the identification information and the URL
Is selected, and a Web page including at least the print information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S5-4).

In the image forming apparatus 1, the Web page is received, the Web page is analyzed by the Web page analysis unit 14, and the print information is expanded by the print information expansion unit 15 (step S5-2). Are printed on the recording paper by the printing unit 16 (step S5-3).

FIG. 6 shows the processing of step S5-1 in FIG.
That is, it is a flowchart showing the processing for setting the identification information and the URL in more detail.

First, the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1
It is determined whether the RL is to be read from the URL identification information storage unit 12 (step S6-1). As described above, the URL identification information storage unit 12 stores the identification information and the URL by the operation input of the operation input unit 13 and the data communication from the information processing terminal device 2 to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when reading the URL from the URL identification information storage unit 12 (Step S6-1, Yes), the control unit 11
The URL is read from the URL identification information storage unit 12 (step S6-2). At this time, if a plurality of URLs are stored in the URL identification information storage unit 12, the control unit 11
Reads these URLs and displays them (not shown)
In response to an operation input of the operation input unit 13,
One of the RLs is selected and acquired.

Further, the URL is stored in the URL identification information storage unit 12.
Is not read out from (step S6-1, No),
The control unit 11 acquires the URL input by the operation of the operation input unit 13 (Step S6-5).

Subsequently, the control unit 11 sends the identification information to U
It is determined whether to read from the RL identification information storage unit 12 (step S6-3). When the identification information is read from the URL identification information storage unit 12 (step S6-3, Ye
s), the control unit 11 reads the identification information from the URL identification information storage unit 12 (Step S6-4).

The reading procedure differs depending on the type of the identification information. For example, if the identification information is unique to the image forming apparatus 1, one piece of identification information is stored in the URL identification information storage unit 12, so the control unit 11 reads this identification information. When the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a store such as a convenience store, W
The user can be charged for providing print information from the web server 3 to the image forming apparatus 1.
On the b server 3 side, it is possible to transmit print information only to a specific image forming apparatus that can charge a provision fee for print information based on the received identification information.

If the identification information is set for each URL, the control unit 11
Is read out from the URL identification information storage unit 12. When the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in a store, for example, if only the identification information corresponding to the URL of the information (including the print information) for which the provision fee should be charged is set, the Web server 3 side receives the received identification information. Based on the information, it becomes possible to transmit specific print information for which a provision fee can be charged.

Further, when the identification information includes a password, print authentication information, print validity information, etc., the control section 11 reads out all the identification information from the URL identification information storage section 12 and displays it on a display screen (not shown). ), And selects and acquires any one of the identification information in response to the operation input of the operation input unit 13.

The identification information is stored in the URL identification information storage 1
2 is not read (step S6-3, N
o), the control unit 11 acquires the identification information input by the operation of the operation input unit 13 (Step S6-6).

FIG. 7 illustrates a state of the operation panel when inputting identification information and a URL. The operation panel includes an operation input unit 13 and a display screen 72. By operating various operation buttons of the operation input unit 13, the identification information 71 and the URL 70 are displayed on the display screen 72, and these are input.

FIG. 8 shows the processing of step S5-4 in FIG.
That is, it is a flowchart showing in more detail a process for determining the print information by searching the identification information and the URL.

First, the information selection control unit 3 of the Web server 3
1 receives the identification information and the URL from the image forming apparatus 1 and analyzes the identification information.
It is determined whether to transmit the print information (step S8-
1).

The analysis and determination procedure differs depending on the type of the identification information. For example, if the identification information is unique to the image forming apparatus 1, the information selection control unit 31 determines whether the identification information from the image forming apparatus 1 matches any of a plurality of pieces of identification information stored in advance. If they match, it is determined that information (including print information) is to be transmitted, and if they do not match, it is determined not to transmit information. Thus, for example, information can be provided only to the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the store.

If the identification information is set for each URL, the information selection control unit 31 determines whether or not the identification information corresponds to the URL, and the identification information is stored in the URL. If the information is correct, it is determined that the information (including the print information) is to be transmitted. If the information is incorrect, it is determined that the information is not to be transmitted. Thus, for example, only the information for which a fee should be charged to the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the store can be provided.

Alternatively, if the identification information includes the print validity information and the print validity information indicates the expiration date, the information selection control unit 31 determines whether the current date and time has passed the expiration date. Is determined, if it has not passed, it is determined that print information is to be transmitted, and if it has passed, it is determined that print information is not to be transmitted. If the print valid information indicates the number of valid times, the print valid information also indicates the current number of transmissions. The information selection control unit 31 determines that the print information is transmitted if the number of transmissions updated by the current transmission is within the valid number, and determines that the print information is not transmitted if the number of transmissions is not within the valid number. Note that the number of valid times may be set in advance as one, and the identification information may be recognized as valid only once, in which case the processing is simplified.

Further, when the identification information includes the password and the print authentication information, the information selection control unit 31 checks the password and the print authentication information, and recognizes the password and the print authentication information. If the print information can be transmitted, it is determined that the print information is to be transmitted. If the print information cannot be recognized, the print information is not to be transmitted.

If it is determined that the print information is to be transmitted (step S8-2, Yes), the information selection control unit 3
1 searches the information storage unit 32 for information corresponding to the URL from the image forming apparatus 1. If the print information is included in the information, the print information is determined to be provided to the image forming apparatus 1. If the searched information indicates a moving image, a sound, or the like, the print information corresponding to this information is searched from the print information storage unit 33.
Or, even if print information is included in the searched information,
The print information of a clearer image may be retrieved from the print information storage unit 33. Further, the retrieved information includes XML (eXtens
ible Markup Language), but if the image forming apparatus 1 is not provided with an analysis function of this language, the printing control language of the image forming apparatus 1 obtained by converting this language is stored in the print information. The search may be performed from the unit 33 (step S8-3).

When the print information is searched in this way, a Web page including the print information is transmitted from the communication unit 30 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the Internet.

FIG. 9 shows the processing of step S5-4 in FIG.
In other words, this is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining print information by searching for the identification information and the URL, and further a process when the print information includes an advertisement.

First, the information selection control unit 3 of the Web server 3
1 receives the identification information and the URL from the image forming apparatus 1 and analyzes the identification information.
It is determined whether or not to transmit print information (step S9-
1). The processing in step S9-1 is the same as the processing in step S8-1 described above.

Here, the print information includes a content and an advertisement. Therefore, the identification information indicates whether the advertisement and the content are transmitted separately or only the content is transmitted.

The information selection control section 31 determines whether or not to transmit the advertisement and the content separately based on the identification information (step S9-2). Then, if the advertisement and the content are transmitted separately (step S9-2, Ye
s) The information selection control unit 31 searches the various information storage unit 32 or the print information storage unit 33 for print information indicating an advertisement and print information indicating a content, and forms a Web page including the print information in a distinguished manner. The data is transmitted to the device 1 (step S9-3).

If the advertisement and the content are not transmitted separately (step S9-2, No) and only the content is transmitted (step S9-4, Yes), the information selection control unit 31 indicates the content. The print information is retrieved from the various information storage unit 32 or the print information storage unit 33, and a Web page including the print information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S9-5).

Further, if only the content is not transmitted (step S9-4, No), the information selection control unit 31
Ends the processing of FIG. 9 without transmitting the print information.

Note that each of steps S9-3 and S9-5 is
This is performed by executing a CGI program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for obtaining identification information from the Web server 3 to the information processing terminal device 2.

First, in the information processing terminal device 2, when a URL is input by operating the operation input unit 23 (Step S 10-1), the control unit 21 transmits this URL to the Web server 3.

The information selection control unit 31 of the Web server 3
The user inputs a URL, retrieves display information corresponding to the URL from the various information storage units 32, and retrieves Web information including the display information.
The page is transmitted to the information processing terminal device 2 (step S
10-5).

The control unit 21 of the information processing terminal device 2
The user inputs page b and displays the display content indicated by the display information of the web page on the display screen of the display unit 24 (step S10-2). FIG. 11 illustrates a display screen of the display unit 24. On this display screen, two advertisement banners 120 and 121 and content 122 are displayed.

Here, by operating the operation input unit 23, the check boxes 120 of the advertisement banners 120 and 121 are set.
When a check mark is entered in any one of “a” and “121a” (step S10-3, Yes), in response to this, the control unit 21 transmits confirmation information indicating confirmation of the advertisement banner to the Web server 3.

The information selection control section 31 of the Web server 3
When the confirmation information is input, the identification information corresponding to the previously transmitted display information is searched from the various information storage units 32, and the print authentication information including the URL and the identification information corresponding to the display information is transmitted to the information processing terminal device 2. (Step S10-
6).

When the control unit 21 of the information processing terminal device 2 inputs the print authentication information, the control unit 21 displays the identification information 131 on the display screen of the display unit 24 as shown in FIG. 12 or the URL 132 as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 24. Further, the control unit 21 stores the identification information and the URL in the identification information storage unit 22 (Step S10-4).

If the advertisement banner is not confirmed (step S 10-3, No), the processing in FIG. 10 ends without the print authentication information being given to the information processing terminal device 2.

The identification information and the URL of the print authentication information given to the information processing terminal device 2 are
Is stored in the URL identification information storage unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 by an input operation of the operation input unit 13 or data communication through the Internet. Then, the identification information and the URL in the URL identification information storage unit 12 are used in the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, in exchange for the confirmation of the advertisement banner,
By providing the identification information and the URL necessary for acquiring the print information, it is possible to harmonize profits between the provider of the print information and the acquirer.

After the advertisement banner is confirmed, similar to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. You may set only.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another process for obtaining identification information from the Web server 3 to the information processing terminal device 2. Here, the advertisement banner is provided from another Web server to the information processing terminal device 2.

First, in the information processing terminal device 2, a URL is input by operating the operation input unit 23, and this URL is
The data is transmitted to the web server 3 (step S11-1).

The information selection control unit 31 of the Web server 3
The user inputs a URL, retrieves display information corresponding to the URL from the various information storage units 32, and retrieves Web information including the display information.
The page is transmitted to the information processing terminal device 2 (step S
11-5).

The control unit 21 of the information processing terminal device 2 displays the display contents indicated by the display information of the Web page on the display screen of the display unit 24 (step S11-).
2). FIG. 15 illustrates a display screen of the display unit 24. This display screen includes two advertisement banners 150 and 15
1 and the content 152 are displayed. A link destination is set in the advertisement banner 150, and the ne
It is linked to a CGI program called wsa.cgi.
Also, a link destination is set in the advertisement banner 151, and W
The web server 3 is linked to a CGI program called newsb.cgi.

Here, for example, by operating the operation input unit 23 of the information processing terminal device 2 and clicking the advertisement banner 150 to instruct access to the link destination of the advertisement banner 150, the control unit 21 Is notified to the Web server 3 (step S11-3, Ye
s).

The information selection control unit 31 of the Web server 3
In response to the access of the link destination, a CG called newsa.cgi
Execute the I program. Thereby, the Web server 3
Transmits the URL indicating the display information of the advertisement banner 150 and the address of the information processing terminal device 2 to another Web server (step S11-6), and in response to this, transmits the other Web server.
b From the server to the information processing terminal device 2, the advertisement banner 15
0 is transmitted (step S11-).
8).

The information processing terminal device 2 displays the content indicated by the display information corresponding to the advertisement banner 150 on the display screen of the display unit 24.

The information selection control unit 3 of the Web server 3
1 retrieves the identification information corresponding to the display information transmitted in step S11-5 from the various information storage units 32, and transmits the print authentication information including the URL and the identification information corresponding to the display information to the information processing terminal device 2. (Step S11-
7).

When the print authentication information is input, the control unit 21 of the information processing terminal device 2 displays the print authentication information on the display screen of the display unit 24 or stores the print authentication information in the identification information storage unit 22 ( Step S11-4).

If the link destination of the advertisement banner is not accessed (step S 11-3, No), the print authentication information is not given to the information processing terminal device 2 in FIG.
The process of No. 4 ends.

When the information processing terminal device 2 accesses the link destination of the advertisement banner via the Web server 3 as described above, the access can be regarded as a confirmation of the advertisement banner, and more diverse. A simple advertisement can be easily provided to the user side.

It is to be noted that display information from another Web server is
The information may be provided to the information processing terminal device 2 via the web server 3. In this case, there is no need to notify the address of the information processing terminal device 2 to another Web server.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the information processing terminal device may be omitted from the network print system.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, identification information for managing print information and position information indicating the position of the print information are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the Web server. Therefore, the Web server can search for print information that is print information indicated by the position information and that is compatible with the identification information, and transmit the print information to the image forming apparatus. For example, if print information that does not include an advertisement is specified by the identification information, the print information is transmitted from the Web server to the image forming apparatus, and the print information is printed by the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, since the identification information is set for each image forming apparatus, the Web server identifies the image forming apparatus based on the received identification information, and It can be determined whether to provide print information to the device. For example, in a store such as a convenience store in which an image forming apparatus is set, a fee can be charged to a user of the image forming apparatus.
Therefore, it is possible to identify such an image forming apparatus and provide print information for a fee.

Further, according to the present invention, for each position information,
Since each of the identification information is set, the Web server can provide the print information to the image forming apparatus after determining the correspondence between the received position information and the identification information. For example, if position information and identification information are given only to an image forming apparatus of a store such as a convenience store,
Print information can be provided for a fee.

Further, according to the present invention, an information processing terminal device (for example, a personal computer) is used to
Obtain identification information from the server. For example, Web
After transmitting and receiving display information from the server to the information processing terminal device, displaying the display information on the information processing terminal device, and confirming the content and advertisement indicated by the display information, the Web
The server transmits / receives identification information for managing print information and position information indicating a position of the print information to / from the information processing terminal device. Further, the identification information and the position information thus obtained are input to the image processing apparatus and stored.

Further, according to the present invention, since the identification information is given to the information processing terminal device in exchange for the provision of the advertisement information, the provision of the advertisement information becomes easy.

According to the present invention, advertisement information can be provided from another Web server.

Further, according to the present invention, the number of printable times and the printable period are set based on the print validity information, and printing is permitted only for these times and periods. can do.

Further, according to the present invention, when various types of information are moving images or sounds, respective print information in a format suitable for the image forming apparatus is set in correspondence with the information. When any of various types of information is specified by the position information from the image forming apparatus, print information corresponding to the specified information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
Thus, even when a moving image or a sound is requested from the image forming apparatus, some print information can be provided to the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, print information is created and provided by executing a CGI program based on the identification information.

According to the present invention, when the print information includes the advertisement information and the content, only the content is provided or the advertisement information and the content are provided separately according to the identification information. Print,
It is possible to print the advertisement information and the content separately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an information processing terminal device in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a Web server in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process for transmitting and receiving print information from a Web server to an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of step S5-1 in FIG. 5 in more detail;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of an operation panel when inputting identification information and a URL;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of step S5-4 in FIG. 5 in more detail;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process in step S5-4 in FIG. 5, and further when the print information includes an advertisement.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process for obtaining identification information from a Web server to an information processing terminal device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing display contents of the information processing terminal device in the process of FIG. 10;

12 is a diagram showing another display content of the information processing terminal device in the process of FIG. 10;

13 is a diagram illustrating another display content of the information processing terminal device in the process of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another process for obtaining identification information from the Web server to the information processing terminal device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing display contents of the information processing terminal device in the process of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a modification of the network print system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Information processing terminal device 3 Web server 10 Communication part 11 Control part 12 URL identification information storage part 13 Operation input part 14 Web page analysis part 15 Print information development part 16 Printing part 20 Communication part 21 Control part 22 Identification information Storage unit 23 Operation input unit 24 Display unit 30 Communication unit 31 Information selection control unit 32 Various information storage units 33 Print information storage unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HJ06 HQ17 2C087 AC15 BD01 CA02 CB10 2C187 CD06 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 BB10 CC02 CC05 EE04 5C075 AB90 BA08 BB11 CA14 CD25 CE12

Claims (13)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus comprising: a web server; and an image forming apparatus that receives print information from the web server via a network and prints the information. The image forming apparatus includes: identification information for managing print information; Transmitting means for transmitting position information indicating the position of the print information; and printing means for receiving and printing the print information when the print information is transmitted from the Web server in response to the identification information and the position information. A network print system comprising: 2. The identification information is provided for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses.
2. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the network print system is set individually. 3. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is set for each of a plurality of pieces of position information. 4. An information processing terminal device connected to a Web server via a network, wherein the information processing terminal device includes an acquisition unit for acquiring identification information for managing print information from the Web server. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein: 5. An information processing terminal device comprising:
The network print system according to claim 4, wherein the advertisement information is provided from the server, and the identification information is acquired as a compensation. 6. An information processing terminal device comprising:
The network print system according to claim 4, wherein the advertisement information is requested from another Web server through the server, the advertisement information is provided from the other Web server, and the identification information is acquired in exchange for the advertisement information. 7. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information includes print validity information for validating printing. 8. The network print system according to claim 7, wherein the print valid information indicates the number of times the print information can be printed. 9. The network print system according to claim 7, wherein the print valid information indicates a printable period of the print information. 10. A Web server stores in advance print information in a format suitable for an image forming apparatus in association with various kinds of information, and any one of the various kinds of information is stored according to position information from the image forming apparatus. Is identified,
The network print system according to claim 1, wherein print information corresponding to the specified information is transmitted. 11. When the Web server receives the identification information and the position information from the image forming apparatus, the Web server sets print information in accordance with the identification information, and includes an information selection control unit that transmits the print information. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein 12. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the print information includes advertisement information and contents, and the Web server transmits only the contents of the print information according to the identification information. 13. The network according to claim 1, wherein the print information includes advertisement information and content, and wherein the Web server transmits the advertisement information and content of the print information separately according to the identification information. Printing system.