JP2004046709A - System and program for controlling high quality printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print a required number of calling cards with high quality at a nearest convenience store for utilization when a user has a shortage of the calling cards in hand at the place where the user is staying. <P>SOLUTION: A portable telephone 11 requests printing to a server 10 through a network 1. The server 10 transmits printing data and data attached to it (printing condition data or a printing control program) to the printer 13 through the network 1 in response to the printing request. Printing condition data 23 include correction data, etc., to keep printing quality of printing data. The printer 13 prints the received printing data in response to the control of the printing control program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a high-quality print control system and a high-quality print control program capable of performing high-quality printing using a network when and where necessary, if there is an electronic print document.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when a salesperson distributes a business card or catalog at a customer site, the business may spread more than planned and the number of business cards or catalogs on hand may become insufficient. In such cases, the company deals with the business by verbal business activities and mailing their business cards and catalogs at a later date. In addition to sales, various types of public relations activities include bringing a notebook personal computer and giving presentations using a liquid crystal projector or the like. In such a case, prepare hard copies to be distributed to the participants. However, the number of hard copies may be insufficient due to the large number of participants. In such a case, a color copier is used, or a personal computer is connected to a nearby printer to print data.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional techniques as described above have the following problems to be solved.
When printing hard copies of business brochures and various materials for presentations, predicting the number of copies to be distributed in advance, and bringing them with them, the volume and weight often increase considerably. If you try to make enough preparations so that there will not be a shortage, waste will be increased and waste will be generated if it is left. Mailing the shortage at a later date will weaken the effectiveness of the presentation on site. In addition, when a business card or a catalog is printed in a case where the nearest color copy or printer is borrowed and printing is performed on the go, the color tone may be slightly different, and there is a possibility that an unsatisfactory finish may be obtained. In other words, there is a problem that printed characters, layouts, or colors are considerably different, and discrepancies with the original ones become severe.
[0004]
The present invention has been made by focusing on the above points.For example, when a business card on hand is insufficient, a necessary number of high-quality business cards are printed at a nearby convenience store and used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-quality print control system and a high-quality print control program.
The present invention further provides a high-quality print control system and a high-quality print control system that can print business cards, catalogs, brochures, newspapers converted into electronic data, e-mail magazines, and the like using a nearest printer at a quality that can be sufficiently received as a product. It is an object to provide a print control program.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality print control system and a high-quality print control program that sufficiently eliminate the print quality difference between printer models.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above problem by the following configuration.
<Configuration 1>
Means for generating the requested print data, print condition data including correction data for printing the print data under conditions suitable for the designated printer, and print control means for managing the number of prints by the designated printer And a means for transmitting the print data, together with the print data, to the designated printer via a network.
[0006]
The format of the print data is arbitrary. The print data is a document file, an image file, or the like that can be printed by the designated printer. The print condition data is data used for setting a print environment of a printer driver for the purpose of correcting fonts and print colors when the print data is printed by a printer. As a result, the printed matter of the printer can secure sufficient quality as a product. The print control unit has a function of monitoring the number of prints by the printer driver and performing control so as to print the specified number of prints. The storage location of the information for designating the number of sheets may be either the print condition data or the print control means.
[0007]
<Configuration 2>
2. The high-quality print control system according to Configuration 1, wherein a print document file for generating print data is received from a print request side via a network.
[0008]
In this configuration, a print document file stored in a terminal device or the like on the print request side is received via a network, print data is generated, and print condition data and print control means are attached and sent back to the print request side. As a result, a high quality print data providing service can be provided. The type of network is arbitrary.
[0009]
<Configuration 3>
In the high-quality print control system according to the first aspect, the identification code is received from the print requesting side, and the print document file for generating the print data is read out from the storage device for file storage by the identification code. High quality printing control system.
[0010]
The print requesting side holds only the identification code. When a print request is received, the identification code is received, and the print document file is read from the storage device for file storage. The storage device for file storage may be located anywhere. It may be connected to a network. Thereby, the storage capacity of the storage device on the print request side can be reduced.
[0011]
<Configuration 4>
In the high-quality printing control system according to the first aspect, a difference between printing condition data of a printer suitable for printing the print manuscript file requested to be printed and printing condition data of the designated printer is obtained, and a new printing condition is obtained. A high-quality print control system comprising means for generating data and transmitting the data to the designated printer.
[0012]
The print condition data of the printer suitable for printing the print document file requested to be printed may be received by the server via the network together with the print request, or may be stored in the server in advance. The difference between the print condition data of the printer suitable for printing the print document file and the print condition data of the designated printer is obtained in order to generate data for correcting the difference in the print condition based on the difference between the printers. The difference is the amount of correction, and its calculation method is arbitrary.
[0013]
<Configuration 5>
The high-quality print control system according to Configuration 1, wherein the print control means has a function of executing a test print using a predetermined test pattern while referring to the print condition data. Quality print control system.
[0014]
In the case of paid printing, it is preferable that the user confirms the print quality of the designated printer before performing actual printing. In the test print, it is preferable that the effect of the print condition data can be confirmed. Therefore, a function of executing a test print is added to the print control means.
[0015]
<Configuration 6>
The high-quality print control system according to Configuration 1, wherein the print control means has a function of executing test print using print data with a reduced resolution and referring to the print condition data. High quality printing control system.
[0016]
In order for the user to check the print quality of the designated printer, it is preferable to perform a test print of the actual print data. Therefore, a print data having a reduced resolution of print data to be actually printed was used for test print.
[0017]
<Configuration 7>
The high-quality print control system according to Configuration 1, wherein the print control unit has a function of executing a test print using a part of the print data while referring to the print condition data. High quality printing control system.
[0018]
In order for the user to check the print quality of the designated printer, it is preferable to perform a test print of the actual print data. In this example, a part of the print data to be actually printed is cut out and used for test printing.
[0019]
<Configuration 8>
In the high quality print control system according to the first aspect, the print control unit controls the printing of the requested number of print data and then invalidates one or both of the print data and the print condition data. A high-quality print control system characterized by the following.
[0020]
In the case where a high-quality image is provided for a fee, by invalidating the print data after printing is completed, printing outside the specified fee can be prohibited. The same effect can be obtained even if the printing condition data is invalidated. Note that the invalidation processing is any processing for deleting data or making data unreadable.
[0021]
<Configuration 9>
2. The high-quality printing control system according to Configuration 1, wherein the printing control unit controls printing of the requested number of print data and then invalidates the printing control unit itself. Control system.
[0022]
For example, when print data is encrypted, if the print control unit itself is invalidated, subsequent printing can be prohibited.
[0023]
<Configuration 10>
2. The high-quality print control system according to Configuration 1, wherein the print condition data includes billing information for calculating a print price.
[0024]
The billing information is used when pay printing is performed, and is used when the printer collects a fee. The billing information may be a calculation formula for calculating the printing price or data in a calculation table format. In addition, if the number of prints is specified in advance, the total print price may be directly displayed.
[0025]
<Configuration 11>
In the high-quality print control system according to the tenth aspect, the print control unit controls the printing of the requested number of print data and then transfers the billing information to a billing device. Quality print control system.
[0026]
When charging is performed by a charging device such as a POS register based on a result of printing by a printer, information indicating a printing fee corresponding to the number of prints is required. On the POS register side, for example, a fee can be collected by adding a handling fee to this fee.
[0027]
<Configuration 12>
The high-quality print control system according to the tenth aspect, further comprising a charging processing unit that controls a charge collection process based on the charging information before the printing control unit executes printing of the requested number of print data. A high-quality print control system characterized by the following.
[0028]
In a vending machine type printer, payment is collected in advance and then printing is executed. The billing information is used for the price calculation at this time.
[0029]
<Configuration 13>
Processing for generating requested print data, print condition data including correction data for printing the print data under conditions suitable for the specified printer, and print control means for managing the number of prints by the specified printer And a process for transmitting the print data, together with the print data, to the designated printer via a network.
[0030]
It is an invention of a computer program for executing the processing of Configuration 1 on the side receiving a print request.
[0031]
<Configuration 14>
A process for controlling printing of a printer, and performing printing of the print data by referring to print condition data including correction data for printing predetermined print data under conditions suitable for the printer, A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer.
[0032]
9 is a print control program that operates on the printer side of Configuration 1.
[0033]
<Structure 15>
The high-quality print control program according to the configuration 14, wherein a printer control computer executes a process of executing a test print using a predetermined test pattern while referring to the print condition data. High quality print control program.
[0034]
9 is a print control program corresponding to Configuration 5.
[0035]
<Structure 16>
In the high-quality print control program according to the configuration 14, the printer control computer is configured to execute a process of executing test print using print data of reduced resolution while referring to the print condition data. And a high quality print control program.
[0036]
9 is a print control program corresponding to Configuration 6.
[0037]
<Configuration 17>
The high-quality print control program according to Configuration 14, wherein a computer for printer control is configured to execute a process of executing test print while referring to the print condition data by using a part of print data. High quality print control program.
[0038]
It is an invention of a computer program for executing the processing of Configuration 1 on the side receiving a print request.
[0039]
<Configuration 18>
In the high-quality print control program according to the configuration 14, after controlling the printing of the requested number of print data, the process of transferring the billing information indicating the print price acquired together with the print data to a billing device, A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer.
[0040]
It is an invention of a computer program for executing the processing of the configuration 11 on the side receiving the print request. The result processed by the printer is transferred to a POS register or the like. The print data and the billing information are generated by the host device.
[0041]
<Configuration 19>
In the high-quality print control program according to the configuration 14, a process for executing a charge collection process based on billing information indicating a print price acquired together with the print data, and then executing a process of printing the requested number of print data, A high-quality print control program that is executed by a control computer.
[0042]
It is an invention of a computer program for executing the processing of the configuration 12 on the side receiving the print request. The charge collection process based on the billing information precedes the printing process. This program is suitable for vending machine type printers.
[0043]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the system of the present invention.
This system is realized by, for example, a network configuration as shown in FIG.
The network 1 is connected to a server 10, a mobile phone 11, a printer 13 of a convenience store 12, and the like. The server 10 is a web server. The mobile phone 11 has an Internet connection function. The printer 13 is a network printer. The network 1 is an arbitrary information communication network such as the Internet, an intranet (LAN, WAN), and a telephone network. It can be a wired network or a wireless network. In this figure, an example in which the mobile phone 11 is used will be described, but a personal computer, a mobile computer, a mobile phone terminal, a general telephone terminal, or any other communication terminal having an information processing function and a communication function.
[0044]
In the illustrated system, the mobile phone 11 makes a print request to the server 10 via the network 1. In response to the print request, the server 10 transmits the print data and the data (print condition data and print control program) attached thereto to the printer 13 via the network 1. The print condition data 23 includes correction data for maintaining the print quality of the print data. The printer 13 prints the received print data under the control of the print control program.
[0045]
In order to perform this processing, the server 10 is provided with a storage device 20 and means for arithmetic processing. The storage device 20 stores a request reception web page 21, a print document file 22, print condition data 23, a print control unit (print control program) 24, and the like. The storage device 20 may be built in the main body control unit 3 of the server 10 or may be externally attached. The means for the arithmetic processing includes the request receiving means 15, the print condition data selecting means 16, the print data generating means 17, the data transmitting means 18, and the like. These means are computer programs that operate on the server 10.
[0046]
The request receiving unit 15 has a function of receiving a print request from the mobile phone 11, activating the print condition data selecting unit 16 and the print data generating unit 17 according to the contents of the request, and starting the print data generating process. The print condition data selection unit 16 has a function of reading out from the storage device 20 data for correcting the print data so that the generated print data can be printed by the designated printer 13 while maintaining high quality. The print data generation unit 17 has a function of reading the print document file 22 from the storage device 20 and generating print data that can be printed by the printer 13. The data transmission unit 18 has a function of transmitting the print data and the attached data (print condition data and print control program) generated by the print data generation unit 17 to the printer 13.
[0047]
The request reception web page 21 stored in the storage device 20 is composed of reception screen data that is browsed by the browser of the mobile phone 11 to support a request processing operation when a print request is made from the mobile phone 11. The request reception web page 21 is stored in the storage device 20 in a web page format. The request reception web page 21 can be browsed through a network using a predetermined URL.
[0048]
The print document file 22 is a print-only data file registered and stored in the server 10 by the user of the mobile phone 11. This file format is free, but when converted into print data, it is converted into a versatile data format that can be printed by the printer 13 specified by the user. When the printing original file 22 is created and the user prints a business card or the like, the printing conditions of the application software or printer that generated the print data are recorded in detail. In that state, it is assumed that a business card having a color tone as designed can be created with a design as designed. On the other hand, when printing with another printer, the color tone may be slightly different. Therefore, for example, a shop where the user can make a print request or a printer that can be specified by the user is specified, and the printing conditions of the printer driver are adjusted for these printers so that the same printing as the original can be performed. Prepare the data. This correction data is recorded in the print condition data 23.
[0049]
When the print document file 22 is created by the user, the user needs to register the printing conditions, such as the printer, ink, and font used at that time, in the printing condition data in advance. The details of the print condition data will be described later with reference to FIG. The print control unit 24 is a computer program transmitted to the designated printer 13 and controlling a printer driver of the printer 13. This program has a function of correcting the printing conditions with the printing condition data 23 and controlling to print the specified number of print data. As a result, a paid printing system that requires payment of a fee according to the number of prints is realized.
[0050]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen when a user requests transmission of print data from a mobile phone or a personal computer using this system.
The screen 30 is a screen initially displayed on the requesting mobile phone 11 when making a print request. The user code is entered in the text box 35 and the password is entered in the text box 36. Here, an example will be described in which a user who has registered as a member prints a business card at the nearest convenience store 12 using a print manuscript file 22 previously registered and stored in the server 10. . When the password is entered on the screen 30, the operation moves to the next screen 31.
[0051]
Here, the user name 37 is displayed by the authentication processing of the request receiving unit 15 on the server side. If only one print document file is registered for the user, a registration number display 38 as shown in FIG. If two or more files are registered, it is preferable to display the files so that they can be selected using a drop-down list. By automatically displaying the registration number of the print manuscript file or displaying the print manuscript file name, the user can immediately select the manuscript requested to be printed. Next, the user specifies a printer. A network address such as an IP address is assigned to each of the printers 13 arranged in the convenience store 12 shown in FIG. This may be displayed as it is by using a sign near the printer. If a code number or the like for identifying the printer is prepared, the code number may be input.
[0052]
Further, the required number of prints 40 is specified. In this example, the user designates the printer 13 and requests printing of 50 business cards using the business card printing document file registered in the server 10. When this is received by the request receiving means 15 shown in FIG. 1, a screen 32 as shown in the figure is displayed through a predetermined receiving process described later. This screen 32 displays a message “print data has been sent”, a serial number, an identification number of the designated printer (in this example, an IP address), a printing fee, and the like. Upon seeing this, the user confirms that the printing as requested is ready to be performed using the printer 13 and activates the printer 13. Next, a specific operation in the server 10 will be described.
[0053]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the contents of data transmitted from the server to the printer.
The screen 50 shown in the figure shows the contents of the print manuscript file on the display of the server 10 or the like, and is a print preview of the data 51 of the business card. The figure also shows the attribute data 52 of the print original file for printing this business card. The attribute data 52 specifies the type and size of the font for printing the business card, the overall layout, and the like in detail. The print document file may be created by any application program, but generates versatile print data 53 so that it can be printed by an arbitrary printer designated by the user.
[0054]
The print data is printed in the convenience store 12 for a fee. The fee may be collected at the convenience store 12. Of course, remittance processing using a card or the like may be used. The side that provides the print data collects a fee for the number of prints. Therefore, a print control unit 54 is provided to control this number. For example, the information 57 on the number of prints is included in the print condition data 55. The print control unit 54 monitors the number of sheets printed by the printer with reference to the print condition data 55, and automatically deletes or invalidates the print data when the required number of sheets are printed. have.
[0055]
The print condition data 55 includes data 56 including a printer name 58 and correction data 59 for the printer, and information 57 indicating the number of prints. The server 10 transmits the print data 53, the print control unit 54, and the print condition data 55 to the printer 13. The printer 13 executes printing of the print data 53 under the control of the printer driver and the print control unit 54 with reference to the print condition data 55.
[0056]
FIG. 4A is an example showing details of the print document file 22 stored in the server 10, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing an example showing details of the print condition data.
FIG. 3A shows an example of the storage format of the print document file 22 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the print document file 62 is stored in the storage device 20 using the registration number 61 of the user as a key. When the registration number 61 is designated by the mobile phone 11, the corresponding print document file 62 is read. Here, user information 63 and the like are stored in association with each other, and it is possible to confirm that the user belongs to the user and retrieve the print document file 62. This
[0057]
FIG. 3B shows an example of the storage format of the print condition data 23 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the printing condition data 70 is stored in the storage device 20 using a code number 71 for identifying the printer as a key. The data 72 is information such as the type of ink used for the printer and printable fonts. The correction data 73 is data for optimizing the printing conditions by the designated printer by comparing with the conditions when printing is performed by a predetermined printer serving as a reference. The printer driver can specify lightness, saturation, and other complicated conditions for each print color. By adjusting this condition, it is possible to print with almost the same color tone even with printers of different models. This setting is controlled by a parameter group as shown in the figure. Some printers have various built-in fonts. When using a built-in font, it is necessary to select the most suitable font, so include that information.
[0058]
The reference predetermined printer may be any standard printer. Retrieve the print condition data of the printer used when designing and creating the print manuscript file (the printer that is suitable for printing the print manuscript file), and the print condition data of the printer specified for printing the print data. If the difference is obtained to generate new printing condition data, the printing condition can be optimized. Therefore, it is preferable that the user register the printing condition data of the printer used when designing and creating the printing original file in advance, or transmit the information to the server when a printing request is made.
[0059]
In the server 10, stores that can transmit print data and provide a print service are registered in advance, and for each store, a printer to be used, information to be used such as an ink to be used, and a type of printing paper, etc. Upon receiving the notification, it is desirable that print condition data be specifically generated and registered individually. If the quality of the printing paper used in the printer is known, correction data according to the paper quality can be added. Further, for example, when there is no printing paper of the size at the time of design and it is requested to perform enlarged or reduced printing, a change in printing conditions accompanying a size change, for example, a margin setting, etc., should be included in the correction data. Good.
[0060]
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an operation example of the system of the present invention.
As described above, when a print request is issued by specifying a printer, optimal printing can be performed only by pressing the print execution button without setting or controlling the printer. Hereinafter, a specific operation using a flowchart will be described in detail. First, in step S1, the server 10 receives a request for print data from a mobile phone. In step S2, the request receiving means 15 identifies the caller from the contents entered on the request receiving web page shown in FIG. 2, and executes an authentication process and the like. In step S3, it is determined whether a print document file has been received. When the registration number of the print document file is transmitted from the mobile phone 11 to the server 10, the process proceeds to step S4, where the print document file 22 is searched using the received registration number as a key, and the print document file is read. If a print manuscript file has been received, the process jumps directly to step S5.
[0061]
In step S5, the ID of the designated printer is obtained. The ID of the printer is the data displayed in the leftmost column of FIG. The printing condition data is searched from the printer ID. In some cases, the print condition data can be used as it is, and as described above, the difference between the print condition data of a printer suitable for printing a print document file and the print condition data of both designated printers is obtained. Further, processing for including information on the number of prints is performed. The print data generation means 17 executes this processing in step S7 to generate print condition data to be transferred to the printer. Next, the print data generation unit 17 converts the print document file 22 into print data in step S8. Finally, in step S9, the data transmission unit 18 transmits the business card print data, the print condition data, and the print control program (print control unit 24) to the designated printer 13. In the case of card payment, the card number is input on the network according to a known procedure before print data transmission, and the payment processing is completed.
[0062]
The operation of the printer will be described with reference to FIG.
The printer 13 starts the process from the point where the print data, the print condition data attached thereto, and the print control program are received from the server 10 (step S21). First, the received print condition data is set (step S22). Next, in step S23, a print control program is started. The print control program inquires of the user whether to execute the test print (step S24). The test print may be a fixed test pattern prepared on the print control program side, or may be data that allows the print data to be printed on a trial basis with a reduced resolution. Alternatively, the print data may be displayed on a monitor display, and a test print may be performed by designating a partial area thereof. For example, the actual print can be performed after checking the color of a business card logo or the like. When the test print is selected, test print is performed in step S25.
[0063]
By checking the contents of the test print and confirming the degree of printing and color tone, if the user approves, the print control program instructs the printer driver to start the actual printing. If the specified print original is wrong or if a printer malfunction is found, the printing is stopped (step S27). When the actual printing is started, one-sheet printing is executed in step S28. In step S29, the number of printed sheets is counted by the counter. In step S30, it is determined whether printing of the specified number of sheets has been completed. The processing from step S28 to step S30 is repeated for the specified number of sheets. When the printing of the specified number of sheets is completed, the process proceeds from step S30 to step S31, and the counted number of printed sheets is transmitted to the POS terminal.
[0064]
In the case of the convenience store, the information on the counted number of printed sheets is transmitted to the POS register as it is. The billing process may be performed using this. Even in the case of a known pay printer, in which a print result of the corresponding number is obtained when a charge is input, information on the counted number of prints is transmitted to a billing processing unit built in the device. After the printing is completed, the print data and the print condition data are deleted in step S32. Subsequently, in step S33, the print control program is deleted.
[0065]
The computer programs installed in the arithmetic processing device may be configured by combining independent program modules, or may be configured by an integrated program as a whole. All or part of the processing controlled by the computer program may be configured by hardware having equivalent functions. Further, the above-described computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention as described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and installed and used in an arbitrary information processing apparatus. In addition, it can be downloaded and used in the memory of any computer through a network.
[0066]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a system in which a network printer and a POS register are connected, and payment is made by the POS register after printing. (A) is a block diagram of the system, and (b) is an operation flowchart.
The printer 13 is a network printer, receives print data and print condition data, and executes printing. The printer driver 81 and the print control unit 82 execute this print control. The print control unit 82 controls the printer 13 to execute the requested number of prints, and the accounting processing unit 83 calculates the printing price using the accounting information included in the printing condition data. The calculated printing price is transferred to the POS system, and the POS register 84 receives payment from the customer. Although the POS system is a device for billing processing, the system configuration may be an existing one, and billing information is acquired from the printer 13 via a network. The flowchart in (b) of the figure expands the processing of step S31 in FIG. 6 in more detail.
[0067]
First, in step S41, the charging processing unit 83 acquires the charging information, and determines in step S42 whether the payment has been paid. If the price has been paid in advance by a credit card or the like, it is determined that the price has been paid, and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if the charge is to be collected after printing, a billing calculation is executed in step S43. The print condition data includes, for example, information indicating the number of prints specified in advance and billing information for calculating the price from the number of prints. Further, information indicating an additional charge for one print is included for a case where additional printing is desired. Based on this information, the charge calculation is executed based on the relationship with the actual number of printed sheets. The result is transferred to the POS register 84 in step S44. In the next step S45, a receipt is printed. The receipt prints the customer number of the customer who has requested printing, the serial number of the print data, the number of prints, the print date, the print price, and the like. The customer receives this receipt together with the print result in step S46, and proceeds to the cash register. Since the result of the billing calculation is transferred to the POS register 84, it is preferable to collect the payment while checking the result with the receipt.
[0068]
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of an example in which a vending machine incorporating a printer executes printing while collecting a charge. FIG. 8A is a block diagram of the system, and FIG. 8B is an operation flowchart.
The vending machine 90 may have substantially the same configuration as an apparatus widely used for printing photographs taken by an electronic camera, for example. This apparatus prints a designated number of image data when a payment is made. When the vending machine 90 receives the print data and the print condition data, the printer driver 91 and the print control unit 92 execute this processing in the manner already described. In the case of a vending machine, since the printing process is executed after the collection of the price, the operation is as shown in the flowchart. The charge collecting means 94 is a part that is incorporated in the vending machine 90 and has a function of appraising and counting the charges input by the customer.
[0069]
First, in step S51, the billing processing means 93 acquires the billing information, and in step S52, it is determined whether or not it is a prepaid process. In the case of a card withdrawal, the process jumps to step S57. When the price is collected by the vending machine 90, the process proceeds to step S53, and a billing calculation is performed. Next, in step S54, a charge input request is displayed on the display of the apparatus. The money input request may be made by voice guidance. In step S55, the customer submits the money input. When the price is entered, an appraisal counting process is performed in step S56, and the result is compared with the result of the billing calculation. If the amounts match, the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, a request is made to the print control means 92 to execute printing of the specified number of sheets. When printing is completed, the print result is discharged in step S58.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen when a user requests transmission of print data from a mobile phone or a personal computer using this system.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the contents of data transmitted from a server to a printer.
FIG. 4A is an example showing details of a print document file 22 stored in a server 10, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing an example showing details of print condition data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the system of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the system of the present invention.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of an example of a system for receiving payment by a POS register after printing. FIG. 7A is a block diagram of the system, and FIG. 7B is an operation flowchart.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of an example in which a vending machine incorporating a printer executes printing while collecting a charge. FIG. 8A is a block diagram of the system, and FIG. 8B is an operation flowchart.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Network
10 Server
11 Mobile phone
12 Convenience store
13 Printer
15 Request receiving means
16 printing condition data selection means
17 Print data generation means
18 Data transmission means
20 Storage device
21 Request reception web page
22 Print manuscript file
23 Printing condition data
24 print control means

Claims (19)

Means for generating the requested print data;
Print condition data including correction data for printing the print data under conditions suitable for the designated printer, and print control means for managing the number of prints by the designated printer, together with the print data, A high-quality print control system, comprising: means for transmitting to a printer via a network. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
A high-quality print control system, wherein a print document file for generating print data is received from a print request side via a network. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
A high quality print control system wherein an identification code is received from a print requesting side, and a print document file for generating print data is read out from a storage device for file storage by the identification code. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
The difference between the printing condition data of the printer suitable for printing the print manuscript file requested to be printed and the printing condition data of the designated printer is obtained, new printing condition data is generated, and the A high-quality print control system comprising a transmitting unit. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
A high-quality print control system, characterized in that the print control means has a function of executing a test print using a predetermined test pattern while referring to the print condition data. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
A high-quality print control system, characterized in that the print control means has a function of executing test print using print data with a reduced resolution while referring to the print condition data. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
The high quality print control system according to claim 1, wherein said print control means has a function of executing test print using a part of print data while referring to said print condition data. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
The high-quality print control system according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit controls printing of the requested number of print data and then invalidates one or both of the print data and print condition data. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
The high quality print control system according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit controls printing of the requested number of print data and then invalidates the print control unit. The high-quality print control system according to claim 1,
The high-quality printing control system according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition data includes billing information for calculating a printing fee. The high quality print control system according to claim 10,
The print control unit controls the printing of the requested number of print data and then transfers the billing information to a billing device. The high quality print control system according to claim 10,
A high-quality print control system, comprising: a billing processing unit that controls a charge collection process based on the billing information before the printing control unit prints the requested number of print data. Processing for generating the requested print data;
Print condition data including correction data for printing the print data under conditions suitable for the designated printer, and print control means for managing the number of prints by the designated printer, together with the print data, A high-quality print control program that causes a computer to execute a process of transmitting to a printer via a network. Control the printing of the printer,
A process of executing printing of the print data with reference to print condition data including correction data for printing predetermined print data under conditions suitable for the printer,
A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer. The high-quality print control program according to claim 14,
Using a predetermined test pattern, a process of performing a test print while referring to the print condition data,
A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer. The high-quality print control program according to claim 14,
Using print data with a coarse resolution, a process of performing a test print while referring to the print condition data,
A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer. The high-quality print control program according to claim 14,
Using a part of the print data, a process of performing a test print while referring to the print condition data,
A high-quality print control program executed by a computer for controlling a printer. The high-quality print control program according to claim 14,
After controlling the printing of the requested number of print data, the printer control computer is configured to execute a process of transferring the accounting information indicating the printing price acquired together with the print data to the accounting device. High quality print control program. The high-quality print control program according to claim 14,
Executing a charge collection process based on billing information indicating the print price acquired together with the print data, and thereafter causing a computer for printer control to execute a process of printing the requested number of print data. High quality print control program.

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