JP2004213380A - Electronic manuscript sending management device and its control method, as well as electronic manuscript sending management system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic manuscript sending management device and its control method, as well as an electronic manuscript sending management system and program, which can efficiently receive print requests. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic manuscript sending management server 301 stores a print information management table which manages print information including the state of print information in relation to print requests. The server receives novel print information from a request terminal 100 via a network 400. When there are other print plans of other prints in a print plan which satisfies the print based on this new print information, the server determines the state of the existing print information corresponding to the other prints with reference to the print information management table. Based on the determination result, the server changes print plan information which indicates print plans of unpaid prints to print plan information which indicates the print plan of the new print. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, via a network, an electronic submission management device and a control method for receiving and managing a print request by electronic submission, a request terminal for performing a print request by electronic submission, and accepting and managing the print request. The present invention relates to an electronic submission management system and a program, which are configured by mutually connecting an electronic submission management server and a payment terminal for performing payment for the print request via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various services have been provided via networks such as the Internet due to the progress of IT technology. For example, a service for electronically accepting a print request from a user for a printed matter such as a catalog for selling products, a textbook for education, or the like is considered.
[0003]
As one of them, Patent Document 1 discloses an order processing system capable of receiving an order for a printed material from a user through an electronic network and performing printing processing of the ordered printed material quickly and at low cost. I have. In particular, when a provisional estimate request for a print order is received from the user's terminal device via the electronic network, a print device suitable for printing the print material is extracted from the registered print devices, and among the extracted print devices, In this case, the operation is performed so as to place an order for printing with a printing company that owns the printing device that has the lowest printing cost. In this system, as described in paragraph number <0073> and the like, after a tentative estimate, a print order is confirmed with the approval of the approver.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-297935
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ordering system described in Patent Literature 1, a problem occurs when the system is left waiting for approval. For example, as described in [0070], when a desired delivery date is input at the time of tentative estimation of printing or the like, control is performed so as to search for a printing device that meets the desired delivery date. Here, in order to meet the delivery date entered at the time of the tentative estimation, the printing device cannot be used on time unless the approval of the subsequent approver is completed early. In addition, if the printing device is scheduled in conjunction with the provisional estimate being approved, the failure to approve the approval will not be able to schedule the printing device and will cause a great deal of damage to the printing company. It could be.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an electronic submission management device, a control method thereof, an electronic submission management system, and a program that can efficiently accept a print request.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electronic submission management device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
An electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
Storage means for storing a print information management table for managing print information including the state of the print information according to the print request,
Receiving means for receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
A determination unit that determines a state of existing print information corresponding to the other print by referring to the print information management table when a print schedule that satisfies printing based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print When,
A change unit configured to change print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a determination result of the determination unit.
[0007]
Further, preferably, based on the determination result of the determination unit, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits, via the network, warning information that prompts payment to a payment terminal that performs payment for printing based on the existing print information,
After transmitting the warning information, the change unit changes the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the unsettled print to the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print based on the determination result of the determination unit. .
[0008]
Further, preferably, as a result of the determination by the determination unit, when the state of the existing print information is awaiting settlement and the state has passed a predetermined period or more, the transmission unit performs printing based on the existing print information. Is transmitted via the network to the payment terminal that performs payment for the information.
[0009]
Further, preferably, as a result of the determination by the determination unit, when the state of the existing print information is waiting for settlement and the state has passed for a predetermined period or more, the change unit prints the unsettled print. The print schedule information indicating the schedule is changed to print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print.
[0010]
Further, preferably, as a result of the determination of the determination unit, when the state of the existing print information is waiting for settlement, and within a predetermined period from the delivery date of the printed matter by printing based on the existing print information, the change unit, The print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the unsettled print is changed to print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print.
[0011]
Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes a search unit that searches a plurality of printing sites for a printing site that satisfies the print schedule of the unsettled print when the change by the changing unit is performed.
[0012]
Preferably, when the search unit does not search for a print base satisfying the print schedule of the unsettled print, the search unit determines the print base satisfying the print schedule of the print schedule of the unsettled print. Search for.
[0013]
An electronic submission management system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A request terminal that makes a print request by electronic submission, an electronic submission management server that receives and manages the print request, and a payment terminal that makes payment for the print request are interconnected via a network. An electronic submission management system,
The request terminal,
Print information transmitting means for transmitting the print information pertaining to the print request to the electronic submission management server via the network,
The electronic submission management server,
Storage means for storing a print information management table for managing print information including the state of the print information according to the print request,
Receiving means for receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
A determination unit that determines a state of existing print information corresponding to the other print by referring to the print information management table when a print schedule that satisfies printing based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print When,
A change unit that changes print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a determination result of the determination unit;
The payment terminal,
Warning transmission information receiving means for receiving the warning transmission information from the electronic submission management server via the network.
[0014]
A control method of an electronic submission management device according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A method for controlling an electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
When a print schedule satisfying the print based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print, the print schedule is controlled by referring to a print information management table for managing print information including a status of the print information according to the print request. A determining step of determining the state of the existing print information corresponding to the printing of
Changing a print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a result of the determination in the determination step.
[0015]
A program according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following configuration. That is,
A program for realizing control of an electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A program code for a receiving step of receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
When a print schedule satisfying the print based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print, the print schedule is controlled by referring to a print information management table for managing print information including a status of the print information according to the print request. Program code of a determination step of determining the state of existing print information corresponding to the printing of
A program code for a change step of changing print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a result of the determination in the determination step.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
The present invention particularly relates to an electronic submission system that submits an electronic file (print data) to a centralized reprographic department (CRD) for mass printing or bookbinding printing, and requests printing.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, in particular, when the settlement of the print waiting for settlement by the settler is abandoned, the notification for prompting the execution of the settlement of the print is issued, and when the settlement is not executed after the notification, Replaces the print schedule of the print waiting for settlement (unsettled) with another new print schedule.
[0019]
On the other hand, in order to satisfy the print schedule, the print schedule of the settlement waiting print that has been replaced with the new print print schedule is changed from the original print base to another print base that can satisfy the print schedule. However, in this case, a change in the printing base may cause a change in the delivery fee for delivering the printed matter to the delivery destination. If there is no other printing site that satisfies the printing schedule, the printing schedule at the original printing site is deferred, and the payment waiting printing replaced with the new printing printing schedule is performed. In this case, the delivery fee is maintained although the delivery date is delayed.
[0020]
Thus, it is possible to prevent the printing schedule for the new print request from being unduly delayed due to the necessity of the desired payment date due to the necessity of the print settlement waiting for the settlement.
[0021]
In the following description, a “server” means that information such as HTML documents and images is stored in a WWW system, and information is transmitted through a network such as the Internet upon receiving a request from client software such as a Web browser. This means a web server (web server) or an application server (or web application server) having a function of receiving a request from a user through a network and bridging to processing of a database system or the like.
[0022]
The “client” means a computer and software that use functions and data provided by a server in a network. In this embodiment, the client includes, for example, the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200 connected to the network 400 in FIG. 1, and a Web browser and a viewer operating on various computers connected to the network 400. I do.
[0023]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention described below, in a Web environment via the network 400, a request terminal 100 used by a requester requesting electronic submission, whether or not to approve a settlement request for printing by electronic submission. The settlement terminal 200 used by the decider who decides, the CRD system 300 (including the electronic submission management server 301 and the printing device 303 therein), and an example of electronic submission management realized between the CRD systems 500 to 800 are given. Although described, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In other words, the present invention can be applied to any computer network environment that can provide a form in which various operation screens for executing processes related to the functions provided by the server can be displayed on a client browser (viewer). it can.
[0024]
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic submission management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025]
Note that the configuration of various terminals connected on the network 400 in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples according to applications and purposes.
[0026]
Reference numeral 100 denotes a request terminal used by a requester who makes an electronic submission request. The request terminal 100 can transmit and receive data to and from each of the plurality of CRD systems 300, 500 to 800 and the settlement terminal 200 via the network 400.
[0027]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a payment terminal used by a settler who instructs whether to approve a payment request for printing by electronic submission. The settlement terminal 200 can transmit and receive data to and from the CRD systems 300 and 500 to 800 and the request terminal 100 via the network 400.
[0028]
It is assumed that the requester and the approver are the same, and the processing executed by both the requesting terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200 is executed by one of the terminals.
[0029]
Reference numeral 300 denotes a CRD system that receives an electronic submission request and executes printing-related processes such as printing arrangements and printing fee estimates in response to the request. The CRD system 300 can transmit and receive data to and from the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200 via the network 400.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, as the components of the CRD system 300, an electronic submission management server 301 that manages the electronic submission, an electronic file that is electronically submitted for printing, and various information and tables related to the electronic submission are managed. And a printing device 303 having a network function for printing the electronic file.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, CRD systems 500 to 900 similar to the CRD system 300 are connected to the network 400, and a plurality of printing sites are configured in the electronic submission management system. In the following description, for convenience, the printing base name of the CRD system 300 is defined as Tokyo, and the base names of the CRD systems 500 to 800 are defined as Osaka, Ibaraki, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido.
[0032]
In the CRD system 300, the electronic submission management server 301 provides various operation screens for implementing various processes of the present embodiment described below based on a request from the request terminal 100 or the payment terminal 200, which is a client. Or updates the contents of the database 302 based on data transmitted and received between the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200.
[0033]
Note that the electronic submission management server 301 and the printing device 303 are connected to each other via a network inside the CRD system 300, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be connected.
[0034]
Further, as a printing format of the printing apparatus 303, for example, various printing methods such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, and a thermal transfer method can be used. In addition, the printing apparatus 303 may be, for example, a network scanner, or a multifunction peripheral having both a facsimile function and a scanner function. In addition, as the types of the printing apparatus 303, there are usually a plurality of types of high-speed / low-speed color printers and a plurality of types of high-speed / low-speed monochrome printers in order to cope with various uses.
[0035]
Reference numeral 400 denotes a network, typically any one of the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, an ATM, a frame relay line, a communication satellite line, a cable TV line, a data broadcasting wireless line, and the like. It is a so-called communication network realized by the combination, and it is sufficient that data can be transmitted and received.
[0036]
Next, the hardware configuration of various terminals such as the request terminal 100, the settlement terminal 200, the electronic submission server 301, and the printing device 303 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0037]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0038]
In FIG. 2, a CPU 201 generally controls each device connected to a system bus 204. The ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores an operating system (OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, and programs for realizing various functions of each server or each client described below.
[0039]
The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, a work area, a temporary save area, and the like for the CPU 201.
[0040]
The input controller 205 controls an input from the input unit 209. The input unit 209 particularly includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse in a terminal such as a server or a client. In a printing apparatus and the like, a touch panel, a button, a switch, and the like are given.
[0041]
The display controller 206 controls display on the display unit 210. Examples of the display unit 210 include a CRT and a liquid crystal.
[0042]
An external memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to the external memory 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, printer drivers, and the like. In addition, various tables and parameters for realizing various functions of each server or each client are stored. Examples of the external memory 211 include a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), a compact flash connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, and a smart media.
[0043]
The communication I / F controller 208 executes a communication control process with an external device via the network 400.
[0044]
Next, a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
In the following description, the processing in the electronic submission management server 301 in the CRD system 300 will be described as an example. However, the same processing is implemented in the electronic submission management server in each CRD system at another printing base. It goes without saying that you can do it.
[0046]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0047]
As described above, the request terminal 100, the settlement terminal 200, and the electronic submission management server 301 are mutually connected via the network 400. Then, the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200 execute various processes related to electronic submission via various operation screens provided from the electronic submission management server 301. An example will be described below.
[0048]
(1) First, the request terminal 100 electronically submits print information including print data to be printed, its print conditions, print requester information, and the like via an operation screen provided from the electronic submission management server 301. Send to the management server 301.
[0049]
(2) The electronic submission management server 301 transmits print confirmation information such as a printing fee and a delivery date to the request terminal 100 based on the print information received from the request terminal 100.
[0050]
(3) Based on the print confirmation information received from the electronic submission management server 301, the request terminal 100 transmits a settlement request for execution of the printing to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0051]
(4) Upon receiving the payment request from the request terminal 100, the electronic submission management server 301 setstle the payment data (print information, print requester information, print The fee and the scheduled delivery date of the printed matter are transmitted to the settlement terminal 200.
[0052]
(5) Based on the payment data received from the electronic submission management server 301, the payment terminal 200, when approving the printing corresponding to the payment data, sends approval instruction information indicating that, to the electronic submission management server 301. Send to {Circle around (5)} On the other hand, when rejecting printing corresponding to the payment data, rejection instruction information indicating this is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0053]
{Circle around (6)} In particular, when receiving the approval instruction information from the settlement terminal 301, the electronic submission management server 301 transmits print information to the printing apparatus 303 and executes printing. After that, the printed matter printed by the printing device 303 is delivered to the requester.
[0054]
{Circle around (7)} On the other hand, the electronic submission management server 301 transmits the payment result (approval information / denial information) corresponding to the data received from the payment terminal 200 to the request terminal 100.
[0055]
Next, the details of the characteristic processing flow of the present invention realized in this basic processing flow will be described.
[0056]
First, when the request terminal 100 makes an electronic submission request to the electronic submission management server 301, the submission request process executed between the request terminal 100 and the electronic submission management server 301 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Will be explained.
[0057]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the submission request processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0058]
First, in step S101, the request terminal 100 logs in to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0059]
In step S201, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether there is a login from the request terminal 100. If there is no login (NO in step S201), the process waits until there is a login. On the other hand, if there is a login (YES in step S201), the login user is authenticated with reference to the user table (FIG. 11). To get. In step S203, an initial screen 700 (FIG. 7) is generated and transmitted to request terminal 100.
[0060]
In step S102, the requesting terminal 100 determines whether or not the initial screen 700 has been received from the electronic submission management server 301. If the initial screen 700 has not been received (NO in step S102), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, if the initial screen 700 has been received (YES in step S102), the flow advances to step S103 to display the initial screen 700.
[0061]
Here, an example of the initial screen 700 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0062]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the initial screen 700 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0063]
7 is displayed on the terminal when the request terminal 100 or the payment terminal 200 accesses the electronic submission management server 301.
[0064]
An submission request button 701 is pressed to make an electronic submission request. When the submission request button 701 is pressed, an order screen 800 (FIG. 8A) for making an electronic submission request is displayed.
[0065]
Reference numeral 702 denotes a payment request button, which is pressed when a print payment request for an electronic submission request is made. When the payment request button 702 is pressed, the electronic submission management server 301 executes the submission processing related to the print information waiting for the payment request. The details of the submission settlement process will be described later.
[0066]
A request status button 703 is pressed to confirm the current request status. When the request status button 703 is pressed, a list screen 900 (FIG. 9) of the current print information request status (requesting / settlement waiting / reception waiting / printing / change) is displayed.
[0067]
4A and 4B.
[0068]
In step S104, request terminal 100 determines an operation via initial screen 700. In this determination, a new request for electronic submission or confirmation of the request status is determined. Specifically, when the submission request button 701 on the initial screen 700 is pressed, it is determined that the submission is a new request. On the other hand, if the request status button 703 on the initial screen 700 is pressed, it is determined that the request status has been confirmed. In this case, in a configuration in which the requesting terminal 100 simply browses the HTML file created by the electronic submission management server 301 with a browser, button press information corresponding to the determination in step S104 is transmitted to the submission submission management server 301. Thus, the request terminal 100 may receive and display the order screen 800 generated by the electronic submission management server 301 based on the button press information.
[0069]
If it is determined in step S104 that the request status has been confirmed, the process proceeds to step S112, and a list screen 900 is displayed on the request terminal 100. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the request is a new request, the process proceeds to step S105, and an order screen 800 is displayed on the request terminal 100.
[0070]
Here, an example of the order screen 800 will be described with reference to FIG. 8A.
[0071]
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an order screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0072]
At the top of the order screen 800, the date when the submission request button 701 was pressed is displayed as the request date, and a unique request number for specifying the request issued by the electronic submission management server 301 is displayed. Is displayed.
[0073]
8A, reference numeral 801 denotes a display field of requester information. In this display field 801, as the requester information, for example, the name of the requester, the mail address, the affiliation of the requester (employee code, extension, office name, division name, section name, section code) and the like are displayed. You.
[0074]
Reference numeral 802 denotes a data output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting the contents of a request when an electronic file is used as an electronic submission method. Reference numeral 803 denotes a copy output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting contents of a request when a document is used as an electronic input method. Reference numeral 804 denotes a DB output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting a request content when the database 302 (DB) of the electronic submission management server 301 is used as an electronic submission method.
[0075]
Note that the electronic submission method using the database 302 means that print information of a printed material (for example, a manual, an instruction manual, a catalog, etc.) that is assumed to be printed a plurality of times is registered in the database 302 in advance, and The terminal 100 executes a request for electronic submission by designating print information registered in the database.
[0076]
Reference numeral 805 denotes a delivery button for displaying a setting screen 810 (FIG. 8B) for setting a delivery method. Reference numeral 806 denotes a comment button for displaying a comment input screen 820 (FIG. 8C) for inputting a comment related to electronic submission.
[0077]
Here, an example of each of the setting screen 810 and the comment input screen 820 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 8C.
[0078]
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0079]
In a setting screen 810 of FIG. 8B, reference numeral 811 denotes an input field for setting a delivery method. In this input field 811, as a delivery method, a delivery base registered in advance, a delivery destination used in the past, and a new delivery destination (address, address, recipient name, telephone number, etc.) can be set. .
[0080]
Reference numeral 812 denotes an input field for a desired delivery date of a printed matter with respect to print information to be requested. Reference numeral 813 denotes a display field of the scheduled delivery date of the printed matter with respect to the requested print information. After the print information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301, the electronic submission management server 301 calculates and displays the estimated delivery date displayed in the display field 813 based on the print information.
[0081]
FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a comment input screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0082]
In the comment input screen 820 of FIG. 8C, reference numeral 821 denotes a comment input field for each user of the electronic submission management system. Here, a comment input field of a requester (orderer) who makes an electronic submission request from the request terminal 100, a comment input field of a settler who uses the payment terminal 200, a comment input field of an operator of the electronic submission management system, and the like are included. It is prepared.
[0083]
A settlement request button 822 is pressed to make a settlement request for printing in response to an electronic submission request. Reference numeral 823 denotes a print button, which is pressed when instructing execution of printing of print information for which settlement of printing for an electronic submission request has been approved.
[0084]
Returning to the description of FIG. 8A.
[0085]
Reference numeral 807 denotes an input field for inputting a request content. The contents of the request include, for example, a document name of a printed matter generated based on the electronic file, a submission method (attached to an e-mail, a storage medium such as an MO, a CD-R / RW, a DVD-RAM), a printing condition (color) / Black and white, document size, print format, paper type, number of prints, etc.), data type of electronic file, electronic file, presence / absence of storage of electronic file, storage period, storage location, and the like.
[0086]
The input field 807 in FIG. 8A shows an input field when the electronic submission method is data output, but an input field when the other electronic submission method is a copy output / DB output. In the same manner as the input field 807, the information required for each electronic submission method is configured.
[0087]
Reference numeral 808 denotes a display field of the estimated amount when printing is performed with the request content input in the input field 807. The estimated amount displayed in the display field 808 (for example, the printing fee or the printing fee + delivery fee) is determined when the request content is input in the input field 807, or when the request content is input in the input field 807, and When the delivery destination is input in the input field 811 of the setting screen 810 of the 8B, the electronic submission management server 301 calculates and displays it.
[0088]
Next, an example of the list screen 900 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0089]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0090]
In the list screen 900 in FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a display field indicating the contents of print information currently managed by the electronic submission management server 301. Here, the contents of the print information include the current status (printing, reception wait, settlement wait, change), request NO, type of submission method (data output, copy output, DB output), request date, document name, The number of copies, the amount, and the cost item are displayed. However, the content of the print information is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that various information (for example, the name of the printing apparatus used for printing, the scheduled delivery date, the delivery destination, etc.) can be displayed according to the application and purpose.
[0091]
In this list screen 900, the authority to the print information that can be browsed is set for each user, and the electronic submission management server 301 creates the print information based on the authority to browse the user authenticated in step S201. It is also possible to control as follows.
[0092]
A check box is provided at the beginning of each piece of print information displayed in the display field 901, and selection / non-selection of print information can be executed with this check box.
[0093]
Reference numeral 902 denotes a detail display button. When the detail display button 902 is pressed, a detail display screen (for example, an order screen 800) corresponding to the print information is displayed as the details of the print information whose check box is checked. .
[0094]
Reference numeral 904 denotes a settlement request button. When the settlement request button 904 is pressed, a settlement request for the print information whose check box is checked is executed.
[0095]
An end button 905 is pressed to end the display of the list screen 900.
[0096]
It should be noted that the settlement request can also be executed by the settlement request button 822 of the comment input screen 820 in FIG. 8C described above, for example, in consideration of the case of having immediacy. That is, on the comment input screen 820, a print settlement request for the electronic submission request can be executed simultaneously with the electronic submission request.
[0097]
On the other hand, the settlement request button 904 of the list screen 900 is used to execute only a plurality of electronic submission requests in advance, and collectively execute a print settlement request for the plurality of electronic submission requests later. This is due to consideration. That is, on the list screen 900, a settlement request can be executed at once for all the print information items whose check boxes are checked.
[0098]
4A and 4B.
[0099]
In step S105, the request terminal 100 inputs printing conditions via the order screen 800. In step S106, the print data to be requested for electronic submission is designated. In step S107, when the input of the input field 807 of the order screen 800 and the input of the input field 812 of the setting screen 810 are completed, the print data including the electronic submission request target, its print conditions, and the desired delivery date are electronically printed. It is transmitted to the submission management server 301.
[0100]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the payment terminal 200 has the authority to change the print information. However, the request terminal 100 determines whether the print information has the authority to change the print information at the payment terminal 200. A flag may be set, and the right to change the print information in the settlement terminal 200 may be given in accordance with the flag.
[0101]
In step S204, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether print information has been received from the request terminal 100. If the print information has not been received (NO in step S204), the process waits until the print information is received. On the other hand, if print information has been received (YES in step S204), the flow advances to step S205.
[0102]
In step S205, the electronic submission management server 301 calculates an estimate of the printing fee from the printing conditions in the print information. In step S206, a print schedule check process for checking a print schedule is executed based on the print information. The details of the print schedule check process will be described later. In step S207, print confirmation information including a print charge estimate and a scheduled delivery date of the printed matter is transmitted to the request terminal 100.
[0103]
The calculation of the printing fee executed in step S205 is executed by referring to the fee calculation table (FIG. 12), the delivery time table and the delivery fee table (FIG. 13) based on the print information. Further, the investigation of the print schedule and the determination of the scheduled delivery date executed in step S206 are performed based on the print information, based on the delivery time table (FIG. 13), the print schedule table of each printing device included in the CRD system at one printing site (FIG. 14). ), A priority relationship management table (FIG. 15) indicating the priority relationship of the base to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs, and a print schedule table for each print base at each print base (FIG. 16).
[0104]
In step S108, the requesting terminal 100 determines whether print confirmation information has been received from the electronic submission management server 301. If the print confirmation information has not been received (NO in step S108), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, if the print confirmation information has been received (YES in step S108), the flow advances to step S109, and the display field 807 and the setting screen 810 of the order screen 800 (FIG. 8A) respectively correspond to the estimate of the printing fee and the estimated delivery date of the printed matter. This is displayed in the display field 813 (FIG. 8B).
[0105]
In step S110, request terminal 100 determines whether or not a payment request instruction has been input. This determination is made based on whether or not the settlement request button 822 on the comment input screen 820 (FIG. 8C) is pressed. If there is a payment request instruction input (YES in step S110), the flow advances to step S111 to transmit a payment request instruction to electronic submission management server 301.
[0106]
On the other hand, if there is no payment request instruction input (NO in step S110), the flow advances to step S115 to determine whether print information has not been changed. If not changed (YES in step S115), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if it has not been changed (NO in step S115), the flow advances to step S107 to transmit print information including the changed content to the electronic submission management server 301 again. In this case, the request terminal 100 receives from the electronic submission management server 301 the print confirmation information including the print information in which the changed content is reflected in step S108 after the processes of steps S204 to S207.
[0107]
In step S208, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether a payment request instruction has been received from the request terminal 100. If the settlement request instruction has not been received (NO in step S208), the process stands by until the instruction is received. On the other hand, if the payment request instruction has been received (YES in step S208), the flow advances to step S209 to settle, based on the request from the payment terminal 200, print approval / denial based on the print information waiting for the payment request. The data is generated and transmitted to the payment terminal 200.
It goes without saying that various data are stored in the RAM 203 or the external memory 211 of each terminal or server at the necessary timing in each of the above steps. For example, in the process of step S209, not only the print information input in each step up to this point, but also the status of “settlement waiting” as a flag as information of the status shown on the list screen 900 as a flag outside the electronic submission management server 301 It is stored in the memory 211.
[0108]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the request status has been confirmed, the request terminal 100 displays the list screen 900 in step S112. In step S113, it is determined whether a detailed display instruction of print information or a payment request instruction has been input. This determination is made based on whether or not the detail display button 902 or the settlement request button 904 on the list screen 900 has been pressed. If there is a payment request instruction input, the process proceeds to step S110.
[0109]
On the other hand, if there is a detailed display instruction input, the process proceeds to step S114, where the order screen 800 is displayed as a detailed display screen of the print information to be processed. Thus, the request terminal 110 can appropriately change the current print information via the order screen 800. Here, the change content of the print information may include print data itself, print conditions (number of copies, color / monochrome, etc.), print schedule (delivery date), and the like.
[0110]
Then, in step S115, it is determined whether or not the print information has not been changed. If not changed (YES in step S115), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if it has not been changed (NO in step S115), the process proceeds to step S107.
[0111]
Next, the submission processing performed between the electronic submission management server 301 and the settlement terminal 200 when the electronic submission management server 301 transmits the settlement data to the settlement terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. .
[0112]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the submission settlement process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0113]
In step S301, the settlement terminal 200 transmits unsettled confirmation information for confirming unsettled print information to the electronic submission management server 301. In particular, detailed processing steps at the time of login are omitted. The processing here corresponds to, for example, an operation in which the payment terminal 200 presses the payment request button 702 while the initial screen 700 is displayed after logging in to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0114]
In step S401, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether unsettled confirmation information has been received from the settlement terminal 200. If unsettled confirmation information has not been received (NO in step S401), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, when the unsettled confirmation information is received (YES in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402, and the user information of the settlement terminal 200 included in the unsettled confirmation information is acquired.
[0115]
In step S403, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether there is print information waiting for a settlement request corresponding to the acquired user information. If there is no print information waiting for a payment request (NO in step S403), the process advances to step S408 to transmit to the payment terminal 200 a notification indicating that there is no payment data for printing based on the print information. This notification may be sent by e-mail or a message such as a dialog may be displayed. On the other hand, if there is print information waiting for a payment request (YES in step S403), the flow advances to step S404 to transmit payment data for printing based on the print information to the payment terminal 200.
[0116]
In step S302, the payment terminal 200 determines whether payment data has been received from the electronic submission management server 301. If payment data has not been received (NO in step S302), the process waits until the payment data is received. On the other hand, if the settlement data has been received (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303.
[0117]
In step S303, payment terminal 200 displays payment screen 1000 (FIG. 10) based on the received payment data.
[0118]
Here, an example of the payment screen 1000 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0119]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0120]
In the payment screen 1000 of FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a comment display / input field in the print information to be settled, and corresponds to the input field 821 of the comment input screen 820 of FIG. 8C. Note that the payment screen 1000 of FIG. 10 corresponds to each screen of FIGS. 8A to 8C, and corresponds to each of the function buttons () of the payment screen 1000 of FIG. 10 corresponding to the buttons 802 to 806 described in FIG. 8A. By pressing the button 1005), it is possible to confirm the requester information, the request content, and the delivery method of the print information to be settled.
[0121]
An approval button 1002 is pressed to approve printing based on print information to be settled. When the approval button 1002 is pressed, approval instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301. A denial button 1003 is pressed to deny printing based on the print information to be settled. When the denial button 1003 is pressed, denial instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0122]
A print button 1004 is pressed to instruct execution of printing based on print information.
[0123]
Returning to the description of FIG.
[0124]
In step S304, the payment terminal 200 determines whether the approval button 1002 or the denial button 1003 has been pressed via the payment screen 1000. If the denial button 1003 is pressed, the process advances to step S305 to transmit denial instruction information to the electronic submission management server 301. On the other hand, if the approval button 1002 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S306, and the approval instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0125]
In step S405, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether to receive the approval instruction information or the denial instruction information from the settlement terminal 200. If the approval instruction information has been received, the process proceeds to step S406, and execution of printing based on the corresponding print information is determined. In step S407, approval information indicating that printing based on the print information has been approved is transmitted to the request terminal 100. On the other hand, if the denial instruction information has been received, the process proceeds to step S409, and denial information indicating that the print information has been denied is transmitted to the request terminal 100.
[0126]
Next, the details of the print schedule check process in step S206 of FIG. 4B will be described with reference to FIG.
[0127]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of the print schedule investigation processing according to the embodiment of this invention.
[0128]
First, in step S501, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether or not the print request has been input via the order screen 800 (FIG. 8A) by the request terminal 100. If the request has not been input (NO in step S501), the process waits until the request is input. On the other hand, if the request content has been input (YES in step S501), the flow advances to step S502.
[0129]
In step S502, the printing time required for printing is calculated based on the printing information obtained according to the request content. The calculation of the required printing time is performed by, for example, printing conditions such as the number of prints, the number of copies, double-sided / single-sided, bookbinding mode, and folding in print information, and a printing device (a plurality of printing devices) that can be used in the electronic submission management system. The calculation may be based on the performance of a printing device of a CRD system at each site or a printing device of a CRD system at a certain printing site. Alternatively, the average required printing time for various printing conditions may be measured, the measured value may be managed as a table for each printing condition, and the required printing time may be calculated with reference to the table. .
[0130]
In step S503, it is determined whether or not a desired delivery date has been input by the request terminal 100 via the setting screen 810 (FIG. 8B). If the desired delivery date has not been entered (NO in step S503), the process waits until the desired delivery date is entered. On the other hand, if a desired delivery date has been input (YES in step S503), the flow advances to step S504.
[0131]
In step S504, a search condition for searching for a printing device that performs printing based on the print information is determined. The determination of the search condition is performed based on the operation schedule of the printing apparatus, the print condition obtained from the print information to be processed, the printing time required for printing based on the print information, the delivery date, and the delivery destination.
[0132]
Then, referring to the print schedule table (FIG. 14), the priority relationship management table (FIG. 15), and the print site-specific print schedule table (FIG. 16), the printing apparatus that matches the search condition is searched.
[0133]
In this search, for example, a printing base candidate satisfying the client's desired delivery date is searched for the shortest printing base (first priority printing base) or the next shortest printing base (first printing base) from the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs. 2 priority printing base). As a result, it is possible to search for a printing apparatus that satisfies the client's desired delivery date and that can print at the shortest or next shortest printing base from the delivery area. However, the print base candidates are not limited to this, and all print bases or print bases specified in advance may be set as print base candidates.
[0134]
In step S <b> 505, a printing device that matches a model selection condition for specifying a model capable of performing printing based on print information is specified from among the printing device groups included in the searched printing base (group). For example, when the model selection condition is a color printing apparatus with a two-sided printing function, a table (FIG. 18) of a printing base having the color printing apparatus and a print schedule of the color printing apparatus is created. Then, a printing apparatus used for printing based on the print information is specified from the created list table.
[0135]
Note that, in this specifying method, for example, the specifying may be performed based on the priority relation of the printing bases, or the printing apparatus in the first row of the list table may be specified.
[0136]
In step S506, it is determined whether or not the specified printing device has a print schedule based on other print information in a print schedule that matches the delivery date of the print based on the print information. If there is no other print schedule (NO in step S506), the process advances to step S519 to determine the printing device as a printing device to be used for printing based on print information. After that, print information including print base information indicating the base of the printing apparatus is stored in the database 302.
[0137]
On the other hand, if there is another print schedule in step S506 (YES in step S506), the flow advances to step S507 to refer to the print information management table (FIG. 17) to determine the print information corresponding to the print schedule. It is determined whether or not payment has been made (waiting for payment). If the settlement has not been completed (NO in step S507), the flow advances to step S515, and the model selection condition other than the printing device specified in step S505 and the processing target printing device is matched with reference to the list table (FIG. 18). Search for another printing device.
[0138]
In step S516, based on the search result, it is determined whether there is a printing device that matches the model selection condition. If there is a printing device that satisfies the model selection condition (YES in step S516), the process advances to step S517, changes the printing device to the processing target in step S506, and returns to step S506. When there are a plurality of printing apparatuses that match the model selection condition, one of the plurality of printing apparatuses is changed to the processing target based on, for example, the priority relation of the printing sites.
[0139]
On the other hand, if there is no printing device that matches the model selection condition (NO in step S516), the process advances to step S518 to extend the delivery date in the print information for a predetermined period to update the print information, and returns to step S506.
[0140]
On the other hand, in step S507, if the print information corresponding to the print scheduled to be printed has not been settled (YES in step S508), the flow advances to step S508 to refer to the print information management table (FIG. 17) and to execute the print schedule. It is determined whether or not unsettled warning information indicating that the print in S. has been unsettled has been transmitted to the settlement terminal 200. If the unsettled warning information has not been transmitted (NO in step S508), the process advances to step S513 to determine whether or not the print schedule is a transmission target of the unsettled warning information. If it is not a transmission target (NO in step S513), the process proceeds to step S515. On the other hand, if it is the transmission target (YES in step S513), the flow advances to step S514 to transmit the unsettled warning information to the settlement terminal 200. This unsettled warning information may be transmitted by e-mail, or a message such as a dialog may be displayed. Thereby, “transmitted” is set in the unsettled warning information item of the corresponding print information in the print information management table (FIG. 17).
[0141]
The determination in step S513 is based on whether or not the unsettled state of the print schedule has passed for a predetermined period (for example, three days) from the print request date (for example, whether or not the print request has been left). This predetermined period can be arbitrarily set by the electronic submission management server 301.
[0142]
Further, the unsettled warning information may be any information as long as it notifies that there is an unsettled print schedule and allows the settlement terminal 200 to promptly execute the settlement of the print schedule. .
[0143]
In particular, in the present embodiment, in order to execute the settlement more quickly, if the execution timing of the settlement is delayed, the print schedule of the unsettled print is set as the target of the print scheduling again, and the new print ( In order to replace the print schedule with the print request of the new print request), the print schedule of the unsettled print is advanced (step S518) or the print base of the unsettled print is changed from the current print base to another print base. Step S517). Therefore, the unsettled warning information is, for example, "Please hurry the settlement. If there is no settlement within one day from the delivery date, please note that the delivery date may be delayed or the delivery fee may increase. ". The print schedule of the new print can be identified by having NULL indicating that the print information of the print request related to the print does not have the print schedule information. In other words, this can be realized by deleting the unsettled print request schedule and returning it to NULL. On the other hand, the tentative print schedule and the confirmed print schedule have print schedule information, and together with the status flag, it is possible to identify whether the print schedule is tentative or confirmed.
[0144]
Next, in step S508, when the unsettled warning information has been transmitted (NO in step S508), the process proceeds to step S509, and it is determined whether the unsettled print schedule is within the replacement period. If it is not within the replacement period (NO in step S509), the process proceeds to step S515. On the other hand, if it is within the replacement period (YES in step S509), the process proceeds to step S510.
[0145]
The replacement period is a period for deciding to replace a print schedule of unsettled print with a print schedule of new print, and is, for example, a period one day before a delivery date of a printed material by unsettled print. This replacement period can be arbitrarily set by the electronic submission management server 301.
[0146]
In step S510, the print schedule of the unsettled print is replaced (changed) with the print schedule of the new print. As a result, the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the printing apparatus that performs unsettled printing is changed to the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print. Then, based on the print schedule information, the desired delivery date and the determined delivery date in the print information corresponding to this new print in the print information management table (FIG. 17) are registered.
[0147]
In step S511, the print schedule of the new print is determined. After that, the print information including the print base information indicating the print base at which printing is to be performed in the print schedule is stored in the database 302. As a result, the print base information is registered in the print base item in the print information corresponding to this new print in the print information management table (FIG. 17).
[0148]
On the other hand, in step S512, the print schedule of the unsettled print replaced with the print schedule of the new print is set as a processing target (search target of another printing base / delivery date is to be reduced). After that, the print base information indicating the print base that performs the unsettled printing is temporarily deleted, and the corresponding print information in the database 302 is updated. As a result, the print base information registered in the print base item in the print information corresponding to the unsettled print in the print information management table (FIG. 17) is temporarily deleted, and a new print determined in the subsequent processing is performed. The printing base information of the base is registered again.
[0149]
In the process of FIG. 6, after the transmission of the unsettled warning information, the unsettled print schedule is changed to the new print schedule based on whether the unsettled print schedule falls within the replacement period. The replacement is performed, but is not limited to this.
[0150]
For example, when promptness is requested, the unsettled warning information is not transmitted, and when the settlement of unsettled printing is not executed within a predetermined period (for example, three days) from the settlement request, the The print schedule of the settlement print may be replaced with the print schedule of the new print. Alternatively, if the settlement of the unsettled print is not executed within a predetermined period (for example, one day) from the delivery date, the print schedule of the unsettled print may be replaced with the print schedule of the new print. .
In the present embodiment, the state of the print information relating to the print request is a state of waiting for settlement, which is a state of print reservation without determining a fee or a print schedule.
Further, the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 have been described in the form of including some functions such as some determination means in the processes of the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200 on the client side. However, the HTML file is simply displayed on the browser application, and information on the operation event is transmitted from the client to the electronic submission management server 301, so that the server performs processing for realizing each step using CGI. It can also be realized by a modification of.
[0151]
Here, each table shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 will be described.
[0152]
The user table in FIG. 11 includes a user ID for identifying a requester of the request terminal 100 as a user, a user name, a business name, an affiliation name, an e-mail address, a settler name for the requester, It is composed of a payer ID and a mail address for specifying the payer. The above-mentioned user information includes information managed in these user tables, and information necessary for various processes is used as user information.
[0153]
The charge calculation table in FIG. 12 calculates the print charge based on the print unit, the unit price of the printed matter, the cover unit price, the interleaf / chapter unit price, the bookbinding unit price of the printed matter, and the folding unit price. The calculation formula is shown. The unit price shown in this table is an example. Further, the type of unit price is not limited to this, and the type of unit price can be appropriately set based on the request content input in the input field 807 of the initial screen 800 in FIG. 8A.
[0154]
The delivery time table and the delivery charge table in FIG. 13 are composed of a delivery time required for each delivery area and a delivery charge by weight for each delivery area.
[0155]
The print schedule table in FIG. 14 manages the tentative print schedule status and the settled print schedule information of a plurality of types of printing devices 303 in a certain period (for three days), which are waiting to be settled, in one printing base.
[0156]
The priority relationship management table of FIG. 15 manages a first priority printing site and a second priority printing site for each delivery area to which a delivery destination belongs. However, the second priority printing site may not exist. In the present embodiment, the shortest printing base in the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs is the first priority printing base, and the next shortest printing base is the second priority printing base. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any of the printing base groups other than the printing base may be set as the second priority printing base.
[0157]
Alternatively, among the printing base groups other than the first priority printing base, a printing base that matches the search condition determined in step S504 of FIG. 6A and is closer to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs may be set as the second priority printing base. In this case, in the process of FIG. 6B, if the initial printing site that performs printing based on the printing information to be processed is the second priority printing site, the current second priority printing site uses a delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs. According to the status of each print schedule of a group of close priority printing sites (including the first priority printing site), a priority printing site that is closer to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs in the printing site group is determined based on the processing target print information. It can be changed to a printing base for printing.
[0158]
The printing schedule table for each printing site in FIG. 16 manages the printing schedule for each printing site.
[0159]
The print information management table in FIG. 17 is a table that manages print information and information for executing processing related to the print information. In particular, in the present embodiment, an unsettled warning information item for managing the transmission state of unsettled warning information is configured for print information whose print information state is “waiting for settlement”.
[0160]
The list table in FIG. 18 is a table that manages the printing apparatuses possessed by the respective printing sites that match the model selection conditions and the printing schedules in the processing in FIG.
[0161]
The configurations and contents of the various tables shown in FIGS. 11 to 18 are not limited, and needless to say, various configurations and contents can be made according to applications and purposes.
[0162]
Further, in the present embodiment, the electronic submission management server 301 in one of the plurality of printing bases (Tokyo CRD system 300) has been particularly described as an example in which the processing of FIG. 6 is executed. Alternatively, an integrated electronic submission management server in which the electronic submission management servers at the respective printing sites are integrated may be constructed on the network 400, and the integrated electronic submission management server may execute the processing in FIG.
[0163]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the payment for the print waiting for payment is left for a predetermined period or more, a warning notification is issued to prompt the execution of the payment, and the payment is performed after the warning notification. If not executed, the print schedule of the print of the new request is replaced with the print schedule of the print of the settlement wait. However, as described above, the replacement process is performed only when a new print request is generated and the print request satisfies conditions such as a desired delivery date if it is replaced with a print request for unsettled printing, Even if it is left for a predetermined period or more, it is not necessarily replaced, so that maximum consideration is given to unsettled print requesters.
[0164]
Thus, it is possible to prevent the execution of the settlement of the print waiting for the settlement from being left unattended, or to prevent the execution of the settlement from being forgotten. In addition, when the print schedule of the print of the new request is replaced with the print schedule of the print waiting for settlement, a warning is notified in advance, and the print schedule is replaced based on the presence or absence of the settlement after the notice of the warning. In addition to providing the opportunity to keep the original print schedule as it is for the print waiting for settlement, the opportunity to replace the print schedule of one's own with the existing print schedule of another print for the print of the new request Can be given.
[0165]
As described above, the embodiment has been described in detail. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, or the like. The system may be applied to a system including a single device or an apparatus including one device.
[0166]
According to the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the drawings) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or an apparatus, and the computer of the system or the apparatus is supplied to the computer. Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.
[0167]
Therefore, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0168]
In that case, as long as it has the function of the program, it may be in the form of an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.
[0169]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card , ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.
[0170]
In addition, as a method of supplying the program, a client computer connects to an Internet homepage using a browser, and downloads the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. Can also be supplied. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, the present invention also includes a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.
[0171]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and downloaded to a user who satisfies predetermined conditions from a homepage via the Internet to download key information for decryption. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer to realize the program.
[0172]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the read program, and an OS or the like running on the computer executes a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Alternatively, all the operations are performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.
[0173]
Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the A CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0174]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic submission management device, a control method thereof, an electronic submission management system, and a program that can efficiently accept a print request. However, as described above, the replacement process is performed only when a new print request is generated and the print request satisfies conditions such as a desired delivery date if it is replaced with a print request for unsettled printing, Even if it is left for a predetermined period or more, it is not necessarily replaced, so that maximum consideration is given to unsettled print requesters.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic submission management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a submission request process according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a submission request process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an input settlement process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of a print schedule check process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an initial screen 700 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an order screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a comment input screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fee calculation table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery time table and a delivery fee table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a print schedule table according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority relationship management table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print schedule table for each printing site according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print information management table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list table according to the embodiment of this invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Request terminal 200 Payment terminal 300, 500 to 800 CRD system 301 Electronic submission management server 302 Database 303 Printing device 400 Network

Claims (10)

An electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
Storage means for storing a print information management table for managing print information including the state of the print information according to the print request,
Receiving means for receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
A determination unit that determines a state of existing print information corresponding to the other print by referring to the print information management table when a print schedule that satisfies printing based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print When,
Changing means for changing print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a determination result of the determination unit. Draft management device. A transmission unit that transmits, via the network, warning information that prompts payment to a payment terminal that performs payment for printing based on the existing print information, based on the determination result of the determination unit.
After transmitting the warning information, the change unit changes the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the unsettled print to the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print based on the determination result of the determination unit. The electronic submission management device according to claim 1, further comprising: As a result of the determination by the determination unit, if the state of the existing print information is waiting for payment and the state has passed for a predetermined period or more, the transmission unit performs payment for printing based on the existing print information. The electronic submission management device according to claim 2, wherein warning information for prompting a terminal to settle is transmitted via the network. As a result of the determination by the determination unit, if the state of the existing print information is waiting for settlement and the state has passed for a predetermined period or more, the change unit sets a print schedule indicating the print schedule of the unsettled print. The electronic submission management device according to claim 1, wherein information is changed to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print. As a result of the determination by the determination unit, when the state of the existing print information is awaiting settlement and within a predetermined period of time from a delivery date of a printed matter by printing based on the existing print information, the change unit performs the unprinted printing. 2. The electronic submission management device according to claim 1, wherein the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print is changed to the print schedule information indicating the print schedule of the new print. 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a search unit configured to search, from a plurality of printing sites, a printing site that satisfies a print schedule of the unsettled print when the change by the changing unit is performed. Trafficking management device. If the search unit does not find a printing site that satisfies the printing schedule of the unsettled print, the searching unit searches for a printing site that satisfies the printing schedule of the unsettled print that has been deferred. The electronic submission management device according to claim 6, wherein: A request terminal that makes a print request by electronic submission, an electronic submission management server that receives and manages the print request, and a payment terminal that makes payment for the print request are interconnected via a network. An electronic submission management system,
The request terminal,
Print information transmitting means for transmitting the print information pertaining to the print request to the electronic submission management server via the network,
The electronic submission management server,
Storage means for storing a print information management table for managing print information including the state of the print information according to the print request,
Receiving means for receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
A determination unit that determines a state of existing print information corresponding to the other print by referring to the print information management table when a print schedule that satisfies printing based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print When,
A change unit that changes print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a determination result of the determination unit;
The payment terminal,
An electronic submission management system, comprising: warning transmission information receiving means for receiving the warning transmission information from the electronic submission management server via the network. A method for controlling an electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
When a print schedule satisfying the print based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print, the print schedule is controlled by referring to a print information management table for managing print information including a status of the print information according to the print request. A determining step of determining the state of the existing print information corresponding to the printing of
Changing a print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print based on a result of the determination in the determination step. A control method of the article management device. A program for realizing control of an electronic submission management device that receives and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A program code for a receiving step of receiving new print information from the request terminal via the network,
When a print schedule satisfying the print based on the new print information includes a print schedule for another print, the print schedule is controlled by referring to a print information management table for managing print information including a status of the print information according to the print request. Program code of a determination step of determining the state of existing print information corresponding to the printing of
A program code for a change step of changing print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the unsettled print to print schedule information indicating a print schedule of the new print, based on a result of the determination in the determination step. Program to do.

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