JP2002189951A - Communication device, its control method, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adequately determine the charge for downloading of a pay file without giving any feeling of unfairness. SOLUTION: On a client computer, etc., which communicates with a server on a network, conditions for downloading the charged data file from the server are set in a GUI picture, etc., and according to the set conditions, the charge is determined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a charging processing technique when a paid data file (hereinafter, simply referred to as a file) is downloaded from a site (server).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a user downloads a pay file from a server to a personal computer,
The charging fee is determined based on a price set in advance for each file.

If only one server provides a predetermined file, traffic on a predetermined communication path increases, and a network load increases.

Therefore, a system in which a plurality of servers holding files having the same contents are prepared and a desired file is downloaded from a server designated by a user has been realized.

[0005]

However, in the conventional billing process, the billing fee when a pay file is downloaded is uniquely determined based on a price set in advance for each file. No matter what compression rate or the like is downloaded from this site, in other words, the download fee is the same regardless of the download conditions, and the user may feel unfair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem of the related art, and an object thereof is to allow a charging fee for downloading a pay file to be appropriately determined without giving an unfair feeling. It is in.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a communication apparatus for communicating with a server on a network, which sets a receiving condition for receiving a pay data file from the server on the network. And setting means for determining a charging fee based on the reception conditions set by the setting means.

The present invention also relates to a control method of a communication device for communicating with a server on a network, wherein a setting step of setting a receiving condition when a pay data file is received from the server on the network; And a deciding step of deciding a billing fee based on the reception condition set by the user.

Further, the present invention provides a computer readable medium applicable to a communication apparatus for communicating with a server on a network, wherein the setting for setting a reception condition when a pay data file is received from the server on the network. And a determination routine for determining a charging fee based on the reception conditions set by the setting routine.

[0010]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information communication system to which the present invention is applied.
1 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a client P).
C) 1102 is a server, 1103 is a network, 1
Reference numeral 104 denotes a display screen of the client PC 1101.

In this embodiment, the image file is 1102
And the image file is downloaded to the client PC 1101 via the network 1103.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client PC 1101 and the server 1102. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a client PC 1101 or a server 1
A CPU for controlling the control 102, a keyboard 2 for inputting various data and commands, and a display device 3 for displaying file contents and the like.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a ROM for storing a boot program, font data and the like, 5 a RAM used as a work area and the like, 6 a hard disk for storing an OS (operating system) and various application programs. Reference numeral 7 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 1103, 8 denotes a printer interface for connecting to a printer (not shown), and 9 denotes a bus for transferring data and control signals.

Note that the hard disk 6 of the client PC 1101 has a Web page for browsing Web contents such as image files registered in the server 1102.
A browser, an application program for performing a charging process described later, and the like are stored. Also, the server 110
The second hard disk stores an application program and the like for performing an image file download process described later.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which an image file is transferred to a client PC.
When downloading to 1101 etc., the client P
GUI displayed on the display screen 1104 such as C1101
(Graphical User Interfac
e) A diagram showing a screen.

In FIG. 3, 100 is a GUI screen, 10
1 is a window for displaying the file names 109 and 110 of the image files selected as download targets, 102 is a bar for setting the network load when downloading data, 103 is a bar for setting the distance to the download destination, 104 is a bar for setting the download priority, and 105 is a bar for setting the resolution of the image to be downloaded.

A button 108 for starting download is provided.
Tongue, 107 is a button to stop downloading midway,
106 is calculated based on the set download conditions.
Window for displaying the charged charge
Button to start.

Next, the functions of the various setting bars will be described in order.

First, the function of the load setting bar 102 for setting the load on the network will be described with reference to FIG. The load setting bar 102 sets the image compression ratio in five steps as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 201 denotes a column of a compression parameter (compression ratio), and reference numerals 202 to 206 denote specific compression ratios. Reference numeral 207 denotes a file size column after compression, and reference numerals 208 to 212 denote specific file sizes when compressed at the compression ratio in the upper column.

As shown in FIG. 4, the original corresponds to no compression, and the file size is the largest. Then, the file size decreases in the order of the compression ratios A, B, C, and D.

That is, when the load is set to a large value by the load setting bar 102, the original file size is set, and when the load is set to a small value, the compression ratio D having the smallest file size is set. become. If the load setting bar 102 is set at a position between them, the compression ratio at the closest location among the compression ratios A to C is set.

If the load on the network is set to a small value, the image quality is poor due to the high compression rate, but the fee charged in the calculation described later is reduced. Conversely, if the load on the network is set to a large value, The configuration is such that the higher the image quality, the higher the fee charged in the calculation described later.

The above compression ratio and file size are
This is used for the explanation, and these compression ratios and file sizes are not used when calculating the fee actually charged, but coefficients described later are used.

Next, the distance setting bar 103 for setting the distance to the download destination will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG.
Client PCs 301 and 30 via standard networks 308 and 309 such as an AN and a public line 304.
2. The servers 305, 306, and 3 that provide the same image file by the digital copying machine 303 having a printer function.
07.

In such a case, for example, when a desired image file is to be downloaded from the client PC 302, the desired image file is registered in each of the servers 305, 306, and 307. Distance setting bar 1 to determine which server to download from according to the distance
03 is used.

In the example of FIG. 5, the download path 311 is closest to the client PC 302,
Is the farthest, and the download path 310 is in between.

Therefore, the file server selection field 40 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the distance setting bar 103 is set to be large, the server 30 of the longest download path 312
7 is downloaded (see 402 in FIG. 6).
Conversely, when the distance bar 103 is set to small, the download is performed from the server 306 of the shortest download path 311 (see 404 in FIG. 6). The download is performed from the server 305 on the path 310 (see 403 in FIG. 6).

According to the present invention, if the distance to the download destination is set to a large value, a large amount of the network is occupied. Therefore, a high fee is charged. Is charged.

In the example of FIG. 6, the distance setting bar 103
Server corresponding to the distance to the server set in
Although the definition is made using the server number (ID), it goes without saying that when accessing a foreign country, the server may be defined using the country name.

Next, the priority setting bar 104 for setting the download priority will be described. The priority setting bar 104 allows the user to set the priority when downloading.

For example, as shown in the download paths 501 and 502 in FIG.
01 and the PC 302 simultaneously access the same server 306 to download an image file, the server 306 naturally performs a plurality of processes at the same time, so the processing speed is reduced.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a priority for downloading is set. That is, 601 in FIG. 8 represents a column of the client PC selected based on the set priority, and 602 and 603 represent the IDs (numbers) of the client PCs actually selected. In the example, the priority setting bar 104
Is set to small in the client PC 301 and set to large in the client PC 302.

Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7, when the client PC 301 and the PC 302 simultaneously access the same server 306 to download an image file, the client PC 30
2 can access before the client PC 301.

In the present invention, a high fee is charged when the priority is set high, and a low fee is charged when the priority is set low.

The priority is large / small (high / low)
Is determined by the server based on the setting conditions sent from the client PC. If an access request is made from a client PC set to a high priority while downloading to a client PC set to a low priority,
The server interrupts the download to the client PC set to a low priority, and interrupts the client PC to set the client PC set to a high priority.
Download to. Further, when a plurality of client PCs have the same priority, the server downloads the access request in the order of course.

Next, regarding the resolution setting bar 105,
This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 701 denotes an image file resolution column, and reference numeral 707 denotes a file size column. Also, 702 to 706 indicate selectable file resolutions, and 708 to 712 indicate file sizes corresponding to each resolution. Thus, if the resolution is set to 600 dpi indicated by 702, the file size becomes 400 KB as indicated by 708,
When it is set to 72 dpi shown in 706, it can be seen that it becomes very small as 48 KB as shown in 712. In other words, the lower the resolution, the lower the image quality, but the smaller the file size and the smaller the load on the network.

Therefore, in the present invention, when the setting of the resolution bar 105 is increased (increased), the load on the network is increased. Therefore, the charging fee is increased by a calculation method described later, and the setting of the resolution bar 105 is changed. If you make it smaller (lower), you lower the billing fee.

Next, the calculation of the accounting fee according to the various settings described above will be described with reference to FIG.

Reference numeral 1201 denotes a basic price set for each image file. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a network load set value set by the load setting bar 102, and reference numeral 1203 denotes a distance set value to the download destination set by the distance setting bar 103. Also, 1
Reference numeral 204 denotes a priority setting value set by the priority setting bar 104, and reference numeral 1205 denotes a resolution setting value set by the resolution setting bar 105.

As set values set by these setting bars, coefficients in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 are set as shown in FIG. That is, when each setting bar is set to small, the coefficient 0.5 is set, and when each setting bar is set to large, the coefficient 2.0 is set. When each setting bar is set in the middle, 0.5 corresponding to the position of the bar is set.
The coefficient between .about.2.0 is obtained by interpolation calculation.

Then, the charge is determined by multiplying the above coefficient by the basic price. For example, when the various settings of the setting bars 102 to 105 are all set to the minimum, as shown in 1206, the basic charge is 1000
If it is a circle, the setting coefficient of the load on the network is 0.
5, the setting coefficient of the distance to the download destination is 0.5, the setting coefficient of the priority is 0.5, and the setting coefficient of the resolution is 0.5, and 1000 × 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 ×
0.5 = 62.5, which is rounded up and 63 yen is charged. This is inexpensive but has poor image quality.

On the other hand, for example, each setting bar 102-105
Is set to the maximum, as shown in 1207, if the basic charge is 1000 yen, the load setting coefficient for the network is 2.0, the setting coefficient to the download destination is 2.0, and the priority setting The coefficient is 2.
0, the resolution setting coefficient is 2.0, and 1000 × 2.
0 × 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 = 16000 and 1600
0 yen will be charged. This is high in money, but the image quality is the best.

When all of the various settings are set in the middle, as shown at 1208, the coefficients are all "1.0", so a basic fee is charged.
A yen will be charged.

When two files are selected as files to be downloaded as shown in FIG. 3, the download conditions by the setting bars are the same as those set for the two files. It is considered that the total value of the basic charges of the two files is multiplied by each of the above setting coefficients.

The charge thus calculated is displayed in the charge display window 106 shown in FIG. When the user approves the displayed billing fee, the user presses the start button 108 to start downloading the file displayed in the selected file display window 101.

When the cancel button 107 is pressed during the download of this file, the charge rate is calculated according to the percentage of the total file size to be downloaded. For example,
The calculated billing fee is 1000 yen and the size is 600K
When downloading the file of B, if it is stopped at the time of downloading to 400 KB, 1000 × 4
00 ÷ 600 = 666.66... 667 yen is rounded up and charged.

This is because, even if not all data is downloaded, even partial data may include valid information.

[Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment,
Instead of downloading the image file to the PC as in the first embodiment, the image file is downloaded to the printer and directly printed out.

FIG. 11 shows a window displayed on the screen 1104 of the PC in the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 11, in the second embodiment, a print button 801 is displayed, and when the print button 801 is pressed, a desired file on the server is downloaded to the printer and printed out directly. It becomes possible. Note that various settings in consideration of the network load are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

Next, a processing procedure in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a print instruction is sent to PC3
When the user presses the print button 801 displayed in 02, 90
As shown in FIG. 1, the server accesses the server 306 in which the desired file is registered, and the desired file is sent via the route 902.

Here, the desired file is not sent to the PC 302 that is operating, but is sent directly to the printer 303 specified by the driver (not shown) of the PC 302.
That is, since the printout can be performed without passing through the HDD (hard disk) of the PC 302, the printout can be quickly performed.

As described above, the printer is designated on the PC screen without directly downloading the file to a predetermined printer on the PC and printing it out, and the file is directly downloaded to the designated printer. It is also possible to print out.

[Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
The multi-function image forming apparatus 1001 having a large display device shown in FIG. 13 has the same functions as those of the second embodiment.

That is, the multifunctional image forming apparatus 1001
By displaying the window shown in FIG. 11 on the large display device, the user can directly access a desired file on the server from the multifunctional image forming device 1001 and print out the file without using a PC.

As described above, by directly accessing the image forming apparatus to form an image, control of the apparatus is simplified, and convenience for the user is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, a coefficient outside the range of 0.5 to 2.0 may be used as a coefficient corresponding to each setting bar. It is possible, and the range of the coefficient corresponding to each setting bar may be different for each setting bar.

The method for obtaining the charging fee is not limited to the coefficient calculation, but may be a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD, or the like.
-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM,
The price may be determined by referring to the price in a table conversion using a storage medium such as a RAM.

The download conditions include a download load (compression ratio), a distance to a download destination,
Instead of specifying all of the priority and resolution, one or more of them may be specified.

The data files (contents) to be downloaded may be not only image data files but also music data files and character data files. In this case, the download condition can be set according to the type of the data. For example, a data file containing only music data has no resolution, so the resolution is not set as a download condition. Of course, for a data file in which image data and the like and music data are mixed, the resolution may be included in the download condition.

Further, as described above, even when the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (eg, PCs and printers), the present invention is applied to a device including one device (eg, a multifunction copying machine, a multifunction facsimile machine). Is also good.

The present invention also provides a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.

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

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to appropriately determine the charging fee for downloading a pay file without giving an unfair feeling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information communication system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a client PC and a server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a GUI screen for setting a download condition in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining download conditions set by a load (compression ratio) setting bar.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a relationship between a download condition set by a distance setting bar and a server selected based on the condition.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining download conditions set by a distance setting bar.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a case where a download condition set by a priority setting bar functions.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining download conditions set by a priority setting bar.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining download conditions set by a resolution setting bar.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for describing a process of calculating a charging fee based on various set download conditions.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a GUI screen for setting download conditions in a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a download destination in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU 3 ... Display device 4 ... ROM 5 ... RAM 6 ... Hard disk 7 ... Network interface 100 ... GUI screen 102 ... Load (compression rate) setting bar 103 ... Distance setting bar 104 ... Priority setting bar 105 ... Resolution setting bar 1101 ... Client PC 1102 ... Server 1103 ... Network

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A communication device for communicating with a server on a network, comprising: setting means for setting a reception condition when a pay data file is received from the server on the network; A communication device, comprising: determining means for determining a charging fee based on the communication device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting means is a GUI (Graphic).
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a setting bar on a (Cal User Interface) screen is used. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a compression rate of the pay data file as the reception condition. 4. When there are a plurality of servers providing pay data files to be received, the setting means sets the length of a communication path as the reception condition so as to specify which server receives the data file. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein 5. When a request for receiving the same pay data file from a plurality of communication devices is made to one server at the same time, the setting means sets the pay data file prior to other communication devices. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a priority for reception is set as the reception condition. 6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets a resolution of the pay image data file when the pay image data file is received as the reception condition. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines a value obtained by multiplying a basic fee of the pay data file by a coefficient corresponding to a reception condition set by the setting unit as a charging fee. Item 2. The communication device according to Item 1. 8. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said communication device is constituted by a computer. 9. The computer according to claim 1, wherein
9. The communication device according to claim 8, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs the server to directly transmit a file to a device having a printing function on the network. 10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured by a device having a printing function. 11. A method for controlling a communication device that communicates with a server on a network, comprising: a setting step of setting a receiving condition when a pay data file is received from a server on the network; A determining step of determining a charging fee based on a reception condition; and a control method of a communication device, comprising: 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the setting step includes a GUI (Graph).
The method according to claim 11, wherein a setting bar on an (ical User Interface) screen is used. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said setting step sets a compression rate of said pay data file as said reception condition. 14. The setting step, when there are a plurality of servers providing pay data files to be received,
The method according to claim 11, wherein a length of a communication path is set as the reception condition so as to specify from which server the data is to be received. 15. The setting step, wherein when the same pay data file reception request is made simultaneously from a plurality of communication devices to one server, the pay data file is prioritized over other communication devices. The method according to claim 11, wherein a priority for receiving is set as the receiving condition. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the setting step sets a resolution of the pay image data file when the pay image data file is received as the reception condition. . 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the determining step includes: setting a coefficient corresponding to the reception condition set in the setting step to the pay data
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a value obtained by multiplying the basic charge of the file is determined as a charge. 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication device is constituted by a computer. 19. The communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the computer has an instruction step of instructing the server to directly transmit the pay data file to an apparatus having a printing function on the network. Control method. 20. The method according to claim 11, wherein the communication device is configured by a device having a printing function. 21. A computer readable medium applicable to a communication device that communicates with a server on a network, wherein: a setting routine for setting a reception condition when receiving a pay data file from the server on the network; A determination routine for determining a charging fee based on the reception conditions set by the setting routine. 22. The setting routine includes a GUI (Gra).
22. The medium according to claim 21, wherein a setting bar on a physical user interface screen is used. 23. The medium according to claim 21, wherein the setting routine sets a compression rate of the pay data file as the reception condition. 24. The setting routine, when there are a plurality of servers providing pay data files to be received, sets the length of a communication path as the reception condition so as to specify from which server the data is to be received. 22. The medium according to claim 21, wherein 25. The setting routine, when a request for receiving the same pay data file from a plurality of communication devices to one server is made at the same time, the pay data file is given priority over other communication devices. 3. A reception priority is set as the reception condition.
2. The medium according to 1. 26. The medium according to claim 21, wherein the setting routine sets a resolution of the pay image data file when the pay image data file is received as the reception condition. 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the determining routine determines a value obtained by multiplying a basic rate of the pay data file by a coefficient corresponding to a reception condition set by the setting routine as a charging rate. Item 22. The medium according to Item 21, 28. The medium according to claim 21, wherein said communication device is constituted by a computer. 29. The medium according to claim 28, wherein the computer has an instruction routine for instructing the server to directly transmit the pay data file to a device having a printing function on the network. 30. The medium according to claim 21, wherein said communication device is constituted by a device having a printing function.