JP2004127278A - Server device, communication method, program for operating the method on computer device, and storage medium computer-readably storing the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent break of communication due to a communication timeout by returning a response including an address necessary for acquiring a processing result before replying the processing result after finish of processing by a server device to a request from a user terminal. <P>SOLUTION: If processing is not finished yet when a predetermined processing is carried out according to a request (print order) received from a communication terminal, S1303 and amp and S1303 result in No, and an E-mail including an URL address for acquiring an order status screen containing a result of the executed processing is transmitted to the communication terminal (S1307). After transmission of the E-mail, the order status screen is transmitted to the communication terminal after the processing is completed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention causes a computer apparatus to execute a server apparatus, a communication method, and a communication method for returning a response to an order request of a user terminal when providing a service for an order from the user terminal via a network. And a storage medium that stores the program in a computer-readable manner.

Generally, a user terminal can access a web application server on a network such as the Internet to acquire content. The web application server performs a series of operations of receiving a request from a user terminal, executing some processing corresponding to the request, and returning a processing result to the user terminal as a response to the request. When the user terminal receives a response to the request, the user terminal outputs the response to a display or the like of the user terminal (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP-A-9-153897 (page 10)

 However, if the processing performed by the web application server takes a long time, the processing result cannot be immediately returned to the user terminal. In the communication between the user terminal and the server device, if the response is not received within a limited time from the transmission of the request to the communication timeout, the communication is disconnected. In communication using a wireless communication network by a mobile phone or the like, the time until timeout is extremely short. In addition, when the server device performs processing on a large amount of image data or high-resolution image data, much time is required. It takes.

Therefore, when the user terminal (mobile phone) requests the server device to process the image data, the communication is frequently disconnected, and there is a problem that the operability of the user is significantly reduced. .

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in response to a request from a user terminal, a response including an address necessary for acquiring a processing result before the server device completes the processing and returns a processing result. Is returned to prevent disconnection of communication due to communication timeout.

In order to solve such a problem, a server device of the present invention is a server device that can communicate with a communication terminal via a network, and a receiving unit that receives a request from the communication terminal, based on the received request. Processing means for executing a predetermined process, transmitting means for transmitting a result of the executed process to the communication terminal as a first response, and transmitting the first response before transmitting the first response. And a second transmitting unit that transmits a second response including an address for acquiring the second response to the communication terminal.

Here, time measuring means for measuring an execution time of the predetermined processing, determining means for determining whether or not the predetermined processing is completed, and determining the time before the measured execution time exceeds a predetermined time. And control means for controlling so as to stop transmission of the second response by the second transmission means when it is determined by the means that the predetermined processing has been completed. A data size measuring unit that measures an amount of data to be subjected to the predetermined processing; a determining unit that determines whether the amount of the measured data exceeds a predetermined value; If it is determined that there is no transmission, control means is provided for controlling transmission of the second response by the second transmission means to be stopped. Further, the first transmission means transmits the first response by e-mail. The communication terminal includes a Web browser, and the second response is represented by Web page data that can be analyzed by the Web browser. The request from the communication terminal is a print request for image data, and the predetermined process is a process for creating print data based on the image data. The request from the communication terminal is a request for a service provided by the server device, and the predetermined process is a process for requesting an external device to settle the cost of the service. In addition, there is provided management means for managing the status of the predetermined processing, and the second response has different contents according to the managed status.

Also, the communication method of the present invention is a communication method for communicating with a communication terminal via a network, wherein a step of receiving a request from the communication terminal and a step of executing a predetermined process based on the received request Transmitting a second response including an address for acquiring a first response including a result of the executed processing to the communication terminal; and after transmitting the second response, Transmitting one response to the communication terminal.

Furthermore, there is provided a program for causing a computer apparatus to execute the communication method, and a storage medium storing the program in a computer-readable manner.

According to the present invention, when predetermined information must be responded to a request from a user terminal, address information for acquiring predetermined information instead of responding to the predetermined information (for example, , URL) immediately, it is possible to prevent the disconnection of the communication between the user terminal and the server device due to the communication timeout.

Further, according to the present invention, in a case where predetermined information must be responded to a request from a user terminal, if the processing in the server device ends early, the predetermined information is immediately responded, and the processing is performed. If the processing is not completed early, the user terminal responds immediately to temporary information including address information (for example, URL) for acquiring predetermined information. The method of responding to the server is changed, so that the communication between the user terminal and the server device is prevented from being disconnected due to the communication timeout, and further, the predetermined information can be responded in a state in which the user can easily operate. Can be

Further, according to the present invention, when predetermined information must be responded to a request from a user terminal, a response to the user terminal is made in accordance with the amount of data to be processed in the server device. Since the method is changed, it is possible to prevent disconnection of communication between the user terminal and the server device due to a communication timeout, and furthermore, it is possible to obtain an effect that predetermined information can be responded to in a state of good operability for the user.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement and display screens of the components described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only them, unless otherwise specified, and include modifications and additions. The deletion example is also included in the present invention.

Here, as an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, an information providing system for sharing and providing image data via the Internet will be described as an example.

<Example of Configuration of Information Providing System of Present Embodiment>
(Overview of Information Provision System)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information providing system according to the present embodiment.

The information providing system includes a photo site 105 that provides a service for managing images and personal information from the user, a print site 109 for performing print processing on images managed by the photo site 105, and direct payment of money from the user as a price for printed matter. It includes a receiving store 121, a settlement site 120 for performing a payment process, a personal computer (PC) 102 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a user PC) of a user who receives the service, and a mobile terminal 113.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a digital camera that converts an optical image, which is image information, into an electric signal, performs predetermined image processing, and records and reproduces digital information. However, 101 is not limited to a digital camera, and may be an image input device such as a scanner. The data transfer interface 116 is an interface for transferring image data from the digital camera 101 to the storage area of the user PC 102. The data transfer interface 116 may be a wired interface typified by Universal Serial Bus (USB) or IEEE 1394, or a wireless interface typified by IrDA or Bluetooth.

The photo site 105 stores image data captured by the user's digital camera 101 in an image database 117 in a server on the Internet 104 or in a storage area connected to the server, and allows the user to browse the stored image data. Such a service, a service for receiving a print order for stored image data, and a service for allowing the invited user designated by the user to view the stored image data are provided.

Note that the photo site 105 according to the present embodiment does not independently perform a print service, but is affiliated with a print site 109 that can provide various print services.

The photo site 105 according to the present embodiment does not independently provide a payment service, but is affiliated with a payment site 120 that collects money. In the photo site 105 according to the present embodiment, the fee calculation module 110 calculates the cost of the print order from the user, and requests the payment site 120 to collect or pay the fee. Then, after waiting for payment information of the price of the printed matter from the settlement site 120, the printing site 109 is requested to print the image data.

The print site 109 prints out an electronic document such as a New Year's card, a word processor document, and an image transferred using the Internet 104 using a printing apparatus, and provides the user with the printed matter 112 as a product.
On the user PC 102, a Web browser having a standard protocol capable of transferring information on the Internet 104 can operate. With this Web browser, it is possible to access the photo site 105 using a standard protocol such as the http protocol and display Web information created in a description language such as HTML or XML. The Web information is linked to multimedia information such as images and sounds managed by the photo site 105. By this operation, the user of the user PC 102 can receive the service provided by the photo site 105 using the Internet 104.

(Example of the hardware configuration of the server that constitutes the photo site)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a server configuring the photo site 105 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 mainly shows the control unit, and the input / output device and the like are omitted. The photo site 105 includes a plurality of server devices that execute various functions connected to a local area network (LAN).

# 210 is a Central Processing Unit (CPU) which is a control device for controlling the entire server device. The Read Only Memory (ROM) 220 stores programs and parameters that do not need to be changed. The Random Access Memory (RAM) 230 is a storage area for temporarily storing programs and data.

The external storage device 240 includes a fixed hard disk or memory card, or an optical disk such as a removable and portable floppy (registered trademark) disk or Compact Disk (CD), a magnetic or optical card, an IC card, a memory card, or the like. And comprises a data storage area and a program storage area.

Note that the ROM 220 and the RAM 230, particularly the external storage device 240, may be configured to be distributed to a plurality of devices, or may be configured to exist outside the server device and to be communicably connected to the server device. Good.

<Service example of the information providing system of the present embodiment>
(Image storage service)
As the image data stored in the information storage area of the user PC 102, the image data to be transferred is selected according to the information displayed on the Web browser, and the photo site 105 is managed via the Internet 104 in conjunction with the image upload request action. Is transferred to the image DB 117. Alternatively, instead of the information displayed on the Web browser, the image data may be transferred according to image upload software installed on the user PC 102. Either method is executed based on a protocol available on the Internet 104, for example, http or ftp.

The photo site 105 stores the image data uploaded from the user PC 102 in the image DB 117.

The photo site 105 can also manage the image data uploaded from the user PC 102 as an album in which a plurality of image data are collected as one unit.

The photo site 105 not only manages image data, but also centrally manages image data attribute information and various data. For example, the various data include user attribute information used for authentication of a user accessing the photo site 105, attribute information of the print site 109 requesting printing of stored image data, and the like.

In addition, although a PC has been described as an example of a terminal that uploads image data, the present invention is not limited to this, and the terminal is not limited to this. For example, a mobile terminal 113, for example, a mobile phone, or a digital camera, digital video, scanner, May be uploaded from an image input device.

(Image browsing service)
The user accesses the photo site 105 using a web browser running on the user PC 102 and makes a request to browse image data stored in the photo site 105. Next, after executing the user authentication and the like, the photo site 105 sends Web page information for displaying an image on the Web browser of the user PC 102 to the Internet 104. The web browser of the user PC 102 analyzes the web page information sent from the photo site 105 and displays an image.

Also, in order to allow an invited user designated by the user to browse images or albums stored in the image DB 117 of the photo site 105, the user must provide the image or album from the photo site 105 displayed on the Web browser of the user PC 102. The e-mail address of the inviting user is input to the input screen that has been input, and the photo site 105 is notified.

The photo site 105 generates a Universal Resource Locator (URL) for accessing an image or an album to be viewed by the invited user. Then, the generated URL is described in the e-mail message and transmitted to the invited user.
The inviting user who receives the e-mail from the photo site 105 can access the photo site 105 and display an image or an album by inputting the URL described in the e-mail into the Web browser of the user PC 102 ′. .

In the above description, the example in which the user and the inviting user browse images using a PC has been described, but it is clear that the mobile phone 113 can be used in the same manner as in the case of a PC.

(Image print order reception service)
The user can browse the image data of the album stored in the image DB 117 of the photo site 105 by operating the user PC 102 or the portable terminal 113 and inputting the URL issued by the photo site 105 into the Web browser.
FIG. 3 shows a login screen displayed on the display of portable terminal 113 when browsing an album. The user operates the mobile terminal 113 to input an appropriate password in the password input area 801, and presses an “OK” button 802 to view images in the album.

When the photo site 105 receives a new access from the mobile terminal 113, the photo site 105 issues a session ID for uniquely identifying the access. Further, the session ID is notified to the portable terminal 113, and thereafter, the portable terminal 113 accesses the photo site 105 using the URL including the session ID in the parameter portion of the URL. As described above, by communicating between the mobile terminal 113 and the photo site 105 using the session ID, the photo site 105 can recognize that the access is continuous access from the mobile terminal 113, and Can manage access.

Then, the user can order the print of the image of the viewed album from the photo site 105.

(Print order from mobile device)
When the user places a print order for an image included in the album being viewed on the display of the portable terminal 113, the user first presses a print order link 409 in the image viewing screen 400 of FIG. A print order request is sent to the site 105. The application server 204 in the photo site 105 receiving the print order request from the mobile terminal 113 performs a print order process.

<Example of operation procedure of information providing system of the present embodiment>
Hereinafter, the print order processing executed by the various servers constituting the photo site 105 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

{Step S1201:} The photo site 105 issues a new order number in response to the received print order request. The order number issued here is always added to the parameter part of the URL embedded in various screens of the print order processing displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 113 thereafter, and is exchanged with the photo site 105. Then, a record for a new order is created in the order information data table 1400 in the database 118, the issued order number is stored, and the order status 1014 is set to “0” (before ordering the print site). FIG. 14 shows an example of items stored in the order information data table 1400.

(Configuration example of order information table)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an order information table managed by the photo site 105 in the present embodiment. In the order information table 1400, when an album print order is issued, one record is created for each order and registered and managed in the database 118. Using the order number 1401 issued for each print order as a key, the orderer ID 1402, delivery destination name 1403, delivery destination postal code (1, 2) 1404, 1405, delivery destination prefecture code 1406, delivery destination address (1, 2) 1407 , 1408, delivery destination telephone numbers (1, 2, 3) 1409, 1410, 1411 and order date and time 1413 are stored.

Step S1202: The photo site 105 transmits, via the Internet 104, Web page data for displaying the batch print order screen 500 as shown in FIG. 5 on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113. The Web browser of the portable terminal 113 analyzes the received Web page data and displays the batch print order screen 500 on the display. On the batch print order screen 500, a print size selection area 502 and a print quantity input area 503 for all images in the album being browsed on the display of the mobile terminal 113 by the user are displayed, and the user is prompted to input. By pressing the print size selection area 502, the user can display selectable print sizes in a list and select a desired print size from the list. In the present embodiment, there are six types of print sizes that can be selected: DP borderless, DP border bordered, L border borderless, L border bordered, 2L border borderless, 2L border bordered. Subsequently, the user inputs a desired number in the number input area 503. If the user can place a print order with these print sizes and print quantity settings, the user presses the “advice button” 504.

At the top of the batch print order screen 500, an indicator 501 indicating the screen transition status of the print order processing is displayed. The screen transition state in this embodiment has four phases: image selection, personal information input, estimation, and order confirmation. In the above-mentioned indicator, where the currently displayed screen is located in these four phases is schematically represented by a mark. On the batch print order screen 500, the mark is displayed at the leftmost position, but the mark is moved one by one to the right each time it moves between the above four phases. In the portable terminal 113 having a limited display area, the screen transition state cannot be expressed in words, and thus the expression is expressed using such an abstracted method. With this indicator, the user can grasp the progress of the print order processing. The number of transition states is not limited to four, and the display form is not limited to the above example.

{Step S1203:} Upon receiving the operation of pressing the “advance button” 504 by the user, the photo site 105 checks whether there is any deficiency in the input order information, such as an uninput item or an unspecified character type. If there is no defect, Web page data for displaying the orderer information input screen 600 as shown in FIG. 6 on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113 is transmitted via the Internet 104. The Web browser of the portable terminal 113 analyzes the received Web page data, and displays the orderer information input screen 600 on the display. On the orderer information input screen 600, the input areas of the user's first and last names 602 and 603, first and last names 604 and 605, postal code 606, addresses 607 to 609, telephone number 610, mail address 611, delivery method 612, and delivery destination 613 are displayed. Is displayed and prompts the user to enter user information. The user inputs the user information according to the display on the orderer information input screen 600 and presses the “advice button” 614. If there is any deficiency, the photo site 105 sends out Web page data for displaying an error screen on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113, and prompts the user to input again.

The screen transition phase of the orderer information input screen 600 is a personal information input phase, and the indicator 601 at the top of the screen is displayed with the second mark from the left.

{Step S1204:} Upon receiving the operation of pressing the “advance button” 614 by the user, the photo site 105 checks whether the input information is complete. If there is no defect, an orderer ID is issued, a new record is generated in the orderer data table 1500 (FIG. 15), and the orderer ID is stored together with the input user information. If there is any deficiency, the photo site 105 sends out Web page data for displaying an error screen on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113, and prompts the user to input again.

(Configuration example of orderer data table)
FIG. 15 shows an orderer data table managed by photo site 105 in the present embodiment. In the orderer data table 1500, when an album print order is issued, one record is created for each order and registered and managed in the database 118. In the orderer data table 1500, using the orderer ID 1501 as a key, a user ID 1502, a notification e-mail address 1503, a first name (last name) 1504, a first name (first name) 1505, a phonetic name (last name) 1506, a phonetic name (first name) 1507, and a postal code (1) 2) 1508, 1509, prefecture code 1510, addresses (1, 2) 1511, 1512, and telephone numbers (1, 2, 3) 1513, 1514, 1515 are managed. In the same order, the same ID is stored in the orderer ID 1501 and the orderer ID 1402.
Here, when the return link 616 is pressed, the Web browser of the portable terminal 113 displays the batch print order screen 500 displayed immediately before on the display.

Step S1205: The photo site 105 checks whether or not the user selects “same as the orderer” as the delivery destination 613 and presses the “advance button” 614.

Step S1206: 場合 If it is checked that “designate delivery destination” is selected and “advance button” 614 is pressed instead of “same as orderer”, delivery destination input screen 700 as shown in FIG. The Web page data to be displayed on the Web browser 113 is transmitted. The Web browser of the portable terminal 113 analyzes the received Web page data and displays a delivery destination input screen 700 on a display. On the delivery destination input screen 700, input areas for the delivery destination's first and last names 702 and 703, first and last names 704 and 705, postal code 706, addresses 707 to 709, telephone number 710, and mail address 711 are displayed. Prompt for destination information. The user inputs the delivery destination information according to the display on the delivery destination input screen 700, and presses the “advice button” 712.

Since the delivery destination input screen 700 is in the same personal information input phase as the orderer information input screen 600, the indicator 701 at the top of the screen displays the second mark from the left from the left like the orderer information input screen 600. .

{Step S1207:} When the user presses the “advance button” 712, the photo site 105 checks whether there is any deficiency in the input information. If there is no defect, the delivery destination information is stored in the record of the order information data table 1400 created in step S1204. If "same as orderer" is selected in step S1205, the orderer information is copied and stored in the delivery destination information.

If there is any deficiency, the photo site 105 sends out Web page data for displaying an error screen on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113, and prompts the user to input again. Further, when the operation of pressing the return link 714 is received, the orderer information input screen 600 is displayed again on the display of the mobile terminal 113.

Step S1208: The photo site 105 determines the product price, shipping fee, various fees and the total usage amount based on the order information, user information, and delivery destination information input from the portable terminal 113 in steps S1202, S1203, and S1206. Calculate and create estimation data. Then, Web page data for displaying an estimation display screen 600 for displaying the calculated value on the display of the portable terminal 113 as shown in FIG. On the estimate display screen 600, input user information and delivery destination information are displayed together with the calculated values, and the user can check the contents. In the present embodiment, since the estimate display screen 600 in the case where the delivery destination information is the same as the orderer information is taken as an example, "Same as the orderer" is displayed in the delivery destination display column. When the delivery destination information is different from the orderer information, specific delivery destination information is displayed in the delivery destination display column.

Note that the estimation display screen 600 is in the estimation phase, and the indicator 601 at the top of the screen displays a mark at the third position from the left.

{Step S1209:} The photo site 105 generates a new record in the order settlement data table 1600 (FIG. 16), and stores the estimation data created in step S1208. At this time, the settlement status 1608 is set to “0” (payment order is not determined).

(Configuration example of order settlement data table)
The order settlement data table 1600 creates one record per order when an album print order is received, and is registered and managed in the database 118. The order settlement data table 1600 manages a settlement method 1602, a total charge 1603, a print charge 1604, a print charge tax 1605, a postage 1606, a postage tax 1607, and a status 1608 by using the order number 1601 as a key. In the settlement method 1602, “1” means transfer, “2” means cash on delivery, “3” means credit settlement, and “4” means store settlement agency. In the present embodiment, “4” means store settlement agency. Only the flow will be described. In the status 1608, "0" means settlement order not determined (default value), "1" means pending settlement order pending, and "2" means settlement end. In the same order, the same value as the order number 1401 is stored as the order number 1601.

{Step S1210:} Upon receiving the operation of pressing the “order” button 602 by the user, the photo site 105 checks whether or not the image of the ordered album is in the image information data table 900.

When the user presses the “return” link 604, either the orderer information input screen 600 or the delivery destination input screen 700 displayed immediately before is displayed on the display of the portable terminal 113.

Also, when receiving the pressing operation of the order cancel link 603, the photo site 105 cancels the print order processing. Then, the image browsing screen 400 is displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 113. At this time, the image to be displayed is the image that was displayed immediately before entering the print order processing.

If there is no image in the image information table 900, the photo site 105 sends out Web page data for displaying an error screen on the display of the portable terminal 113. Then, the collective print order screen 500 is displayed again on the display of the portable terminal 113 to urge the user to reselect an image.

{Step S1211:} If it is checked in step S1210 that there is an image, it is checked whether this print order request has already been received. Specifically, the photo site 105 sets the order number included in the print order request (URL parameter) sent from the portable terminal 113 when the “order button” 602 on the quote screen 600 is pressed. Based on this, the corresponding record is searched from the order settlement data table 1600, and the settlement status 1608 in the record is referred to. Then, it is checked whether the payment status 1608 is “0” (payment order is not determined). This step S1211 is a process necessary to improve the user's operability by making the URLs of the order reception screen 900 and the order status screen 1000 the same as shown in FIG.

If the settlement status 1608 is other than “0”, the process of transmitting the Web page data of the order status screen 1000 is executed in step S1217 to be described later.

Step S1212: If the payment status 1608 is "0" (payment order has not been determined) in step S1211, it is further checked whether or not a print order creation process in step S1213 described later is being executed. The process of step S1212 is necessary to prevent the print order request from being accepted a plurality of times when the “order button” 602 on the estimation screen 600 is pressed twice by mistake. If it is checked that the print order is being created, it is determined that the request is for the second or subsequent incorrect print order, and Web page data for displaying an error screen on the display of the portable terminal 113 is displayed. Is sent, and the print order processing is terminated.

Step S1213: The photo site 105 transmits Web page data for displaying the order reception screen 900 as shown in FIG. 9 on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113 via the Internet 104. The order reception screen 900 describes that a print order request has been received and that, when the order reception processing has been completed, an e-mail notifying that is sent.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is described that the URL of the order reception screen 900 is stored as a bookmark in the memory of the mobile terminal 113, and the order status screen 1000 described later can be displayed by accessing the URL later. .

When the “end” button 902 on the order reception screen 900 is pressed, the photo site 105 completes the print order processing. Then, the image browsing screen 400 is displayed again on the display of the portable terminal 113. At this time, the image to be displayed is the image that was displayed immediately before entering the print order processing. The order reception screen 900 is in the order confirmation phase, and the indicator 901 at the top of the screen displays a triangle mark on the rightmost side.

{Step S1214:} The photo site 105 performs a print order file creation process. The print order file is a file that collectively creates ordered image data, print size and number of prints included in the order information, orderer information, delivery destination information, estimate data, and the like. If the number of ordered images is large or the image data size is large, the print order file creation processing in step S1214 takes a considerable time.

Step S1215: The photo site 105 notifies the settlement site 120 of the estimation data. Here, the settlement site 120 starts the settlement accepting process based on the estimation data. Further, a payment acceptance number for settlement acceptance is issued, and the photo site 105 is notified. Then, when receiving the payment receipt number from the settlement site 120, the photo site 105 changes the status 1608 of the corresponding record in the order settlement data table 1600 to "1" (unsettled order pending). Then, an e-mail in which the payment acceptance number is described as shown in FIG. 11 is sent to the portable terminal 113 of the user.

(4) The user who has obtained the payment receipt number as described above presents the payment receipt number at the store 121 and pays the usage amount. When the store 121 receives the payment from the user, the store 121 notifies the payment site 120. The payment site 120 executes the payment process and notifies the photo site 105 of the payment completion. Then, the photo site 105 that has received the settlement completion notification from the settlement site 120 changes the status 1608 of the corresponding record in the order settlement data table 1600 to “2” (payment completed).

Note that the processes in steps S1214 and S1215 are performed in parallel.

Step S1216: The photo site 105 sends the print order file created in step S1214 to the print site 109 and issues a print order. Then, the status 1014 of the corresponding record in the order information data table 1400 is changed to "1" (print site ordered).

When the print order is notified from the photo site 105 as described above, the print site 109 executes the print processing of the image data ordered by the user according to the print order file. Then, when the printing process is completed, a delivery instruction is displayed on a monitor or the like so as to be notified to the operator. Also, a print end notification is sent to the photo site 105, and the print processing ends.

Then, the photo site 105 that has received the print end notification from the print site 109 changes the status 1014 of the corresponding record in the order information data table 1400 to “2” (delivered). Also, an e-mail is sent to the user's portable terminal 113 stating that the printed matter has been delivered.

Step S1217: Upon receiving the access to the URL bookmarked in step S1213 from the mobile terminal 113, the photo site 105 displays an order status screen 1000 as shown in FIG. 10 on the web browser of the mobile terminal 113 via the Internet 104. And sends Web page data to make it.

The order status screen 1000 is provided for the purpose of enabling a user who has operated the mobile terminal 113 to place a print order with the photo site 105 to check the status of subsequent print processing. The order status screen 1000 displays the user's name 1001, reception time 1002, print size 1003, usage amount 1004, payment store 1005, payment number 1006, payment date 1007, processing status 1008, order product information 1009, and the like. I do. The photo site 105 refers to the order status 1014 in the order information data table 1400 and the settlement processing status 1608 in the order settlement data table 1600 using the order number included in the parameter portion of the URL as a key, and sets the processing status 1008 to “waiting for payment”. , “Payment expired”, “print wait”, “print completed”, “delivery completed”, and the like.

Note that the mobile terminal 113 accesses the photo site 105 based on the URL described in the e-mail transmitted in step S1215 as well as the bookmarked URL, and acquires the Web page data of the order status screen 1000. You can also.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the photo site 105 receives a print order from the mobile terminal 113, it sends out the web page data of the order reception screen 900 in step S1213, and the subsequent order status notification processing is performed by e-mail or bookmark. It is executed by communication that is not continuous with print order, such as access by URL. As a result, when trying to notify the payment receipt number by continuous communication, it takes time to create a print order file and communicate with the settlement site 120, and communication with the mobile terminal 113 is interrupted due to a timeout, It is possible to prevent the order status notification processing from being performed and the print order processing from being incomplete.

When receiving a print order from the user's mobile terminal 113, the photo site 105 performs processing for transmitting the Web page data of the order reception screen 900 in step S1213 as described above. If the web page data is received, the transmission processing of the web page data of the order reception screen 900 is not performed. Also, the notification of the payment acceptance number is made not by e-mail but by a Web browser. This is because the communication with the PC 102 has a longer time to timeout than the communication with the mobile terminal 113, so the number of ordered images and the data size are large and it takes time to create an order file. Even if it takes a long time to communicate due to the poor network condition of communication with the settlement site 120, communication with the PC 102 is unlikely to be interrupted. Because it can be.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the payment receipt number is notified by e-mail has been described, but the notification method is not limited to this, and it is obvious that another method such as notification by telephone may be used. Further, in the present embodiment, the example of the process of ordering the print of the image data has been described, but it is apparent that the present invention can be similarly applied to other processes.

[Example 2]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the photo site 105 changes the order status notification method according to the time required for the order file creation processing.
Note that, in the following, portions different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of the same portions as the first embodiment will be omitted.

If it is checked in step S1212 in the first embodiment that the request is not a duplicate print order request, the photo site 105 of the present embodiment does not display the order reception screen in step S1213, and proceeds to step S1214. An order file creation process and a settlement process in step S1215 are executed. Then, in parallel with the order file creation processing and the settlement processing, the processing time measurement processing as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is executed.

Note that the photo site 105 is composed of a plurality of server devices, and the following processing is executed by each server device.

{Step S1301:} The photo site 105 starts measuring the processing time.

Step S1302: The photo site 105 checks whether the print order processing is completed.

{Step S1303} If it is determined in step S1302 that the processing has not been completed, the photosite 105 determines whether or not a fixed time has elapsed since the start of the processing time measurement in step S1301. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1302 to determine whether the print order creation processing has been completed. Here, the certain time is a timeout time held in the photo site 105 in advance, and it is necessary and sufficient that a communication timeout does not occur until a response to a print order request from the mobile terminal 113 is returned. Time. The timeout period can be freely set by the system administrator of the photo site 105.

Step S1304: If it is checked in step S1302 that the processing has been completed, the photo site 105 sends out web page data for displaying the order status screen 1000 to the web browser of the user's mobile terminal 113. . In this manner, the photo site 105 can return the print order processing result (order status screen 1000) as a response to the print order request from the mobile terminal 113 before the communication timeout occurs.

Step S1305: If it is determined in step S1303 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the photo site 105 sends out web page data for displaying the order reception screen 900 on the web browser of the mobile terminal 113 of the user. . In this way, the photo site 105 can return the print order processing progress (order acceptance screen 900) as a response to the print order request from the mobile terminal 113 before the communication timeout occurs.

{Step S1306:} The photo site 105 checks whether the print order creation processing and the settlement processing have been completed.

Step S1307: If it is determined in step S1306 that the print order creation processing has been completed, the photo site 105 sends an electronic mail as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is checked whether the print order creation processing or the settlement processing is completed by the time before the communication timeout occurs, and if the processing is completed, the processing is checked. The order status notification reflecting the result is displayed on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113 of the user. If the print order creation processing and the settlement processing are not completed by the time before the communication timeout occurs, an order status notification may be sent by e-mail after the processing is completed, or such processing may be performed. Is notified to the user's mobile terminal 113 of the URL for displaying the progress of the process on the Web browser of the mobile terminal 113.

Thereby, if the processing is completed early, it can be immediately notified to the user by continuous communication with the print order. Further, when the processing takes a long time, the print order is executed by a communication that is not continuous with the print order, such as an access by an e-mail or a bookmarked URL. It is possible to prevent the order status notification processing from being performed and the print order processing from being incomplete.

[Example 3]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the photo site 105 changes the method of presenting the payment receipt number according to the number of images ordered for printing. Note that, in the following, portions different from the first embodiment will be described, and description of the same portions as the first embodiment will be omitted. The time required for the order file creation processing increases as the number of images increases.

If it is checked in step S1212 in the first embodiment that the request is not a duplicate print order request, the photo site 105 of the present embodiment does not display the order reception screen in step S1213, and proceeds to step S1214. An order file creation process and a settlement process in step S1215 are executed. Then, in parallel with the order file creation processing and the settlement processing, a measurement processing of the number of ordered images as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is executed. The photo site 105 includes a plurality of server devices, and the following processing is executed by each server device.

{Step S1701:} The photo site 105 measures the number of images for which a print order has been made, and determines whether or not the measured value exceeds a certain number.

Step S1702: If it is determined in step S1701 that the number of images ordered for printing is within a certain number, the photo site 105 determines whether the print order creation processing has been completed.

Step S1703: If it is determined in step S1702 that the print order creation processing has been completed, the photo site 105 sends Web page data for displaying the order status screen 1000 to the Web browser of the portable terminal 113.

Step S1704: If it is determined in step S1701 that the number of images ordered for printing exceeds a certain number, the photo site 105 displays Web page data for displaying the order acceptance screen 900 on the Web browser of the portable terminal 113. Is sent. At this time, whether or not the print order creation processing has been completed is determined based on whether or not the status 1608 of the corresponding record in the order settlement data table 1600 is “1” (unsettled order pending).

{Step S1705:} The photo site 105 determines whether the print order creation processing has been completed.

Step S1706: If it is determined in step S1705 that the print order creation processing has been completed, the photo site 105 sends an electronic mail as shown in FIG.

The above-mentioned fixed number is a numerical value held in the photo site 105 in advance, and it is necessary and sufficient that a communication timeout does not occur until a response to a print order request from the mobile terminal 113 is returned. This is the number of sheets that can be processed in time.数 値 Further, this numerical value can be freely set by the system administrator of the photo site 105.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in consideration of the fact that the time required for the print order file creation process increases as the number of images to be printed increases, a method of notifying the user of the completion of the process based on the number of images ordered for printing is considered. I changed it.

Thus, if the processing is expected to be completed early, the user can be immediately notified of the print order by continuous communication. If the processing is expected to take a long time, communication with the mobile terminal 113 is interrupted due to a timeout because the processing is executed by communication that is not continuous with the print order, such as access by e-mail or bookmarked URL. As a result, it is possible to prevent the order status notification processing from being performed and the print order processing from being incomplete.

Note that the screens shown in FIGS. 5 to 11 are display examples of various screens displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 113. The display layout is different in the character wrapping state due to different screen sizes for each mobile terminal model. It changes each time depending on the situation such as the size of the image to be displayed.

Also, in the present embodiment, an image network service using a digital camera has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a service for distributing information such as audio as well as images. Further, as described above, the present invention is not limited to an image browsing system, and is a technology that can be widely applied to a mobile phone service connected to an external device such as a server via a communication line. These ranges are included.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a storage medium) storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a CPU or a CPU) of the system or the apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

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

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes including program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

It is a figure showing the example of composition of the information service system of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server configuring a photo site. It is a figure showing an example of a login screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. It is a figure showing an example of an image inspection screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a batch print order screen displayed on a display of a mobile terminal. It is a figure showing an example of an orderer information input screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. It is a figure showing an example of a delivery place information input screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. It is a figure showing an example of an estimate screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. It is a figure showing an example of an order acceptance screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. It is a figure showing an example of an order status notice screen displayed on a display of a personal digital assistant. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic mail text transmitted to a mobile terminal. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print order receiving process executed by the photo site. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print order receiving process executed by the photo site. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of items stored in an order information data table. It is a figure showing an example of an item stored in an orderer data table. It is a figure showing an example of an item stored in an order settlement data table. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print order receiving process executed by the photo site.

Explanation of reference numerals

101 Digital Camera 102 Personal Computer 104 Internet 105 Photo Site 109 Print Site 110 Charge Calculation Module 112 Printed Material 113 Mobile Terminal 117 Image Database 118 Information Database 120 Payment Site 121 Store

Claims (11)

A server device capable of communicating with a communication terminal via a network,
Receiving means for receiving a request from the communication terminal;
Processing means for executing predetermined processing based on the received request;
Transmitting means for transmitting a result of the executed processing to the communication terminal as a first response;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit a second response including an address for acquiring the first response to the communication terminal before transmitting the first response. . Time measuring means for measuring the execution time of the predetermined process,
Determining means for determining whether the predetermined processing is completed,
If the determination unit determines that the predetermined process has been completed before the measured execution time exceeds the predetermined time, control is performed to stop the transmission of the second response by the second transmission unit. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit. Data size measurement means for measuring the amount of data to be subjected to the predetermined processing,
Determining means for determining whether the amount of the measured data exceeds a predetermined value,
2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to stop transmission of a second response by the second transmission unit when the determination unit determines that the second response does not exceed a predetermined value. apparatus. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting unit transmits the first response by e-mail. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal includes a Web browser, and wherein the second response is represented by Web page data that can be analyzed by the Web browser. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the request from the communication terminal is a print request for image data, and the predetermined process is a process for creating print data based on the image data. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the request from the communication terminal is a request for a service provided by the server device, and the predetermined process is a process for requesting an external device to settle the cost of the service. apparatus. A managing unit for managing a status of the predetermined process,
2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the second response has a different content according to the managed status. A communication method for communicating with a communication terminal via a network,
Receiving a request from the communication terminal;
Performing a predetermined process based on the received request;
Transmitting a second response including an address for acquiring a first response including a result of the executed processing to the communication terminal;
Transmitting the first response to the communication terminal after the second response is transmitted. A program for causing a computer device to execute the communication method according to claim 9. A storage medium storing the program according to claim 10 in a computer-readable manner.

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