JP2004098357A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer having an appropriate print means for each user employing print auxiliary information in a system for reducing the charging amount by printing advertisement information on the Internet additionally to the print results from a portable electronic apparatus as well as personal identification information or environmental information of a printer held in the portable electronic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A central processing section 2 holds the environmental information of the printer and acquires information held in the portable electronic apparatus, i.e. the personal identification information and the print auxiliary information, through a network interface section 4 and a one to one interface section 5. When desired information is delivered, the personal identification information, the environmental information of the printer and the advertisement information is printed additionally according to the print auxiliary information. A user can be selected by the print auxiliary information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing device that is connected to a portable electronic device via a network and locally.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, the use of mobile electronic devices represented by mobile phones is becoming commonplace. This portable electronic device, unlike the conventional PC, is very easy to use instead of being specialized for a single purpose application. As the type of the portable electronic device, there are a portable telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and the like, and has information such as a telephone, a schedule management, an address book, and a telephone directory. Furthermore, the recent movement of these electronic devices is to respond to the Internet. For example, e-mail can be used to communicate with people around the world in real time and anywhere, and a Web browser can directly search the Internet or retrieve data. By applying this, online shopping, ticket arrangement, and bank transfer provided on the Internet can be done using portable electronic devices.
[0003]
On the other hand, the weak point of the above-mentioned portable electronic device is that a printing unit is not provided. This is because software (printer driver) for using the printer does not work on portable electronic devices because it is specialized for a single purpose. This is because there is a hardware factor to connect.
[0004]
Further, as a conventional technique similar to the present invention, there is an information output system that enables a user of a portable information terminal device to search for desired information from a service center and output search data at a location designated by the user. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-222527 (page 1-5, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above situation, portable electronic devices generally do not have a small operation panel, so if you want to see the referenced information in a large state or just keep the recorded paper at hand, The demands are particularly strong. However, since portable electronic devices are very inexpensive, it is impossible for a user to purchase a dedicated printer which is several times to several tens times more expensive than the main body of the portable electronic device.
[0007]
Further, in the prior art example of Patent Document 1, a user outputs desired data at a desired place using a portable information terminal such as a PDA. There was a problem that could not be identified. Further, the user cannot set the paper size, paper type, monochrome / color printing, and the like of the printed material to be output. In addition, there is no means for a store in which a printing device for outputting is installed to perform effective advertisement using printed matter output by a user.
[0008]
For this reason, most of the copy machines installed in convenience stores and general offices are now completely digitized and are being converted to MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), and most of them have printing functions from PCs and other devices. Furthermore, since it is often connected to a network and shared on an intranet, there is a demand for a system that connects the MFP installed in such a convenience store or general office to a portable electronic device and provides a printing unit.
[0009]
In addition, the above-mentioned system provides printing of information such as E-mail, telephone directory, and Internet contents possessed by the portable electronic device, in addition to personal identification information held by the portable electronic device and environmental information of the printing device. However, since the preferred printing form (paper size, etc.) differs for each user, the portable electronic device holds the print auxiliary information (paper size, double-sided / single-sided, paper type, black and white / color), and stores the print auxiliary information. And printing in a form desired by the user in accordance with the above.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and additionally prints advertisement information on the Internet to a print result of a portable electronic device in addition to personal identification information and environmental information of a printing device held by the portable electronic device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus having an appropriate printing unit for each user using printing auxiliary information in a system for reducing a billing amount.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a unit that connects to a portable electronic device on a one-to-one basis, a unit that communicates information with the portable electronic device through a network connection, and that the portable electronic device holds. Means for reading information, print assist information, and Internet location information included in the information, and means for downloading and printing the corresponding information based on the Internet location information. When printing in addition to the information held by the telephone and the advertisement information added to the content downloaded via the Internet, the printing is performed according to the user's preference by using the print auxiliary information held by the portable electronic device. And
[0012]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the personal identification information contained in the mobile electronic device is added to the information held by the mobile phone, and the advertisement information is downloaded through the Internet. When printing is performed in addition to the print information, a suitable one is selected from a plurality of pieces of print auxiliary information held by the portable electronic device, and printing is performed according to the user's preference.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the personal identification information contained in the mobile electronic device is added to the information held by the mobile phone, and the advertisement information is downloaded through the Internet. When printing in addition to the above, a plurality of print auxiliary information held by the portable electronic device is displayed on the operation unit, and the user selects the print auxiliary information to perform printing according to the user's preference. I have.
[0014]
A printing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the printing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the personal identification information contained in the portable electronic device is transmitted through information held by the portable electronic device and the Internet. When printing by adding the advertisement information to the downloaded content, the printing is performed by adding the environment information of the printing device built in the printing device.
[0015]
A printing apparatus according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of OA devices are connected to a network to perform communication.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
First, each component of the printing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The printing unit 1 can receive a print processing request and a print image from the central processing unit 2 and print it, and can notify the central processing unit 2 of the current number of prints.
[0018]
The central processing unit 2 is a main part of the present invention, and can issue a print processing request to the printing unit 1. Further, it is possible to receive a request from the user through the operation unit 3 and notify the user of a state or a warning. Further, it can communicate with other devices connected to the network through the network interface unit 4. In addition, it is possible to communicate one-to-one with a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone through the one-to-one interface unit 5, and to solve and realize the problem using each algorithm. In addition, it holds environmental information (installation location, address, store name, date and time) of the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0019]
The operation unit 3 is connected to the central processing unit 2 and has a display function for the user and an input function such as a print button. The network interface unit 4 has a mechanism for connecting to a network, can transmit information to other OA devices and devices such as mobile phones, and has a unique network identifier. In addition, a request from the central processing unit 2 is sent to the network, and information from the network is transmitted to the central processing unit 2. The one-to-one interface unit 5 is an interface for one-to-one connection with a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, converts a request from the central processing unit 2, transmits the request to the mobile phone, etc., and responds from the mobile phone. To the central processing unit 2.
[0020]
Next, the configuration between OA devices on which the printing apparatus of the present invention operates will be described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that there are a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of OA devices. The printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2A has a one-to-one connection with a device such as a mobile phone, and is connected to a plurality of personal computers via a network on the Internet. The printing apparatus in FIG. 2B is a case where a plurality of personal computers are connected to a network via the Internet, and further connected to a device such as a mobile phone via the Internet network. In any case, the printing apparatus of the present invention operates effectively.
[0021]
Next, information (printing device environment information) held by the printing device will be described with reference to FIG. The printing device environment information includes, for example, a place where the printing device is installed, a store name, an address, date and time, and an advertisement URL, and these information are held in the central processing unit 2 of the printing device. .
[0022]
Next, information stored in a device such as a mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG. For example, a user's mobile phone or the like includes, in addition to a plurality of URLs, a telephone directory, and E-mail, personal identification numbers, own mail addresses, and owner names of mobile phones as personal identification information. Further, there are printing auxiliary information such as original size, double-sided / single-sided printing, color / monochrome printing, and URL. It is conceivable that there is one print assist information or a plurality of print assist information. In the embodiments described below, it is assumed that there is one print auxiliary information in the first embodiment, and there is a plurality of print auxiliary information in the second and third embodiments.
[0023]
Next, the advertisement URL including the billing amount is shown in FIG. The kakin attribute in the KOUKOKU tag of the URL in FIG. 5A is charging information. In this case, the amount charged to the user is reduced by 10 yen. Then, the user information is stored in rireki @ test. ricoh. co. The information to be e-mailed is added to jp. Also, the kakin attribute in the KOUKOKU tag of the URL in FIG. 5B is billing information, and in this case also, the billing amount to the user is reduced by 10 yen. Then, the user information is changed to http: // test. ricoh. co. The information to be transferred by the HTTP protocol is added to jp. The user information is transferred to the advertiser by the above method.
[0024]
Next, the central processing unit 2 of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment operates using the algorithm of FIG. Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
First, the connection between an electronic device such as a mobile phone (here, a mobile phone is assumed) and the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 of the printing apparatus is confirmed (S101). If there is no connection (S101 / NO), the process waits until there is a connection. If there is a connection (S101 / YES), a message is displayed on the operation unit 3 to prompt the user to select any one of a URL, a telephone directory, and E-mail (S102).
[0026]
The user selects one of the displayed URL, telephone directory, and E-mail. At this time, the amount charged to the user is also initialized (S103). Then, E-mail information, telephone directory information, or URL information is obtained from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 according to the user's selection (S104, S105, S106). In the case of URL information, the URL destination information is downloaded after obtaining the information (S107).
[0027]
After obtaining the E-mail information, the telephone directory information, or the URL destination information, the printing auxiliary information set by the user is obtained from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 (S108). . The print auxiliary information is paper size, double-sided / single-sided, paper type, monochrome / color, and URL.
[0028]
Next, personal identification information is acquired from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 (S109). The personal identification information is three points: own station number, owner mail address, and owner name.
[0029]
Then, the E-mail information, telephone directory information, and URL destination information selected in the above are converted into print image information (X) (S110). Similarly, the personal identification information is also converted into print image information (Y). Then, the personal identification information is arranged at the position of the header or footer (S111). Also, it downloads the URL destination information and converts it into print image information (Z) (S112). At this time, the charge amount is determined by the kakin attribute in the advertisement.
[0030]
The respective print image information (X), (Y), and (Z) are transferred to the printing unit 1 in an overlapped manner, and are printed by designating the print auxiliary information acquired from the mobile phone (S113). Then, the user is charged for the charge (S114). Also, feedback information included in the advertisement URL destination information is obtained, and the personal identification information is transferred by the selected means (S115).
[0031]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the personal identification information is printed and printed in accordance with the print auxiliary information, so that the user can easily determine whether the print result is his / her own. You can distinguish yourself even when you print the same one. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user can be reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer the user information by selecting a safer means.
[0032]
Next, the central processing unit 2 of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment operates using the algorithm of FIG. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
As in the first embodiment, first, the connection between the electronic device such as a mobile phone (here, a mobile phone is assumed) and the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 of the printing device is confirmed (S201). . If there is no connection (S201 / NO), the process waits until there is a connection. If there is a connection (S201 / YES), a message is displayed on the operation unit 3 prompting the user to select one of the URL, the telephone directory, and the E-mail (S202).
[0034]
The user selects one of the displayed URL, telephone directory, and E-mail. At this time, the amount charged to the user is also initialized (S203). Then, E-mail information, telephone directory information, or URL information is obtained from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 according to the user's selection (S204, S205, S206). In the case of URL information, the URL destination information is downloaded after obtaining the information (S207).
[0035]
After acquiring the E-mail information, the telephone directory information, or the URL destination information, a plurality of print auxiliary information set by the user is acquired from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 ( S208). The print auxiliary information is paper size, double-sided / single-sided, paper type, monochrome / color, and URL.
[0036]
Then, the printing apparatus environment information stored in the central processing unit 2 is acquired (S209). The printing device environment information includes four items: installation location, address, store name, and date and time.
[0037]
Next, the selected E-mail information, telephone directory information, and URL destination information are converted into print image information (X) (S210). Then, a URL having the same URL and the same URL in the print auxiliary information is selected (S211). Next, the printing apparatus environment information is also converted into print image information (Y) and arranged at the position of the header or footer (S212). Further, the URL destination information is downloaded and converted into print image information (Z) (S213). At this time, the charge amount is determined by the kakin attribute in the advertisement.
[0038]
The respective print image information (X), (Y), and (Z) are transferred to the printing unit 1 in an overlapping manner, and are printed according to designation of the print auxiliary information acquired from the mobile phone (S214). Then, the user is charged for the charged amount (S215). Also, feedback information included in the advertisement URL destination information is obtained, and the personal identification information is transferred by the selected means (S216).
[0039]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the printing device environment information is printed, it is possible to easily determine when and where the printing result was printed. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user can be reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer the user information by selecting a safer means.
[0040]
Next, the central processing unit 2 of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment operates using the algorithm of FIG. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0041]
As in the first and second embodiments described above, the connection between the electronic device such as a mobile phone (here, a mobile phone is assumed) and the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 of the printing apparatus is confirmed. (S301). If there is no connection (S301 / NO), the process waits until there is a connection. If there is a connection (S301 / YES), a message is displayed on the operation unit 3 prompting the user to select one of the URL, the telephone directory, and the E-mail (S302).
[0042]
The user selects one of the displayed URL, telephone directory, and E-mail. At this time, the amount charged to the user is also initialized (S303). Then, E-mail information, telephone directory information, or URL information is obtained from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 according to the user's selection (S304, S305, S306). In the case of URL information, the URL destination information is downloaded after obtaining the information (S307).
[0043]
After acquiring the E-mail information, the telephone directory information, or the URL destination information, a plurality of print auxiliary information set by the user is acquired from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 ( S308). The print auxiliary information is paper size, double-sided / single-sided, paper type, monochrome / color, and URL. Here, the user selects one of the plurality of pieces of print assistance information displayed on the operation unit 3 (S309).
[0044]
Next, personal identification information is acquired from the mobile phone via the network interface unit 4 and the one-to-one interface unit 5 (S310). The personal identification information is three points: own station number, owner mail address, and owner name.
[0045]
Then, the printing apparatus environment information stored in the central processing unit 2 is acquired (S311). The printing device environment information includes four items: installation location, address, store name, and date and time.
[0046]
Then, the selected E-mail information, telephone directory information, and URL destination information are converted into print image information (X) (S312). Similarly, the personal identification information and the printing apparatus environment information are also converted into print image information (Y). Then, the personal identification information and the printing device environment information are arranged at the positions of the header and the footer (S313). Further, the URL destination information is downloaded and converted into print image information (Z) (S314). At this time, the charge amount is determined by the kakin attribute in the advertisement.
[0047]
The print image information (X), (Y), and (Z) are overlapped and transferred to the printing unit 1 and printed according to the designation of the print auxiliary information acquired from the mobile phone (S315). Then, the user is charged for the charged amount (S316). Also, feedback information included in the advertisement URL destination information is obtained, and the personal identification information and the printing device environment information are transferred by the selected means (S316).
[0048]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the personal identification information and the printing device environment information are printed by the user himself / herself selecting the printing auxiliary information, so that the user can easily determine whether the printing result is his or her own. It is possible to make a judgment, and even when a plurality of users print the same one at the store, the user can distinguish one's own. It is also possible to easily determine when and where the print result was printed. In addition, an effective advertisement of the store where the printing device is installed can be made, and the advertiser is notified of the frequency of use of the printing device and the user information. Therefore, a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user is reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer user information by selecting a safer means.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the mobile phone printing device of the present invention, personal identification information such as a self-station number, an owner e-mail address, an owner name and the like built in the mobile electronic device are stored in an e-mail, an address book and the like. When printing is performed by adding the advertisement information to the content downloaded from the Internet and the like, and the advertisement information is added to the content downloaded via the Internet, the user can select the desired paper size, paper type, double-sided / single-sided by the print auxiliary information of the portable electronic device. It is characterized in that printing is performed according to black and white / color, so that it is easy to determine whether or not the printing result is yours, and you can distinguish yourself even when a plurality of users meet in a store. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user can be reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer the user information by selecting a safer means.
[0050]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the portable telephone printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a suitable one is selected from a plurality of pieces of printing auxiliary information possessed by the portable electronic device, and a user's favorite paper size and paper type are selected. It is characterized by printing according to double-sided / single-sided, black-and-white / color printing, so you can easily judge whether the print result is yours and even if you have multiple users at the store, your own Can be distinguished. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user can be reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer the user information by selecting a safer means.
[0051]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the portable telephone printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a plurality of pieces of print auxiliary information of the portable electronic device are displayed on the operation unit and selected by the user, so that the user can select a desired paper size. It is characterized by performing printing in accordance with paper type, double-sided / single-sided, black-and-white / color printing, so it is easy to determine whether the printing result is yours and even when multiple users are in a store You can distinguish yourself. Further, since the printing apparatus environment information is printed, it is possible to easily determine when and where the printing result was printed. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user can be reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and can transfer the user information by selecting a safer means.
[0052]
According to the printing device of the fourth aspect, in the printing device of any one of the first to third aspects, the personal identification information contained in the mobile electronic device is stored in the information held by the mobile electronic device. When printing by adding the advertisement information to the downloaded content via the Internet, the printing is performed by adding the environmental information of the printing device built in the printing device, so that the print result is printed when and where. Can be easily determined. In addition, the user can easily determine whether the print result is his / her own, and can discriminate his / her own even when a plurality of users have a meeting at the store. In addition, an effective advertisement for the store where the printing device is installed can be made effective, and the frequency of use and user information are notified to the advertiser, so that a virtuous cycle for creating a better advertisement can be expected. In addition, the user is reduced in charge according to the content of the advertisement, and the user information can be transferred by selecting a safer means.
[0053]
According to the printing apparatus of the fifth aspect, in the printing apparatus of any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of personal computers and OA devices are connected to a network to perform information communication. The user can obtain more information by printing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a mobile phone printing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing apparatus on which the present invention operates.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing information held by the printing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing information stored in a mobile phone.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which a billing amount is added to advertisement data.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of an operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of an operation of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of an operation of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 printing unit 2 central processing unit 3 operation unit 4 network interface unit 5 one-to-one interface unit

Claims (5)

In a printing device used in a network environment in which the portable electronic device and the printing device are locally connected and connected to the Internet, and the printing device is connected to the Internet,
Means for one-to-one connection with the portable electronic device;
Means for making a network connection and communicating information with the portable electronic device;
Means for reading information held by the portable electronic device, print auxiliary information and Internet location information included in the information,
Means for downloading and printing the corresponding information desired by the user through the Internet according to the Internet location information,
In a case where the personal identification information contained in the portable electronic device is added to the information held by the portable electronic device and the content of the advertisement information downloaded via the Internet and printed, the printing auxiliary information held by the portable electronic device A printing apparatus that performs printing in accordance with a user's preference using the printer. When personal identification information contained in the portable electronic device is added to information held by the portable electronic device and contents downloaded with advertisement information through the Internet and printed, the plurality of prints held by the portable electronic device are stored. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a suitable one is selected from the auxiliary information, and printing is performed according to a user's preference. When personal identification information contained in the portable electronic device is added to information held by the portable electronic device, and the advertisement information is added to the content downloaded via the Internet and printed, a plurality of items held by the portable electronic device are stored. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing auxiliary information is displayed on an operation unit, and the user selects the printing auxiliary information to perform printing according to the user's preference. When printing by adding personal identification information contained in the portable electronic device to the information held by the portable electronic device and the content downloaded with the advertisement information through the Internet, the printing device incorporated in the printing device The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed with the environmental information added. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein communication is performed with a plurality of personal computers and OA devices in the network connection.

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