JP2003345864A - Information processor, printer, server device, job processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-executable program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely construct a printing service system which can practice a printing service business such that a user visits a specified store and can easily use free printing service wherein a generated free printing job is received from a server device to perform free printing. <P>SOLUTION: The printing service system is characterized by having a constitution in which, once receiving an output request for a printing job from a user personal computer 101A, the server 108 informs the user personal computer 101A of authentication information for authenticating the received printing job and when the user inputs the authentication information from a printer device 102 to request an inquiry about the authentication information, the server 108 transfers the free printing job generated from the received printing job and additional information to the printer device 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device for controlling a print service which acquires registered additional information from a database and prints it on a printing device installed in a specific store via a predetermined communication network. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information processing device and a server device, a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer-executable program that can communicate with each other.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when printing document information created by an application from an information processing device such as a personal computer or a portable terminal, if the devices are connected to a local area network (LAN), the same LAN is used.
Printing can be performed using the printer device connected above.

However, a LAN to which a printer device is connected
If the printer cannot be connected to the LAN or the printer is not connected to the LAN, a general method is to transfer the document data to be printed to a print service company via a storage medium such as a flexible disk or the Internet and have the print service provider print the document data. there were.

[0004] In this case, if the print service provider is geographically distant from the viewpoint of the user, a mail or transportation service is used to obtain a printed document, which requires time and costs.

[0005] To solve this problem, a printer connected to a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet is installed in a store such as a convenience store near the user, and the user himself prints. A method has been proposed in which a print service can be easily received by designating document data to be tried.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is a problem that a billing device is required for the printer in order to collect the payment for the print service, which increases the cost of the printer.

[0007] In addition, when a user adds a device for inserting coins as a charging device to be added to the printer device, there is a problem that the store side has to take more time to collect money. The most serious problem is that these problems ultimately impose a cost burden on the user, and there has been a demand for a printing service that minimizes the burden on the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to display a print setting page based on free print setting page information obtained from a server device, In accordance with the instruction for the displayed print setting page, the print job is transferred to the server device, and after the transfer, the authentication information to be input by the user is acquired from the printing device installed in the specific store from the server device. Information processing apparatus that can freely construct a job processing environment that can provide a free print service that can output a free print job generated by a server apparatus by using a printing apparatus that is installed in a specific store to which a customer goes Another object of the present invention is to provide a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer-executable program.

A second object is to display a print setting page based on the free print setting page information obtained from the server device, and in accordance with an instruction for the displayed print setting page,
A print device installed in a specific store to which the user goes by transferring the print job to the server device and, after the transfer, notifying the server device of authentication information to be input by the user from the print device installed in the specific store. , An information processing apparatus, a job processing method, and a computer-readable storage that can freely construct a job processing environment capable of providing a free print service capable of outputting a free print job generated by a server device. It is to provide a medium and a computer-executable program.

[0010] A third object is to obtain the number of acquisitions of additional information included in a free print job generated by the server device and calculate the use price of the additional information, so that the server device can print a print job from the user. By providing an information processing apparatus and a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer-executable program that can freely construct a payment system for developing a print service that is processed as a free print job is there.

Further, a fourth object is that when authentication information to be issued is input from a printing device installed in a specific store when a user requests a print job from a server device, the authentication collation result is obtained. A user goes to a specific store, retrieves a free print job generated from the server device, obtains a free print job generated from the server device, and performs free printing by acquiring a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information from the server device based on the print job. A printing apparatus, a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer-executable program that can freely construct a print service system that can perform a print service business that can easily receive a free print service to be provided. It is to be.

A fifth object is that when an output request for a print job is received from the information processing apparatus, authentication information for authenticating the received print job is notified to the information processing apparatus. When the authentication information is input by and the verification of the authentication information is requested,
By transferring the free print job generated from the received print job and the additional information to the printing device, the user goes to a specific store, pulls out the free print job generated from the server device, and performs free printing. By providing a server device, a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer-executable program that can freely construct a print service system that can perform a print service business that can easily receive services. is there.

A sixth object is to receive an output request for a print job from the information processing apparatus and authentication information for authenticating the print job, and further, when the authentication information is input by the user from the printing apparatus, the authentication When the collation of the information is requested, the free print job generated from the received print job and the additional information is transferred to the printing device, so that the user goes to a specific store, and the free print job generated from the server device is transmitted. A server device, a job processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer that can freely construct a print service system that can perform a print service business that can easily receive a free print service that pulls out print jobs and prints free Is to provide an executable program.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which acquires additional information to be registered from a database and is installed in a specific store (corresponding to the store 103 shown in FIG. 1). An information processing device (corresponding to the user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 1) capable of communicating via a predetermined communication network with a server device that controls a print service to be printed by the printer device 102 (corresponding to the printer device 102 shown in FIG. 1). Acquisition means for acquiring free print setting page information from the server device (user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 4)
9 corresponds to an acquisition processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 404) and display means (display 406 shown in FIG. 9) for displaying a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired by the acquisition means. Instruction unit (corresponding to the mouse 410 shown in FIG. 9) for giving a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display unit, and a print job generated in accordance with the print instruction by the instruction unit. Transfer means for transferring to the server device (user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 9)
And the authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device. Acquisition means for acquiring from the server device (the hard disk 404 of the user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 9)
(Corresponding to an acquisition processing function based on a data processing program stored in a storage device).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus (a printer shown in FIG. 1) installed in a specific store (corresponding to the store 103 shown in FIG. 1) by acquiring additional information to be registered from a database. An information processing apparatus (corresponding to the user's personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 1) capable of communicating via a predetermined communication network with a server apparatus for controlling a print service to be printed by the server apparatus. Means for obtaining free print setting page information from the PC (corresponding to an obtaining processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 404 of the user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 4), and free print setting obtained by the obtaining means Display means for displaying a print setting page based on page information (corresponding to display 406 shown in FIG. 9)
Instruction means for issuing a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display means (mouse 410 shown in FIG. 9)
Transfer means for transferring a generated print job to the server device in accordance with a print instruction from the instruction means (a transfer process based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 404 of the user personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 9). Notification means for issuing to the server device authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device (see FIG. 9). (Corresponding to a notification processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 404 of the user personal computer 101A).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication network for a server for controlling a print service for acquiring additional information to be registered from a database and printing the information by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. An information processing device communicable via the server, and an acquisition unit (corresponding to the service provider personal computer 104 shown in FIG. 1) for acquiring, from the server device, the number of times that the server device acquires the advertisement information extracted from the database. A service provider that provides a free print service for printing a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device by the printing device, the additional information print fee to be charged to the additional information source. Calculating means for calculating from the number of acquisitions acquired by the acquiring means (the service provider password shown in FIG. 1); And having a corresponding to con 104).

A fourth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the additional information is information of an advertisement added to the print job.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server apparatus for controlling a print service for receiving a print job from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network and adding additional information registered in a database to the print job. A print device installed in a specific store communicable with the information processing device, wherein the specific user inputs authentication information for authenticating the print job issued from the server device to the information processing device. Means (corresponding to an operation unit of the printer device 102 shown in FIG. 1), and authentication means (a controller of the printer device 102 shown in FIG. 1 Based on the verification result received from the server device by the authentication means, and An acquisition unit (corresponding to a controller unit of the printer device 102 shown in FIG. 1) for acquiring a free print job generated from a print job and the additional information, and controlling printing of the free print job acquired by the acquisition unit Print control means (the printer device 10 shown in FIG. 1)
2).

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a print job is received from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network and added to the print job with additional information obtained from a database, and the print job is installed in a specific store. And a job generating means for generating a specific free print job from the print job and additional information (stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9). A print job acquired from the information processing apparatus and authentication information for authenticating the print job, and notifying the information processing apparatus of the first information.
(A notification processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9) and authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus. Determining means for comparing and determining information (corresponding to a determining processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9), and a second means for notifying the printing apparatus of the result of verification by the determining means. Notification means (corresponding to a notification processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9);
When the determining unit determines that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted, a specific free print job is transferred to the printing device according to a print job acquisition request from the printing device after the notification by the second notifying unit. Job transfer means (corresponding to a notification processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a print job is received from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network, added to the print job with additional information obtained from a database, and installed in a specific store. And a job generating means for generating a specific free print job from the print job and additional information (stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9). A job generation processing function based on a data processing program); and an acquisition unit for acquiring authentication information for authenticating a print job from the information processing apparatus (the hard disk 30 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9).
4), and authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus, and the authentication information obtained from the obtaining unit. A determination unit (corresponding to a determination processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9) and a notifying unit (FIG. 9) for notifying the printing apparatus of a result of the comparison by the determination unit And the notification processing function based on the data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 3), and when the determination unit determines that the authentication information is authentication permission, the printing is performed after the notification by the notification unit. Job transfer means for transferring a specific free print job to the printing device according to a print job acquisition request from the device And having a corresponding) to the job transfer processing function based on the data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the job generating means generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed in a print area specified by the print job so as to overlap. I do.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the job generating means generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed so as to overlap outside a print area specified by the print job. I do.

A tenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the job generating means generates a specific free print job in which the print job and the additional information are printed separately on both sides of a recording medium. I do.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding unit (corresponding to the hard disk 404 shown in FIG. 9) for holding a specific free print job generated by the job generating unit together with the number of times of acquiring the additional information. Job management means for deleting, from the holding means, the specific free print job related to the authentication information for which the inquiry of the authentication information has not been issued within a certain period from the printing apparatus (the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9). (Corresponding to a job management processing function based on a stored data processing program).

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a history management means for managing the number of acquisitions of the additional information acquired from the database; It has a history notifying means (corresponding to a notification processing function based on a data processing program stored in the hard disk 304 of the server 108 shown in FIG. 9) for notifying the information processing apparatus.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the history notifying means notifies a specific information processing apparatus of the number of acquisitions managed by the history management means when the number of acquisitions reaches a predetermined number. It is characterized by doing.

A fourteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the job management means deletes the number of acquisitions held in the holding means when deleting the specific free print job.

A fifteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the additional information is information of an advertisement added to the print job.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined communication network is provided for a server device which controls a print service for acquiring additional information to be registered from a database and printing it by a printing device installed in a specific store. A job processing method in an information processing apparatus communicable via a server, wherein an acquisition step (step S112 shown in FIG. 10) for acquiring free print setting page information from the server apparatus, and a free print acquired by the acquisition step A display step of displaying a print setting page based on the setting page information on the display means (step S113 shown in FIG. 10), and an instruction step of giving a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display means (FIG. 10) Step S114),
A transfer step (Step S115 shown in FIG. 10) for transferring a generated print job to the server device according to a print instruction in the instruction step, and a free print generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device. An obtaining step of obtaining authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a job from the server device (FIG. 10)
And step S116).

[0030] A seventeenth invention according to the present invention is directed to a server for controlling a print service for acquiring additional information to be registered from a database and printing it by a printer installed in a specific store. A job processing method in an information processing apparatus communicable via a server, wherein an acquisition step (step S112 shown in FIG. 10) for acquiring free print setting page information from the server apparatus, and a free print acquired by the acquisition step A display step of displaying a print setting page based on the setting page information on the display means (step S113 shown in FIG. 10), and an instruction step of giving a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display means (FIG. 10) Step S114),
A transfer step (Step S115 shown in FIG. 10) for transferring a generated print job to the server device according to a print instruction in the instruction step, and a free print generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device. A notification step (step S116A shown in FIG. 10) of issuing authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a job and notifying the server device of the authentication information.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined communication network is provided to a server for controlling a print service for acquiring additional information to be registered from a database and printing the information by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. A job processing method in an information processing apparatus communicable via a server, wherein an acquisition step (step S132 shown in FIG. 11) of acquiring, from the server apparatus, the number of acquisitions of advertisement information extracted from the database by the server apparatus; The server device provides a free print service for printing a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information on the printing device by the printing device. The calculation step (calculation shown in FIG. 11) Step S133) and characterized by having a.

A nineteenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the additional information is information of an advertisement added to the print job.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server apparatus for receiving a print job from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network and controlling a print service for adding additional information registered in a database to the print job. A job processing method in a printing device installed in a specific store communicable with a specific user, wherein a specific user inputs recognition information for authenticating the print job issued from the server device to the information processing device. An authentication step (step S401 shown in FIG. 4), an authentication step (step S404 shown in FIG. 4) for inquiring of the server device about the authentication information input in the input step and receiving a collation result. The step is performed by the server device from the information processing device based on a collation result received from the server device. Acquiring a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information (FIG. 4
(Step S406 shown in FIG. 4) and a print control step (Step S406 shown in FIG. 4) for controlling the printing of the free print job acquired in the acquiring step.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a print job is received from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network, added to the print job with additional information obtained from a database, and installed in a specific store. A job processing step for generating a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information (step S305A shown in FIG. 3), wherein A first notification step (step S307 shown in FIG. 3) of issuing authentication information for authenticating the print job to the print job acquired from the information processing apparatus and notifying the information processing apparatus of the authentication information; A determination step of receiving authentication information input from a specific user and collating and determining the authentication information (step shown in FIG. 3) 310), a second notification step (step S311 shown in FIG. 3) of notifying the collation result of the determination step to the printing apparatus, and the determination step determines that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted. After the notification by the second notification step, a job transfer step (step S314 shown in FIG. 3) of transferring a specific free print job to the printing apparatus in accordance with a print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus. I do.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a print job is received from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network, added to the print job with additional information obtained from a database, and installed in a specific store. A job processing step for generating a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information (step S305A shown in FIG. 3), wherein An obtaining step (step S801 shown in FIG. 8) for obtaining authentication information for authenticating a print job from the information processing apparatus; and receiving authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus; A determination step (step S310 shown in FIG. 8) for determining whether or not is compared with the authentication information acquired from the acquisition step; A notifying step (step S311 shown in FIG. 8) for notifying the printing apparatus of the collation result obtained by the determining step; and, if the determining step determines that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted, A job transfer step (step S314 shown in FIG. 8) of transferring a specific free print job to the printing apparatus in accordance with a print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the job generating step, a specific free print job in which additional information is printed in a print area specified by the print job is printed. I do.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the job generating step, a specific free print job in which additional information is printed so as to overlap outside a print area specified by the print job is generated. I do.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the job generating step generates a specific free print job in which the print job and the additional information are printed separately on both sides of a recording medium. I do.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, a holding step of holding the specific free print job generated in the job generating step together with the number of times of acquiring the additional information in the holding means (step shown in FIGS. 3 and 8) S304) and a job management step of deleting the specific free print job related to the authentication information for which the inquiry of the authentication information has not been issued from the printing apparatus within a predetermined period from the holding unit (step S143 shown in FIG. 14). ).

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, a history management step for managing the number of acquisitions of the additional information acquired from the database (step S304 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8)
And a history notification step (step S154 shown in FIG. 13) of notifying the specific information processing apparatus of the number of acquisitions managed by the history management step at regular intervals.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the history notifying step, when the number of acquisitions reaches a predetermined number, the number of acquisitions managed by the history management unit is notified to a specific information processing apparatus. It is characterized by doing.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the job management step, when the specific free print job is deleted, the number of acquisitions held in the holding unit is deleted.

A thirtieth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the additional information is information of an advertisement added to the print job.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the job processing method according to the sixteenth to thirtieth aspects.

A thirty-second aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the job processing method according to any one of the sixteenth to thirtieth aspects.

[0046]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing system to which a server device, an information processing device, and a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. For example, the present invention corresponds to a printing system in which a user receives a print service by using an external printer device via a WAN.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a user who receives a print service, and is configured to be able to access the Internet 105 via the user personal computer 101A. 1
02 is a printer device for executing printing, 103 is a store where the printer device is installed, 104 is a service provider that implements a print service, 104A is a personal computer for a service provider, and 105 is an unillustrated user used by the user 101. Internet connecting the terminal and the printer device 102, 106
Is an advertiser requesting an advertisement, 106A is a personal computer for an advertiser, 107 is an advertisement DB (Data Base) for storing advertisement information based on the request of the advertiser, and 108 is a server for providing a print service.

In the printing system thus configured, the user 101 connects to the server 108 via a terminal (not shown) via the Internet 105, designates an arbitrary document to be printed, and instructs printing.

When the print instruction is accepted, the user 10
An ID is issued from the server 108 to one user personal computer 101A. Needless to say, the terminal (not shown) includes a personal computer, a mobile terminal, and a mobile phone.

[0050] The user 101 enters an I
When D is set in the printer device 102, the printer device 1
02 requests the server 108 to authenticate the ID via the Internet 105. When the server 108 authenticates the ID, it extracts the advertisement information from the advertisement DB 107 and merges it with the print document corresponding to the ID to generate a print job.

Next, a print job is transmitted to the printer 102, and the printer 102 immediately prints.

At this time, as an ID setting means,
The method includes a method in which the user 101 operates the operation panel of the printer apparatus 102 and a method in which the user 101 uses a terminal (not shown) of the user 101 and wireless communication means using light and radio waves.

On the other hand, the service provider 104 uses the service provider personal computer 104A or the like to take out the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information stored in the server 108 at an arbitrary timing and to obtain the number of times the advertisement information is acquired under the conditions previously agreed with the advertiser 106. Let the computer calculate the advertisement price. As an agreed condition in the calculation of the advertisement price, for example, an arithmetic method in which the price is added in proportion to the number of times of acquisition is assumed. The method of calculating the price according to the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Next, the advertiser 106 is charged, and the advertiser 106 receives the payment related to the bill. Also,
The service provider 104 pays a part of the price to the store 103 as an installation fee (based on a contract) of the printer device 102. Further, it is needless to say that an electronic payment system for Internet payment can be used for the established money transfer.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an example of a first print service processing procedure in the printing system shown in FIG. 1, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. Steps S201 to S215 show the procedure. The direction of the arrow indicates a request or a response in that direction.

In FIG. 2, the user 101 issues a document print instruction to the server 108 via the Internet 105 by using a terminal (not shown) (corresponding to the user personal computer 101A in FIG. 1) (S201). The server 108 requests advertisement information from the advertisement DB 107 (S20).
2). The advertisement DB 107 transmits the advertisement information to the server 108 based on the request (S203). The server 108 issues (notifies) an ID for identifying printing (S204). Note that the server 108 and the advertisement DB 107 may be provided in the same device, or may be provided in separate devices, and if a mechanism capable of exchanging information with each other is provided, S
The processing of 202 and S203 is realized.

The series of operations (procedures) up to this point is the setting phase 201. In the setting phase 201, the user 1
01 does not necessarily need to be in the store 103 where the printer device 102 for printing is installed, and can set document printing from any place that can be connected to the Internet 105.

Next, the user 101 visits the store 103 at an arbitrary timing, and sets the ID to the printer 102 installed in the store 103 via the operation panel of the printer (S205).

In response to this, the printer 102 sets the ID
Is transmitted to the server 108 (S206), and the authentication result is received (S207). Then, when the ID is authenticated, a print job corresponding to the ID is subsequently requested to the server 108 (S208), and the print job is received (S208).
209), the printer 102 immediately prints, and at the same time, the user 101 acquires this (S210). S209
The format of the print job received by
(Page description language), bitmap data, data according to a predetermined compression method such as JPEG, data in a predetermined Web format such as HTML or XML, and the like are assumed. Then, the printer 102 is configured to be able to print out the print data in the data format received in any of the forms.

On the other hand, if the ID has not been authenticated in step S 207, no print job request is made to the server 108. A series of operations up to this point is printing phase 2
02. Here, since the user 101 does not need to pay the price, it is up to this phase that the print service is related to the print service.

On the other hand, the service provider 104 requests the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information stored in the storage medium (not shown) in the server 108 at an arbitrary timing (S211), and acquires it (S212). Then, the advertisement price is calculated from the number of times the advertisement information is acquired, and the advertiser 106 is charged at a predetermined timing (S213). When the price is collected from the advertiser 106 (S214), the printer 103
Part of the price is paid as the setting fee of 2 (S21
5). The series of operations up to this is the settlement phase 203. The settlement method here is not limited to cash, credit card, check, electronic money and the like.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data processing procedure in the server 108 shown in FIG. The server 108 includes hardware as described below, and executes a process based on the procedure stored in the storage device based on the flowchart.
Also, S301 to S305, S305A, S306 to S
315 shows each step.

First, the user 101 (user personal computer 1)
Print document information is received (S301). Next, advertisement information is requested from the advertisement DB (S302), and the advertisement information is received (S30).
3). The number of times the advertisement information has been received is counted and the result is held (S304). The print document information and the advertisement information are merged (S305), a print job is generated (S305A), and stored in a storage medium (not shown) (S30).
6). An ID for identifying a print job is assigned to the user 101
(S307), and stores it (S30).
8).

Next, when an ID is received from the printer 102 installed at an arbitrary place (S309), the ID is compared with an ID stored in a storage medium (not shown) to determine whether or not the ID matches (S310). If it is determined that they do not match, "authentication is not possible" is notified to the printer 102 as a result (S315), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that they match, "authentication possible" is notified to the printer 102 (S311), and when a print job request is received from the printer 102 (S312), the ID is determined. Is read from a storage medium (not shown) (S31).
3) The data is transmitted to the printer (S314), and the process ends.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the printer according to the present invention.
Note that the printer device 102 includes hardware as described below, and reads out a procedure based on the flowchart stored in the storage device to execute the present process. Also,
S401 to S407 indicate each step.

First, when an ID is input via the operation panel of the printer in response to an instruction from the user 101, the ID is accepted to recognize the input ID (S401).
08, and the input ID is transmitted (S402).
Then, when the ID authentication result is received from the server 108 (S403), it is determined whether or not “authentication is possible” (S404). When it is determined that “authentication is possible”,
A request for a print job corresponding to the ID is made to the server 108 (405).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the authentication result is "authentication impossible", the process returns to step S401 to accept an ID.

When a print job is received from the server 108 (S406), printing is immediately performed (S40).
7), the process ends. Note that the detailed processing of the server 108 will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a WEB page screen displayed on the display device of the server 108 shown in FIG. 1, and corresponds to a print setting screen for a free print service. FIG. 5 also corresponds to a print setting screen displayed on the display device of the user personal computer 101A.

In FIG. 5, the server 108 is an HTTP server.
(Hyper Text Transfer Prot
ocol) server, and serves as an interface for receiving a print document from the user 101. Therefore, an HTML file related to the print setting screen PSET is provided to the information processing apparatus on the user side, and a print request from the user side is issued. It is configured to respond to.

In the present embodiment, print setting items include items such as print document selection, page setting, and print quality. Other setting items, for example, function items of a sheet post-processing device provided in a printer device are provided. It is optional to add an item so that monochrome and color can be selected in a color printer device.

In the user's personal computer 101A, the print setting screen PSE provided from the server 108 is provided.
The user selects a print document according to T and issues a print instruction.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a print area of the printer shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a user document print area, and 602 denotes an advertisement print area. It should be noted that the advertisement print area may be arbitrarily provided in an area other than the above, for example, the effective print area by designating a ratio or the like. In addition, as for the area shape when the area is secured, it is optional to secure a frame, an arbitrary graphic frame, an area designated by a free curve, or the like.

The advertisement information stored in the advertisement DB 107 shown in FIG. 1 has an upper limit of the number of times of printing.
If it is determined that the number of prints exceeds the upper limit according to the number of prints in which the advertisement is used, the target advertisement information is excluded from the advertisement target, and the updated advertisement information is printed with priority The server 108 also has a function of managing an advertisement file and the like.

Further, the advertisement to be printed may be provided with a premium so that information which can be distinguished from a normal advertisement is added and printed. It is optional that the advertiser is configured to provide a specific service to a user who possesses such a printed material.

When a free print job is generated, an area for printing advertisement information as additional information (outside the print area of the print job, within the print area of the print job, and the recording medium surface on which the print job is printed) (Including the opposite back surface) may be specified by the server 108.

Further, a charge system may be set for each print portion of the advertisement information to be added, and a different charge may be charged to the advertiser when calculating the free printing cost.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the case in which the server 108 issues an ID for identifying printing to the user personal computer 101A of the user 101 in step S204 has been described, the user 101 transmits the ID for identifying a print job via the user personal computer 101A to the server 108. May be configured to be issued to Less than,
The embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an example of a second print service processing procedure in the printing system shown in FIG. 1. The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG. Note that S201 to S203, S205 to S215,
S701 shows the procedure. The direction of the arrow indicates a request or a response in that direction. Also, printing phase 2
02 and the settlement phase 203 are the same as in the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user PC 101A of the user 101 instructs the server 108 to print a document via the Internet 105 (S20).
1). The server 108 requests advertisement information from the advertisement DB 107 (S202). The advertisement DB 107 transmits the advertisement information to the server 108 based on the request (S203).
The user 101 issues an ID for identifying a print job to the server 108 via the user personal computer 101A (S701).

Here, as the ID issued by the user 101, information that can be uniquely specified by the user 101 is required. It is convenient if the ID is the number of the mobile phone of the user 101 or information that can be used to identify the individual mobile phone instead.

Further, by providing a means for communicating the ID between the printer device 102 and the portable telephone, the ID can be easily set.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, and corresponds to the data processing procedure in server 108 shown in FIG. The server 108 includes hardware as described below, and executes a process based on the procedure stored in the storage device based on the flowchart.
Also, S301 to S305, S305A, S306, S
308 to S315 and S801 indicate each step.

First, the user personal computer 1 of the user 101
In step S301, print document information is acquired in response to a print instruction from the user 01A. Next, advertisement information is requested from the advertisement DB (S302), and the advertisement information is received (S303). Then, the number of times that the received advertisement information is actually used for print output by the printer device 102 is counted, and the result is held (S304). The print document information and the advertisement information are merged (S305) to generate a print job (S3).
05A) and stored in a storage medium (not shown) (S30).
6).

Next, the user personal computer 1 of the user 101
ID for identifying the print job issued from 01A
Is received (S801), and the ID is stored in a storage device in the server 108 (S308). In the case where the IDs are duplicated in S801, it is also conceivable that the user PC 101A is notified of warning information that the desired ID cannot be issued due to the duplication.

Next, when the ID is received from the printer 102 (S309), the ID stored in the storage medium (not shown) is read.
D to determine whether they match (S310),
If it is determined that they do not match, "authentication is not possible" is notified to the printer 102 as a result (S315), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that they match, "authentication permitted" is notified to the printer device 102 (S311), and the print job is subsequently sent from the printer device 102 in response to the reception of "authentication permitted". When the request is received (S312), the print job corresponding to the ID is read from a storage medium (not shown) (S313), the read print job is transmitted to the printer device 102 (S314), and the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a data processing system including the server 108 and the user's personal computer 101A shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. is there.

In the information processing apparatus (user's personal computer) 101A shown in FIG. 3, a network interface 401 communicates with the server 108 via the communication network 105. A CPU 402 loads an OS, an application, various driver programs, and the like stored in a hard disk 404 onto a RAM 403 and performs various data processing. The hard disk 404 stores a control program shown in a flowchart described later.

A display controller 405 performs display processing on the display 406. A keyboard controller 407 performs a key input process on the keyboard 408. A mouse controller 409 processes instruction information for the mouse 410. 411 is a modem.

In the information processing apparatus 300 shown in FIG.
A network interface 01 communicates with an input / output device (not shown). Reference numeral 302 denotes a CPU, which is an OS, application,
Various drivers and the like are loaded on the RAM 303 to perform various data processing. The hard disk 304 stores a control program shown in a flowchart described later.

A display controller 305 performs display processing on the display 306. A keyboard controller 307 performs a key input process on the keyboard 308. Reference numeral 309 denotes a mouse controller that processes instruction information for the mouse 210.

An analysis program for analyzing the operation status data of the printer (image forming apparatus) of the customer is installed on the hard disk 304,
An output result file of the analysis program is stored and managed.

The hard disk 304 stores a program based on the steps shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 or FIG.
The data is read out on the line 303 and executed. In addition, the advertisement DB 10
7 on the hard disk 304 in some cases.

Note that the free print job registered on the hard disk 304 is automatically deleted by the CPU 302 based on the data processing program when there is no print request from the printer device 102 for a certain period of time, and the free space of the hard disk 304 is deleted. Control is performed so that an area can be secured.

Further, the hard disk 304 is provided with an area for managing the number of times of acquiring advertisement information to be printed as additional information, and manages the use state of the advertisement information. Then, when the print job is deleted, the recorded advertisement acquisition record is also deleted at the same time.

[Third Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to authentication information acquisition processing in a user-side information processing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
This corresponds to the authentication information generation processing procedure in 1A). Note that S111 to S116 indicate each step.

First, a request for obtaining free print setting page information is issued to the server 108 (S111), and free print setting page information is obtained from the server 108 (S11).
2).

Next, a print setting page based on the acquired free print setting page information is displayed on the display device (S113).

Next, when a print instruction is given to the print setting page displayed on the display means (S114), the generated print job is transferred to the server 108 in accordance with the print instruction in the instruction step (step S115). . And
The server acquires the authentication information (ID) for authenticating the print instructor for the free print job generated from the print job and the additional information from the server (S116), and ends the process.

When the flowchart of FIG. 10 is applied to the second embodiment, the process of obtaining the authentication information (ID) in S116 from the server 108 is performed by using the user personal computer 101A to obtain the authentication information (ID). Is generated in accordance with the specification of, and the processing can be replaced with processing for notifying the server 108. This replaced process is referred to as step S116A.

[Fourth Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a price calculation process in a service provider side information processing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the price calculation processing in the service provider side information processing apparatus. Note that S131 to S133 indicate each step.

First, the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information extracted from the advertisement database 107 by the server 108 is acquired from the server 108 (step S132).
In the acquisition, the service provider providing a free print service for printing the free print job generated from the print job and the additional information by the printing device 108 obtains the additional information print fee to be charged to the additional information source in the obtaining step. It is calculated from the number of times (step S133), and the process ends.

[Fifth Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to a job management process in the server 108 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention. The server 108 in the first to fourth and sixth embodiments is shown in FIG.
Corresponds to the job management processing procedure. S14
1 to S144 indicate each step.

First, a retention period for a free print job registered on the hard disk 304 is set (S14).
1) At a predetermined monitoring timing, the hard disk 304
In the free print job stored above, step S141
It is determined whether or not there is a job that has passed the retention period set in (S142). If it is determined that there is a free print job that has passed the retention period set, the job is registered on the hard disk 304. And deletes the free print job whose retention period has passed (S143).
The advertisement acquisition record indicating that an advertisement has been acquired for the deleted print job is also deleted at the same time (S144), and the process ends.

As a result, the printer device 10
If there is no print request from CPU 2, the CPU 302 automatically deletes the print request based on the data processing program, and controls the hard disk 304 to secure a free area.

[Sixth Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment relating to an acquisition count notification process in a server device will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the server 108 according to the present invention, and corresponds to the acquisition number notification processing procedure in the server 108. In addition, S151 to S154 indicate each step.

First, a notification timing of the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information extracted from the advertisement database 107 by the server 108 (the number of times, the time, the time interval, etc. is assumed) is set (S151).

The timing for notifying the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information drawn from the advertisement database 107 (FIG. 14)
Inside, it is described as a process to determine whether the set time has come)
It is determined whether or not the time has come (S152).
In 3, the number of times of acquiring the advertisement information acquired from the advertisement database 107 is totaled (S152), and the number of times of acquiring the totaled advertisement information is notified to the information processing apparatus (the personal computer 104A for the service provider) (S154). , And the process ends.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by a printing system to which the server device and the information processing device according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium storing various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the server device and the information processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

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

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

The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

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

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes 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 board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

According to each of the above embodiments, the printing cost is covered by the advertising revenue, so that the user does not need to pay for the printing service. Further, since the settlement of the advertisement price is performed between the advertiser and the service provider, there is no need to attach a charging device to the printer device, so that the cost of the printer device can be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to bring benefits to all users, advertisers, service providers, and shops.

It is needless to say that a combination of the first and second embodiments is also applicable to the present invention.

[0128]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the thirty-second aspect, a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired from the server device is displayed, and in accordance with an instruction for the displayed print setting page,
The print job is transferred to the server device, and after the transfer, the authentication information to be input by the user is obtained from the printing device installed in the specific store from the server device. By using this, it is possible to freely construct a job processing environment in which a free print service capable of outputting a free print job generated by the server device can be provided.

Further, a print setting page based on the free print setting page information obtained from the server device is displayed, and the print job is transferred to the server device in accordance with an instruction for the displayed print setting page. Since the authentication information to be input by the user is notified to the server device from the printing device installed in the store, the free printing job generated by the server device is generated by using the printing device installed in the specific store to which the user goes. It is possible to freely construct a job processing environment in which a free print service capable of outputting can be provided.

Further, the number of acquisitions of the additional information included in the free print job generated by the server device is obtained, and the usage fee of the additional information is calculated, so that the print job from the user is processed as a free print job by the server device. A payment system for developing a print service to be provided can be freely constructed.

When the user requests the server device for a print job and the authentication information to be issued is input from a printing device installed in a specific store, the print job and the print job are determined based on the authentication collation result. Since the free print job generated from the additional information and the free print job is acquired from the server device and printed free of charge, the user can easily go to a specific store, pull out the free print job generated from the server device, and print the free print job easily. A print service system that can perform a print service business that can be received can be freely constructed.

Further, when an output request for a print job is received from the information processing apparatus, the authentication information for authenticating the received print job is notified to the information processing apparatus, and the authentication information is input by the user from the printing apparatus. When the authentication information is requested to be collated, the free print job generated from the received print job and the additional information is transferred to the printing device, so that the user goes to a specific store and generates the print job from the server device. It is possible to freely construct a print service system capable of performing a print service business that can easily receive a free print service for extracting a free print job and printing free.

Further, an output request for a print job and authentication information for authenticating the print job are received from the information processing apparatus, and further, the authentication information is input by the user from the printing apparatus, and the verification of the authentication information is requested. If
Since the free print job generated from the received print job and the additional information is transferred to the printing device, the user goes to a specific store, pulls out the free print job generated from the server device, and performs free printing. For example, it is possible to freely construct a print service system that can perform a print service business that can easily receive the print service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which a server device, an information processing device, and a printer device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first print service processing procedure in the printing system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the printer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing W displayed on the display device of the server shown in FIG. 1;
It is a figure showing an example of an EB page screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a print area of the printer device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second print service processing procedure in the printing system illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data processing system including the server and the computer device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which a server device and an information processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Users 101A User PC 102 Printer device 103 store 104 Service Provider 105 Internet 106 Advertiser 107 Advertising DB 108 servers

Claims (32)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus capable of acquiring a registered additional information from a database and communicating with a server apparatus for controlling a print service for printing by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store via a predetermined communication network. An acquisition unit for acquiring free print setting page information from the server device; a display unit for displaying a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a display on the display unit. Instruction means for issuing a print instruction to the print setting page, transfer means for transferring a generated print job to the server device in accordance with the print instruction by the instruction means, Authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a free print job generated from the additional information is obtained from the server device. The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising an acquisition unit configured to, a. 2. An information processing apparatus that acquires additional information to be registered from a database and communicates via a predetermined communication network to a server apparatus that controls a print service for printing by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. An acquisition unit for acquiring free print setting page information from the server device; a display unit for displaying a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a display on the display unit. Instruction means for issuing a print instruction to the print setting page, transfer means for transferring a generated print job to the server device in accordance with the print instruction by the instruction means, The server device issues authentication information for authenticating a print instructor for a free print job generated from the additional information and the server device. The information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification unit for notifying, to the. 3. An information processing apparatus that acquires additional information to be registered from a database and communicates via a predetermined communication network to a server apparatus that controls a print service for printing by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. An acquisition unit for acquiring, from the server device, the number of times the advertisement information is acquired from the database by the server device; and a free print job generated from the print job and the additional information in the server device. Calculating means for calculating the additional information print price to be charged to an additional information source by a service provider that provides a free print service for printing by the printing apparatus from the number of acquisitions acquired by the acquiring means. Information processing device. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is information on an advertisement added to the print job.
An information processing device according to any one of the above. 5. A printer which receives a print job from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network, and installs the print job in a specific store which can communicate with a server apparatus for controlling a print service for adding additional information registered in a database to the print job. Input means for a specific user to input authentication information for authenticating the print job issued from the server device to the information processing device, and input by the input means An authentication unit that inquires the server device about the authentication information thus obtained and receives a verification result; and a print job from the information processing device and the additional information by the server device based on the verification result received by the authentication unit from the server device. Acquisition means for acquiring a free print job generated from the program, and the free print job acquired by the acquisition means. Printing apparatus comprising: the print control means for controlling the printing, the. 6. A print service for receiving a print job from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network, adding additional information obtained from a database to the print job, and printing the print job at a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. A job generating means for generating a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information; and authentication information for authenticating the print job to a print job obtained from the information processing device. A notification unit for notifying the information processing apparatus of the printing apparatus, receiving authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus, determining the authentication information, and determining the authentication information. A second notifying unit for notifying the printing apparatus of a result of the collation performed by the authentication unit, and the second determining unit determines that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted. After notification by the notification unit, in accordance with the print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus, a job transferring unit that transfers the specific free print job to the printing apparatus,
A server device comprising: 7. A print service for receiving a print job from an information processing device via a predetermined communication network, adding the additional information obtained from a database to the print job, and printing the print job at a printing device installed in a specific store. A job generating unit that generates a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information, and an obtaining unit that obtains authentication information for authenticating the print job from the information processing device. Determining means for receiving authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus, and determining the authentication information against authentication information obtained from the obtaining means; Notification means for notifying the authentication information, and when the determination information determines that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted, after the notification by the notification means, Accordance with the print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus, the server apparatus characterized by having a job transfer means for transferring the particular free print job to the printing apparatus. 8. The job generating unit according to claim 6, wherein the job generating unit generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed in a print area specified by the print job. Server device. 9. The job generating unit according to claim 6, wherein the job generating unit generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed so as to overlap outside a print area specified by the print job. Server device. 10. The job generating unit according to claim 6, wherein the job generating unit generates a specific free print job in which the print job and the additional information are printed separately on both sides of a recording medium. Server device. 11. A holding unit for holding a specific free print job generated by the job generating unit together with the number of times of acquisition of the additional information, and wherein the inquiry of the authentication information has not occurred within a predetermined period from the printing apparatus. The server device according to claim 6, further comprising: a job management unit configured to delete the specific free print job related to authentication information from the holding unit. 12. A history management unit for managing the number of acquisitions of additional information acquired from the database, and a history notification for notifying the specific information processing device of the number of acquisitions managed by the history management unit at regular intervals. The server device according to claim 6, further comprising: 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the history notifying unit notifies a specific information processing apparatus of the number of acquisitions managed by the history management unit when the number of acquisitions reaches a predetermined number. 13. The server device according to 12. 14. The server device according to claim 11, wherein the job management unit deletes the number of acquisitions held in the holding unit when deleting the specific free print job. 15. The method according to claim 6, wherein the additional information is information of an advertisement added to the print job.
13. The server device according to any one of 12. 16. An information processing apparatus capable of acquiring a registered additional information from a database and communicating with a server apparatus for controlling a print service for printing by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store via a predetermined communication network. An acquisition step of acquiring free print setting page information from the server apparatus, and a display step of displaying a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired by the acquiring step. An instruction step of issuing a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display unit; a transfer step of transferring a generated print job to the server device according to the print instruction in the instruction step; A free print job generated from the print job and the additional information Job processing method characterized by comprising an acquisition step, the of acquiring authentication information from the server device to authenticate that the print instructor. 17. An information processing apparatus that acquires registered additional information from a database and communicates with a server apparatus that controls a print service for printing on a printing apparatus installed in a specific store via a predetermined communication network. An acquisition step for acquiring free print setting page information from the server apparatus, and a display step of displaying a print setting page based on the free print setting page information acquired by the acquiring step on a display unit. An instruction step of issuing a print instruction to the print setting page displayed on the display unit; a transfer step of transferring a generated print job to the server device according to the print instruction in the instruction step; Free print job generated from the print job and the additional information in an apparatus Job processing method characterized by comprising: a notification step of issuing an authentication information for authenticating the print instructor notifying the server apparatus, the against. 18. An information processing apparatus capable of acquiring additional information to be registered from a database and communicating via a predetermined communication network to a server apparatus that controls a print service for printing by a printing apparatus installed in a specific store. A job processing method in an apparatus, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, from the server apparatus, the number of times of acquiring advertisement information extracted from the database by the server apparatus; and generating the advertisement information in the server apparatus from the print job and the additional information. A calculating step of calculating a charge for printing additional information to be charged to an additional information source by a service provider that provides a free print service for printing a free print job on the printing apparatus from the number of acquisitions obtained in the acquiring step. A job processing method, comprising: 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the additional information is information on an advertisement added to the print job.
19. The job processing method according to any one of claims 18 to 18. 20. A print job which is received from an information processing apparatus via a predetermined communication network and is installed in a specific store which can communicate with a server apparatus which controls a print service for adding additional information registered in a database to the print job. An input step for a specific user to input recognition information for authenticating the print job issued from the server device to the information processing device; and An authentication step of querying the server device for the authentication information input in the input step and receiving a collation result; and a print job from the information processing device by the server device based on the collation result received from the server device in the authentication step. And an obtaining step of obtaining a free print job generated from the additional information and Job processing method characterized by having a print control step of controlling the printing of the free print job acquired by the serial acquisition step. 21. A print service for receiving a print job from an information processing device via a predetermined communication network, adding additional information obtained from a database to the print job, and printing the print job at a printing device installed in a specific store. A job generating step of generating a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information, and authenticating the print job to a print job acquired from the information processing apparatus. A notification step of issuing authentication information for notifying the information processing apparatus and receiving the authentication information input from the specific user to the printing apparatus, and determining the authentication information by collating and determining the authentication information. A second notification step of notifying the printing device of a result of the collation by the determination step; A job transfer step of transferring a specific free print job to the printing apparatus according to a print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus after the notification by the second notification step, when determining that the authentication information indicates that the authentication is permitted; A job processing method comprising: 22. A print service for receiving a print job from an information processing device via a predetermined communication network, adding the additional information obtained from the database to the print job, and printing the print job at a printing device installed in a specific store. A job generation step of generating a specific free print job from the print job and the additional information, and acquiring authentication information for authenticating the print job from the information processing apparatus. An authentication step of receiving authentication information input from a specific user to the printing apparatus, and determining the authentication information against authentication information obtained from the obtaining step; and a verification result by the determination step. And a notifying step of notifying the printing apparatus that the authentication information is authenticated by the determining step. A job transfer step of transferring a specific free print job to the printing apparatus in accordance with a print job acquisition request from the printing apparatus after the notification by the notification step if it is determined that there is a job. Method. 23. The job generating method according to claim 21, wherein the job generating step generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed in a print area specified by the print job. Job processing method. 24. The job generating method according to claim 21, wherein the job generating step generates a specific free print job in which additional information is printed so as to overlap outside a print area specified by the print job. Job processing method. 25. The job generating method according to claim 21, wherein the job generating step generates a specific free print job in which the print job and the additional information are printed separately on both sides of a recording medium. Job processing method. 26. A holding step of holding a specific free print job generated in the job generating step in a holding unit together with the number of times of acquiring the additional information, and inquiring of the authentication information from the printing apparatus within a predetermined period. 22. A job management step of deleting the specific free print job related to authentication information that has not been performed from the holding unit.
2. The job processing method according to 2. 27. A history management step for managing the number of acquisitions of additional information acquired from the database, and a history notification for notifying the number of acquisitions managed by the history management step to a specific information processing apparatus at regular intervals. 23. The job processing method according to claim 21, further comprising the steps of: 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein in the history notifying step, when the number of acquisitions reaches a predetermined number, the number of acquisitions managed by the history management unit is notified to a specific information processing apparatus. 28. The job processing method according to 27. 29. The job management method according to claim 26, wherein when the specific free print job is deleted, the number of acquisitions held in the holding unit is deleted.
The job processing method described. 30. The method according to claim 21, wherein the additional information is information on an advertisement added to the print job.
28. The job processing method according to any one of claims 27 to 27. 31. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for realizing the job processing method according to claim 16. Description: 32. A program for causing a computer to execute the job processing method according to claim 16. Description: