JP2002331732A - Printed matter furnishing device, printed matter furnishing method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems of resource consumption and of the shortage of printed matters with no estimation of the amount of the printed matters to be prepared and the complexity of the replenishment of the printed matters. SOLUTION: Printing data are received at the step (S1) and housed in a storage part. When a residue detected by a detecting means for detecting the residue of printed matters left behind in a housing part is smaller than the predetermined number at the YES case of the step S4, printing data housed in a storage part is read out so as to let a printing equipment to perform printing on the basis of the read-out printing data at the step (S5). Then, the obtained printed matters are conveyed so as to be delivered to a housing part at the step (S6). The printed matters which may be constituted in plurality are housed so as to be taken out by a user in the housing part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printed matter providing device,
Regarding a printed matter providing method, a program, and a storage medium, in particular, a printed matter providing apparatus including a storage unit that stores printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter, a storage device, and a printing device
The present invention relates to a printed matter providing method applied to the printed matter providing apparatus, a program for causing a computer to execute the printed matter providing method, and a storage medium storing the program.

[0002] The printed matter providing apparatus is, for example, a station, a government office,
This device is installed at places where an unspecified number of people come and go, such as theaters and halls, and distributes printed materials such as catalogs and flyers to users.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when distributing printed materials such as catalogs and flyers to users at places where an unspecified number of people come and go, such as stations, government offices, theaters, and halls, an appropriate number of printed sheets are printed in advance. Conventionally, the printed material is housed in a housing part so that a user can take it out freely.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional printed matter providing apparatus, a large amount of printed matter is prepared in advance, and the printed matter is sequentially replenished and distributed to the user. If the number of users is small, an enormous number of printed materials will be wasted and resources will be wasted. Conversely, if there are many desired users, printed materials will be insufficient. However, it is very difficult to determine how much printed matter should be prepared. In addition, even if printed materials are sufficiently prepared, the amount that can be stored in the storage unit of the printed material providing device is limited, and if the storage unit runs out of printed materials, the printed materials must be sequentially replenished. Is complicated. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of types of printed materials, the operation of sequentially replenishing printed materials for each type of printed material is very complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and solves the problem of waste of resources and shortage of prints without estimating the amount of prints to be prepared, and replenishes prints. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printed matter providing apparatus, a printed matter providing method, a program, and a storage medium which can reduce complexity.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a printed matter providing apparatus including a storage unit for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter, a storage device, and a printing device. In, discharge means for conveying the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus and discharging the printed matter to the storage section,
Detecting means for detecting the remaining number of printed matter remaining in the storage unit, storing means for receiving print data and storing the same in the storage device, and when the remaining number of printed matter detected by the detecting means is smaller than a predetermined number First print control means for reading print data stored in the storage device and causing the printing device to perform printing based on the read print data;
A mechanism is provided, comprising: a second print control unit that operates the discharge unit to discharge the printed material obtained by the control by the first print control unit to the storage unit.

Alternatively, in a printed matter providing apparatus including a plurality of storage sections for storing printed matters so that a user can take out the printed matter, a storage device, and a printing apparatus, the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus is conveyed to the plurality of storage sections. Discharge means for discharging to any one of the storage sections, a plurality of detection means for respectively detecting the number of remaining prints remaining in each of the storage sections, and a storage means for receiving a plurality of types of print data and storing the print data in the storage device Reading the corresponding print data stored in the storage device when the remaining number of prints detected by one of the plurality of detection units is smaller than a predetermined number, and performing the printing based on the read print data. A first print control unit for causing the apparatus to perform printing, and a printed material obtained by the control by the first print control unit, by operating the discharge unit to store the printed material in the plurality of storage units. Mechanism and having a second printing control means for discharging the housing portion of the corresponding Chi is provided.

Alternatively, in a printed matter providing apparatus having a plurality of storage sections for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter and a printing section, a detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage sections. And a control unit that controls the storage unit, in which the remaining amount of the printed matter detected by the detection unit is determined to be smaller than a predetermined number, to newly store the printed matter corresponding to the storage unit. A feature mechanism is provided.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a printed matter providing system according to the present invention.

The printed matter providing system according to the present embodiment is connected to a printed matter providing stand 4 installed in, for example, a school, a municipal hospital, or a nursing home via the Internet 3 which is a computer network. It mainly comprises a distribution computer 2 installed at a city hall, for example, for distributing print data to each of the printed matter providing stands 4. Here, as the computer network, for example, a network using a public line or a dedicated line is assumed.
/ IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Pro
Communication is performed using a communication method based on a communication protocol such as tocol).

The production data of the designed printed matter, which is the basis of the print data distributed from the distribution computer 2, is transmitted from the computer 1 in the production company to the distribution computer 2 via the Internet 3. The distribution computer 2 converts the production data into predetermined print data that can be printed by the print material providing stand 4, and an Internet address (URL: Uniform Resource Locato) assigned to each of the print material providing stands 4.
Delivery to each printed matter providing stand by r).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the printed matter providing stand 4. Each of the printed matter providing stands 4 installed in a school, a municipal hospital, and a nursing home has the same configuration.

The printed matter providing stand 4 has a vertically long appearance as shown in FIG. 2, and has four accommodating portions 6a to 6d provided on a front surface formed to be slightly inclined upward. . Printed materials 9 are stored in these storage portions 6a to 6d, and a user can freely take out these printed materials 9. Each of the housing portions 6a to 6d is numbered from 1 to 4 from above, and these housing portions 6a to 6d
Printed materials different from each other are stored in a to 6d.

A notification lamp 7 is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the printed matter providing stand 4, and a paper cassette 1 described later is provided.
When the amount of paper remaining in the paper 6 becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, the notification lamp 7 is turned on to notify the shortage of paper. FIG.
Reference numeral 11 denotes a communication cable for connecting to the Internet 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical internal configuration of the printed matter providing stand 4, and FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view showing the arrangement of each part of the printed matter providing stand 4. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printed matter providing stand 4
In addition to the notification lamp 7, the printing unit 8, the supply / recovery device 14, and the remaining paper sensor 13
, A print sensor 10, a modem unit 12, a storage unit 5, and a control unit 17 are provided.

The printing unit 8 prints the printed material 9 supplied to each of the storage sections 6a to 6d.

The supply / recovery device 14 supplies the printed materials printed by the printing unit 8 to the corresponding storage units 6a to 6d and collects the printed materials remaining in the storage units 6a to 6d.

The paper remaining amount sensor 13 is provided in a paper cassette 16 (shown in FIG. 4) for storing paper to be printed by the printing unit 8, and the remaining amount of paper in the paper cassette 16 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A predetermined signal is output when it becomes.

The printed matter sensor 10 is provided in each of the storage sections 6a to 6d.
The optical sensors 10a to 10d arranged in the storage sections 6a to 6d detect whether or not the printed matter 9 remains in each of the storage sections 6a to 6d. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the optical sensor as a means for detecting the remaining printed matter, and it is assumed that various known sensors are applied.

The modem unit 12 includes a communication cable 11
Data communication with the distribution computer 2 is performed via the Internet 3.

The storage unit 5 is composed of a non-volatile and rewritable storage medium such as a flash memory, which can read data at a relatively high speed, and is distributed from the distribution computer 2 via the modem unit 12. The print computer 2 stores each print data and
The print data is updated by storing the latest distributed print data. Further, a control program executed by the control unit 17 is recorded.

The control unit 17 controls the operation of the printed material providing stand 4 based on the control program stored in the storage unit 5.

The modem unit 12, the storage unit 5, and the control unit 17 are mounted on a control board housed in a control box 15 shown in FIG. 4, and these units are connected to a power supply unit (not shown).

The print data distributed from the distribution computer 2 is stored in the storage unit 5, but after the printing, the storage units 6a to 6a
6d, the name (title name) of the print data and the name of the print data (title name) are stored in the storage unit 5 in association with the respective storage unit numbers 1 to 4 of the storage units 6a to 6d. The print file number and the update date are stored.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table of print data stored in the storage unit 5.

For example, when the user takes out a printed material in the storage section 6d, the optical sensor 1 provided in the storage section 6d is used.
0d detects that the printed matter is gone, and outputs a predetermined signal to the control unit 17. The control unit 17 that has received this signal reads out the print file corresponding to the accommodation unit number 4 from the storage unit 5 and outputs it to the printing unit 8.
The printing unit 8 that has received this prints, and the obtained printed matter is supplied to the storage unit 6d by the supply / recovery device 14.

In the present embodiment, each of the storage portions 6a to 6
Although the number of printed matter accommodated in d is one, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a large number, or the number of sheets accommodated in each of the storage units 6a to 6d according to the printed matter. May be different. In other words, the control unit is notified of the remaining number of prints in each storage unit detected by the optical sensor, and the control unit manages the number of prints stored in each storage unit.

Also, as in the present embodiment, each of the housings 6
When the number of prints accommodated in a to d is set to one, the storage unit 5 is constituted by a flash memory having a relatively high data readout speed, and quick replenishment of prints by quickly reading out print data. Although it is desirable to enable the storage unit 5, it is not limited to this.
May be constituted by another storage medium, for example, a hard disk or the like.

Next, the structure of a supply and collection device 14 for supplying the printed matter printed by the printing unit 8 to each of the storage sections 6a to 6d and collecting the printed matter in each of the storage sections 6a to 6d will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of supplying and collecting printed matter in a printed matter providing stand 4.

The printed material providing stand 4 of the present embodiment is provided with the four storage portions 6a to 6d as described above, and different printed materials are supplied to the respective storage portions 6a to 6d from the supply / recovery device 14. It is supposed to be. By providing such a supply and recovery device 14, one printing unit 8 can be shared by a plurality of storage units 6a to 6d.

The supply / recovery device 14 includes a paper feed guide 14 ′
And a paper feed roller 14 ", a printed matter transport mechanism, course change plates 14a to 14d, and collection guide plates 14a 'to 14'.
14d '. The printed material transport mechanism is for transporting the printed material 9 to be supplied or collected. The course change plates 14a to 14d are provided in the respective accommodation portions 6a to 6d.
The printed material 9 is disposed at a position where the printed material 9 is supplied, is rotated by an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown), and changes the course of the conveyed printed material 9. The collection guide plates 14a 'to 14d' are arranged at the bottom of each of the storage sections 6a to 6d, and are rotated in a predetermined direction by an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) during collection of printed matter, and are stored in the storage sections 6a to 6d. The printed material is supplied to a paper feed roller 14 ".

Each storage section 6a by the supply / recovery device 14
4 and FIG.
With reference to (a), a description will be given below using the accommodation unit 6d as an example.

The print data corresponding to the storage unit number 4 recorded in the storage unit 5 is read out and printed by the print unit 8. The printed material 9 is supplied via a discharge path 14f (FIG. 4) to a printed material transport mechanism including a paper feed guide 14 'and a paper feed roller 14 ".

Before the printed material 9 transported upward by this printed material transport mechanism reaches the entrance to the storage section 6d,
The control unit 17 rotates the course changing plate 14d to the supply position side. Thereby, the conveyed printed matter 9 is supplied to the storage section 6d, and the supplied printed matter 9 is placed on the collection guide plate 14d '.

When the printed material 9 is removed from the storage section 6d by the user, the light sensor 10d detects the removal of the printed material 9 by eliminating the reflection of the light by the paper, and outputs a predetermined signal to the control unit 17. Output to As a result, the same printed matter is printed again by the printing unit 8, and is again supplied to the storage section 6d in the same manner as described above.

In a situation where the supplied printed material 9 has not been extracted by the user, if the print data corresponding to the storage unit 6d is updated to new data, the printed material based on the old print data is updated. Supply / recovery device 14
Collected by This will be described below with reference to FIG.

When the print data is updated, the control unit 17 rotates the collection guide plate 14d 'to the collection position side to supply the remaining old printed matter to the paper feed roller 14 ", The printed material is conveyed downward along the paper feed guide 14 'by reversing the rotation direction of 14 ".

A path change plate 14e (FIG. 4) is provided at the collection branch portion at the lower end of the paper feed guide 14 '. The path change plate 14e is rotated by the control unit 17 toward the collection position and conveyed. When the printed matter reaches the collection branch,
It falls along the collection path 14g and is stored in the collection paper storage unit 18.

The control program executed by the control unit 17 is programmed so that the operation of the supply / recovery device 14 is carried out only at the time of supply and recovery of the printed material, and otherwise the operation is stopped. Similarly, the operation of the printing unit 8 is programmed so that the operation is suspended when printing is not required, and the power consumption of the supply / recovery device 14 and the printing unit 8 is reduced. It has become.

The operation of the printing material providing stand 4 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the printed matter providing stand 4, which is a process realized by the control controlled by the control unit 17 described with reference to FIG.

In step S1, the control unit 17
Determines whether print data has been received from the distribution computer 2. The distribution of print data from the distribution computer 2 is distributed to the printed matter providing stand 4 via a communication modem 23 and a predetermined communication line in FIG. If it is determined in step S1 that the print data has been received, the process proceeds to step S2, where the print data corresponding to the received print data is already stored in the storage unit 5, and the print data received this time is already It is determined whether the print data has been changed compared to the stored print data.

If the print data corresponding to the received print data is not stored in the storage unit 5 or if the print data received this time is the same as the print data already stored, the process proceeds to step S3. If the print data corresponding to the received print data is not stored in the storage unit 5, the received print data is stored in the storage unit 5, while the print data received this time is already stored. If they are the same, the number of prints (remaining number) stored in each of the storage units 6a to 6d is detected. Then, in step S4, each detected remaining number is compared with a predetermined number. As a result of this comparison, if there is a storage unit whose remaining number is smaller than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S5.

When the predetermined number is set to 1 in step S4, in step S3, each of the storage sections 6a to 6d
The presence or absence of the printed matter stored in the optical sensors 10a to 10
d, and if any of the optical sensors detects that there is no printed matter, an affirmative determination (Ye) is made in step S4.
s).

In step S5, the print data corresponding to the prints to be stored in the storage unit whose remaining number is determined to be smaller than the predetermined number is read from the storage unit 5 and printed by the printing unit 8. Then, in step S6, the printed printed matter is transported and discharged to the storage section by the supply / recovery device 14, and the process proceeds to step S7.

If it is determined in step S4 that all the remaining numbers are equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step S7, where the control unit 17 determines whether or not print data has been newly received from the distribution computer 2. If it is received, the process proceeds to step S2, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S2, the print data corresponding to the received print data is already stored in the storage unit 5, and the print data received this time is changed compared to the print data already stored. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the storage unit 5 overwrites the print data received this time with the print data already stored. Then, in step S9, the printed matter printed based on the print data already stored in the storage unit 5 and stored in the corresponding storage unit is recovered by the supply / recovery device 14 and sent to the recovered paper storage unit 18. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

Next, the configuration of the distribution computer 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the distribution computer.

The distribution computer 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a recording medium reproducing device 26, and an input device 2.
2, communication modem device 23, storage device 25, RAM 24,
It comprises a data bus 20.

The central processing unit (CPU) 21 controls each operation such as a distribution process of the distribution computer 2 and a process of creating each print data based on a predetermined processing program.

The recording medium reproducing device 26 reads data from an external storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a compact disk, or writes data to the storage medium.

The input device 22 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used for input in creation of print data and editing processing.

The communication modem 23 is connected to the Internet 3
The data communication with each printing material providing stand 4 is performed via the.

The storage device 25 is composed of a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk, and has the latest print data distributed to each printing material providing stand 4, an address (URL) of each printing material providing stand 4 on the Internet 3, and each printing material providing stand 4. A stand database (DB) in which what print data is distributed and stored, a control processing program executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 21, and the like are recorded.

In the data bus 20, the distribution computer 2
Digital signals are transmitted and received between the internal devices.

The distribution computer 2 distributes the latest print data to the target print providing stand 4 via the Internet 3 when a predetermined update period has elapsed or when the print data has changed. In addition, when the same print data is distributed to a plurality of printed matter providing stands, data distribution can be performed simultaneously.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the data distribution is performed via the Internet 3; however, the present invention is not limited to this, and each printed matter is transmitted via a general public network. Data distribution may be performed for each providing stand, or simultaneous data distribution may be performed using, for example, satellite communication or a subcarrier of a terrestrial broadcast wave.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, one or a small number of printed matter printed based on the latest print data is supplied to the corresponding one of the storage units 6a to 6d. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a large amount of printed matter in advance as in the related art, and it is possible to prevent waste of resources such as wasted printed matter. In addition, since these printed materials are printed based on the latest print data each time and are automatically replenished, the complexity of replenishment is eliminated, and mistakes such as replenishing old printed materials are also avoided. Can also.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and changes and additions may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even so, it goes without saying that they are included in the present invention.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, there are four accommodating portions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number and arrangement of these accommodating portions are arbitrary.

In the above embodiment, the notification lamp 7
Is provided as a means for notifying the paper shortage, however, the present invention is not limited to this. The notification may be performed by voice or the like, or a paper shortage signal may be transmitted to the distribution computer 2. Is also good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the printed matter providing stand is provided as an independent device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the function of the printed matter providing stand is incorporated into another device. May be.

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

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk,
Hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-
A 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 an OS or the like running on the computer operates based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. .

[0070]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the number of prints remaining in the storage section is smaller than a predetermined value, printing is performed based on the print data stored in the storage device. Printing is performed by the apparatus, and the sheet is conveyed and discharged to the storage section.

As a result, there is no need to prepare a large amount of printed matter in advance, and thus it is not necessary to determine how much printed matter should be prepared. As a result, there is a problem of waste of resources and shortage of printed matter. Is eliminated, and the complexity of replenishment of printed matter is also eliminated.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of storage sections are provided, and the printing apparatus is shared.

As a result, printed matter having different contents can be provided by one printed matter providing apparatus, and the printed matter providing apparatus can be provided at low cost by sharing the printing apparatus.

According to the third and ninth aspects of the present invention, printing is performed based on the latest print data sent via the communication means.

As a result, the print data is updated quickly and inexpensively in the print providing apparatus, and the latest information can be provided to the user.

According to the fourth and tenth aspects, when the print data is updated to a new one, the printed matter based on the old print data is collected.

As a result, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that a printed matter based on old print data is provided to the user.

According to the fifth and eleventh aspects of the present invention, at least the operation of the printing apparatus is set to a pause state or a standby state except during printing.

As a result, the power consumption of the printing apparatus having relatively large power consumption is suppressed at least, and the power consumption of the print providing apparatus is reduced.

According to the sixth, twelfth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the notification by the notification means is made before the paper runs out.

Thus, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that the printed matter is not supplied to the storage section.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect, when the remaining amount of the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units becomes smaller than the predetermined amount, a new printed matter can be supplied.

Thus, the minimum required number of printed materials can be prepared for each of the plurality of storage units, and the problem of large waste of resources and shortage of printed materials can be solved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a printed matter providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a printed matter providing stand.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical internal configuration of a print providing stand.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side sectional view showing an arrangement configuration of each part of a printed matter providing stand.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state of supplying and collecting printed matter in a printed matter providing stand.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table of print data stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the print providing stand 4.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a distribution computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer 2 Distribution computer 3 Internet 4 Printed material providing stand (printed material providing device) 5 Storage unit (storage device) 6a-6d accommodation unit 7 Notification lamp (notifying means) 8 Printing unit (printing device) 9 Printed material 10 Printed material sensor (detecting unit) 10a to 10d Optical sensor 11 Communication cable 12 Modem unit (communication means) 13 Paper remaining amount sensor (paper remaining amount detecting means) 14 Supply / recovery device (discharge means, recovery means) 14 'Paper feed guide 14 "Paper feed roller 14a 14d Route changing plate 14a 'to 14d' Collection guide plate 14e Route changing plate 14f Ejection path 14g Collection path 15 Control box 16 Paper cassette 17 Control unit (storage means, first print control means,
(Second print control unit, collection control unit, control unit, notification unit) 18 Collection paper storage unit 20 Data bus 22 Input device 23 Communication modem device 25 Storage device 26 Recording medium reproduction device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B65H 31/06 B65H 31/06 31/24 31/24 G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 MF term (reference) ) 2C061 AP01 AS02 HH11 HH13 HJ04 HK06 HK11 HT01 HX10 3F048 AA02 AA05 AB01 BA24 BA26 CB03 CB06 CB15 DA03 DB07 DC14 EA12 EB07 EB24 EB28 3F049 AA10 CA01 DA12 DB13 DB18 LA02 A16 BB03 B04 CB03 B04 B04 ACB 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 BB10 CC05 DD13 EE04

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. A printed matter providing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter; a storage device; and a printing device. The printed matter printed by the printing device is conveyed to the storage unit. Discharging means for discharging, detecting means for detecting the remaining number of printed matter remaining in the storage portion, storing means for receiving print data and storing the same in the storage device, and remaining number of printed matter detected by the detecting means Is smaller than a predetermined number, first print control means for reading print data stored in the storage device, and causing the printing device to perform printing based on the read print data; and first print control means. And a second print control means for activating the discharge means to discharge the printed matter obtained by the control according to (1) to the storage section. 2. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is one. 3. A communication device further comprising a communication unit connectable to an external information providing device, wherein the storage unit receives the latest print data from the information providing device via the communication unit and prints the print data in the storage device. 3. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is updated. 4. A collecting means for collecting printed matter remaining in the storage unit, and when the print data in the storage device is updated by the storage means, the printed matter remaining in the storage unit is collected by the collecting means. 4. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a collection control unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to at least set the operation of the printing apparatus to a sleep state or a standby state other than during printing to reduce power consumption. The printed matter providing device as described in the above. 6. A paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of paper used for printing in the printing apparatus, and when the remaining amount detected by the paper remaining amount detecting means becomes a predetermined amount or less. The printed matter providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a notifying unit for notifying. 7. A printed matter providing apparatus comprising: a plurality of storage sections for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter; a storage device; and a printing device. Discharge means for discharging to any one of the storage sections, a plurality of detection means for respectively detecting the remaining number of prints remaining in each of the storage sections, and a storage means for receiving a plurality of types of print data and storing the print data in the storage device Reading the corresponding print data stored in the storage device when the remaining number of prints detected by one of the plurality of detection means is smaller than a predetermined number, and performing the printing based on the read print data. A first print control unit for causing the apparatus to perform printing; and a printed material obtained by the control by the first print control unit. Printed matter providing apparatus characterized by a second print control means for discharging the housing portion of the response. 8. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined number is one. 9. The image processing apparatus further comprises a communication unit connectable to an external information providing device, wherein the storage unit receives latest print data from the information providing device via the communication unit, and stores the latest print data in the storage device. 9. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the corresponding print data is updated. 10. A plurality of collecting means for collecting printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units, and when print data in the storage device is updated by the storage unit, 10. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a collection control unit that causes the collection unit corresponding to the collection unit to collect the printed matter remaining in the storage unit corresponding to the updated print data. . 11. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit configured to at least set the operation of the printing apparatus to a sleep state or a standby state other than during printing to reduce power consumption. The printed matter providing device according to the above. 12. A paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of paper used for printing in the printing apparatus, and when the remaining amount detected by the paper remaining amount detecting means becomes a predetermined amount or less. The printed matter providing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, further comprising a notifying means for performing a notification. 13. A storage section for accommodating a printed matter removably by a user, a storage device, a printing apparatus, a discharge device for transporting the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus and discharging the printed matter to the storage section, In a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus including a detecting device for detecting a remaining number of printed matter remaining in a storage unit, a storage step of receiving print data and storing the print data in the storage device; A first print control step of reading the print data stored in the storage device when the remaining number of the detected prints is smaller than a predetermined number, and causing the printing device to perform printing based on the read print data; A second printing control step of operating the discharging device to discharge the printed matter obtained in the first printing control step to the storage section. The method of providing printed matter. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined number is one. 15. The printed matter providing device further comprises a communication unit connectable to an external information providing device, wherein the storing step receives the latest print data from the information providing device via the communication unit, The print data in the storage device is updated.
Alternatively, the printed matter providing method according to claim 14. 16. The printed matter providing apparatus further comprises a collecting unit that collects printed matter remaining in the storage unit, and when print data in the storage device is updated by the storing step, the print data remains in the storage unit. 16. The printed matter providing method according to claim 15, further comprising a collection control step of causing the collection unit to collect the printed matter. 17. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a control step of reducing power consumption by setting at least an operation of said printing apparatus to a sleep state or a standby state other than during printing. The printed matter providing method as described in the above. 18. The printed matter providing apparatus further includes a remaining paper amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of paper used for printing in the printing device, and the remaining amount detected by the remaining paper amount detecting unit is 18. The printed matter providing method according to claim 13, further comprising a notifying step of notifying when the amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. 19. A storage device for storing a printed matter so that a user can take out the storage material, a storage device, a printing device, and a printed material printed by the printing device being conveyed to one of the plurality of storage portions. In a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus including a discharging device that discharges and a plurality of detection devices each detecting a remaining number of printed matter remaining in each of the storage units, receiving a plurality of types of print data, A storing step of storing the print data in a storage device, and reading out the corresponding print data stored in the storage device when the remaining number of prints detected by one of the plurality of detection devices is smaller than a predetermined number. A first printing control step of causing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on the print data obtained, and operating the discharge device to operate the printed matter obtained by the first printing control step. And a second printing control step of discharging the paper to a corresponding one of the plurality of storage units. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined number is one. 21. The printed matter providing apparatus further comprises a communication unit connectable to an external information providing apparatus, wherein the storing step receives the latest print data from the information providing apparatus via the communication unit, 21. The printed matter providing method according to claim 19, wherein the corresponding print data in the storage device is updated. 22. The printed matter providing apparatus further comprises a plurality of collecting means for collecting the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units, wherein when the print data in the storage device is updated by the storing step, Of the plurality of storage units, printed matter remaining in the storage unit corresponding to the updated print data,
22. The printed matter providing method according to claim 21, further comprising a collection control step of causing a corresponding collection unit of the plurality of collection units to collect. 23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a control step of reducing power consumption by setting at least an operation of the printing apparatus to a sleep state or a standby state other than during printing. The printed matter providing method described in the above. 24. The printed matter providing apparatus further includes a paper remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of paper used for printing in the printing apparatus, wherein the remaining amount detected by the paper remaining amount detecting means is provided. The printed matter providing method according to any one of claims 19 to 23, further comprising a notifying step of notifying when the amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. 25. A storage section for accommodating a printed matter removably by a user, a storage device, a printing apparatus, a discharge device for transporting the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus and discharging the printed matter to the storage section, A program for causing a computer to execute a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus having a detection device that detects a remaining number of printed matter remaining in the storage unit, wherein the printed matter providing method receives print data, A storing step of storing the print data in the storage device, and when the remaining number of prints detected by the detection device is smaller than a predetermined number, reading the print data stored in the storage device, based on the read print data, A first print control step for causing a printing device to perform printing, and operating the discharge device for the printed matter obtained by the first print control step Was a program, characterized in that a second printing control step of discharging in the housing portion. 26. A storage section for accommodating a printed matter removably by a user, a storage device, a printing apparatus, a discharge device for conveying the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus and discharging the printed matter to the storage section, A computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus provided with a detecting device for detecting a remaining number of printed matter remaining in a storage unit, wherein the printed matter providing method includes: Receiving the data and storing the data in the storage device; reading out the print data stored in the storage device when the remaining number of prints detected by the detection device is smaller than a predetermined number; A first print control step for causing the printing apparatus to perform printing based on data, and a print obtained by the first print control step A storage medium; and a second printing control step of discharging in the housing portion by actuating the discharge device. 27. A printed matter providing apparatus comprising: a plurality of storage sections for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter; and a printing section, wherein a detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage sections. And a control unit that controls the storage unit in which the remaining amount of the printed matter detected by the detection unit is determined to be smaller than a predetermined number to newly store the printed matter corresponding to the storage unit. A printed matter providing device. 28. A printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter, and a print material providing method, wherein the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units is provided. A detecting step of detecting the remaining amount, and controlling to newly accommodate the printed matter corresponding to the accommodating section in the accommodating section in which the remaining amount of the printed matter detected in the detecting step is determined to be smaller than a predetermined number. And a control step. 29. A program for causing a computer to execute a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus including a plurality of storage sections for accommodating a printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter, and the printed matter, The providing method includes: a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units; and a storing unit in which the remaining amount of the printed matter detected by the detecting step is determined to be smaller than a predetermined number. A control step of controlling to newly accommodate printed matter corresponding to the accommodation unit. 30. A computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a printed matter providing method applied to a printed matter providing apparatus including a plurality of storage units for storing printed matter so that a user can take out the printed matter, and a printing unit. In the above, the printed matter providing method may further include: a detecting step of detecting a remaining amount of the printed matter remaining in each of the plurality of storage units; and a housing in which the remaining amount of the printed matter detected by the detecting step is determined to be smaller than a predetermined number. A control step of controlling the unit to newly store a printed matter corresponding to the storage unit.