JP2004220140A - Printing network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing network system capable of varying a printing permission condition for permitting the printing of applied printing information according to a user's state. <P>SOLUTION: This printing network system comprises a printing information storage means for storing printing information; a display information storage and transmitting means for transmitting stored display information for specification of printing information; a display input means for displaying the display information for specification of printing information and returning a printing reservation of the printing information including moving means information of the user; a printing reservation management means for receiving and managing the printing reservation and changing the restriction of the printing permission condition according to the moving means information; a printing information transmitting control means for confirming, on receipt of a printing request, the correspondence with the printing reservation under the establishment of the printing permission condition, and transmitting the printing information stored in the printing information storage means; and a printing means for transmitting a printing request corresponding to the printing reservation, and printing the returned printing information. These means are connectable through a communication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print network system, for example, to print print information such as contents instructed from a mobile phone or a personal computer by a printer device having a printer function or a copy function installed in a convenience store or a train station. About things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, it has become possible to browse information, e-mails, and the like on the Internet using mobile terminals. However, the mobile terminal cannot enlarge the information display area, and there is a limit to browsing detailed information. In order to supplement the information display function of the mobile terminal, a system for printing and outputting information on the mobile terminal has been provided. That is, a printing network system in which a user prints information or the like on a portable terminal by combining a stationary (non-portable) printer and a portable terminal is also provided.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-11-146118
Patent Document 1 discloses a print network system that provides a print service while charging a fee at an installation location of an arbitrary image forming apparatus by communicating a system in which a server and an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral) are combined with a mobile terminal. Is provided.
[0004]
In such a print network system, it is important for the user to determine where the image forming apparatus is installed. Therefore, when returning the print service reception to the mobile terminal, a map including the image forming apparatus installation location is required. It has also been proposed to reply with information.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the past, only the map information near the location of the mobile terminal for which the printing service was applied was simply returned uniformly, and the situation of the application user and the functions of the mobile terminal possessed by the application user were taken into consideration. Therefore, the application user often feels inconvenience or dissatisfaction with the notified installation location of the image forming apparatus or the map information.
[0006]
In addition, there is a proposal to limit the location and time limit of a printable image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) for security against theft of print information by a third party. Since the location of the apparatus and the method of determining the time limit are also uniform, the cough may not always be sufficient.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has been made to provide a print network system that can change a print permission condition for printing applied print information according to a user situation. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The print network system according to the present invention stores (1) print information storage means for storing print information, and (2) print information specifying display information for specifying print information to be printed. A display information storage and transmission unit for transmitting the print information specifying display information, and (3) displaying the given print information specifying display information and making a print reservation of the print information including information on a user moving unit. (4) a print reservation managing means for receiving and managing the print reservation from the display input means, and changing the restriction of the print permission condition according to the information of the moving means; 5) Upon receiving the print request, confirm the correspondence with the print reservation to which the print permission condition is added, which is managed by the print reservation management means, and when the print permission condition is satisfied, the print information storage means Record Print information transmission control means for transmitting the print information, and (6) printing independent of the display input means for transmitting a print request corresponding to the print reservation and printing the returned print information. And means for connecting via a communication network.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(A) Embodiment
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a print network system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
The print network system according to this embodiment receives an instruction of print information from a mobile terminal or the like, prints out the print information with a desired print device based on a print instruction from the mobile terminal to a print device, And the like, when an instruction for print information is received from the user or the like, an attempt is made to notify a mobile terminal or the like of an appropriate print device (position) where printing can be performed.
[0011]
(A-1) Configuration of the embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, the print network system according to this embodiment includes a mobile terminal 2, a content server 3, a print-on-demand server 4, a print content database 5, a printer device 6, and a printer controller 7. A content server 3, a print-on-demand server 4, a print content database 5, and a printer controller 7 are connected via a communication network 1 such as the Internet.
[0012]
Although FIG. 1 shows that all the elements 2 to 5 and 7 having a function of connecting to a communication network can be connected via the same communication network 1, in this embodiment, 2 The communication network related to the connection between the elements may be different depending on the combination between the two elements.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, each of the elements 2 to 7 is shown one by one, but a plurality may be present, and it is assumed that there are a plurality of mobile terminals 2, printer devices 6, printer controllers 7, and the like. .
[0014]
The portable terminal 2 is a portable terminal device having a browser function capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the content server 3, and includes a mobile phone (Web phone, browser phone, smart phone) and a mobile device (Palm, PDA, Sub-note computer) or a personal computer having equivalent functions. When the communication network between the mobile terminal 2 and the content server 3 is the Internet, it is necessary to have a browser function for the Internet.
[0015]
The content server 3 is a server that transmits and receives information for specifying content (print information) required by the user. The content server 3 includes, for example, a mail server (SMTP server), a WWW server (HTTP server), and the like.
[0016]
The print-on-demand server 4 is a server that integrally performs billing for printing of print content and the like, user management, security management, print history management, and the like, and provides a print service.
[0017]
The print content database 5 is a database for storing print content, and is managed by the print-on-demand server 4 in this embodiment.
[0018]
The printer device 6 is a printer or a device having a print function (a multifunction peripheral, a facsimile, a copier, a printer, or the like), and prints a print content under the control of the printer controller 7.
[0019]
The printer controller 7 controls the printer device 6, and causes the printer device 6 to print out print content provided from the communication network 1. The printer controller 7 may be included in the printer device 6 as a function in the printer device 6. Further, one printer controller 7 may control a plurality of printer devices 6 as described later.
[0020]
The set of the printer device 6 and the printer controller 7 is installed in a station, a convenience store, and other various places.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the mobile terminal 2, and shows a configuration in a case where the mobile terminal 2 is a mobile phone having an access function such as the Internet. It has a general configuration as shown.
[0022]
The mobile terminal 2 is externally formed by a main body 11 and a transmitting / receiving antenna section 12, and a speaker hole (not shown), a display section 14, an operation section 15, and a microphone hole (not shown) are provided on the front surface of the main body 11. Is provided.
[0023]
A receiving unit (such as a speaker) 25 is provided in the main body 11 facing the speaker hole, and a transmitting unit (such as a microphone) 24 is provided in the main body 11 facing the microphone hole. The display unit 14 displays various operation guides and the like. The operation unit 15 performs various settings when used as a mobile phone, inputs a telephone number, performs settings when used as a mobile information processing terminal, and instructs to change mode settings.
[0024]
In the main body 11, a control circuit 20 for controlling the whole, a control program for a mobile phone, a memory 21 for storing various information such as an ID number (recognition number and body number), and a modem as a modulation / demodulation circuit (transmission / reception circuit) 22, a transmitting section 24, a receiving section 25, a power generation circuit 26, a battery section 27 and the like are provided.
[0025]
The modem 22 is connected to the antenna unit 12, demodulates reception data received by the antenna unit 12 and outputs the demodulated data to the control circuit 20 and the power generation circuit 26, and transmits transmission data from the control circuit 20 using the antenna unit 12. Or send it. A plurality of modems 22 may be provided if there is a difference in signal frequency between when used as a mobile phone and when used as an information processing terminal (for example, in the case of Bluetooth communication). Further, when used as a mobile phone and when used as an information processing terminal, they are controlled by separate applications registered in the memory 21.
[0026]
The transmitting unit 24 is configured by a microphone or the like, and converts a voice signal emitted by a user when used as a mobile phone into voice data and outputs the voice data. The receiving unit 25 is configured by a speaker or the like, and converts the supplied received voice data into a voice signal and outputs a sound from the speaker.
[0027]
The power generation circuit 26 generates an operation power supply voltage using the power supply voltage of the battery unit 27 based on the data received from the modem 22, and controls the control circuit 20, the modem 22, the transmission unit 24, the reception unit 25, It is supplied to the operation unit 15 and the display unit 14. The battery unit 27 supplies a power supply voltage (standby power supply voltage) to each unit when the power supply generation circuit 26 is not operating.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 3, the content server 3 includes a control unit 3a for controlling the whole, an information output device 3b, an information input device 3c, a database 3d, an information communication unit 3e connected to the communication network 1, and the like.
[0029]
The control unit 3a analyzes communication information supplied from the information communication unit 3e, extracts map information for notifying the position of the print device 6 required by the user from the database 3d, and transmits the map information from the information communication unit 3e. And so on.
[0030]
The information output device 3b outputs information stored in the database 3d for maintenance work and the like. Depending on the scale of the system, it may be provided outside the content server 3. As the information output device 3b, a printer, an MO, a CD-R, a cassette tape, a DVD-RAM, an FD, a hard disk, a video tape, and the like can be applied.
[0031]
The information input device 3c is for inputting information stored in the database 3d and the like. As the information input device 3c, a keyboard, a mouse, a pen input, a scanner, an OCR and the like can be applied. Depending on the scale of the system, it may be provided outside the content server 3.
[0032]
The database 3d stores various information. The information includes a sentence, an image, a moving image, a sound, and the like. The database 3d stores map information required by the user and also stores information received from the mobile terminal 2 as necessary. The database 3d also stores the position information of each printer device 6, and the like.
[0033]
The information communication unit 3e receives communication information supplied from the mobile terminal 2 or the like via the communication network 1 or transmits communication information extracted from the database 3d to the mobile terminal 2 or the like via the communication network 1. is there.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 4, the print-on-demand server 4 includes a control unit 4a for controlling the whole, a management memory 4b, an information communication unit 4c connected to the communication network 1, a storage unit 4d, and the like.
[0035]
The control unit 4a analyzes communication information supplied from the information communication unit 4c, extracts necessary information from the storage unit 4d and transmits it from the information communication unit 4c, and reads necessary information from the print content database 5 to It is stored in the storage unit 4d. The control unit 4a generates a new PID as an identification number for printing this time (hereinafter, referred to as a PID) based on a print request received from the mobile terminal 2 via another device, and The correspondence between the mobile number or address of the mobile terminal 2, the print information, the identification number of the printable printer controller 7 (therefore, the printer device 6), and the printable period for which printing is permitted is stored in the PID of the management memory 4b. It is registered in the management table 4f.
[0036]
The management memory 4b has a registration place table 4e, a PID management table 4f, and the like.
[0037]
The registration location table 4e stores location information where each piece of print information in the print content database 5 is registered. That is, the storage location of the print information for each ID of the print information is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a correspondence table of the print information ID and the print information information file name is provided.
[0038]
The PID management table 4f, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, issues the issued PID, a print content specifying unit such as a type of print information and a magnification, a mobile number or address as user data, and permits printing. The correspondence table includes an identification number of the printer controller 7 (accordingly, the printer device 6) and a print permissible period for permitting printing.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 5, the print content database 5 includes a control unit 5a for controlling the whole, an information communication unit 5b connected to the communication network 1, a database 5c in which print information is registered, and the like.
[0040]
The control unit 5a analyzes communication information supplied from the information communication unit 5b, extracts necessary print information from the database 5c, and transmits the print information from the information communication unit 5b.
[0041]
The information communication unit 5b receives communication information supplied from the print-on-demand server 4 or the like via the communication network 1 or transmits print information extracted from the database 5c to the print-on-demand server 4 or the like via the communication network 1. What to send.
[0042]
The database 5c stores print information that can be printed by the printer device 6. Here, the print information stored in the database 5c is intended to be the information provided by the system provider, but may be the information registered by the user using an e-mail attached file function or the like.
[0043]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the printer device 6 and the printer controller 7.
[0044]
The printer controller 7 is used as a distributed processing server, and has a control unit 7a for controlling the whole as shown in FIG. The control unit 7a includes a network interface 7b connected to the communication network 1, an HDD (or another storage device) 7c in which print information is appropriately stored, and one or more printer devices 6 accommodated. Printer interfaces 7d-1 and 7d-2 for performing a communication interface via a SCSI bus (a bus according to another protocol or the like) and an operation display unit 7e are connected.
[0045]
FIG. 8 shows a case in which one printer controller 7 can accommodate two printer devices 6. The printer device 6 may be a pure printer, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine. FIG. 8 shows a case of a copying machine. The operation display unit 7e may be separated into an operation unit and a display unit, or may be one in which an operation unit such as a touch panel and a display unit are combined.
[0046]
On the other hand, the printer device 6 corresponding to the copying machine is also provided with a control unit 6a for controlling the whole. The control unit 6a includes a CPU that controls the operation of the printer device, a ROM that stores software for operating the printer device 6, and a RAM that temporarily stores image data and other operational data.
[0047]
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 6b, a scanner 6c, a printer 6d, an operation panel 6e, an HDD 6f, and a controller interface 6g are connected to the controller 6a.
[0048]
The automatic document feeder 6b and the scanner unit 6c are general ones as a copying machine.
[0049]
The printer unit 6d not only prints image data of a document read by the scanner unit 6c, but also prints image data (image data of print information) given from the printer controller 7.
[0050]
The operation panel 6e is used as a display input unit composed of a liquid crystal display unit with a built-in touch panel and hard keys such as numeric keys. Various instructions such as operations and settings are input from the touch panel and the hard keys. , An operation guide, an error content guide at the time of error, and the like are displayed. In the case of this embodiment, an instruction such as an operation or setting for printing image data of print information is input, and an operation guide or the like is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.
[0051]
The HDD 6f is an external storage device represented by a hard disk in which data to be printed is stored. In the case of this embodiment, image data of print information is also stored as appropriate. The image data of the print information may be compressed and stored in the HDD 6f, or may be compressed from the beginning and stored in the HDD 6f as it is, and the compressed image data may be expanded and printed at the time of reading. good.
[0052]
The controller interface 6g is connected to the printer controller 7 via a SCSI bus, and exchanges image data of print information.
[0053]
(A-2) Operation of the embodiment
Next, the operation of the print network system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 shows the state of data transmission and reception in each unit, and FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing of the entire system.
[0054]
First, a user carrying the portable terminal 2 selects a homepage relating to certain print information provided by the content server 3 (ST1). The mobile terminal 2 transmits a data transmission request for the selected homepage to the content server 3 together with the mobile number or address of the mobile terminal 2 (ST2, S1).
[0055]
As a result, the content server 3 reads the display information of the requested homepage from the database 3d, and transmits the display information together with the display ID for specifying the display information to the requested portable terminal 2 (ST3, S2). . The mobile terminal 2 displays the received display information of the homepage on the display unit 14 (ST4). When the amount of display information is large, the display unit 14 displays by scrolling according to the operation of the user.
[0056]
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of display contents on the portable terminal 2 in step ST4.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 11, this display content example includes summary information relating to detailed print information, information for inputting a desired area to execute printing, and information for inputting a moving unit to a print location. I have.
[0058]
In the above description, the display information (information related to the detailed print information) shown in FIG. 11 can be extracted by one round trip communication between the mobile terminal 2 and the content server 3. The display information (information related to the detailed print information) shown in FIG. 11 may be obtained by several round trip communications between the three.
[0059]
As information on a desired area to execute printing, the user can select to indicate the vicinity where the portable terminal 2 is currently located or to indicate the area later. In the latter selection, for example, the user is on a train or a Shinkansen at the time of applying for printing, and can specify a desired printing area again after getting off the train.
[0060]
When the vicinity of the current position is designated as the print desired area, the information of the current position is input by the user. In this input field, a display in an administrative division (for example, “1-chome, Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo”) may be entered, and a famous building or the like has its name (for example, “Tokyo Tower”, “JPO”). ). Alternatively, a telephone number (a telephone number of a general telephone other than a mobile telephone) may be input, and the contents server 3 may replace the display with an address in an administrative section. Furthermore, the input may be a combination of latitude and longitude.
[0061]
Note that, for example, when the mobile terminal 2 has a GPS reception function, information on the current location may be obtained from the GPS reception function and set. Also, for example, if the builder of the system has concluded a contract with the provider of the mobile phone line to the mobile terminal 2 so that the content server 3 can acquire the location information of the mobile terminal 2, the input of the current location is omitted. The content server 3 automatically obtains the position information of the mobile terminal 2.
[0062]
Further, when the vicinity of the current position is designated as the print desired area, whether the user moves by walking, by bicycle, or by car is input.
[0063]
The user selects a predetermined item or inputs predetermined information with respect to the display content as shown in FIG. 11 and instructs printing (ST5). The mobile terminal 2 transmits the input information and the selection information to the content server 3 together with the display ID and the mobile number or address of the mobile terminal 2 (ST6, S3).
[0064]
At this time, if the vicinity of the current position is selected as the print desired area, the content server 3 determines one or a plurality of printer devices 6 (or printer controllers 7) for executing the printing of the print information according to the moving means. If the post-contact is selected as the print desired area, mark processing (flag setting) to that effect is performed (ST7).
[0065]
In the case of this embodiment, the information of the printer device 6 (or the printer controller 7) stored in the database 3d of the content server 3 includes not only the position information and the identification information but also whether or not the printing of the walking person is permitted. And information as to whether or not to permit printing by the cyclist, and whether or not to permit printing by the occupant. This information is also referred to, and the printer device 6 for executing printing of the print information is stored. Is determined. For example, with respect to the printer device 6 of a convenience store where a parking lot is not installed, information that does not permit printing by a car occupant is added.
[0066]
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the content server 3 changes the search range of the printer device 6 for executing the printing of the print information depending on the type of the moving means. For example, a walking person is determined from the printer devices 6 located within a radius of 200 m from the current position, and a bicycle person is determined from the printer devices 6 located within a radius of 2 km from the current position. The car mobile is determined from the printer devices 6 located within a radius of 5 km from the current position. The upper limit of the printer device 6 to be determined may be changed depending on the type of the moving means. For example, the upper limit for a car may be larger or smaller than the upper limit for a walk or bicycle.
[0067]
Accordingly, the process of the content server 3 when the vicinity of the current position is selected as the print desired area is as shown in FIG. 12, for example.
[0068]
The printer device 6 within the radius determined by the moving means from the current position is taken out (ST31), and among the taken out printer devices 6, only those which allow the moving means to come (ST32). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of the narrowed-down printer devices 6 exceeds the upper limit determined by the moving means (ST33). After further narrowing down to the printer device 6 (ST34), the printer device 6 to be printed is set (ST35). If the upper limit is not exceeded, the printer device 6 to be printed is immediately set (ST35). ).
[0069]
The upper limit number of the search for the printer device 6 may be set to the same number regardless of the moving means.
[0070]
As described above, when one or a plurality of printer devices 6 to execute the printing of the print information are determined, or when the printer device 6 sets the post communication, the content server 3 prints the information and the printing to be used for printing. The type of information is transmitted to the print-on-demand server 4 (ST8, S4).
[0071]
The print-on-demand server 4 reads, from the registration place table 4e, the registration place in the print content database 5 of the print information to be provided for printing based on the received information (ST9).
[0072]
The print-on-demand server 4 transmits a print information transmission request for the registered location to the print content database 5 (ST10, S5). Based on the received transmission request, the print content database 5 reads out the print information of the corresponding registered location and transmits it to the print-on-demand server 4 (ST11, S6).
[0073]
The print-on-demand server 4 stores the received print information in the storage unit 4c, generates a new PID as a number for the current print, and waits a predetermined time (may be several days) after the current time. The print permitted period is defined as the PID, the print permitted period, the mobile number or address of the mobile terminal 2, and the print information (the information of the printer device 6 to be printed and the information of the subsequent communication are added at this time). The correspondence is registered in the PID management table 4f (ST12). Further, the print-on-demand server 4 transmits the generated new PID to the content server 3 (ST13, S7).
[0074]
The print-on-demand server 4 may also be provided with information on the moving means from the content server 3, and the predetermined time for determining the allowable printing period may be changed by the moving means. In this case, a predetermined time for post-communication may be determined.
[0075]
If the vicinity of the current position is selected as the print desired area, the content server 3 transmits the received PID and the map information that identifies the printer device 6 that performs printing to the portable terminal 2 that has issued the print instruction, If the post-contact is selected as the print desired area, the received PID is internally stored, and the received PID and post-contact reception information including a limit time for receiving the post-communication and an access address at the time of the post-communication are stored. The print instruction is transmitted to the portable terminal 2 (ST14, S8). The mobile terminal 2 displays the received PID, the map information, or the subsequent contact reception information on the display unit 14 (ST15).
[0076]
The limit time for receiving the post-communication may be the same as the printable time limit, or may be a time earlier by a predetermined time.
[0077]
In the case of this embodiment, the content server 3 forms the map information according to the designated moving means as in the following example.
[0078]
For example, if a pedestrian is a pedestrian, map information including a small range (within a radius of 200 m) is searched for the printer device 6 that executes printing. Then, the map information including the middle range (within a radius of 2 km) is formed, and if the vehicle is a car traveler, the map information including the wide range (within a radius of 5 km) in which the printer device 6 for executing printing is searched is formed.
[0079]
Further, for example, map information including all printer devices 6 that execute printing is formed. Even in this case, the search range is different depending on the means of transportation, so that the map information can be enlarged or narrowed.
[0080]
In any case, the positions in the map information of all the printer devices 6 that execute printing are represented by a notation different from other notations. For example, the position of the printer device 6 is indicated by rectangular black paint.
[0081]
The content server 3 may unify the map information having a wide area as described above into map information of the same size and provide the map information to the mobile terminal 2. The map information may be provided to the mobile terminal 2 as it is.
[0082]
FIG. 13 shows an example of the display contents of the PID and the map information received by the mobile terminal 2, and FIG. 14 shows an example of the display contents of the PID and the post-contact reception information received by the mobile terminal 2.
[0083]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the vicinity of the current position is selected as the print desired area, the map information for clarifying the position of the printer device 6 for printing the print information is displayed and the PID as the print number is notified. At the same time, a display is made to enable the storage of the PID. When the user selects to save the PID, the received PID is registered in the memory 21 of the mobile terminal 2.
[0084]
As shown in FIG. 14, if the post-contact is selected as the print desired area, the PID as the print number, the access address for post-reporting the print desired area, and the limit time for receiving the post-communication are: It is displayed together with information (for example, an icon) that enables image storage. When the user selects to save an image, the entire received image is registered in the memory 21 of the mobile terminal 2. Note that the PID, the access address, and the limit time may be registered and may be arbitrarily read.
[0085]
Next, a process when the user who has acquired the PID acquires map information including the position of the printer device 6 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.
[0086]
The user reads the image information stored in the mobile terminal 2 (ST41), and accesses an address (a predetermined Web page of the content server 3) in the image information (ST42). At this time, it is assumed that the access transmission information includes a PID (or an accessible time limit).
[0087]
The content server 3 confirms that the PID included in the access transmission information is the PID related to the subsequent communication and does not exceed the accessible time limit (ST43), and requests input or selection of current position information or the like. The display information is read from the database 3d (ST44), and transmitted to the requesting portable terminal 2 together with the display ID for specifying the display information (ST45).
[0088]
Confirmation of the PID is performed by collation with the one stored in the content server 3. Note that the PID may not be stored in the content server 3. In this case, the PID is taken out from the print-on-demand server 4 and confirmed. In addition, the confirmation of whether or not the user permits the later communication may be performed by using the number or address of the portable terminal 2 in addition to or instead of the PID. If it cannot be confirmed, a reply to that effect is made.
[0089]
FIG. 16 shows an example of display contents for requesting input or selection of the current position information or the like at the time of subsequent communication.
[0090]
As shown in FIG. 16, in this display content example, the user can confirm that he / she is the person who will be contacted later, the information for inputting the desired area to execute printing, and the means for moving to the print location. And information.
[0091]
The user instructs the transmission of the display contents as shown in FIG. 16 by selecting the moving means or inputting the current position, and the portable terminal 2 transmits the input information and the selection information to the display ID. And the mobile terminal 2 or the mobile number or address of the mobile terminal 2 to the content server 3 (ST46).
[0092]
At this time, the content server 3 determines one or a plurality of printer devices 6 (or printer controllers 7) for executing the printing of the print information according to the moving means in the same manner as described above (ST47).
[0093]
As described above, when one or a plurality of printer devices 6 to execute the printing of the print information are determined, the content server 3 transmits the information and the PID to the print-on-demand server 4 (ST48), and print-on-demand. Although the processing steps are omitted in FIG. 15, the server 4 writes the information of the printer device 6 given in the column of the printer device of the record relating to the received PID in the PID management table 4f, and indicates the end of the writing. Reply to server 3. At this time, the print-on-demand server 4 may also update the print allowable period. In the above description, the print-on-demand server 4 retrieves the print information from the print content database 5 at the time of the initial access also in the case of the later communication. It may be taken out from the print content database 5.
[0094]
Upon receiving the reply of the end of writing, the content server 3 forms map information that identifies the printer device 6 that performs the printing (the forming method is the same as the above-described forming method), and together with the PID, the portable terminal that has been contacted later 2 (ST49). The mobile terminal 2 displays the PID and the map information on the display unit 14 (ST50).
[0095]
The display content at this time may be substantially the same as the display content of FIG. 13 described above, and the description of the display example will be omitted. Also in this case, it is preferable that the PID can be stored.
[0096]
Next, the operation when printing the print information will be described with reference to FIG.
[0097]
The user who has acquired the PID and the position information of the printer device 6 goes to the vicinity of any of the printer devices 6 (and the printer controller 7) existing in the map information at an appropriate timing, and operates the operation display unit 7g of the printer controller 7. To transmit the PID registered in the memory 21 to the printer controller 7 by the data transfer function (for example, Bluetooth function) of the portable terminal 2 (ST61).
[0098]
The printer controller 7 transmits the given PID to the print-on-demand server 4 (ST62). The print-on-demand server 4 determines print information from the PID management table 4f based on the received PID, reads the determined print information from the storage unit 4c, and outputs the print information to the printer via the printer controller 7. The data is transmitted to the device 6 (ST63).
[0099]
Note that the print-on-demand server 4 performs billing information for a user or the like according to the amount of transmission data when transmitting print information. For example, a fee is charged using a communication fee to the mobile terminal 2 as a service providing fee. The billing method does not matter. The billing may be performed when the above-described PID is generated.
[0100]
The printer device 6 prints the received print information (ST64), and discharges the paper after the print processing (ST65).
[0101]
It should be noted that the print-on-demand server 4 may receive a print information transmission request from each printer controller 7 and delete the information portion related to the print information from the PID management table 4f every time the print information is transmitted. good.
[0102]
Also, when a print request with a PID is given from the printer controller 7 (therefore, the printer device 6) that is not described in the PID management table 4f, or when a print request that exceeds the print time limit is given, For example, the print request is ignored, and the fact is returned to the printer controller 7.
[0103]
(A-3) Effects of the embodiment
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the information of the moving unit is given when applying for the printing of the print information, and the print-permissible printer device and the print-permissible period are determined according to the moving unit. The following effects can be obtained.
[0104]
From the viewpoint of the user, for example, when traveling by car, the printer device of the convenience store where the parking lot is located is designated, so that an appropriate printer device is designated and printing can be performed without waste.
[0105]
Further, since the user is instructed on a printer device that can print within a range according to the moving means, the user can print with a printer device according to his or her own moving direction, which is highly convenient.
[0106]
Further, in order to prevent unauthorized printing by a third party, even when the range and the time limit of the printer device that can execute printing are determined, if they are uniformly determined, the original user may be troubled. This can be prevented. For example, if a wide range is set in consideration of an automobile, there is a possibility that a third party may go before a pedestrian moves to an allowed distant printer device. Can be.
[0107]
(B) Modified embodiment
In the description of the above embodiment, various modified embodiments have been referred to, but further modified embodiments as exemplified below can be cited.
[0108]
The function division of each server is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and the number of servers is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the content server 3 and the print content database 5 may be integrated. Further, for example, the function of the print-on-demand server 4 may be performed by the content server 3.
[0109]
Conversely, a plurality of functions described as being performed by one server in the above embodiment may be performed by different devices. For example, the transmission of the display information may be performed by the content server 3, and the reception of the print instruction for the content server 3 may be performed by another device. Here, the other devices may be independent of each element in FIG. 1 or may be the print-on-demand server 4.
[0110]
In the above-described embodiment, the PID is generated, and the PID is input to the printer controller 7 to retrieve the print information. Alternatively, or in addition, the telephone number of the portable terminal 2 is provided to the printer controller 7. Alternatively, print information may be taken out by inputting an address or an address. The print information may be extracted by applying another authentication method. At the time of application for printing, the condition may be that authentication information (for example, a password) is input.
[0111]
The print instruction of the print information may be issued not only from the mobile terminal 2 but also from a personal computer at the user's house. In this case, the input of the current position is an input of the search center position of the printer device 6.
[0112]
In the above embodiment, the printer device 6 prints out the print information immediately. However, instead of or in addition to this, the printer controller 7 or the printer device 6 prints the print information by a user's selection operation or the like. The information may be recorded and output on a recording medium so that the user can print the information on his or her personal computer.
[0113]
In the above-described embodiment, guidance information and the like from the content server 3 are transmitted to the mobile terminal 2 as display information, and a response from the mobile terminal 2 is input in association with the display screen. Alternatively, an audio signal may be used. For example, the content server 3 may give guidance or the like to the portable terminal 2 by a voice message. Further, the user may input the selection information to the portable terminal 2 by voice, and the content server 3 receiving the voice signal may capture the user's selection and the like by the voice recognition function.
[0114]
In the above embodiment, the position information of the printer device 6 capable of executing printing is given to the user in the form of map information. However, the position information may be given as a character string such as an address.
[0115]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the map information including the position information of the printer device 6 that can execute the printing is always given to the user. However, the user may select whether or not to obtain the map information. good. This selection may be instructed after receiving the PID. Note that even when the user does not make a selection, the content server may shift the transmission timing of the PID and the transmission timing of the map information.
[0116]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the search for the printer device 6 that can execute printing is performed using the designated current position as the search center position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be able to specify an arbitrary position as the search center position. In this case, the travel time between the current position and an arbitrary designated position may be input or obtained by calculation, and the printable period may be adjusted accordingly. Also, for example, even when the current position is indicated, the moving direction, the moving speed, and the like are input, or the moving direction and the moving speed are automatically obtained if the mobile terminal 2 is equipped with a GPS receiver or the like. The transmission may be performed to search the moving direction side from the current position. In this case, the search range may be changed not only by the moving means but also by a combination of the moving means and the moving speed. Naturally, the range of the map information to be displayed is changed according to the search range.
[0117]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the search range of the printer device 6 that can execute printing is changed by the moving unit. However, the search range is the same, and the printer unit 6 that notifies the user by the moving unit. The upper limit number may be changed.
[0118]
In the above-described embodiment, the print information is stored in advance. However, the print information is transmitted from the portable terminal 2 (or the fixed terminal) together with the print application, stored, and printed by the printer device 6. It may be the one that causes it.
[0119]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the map information is provided to the portable terminal. However, even if the map information is not provided, the search range of the printer device 6 that can execute printing can be changed by the moving means. The print allowable period may be changed.
[0120]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print network system that can change the print permission condition under which the applied print information can be printed in accordance with the status of the user (display input unit).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print network system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a mobile terminal according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a content server according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a print-on-demand server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a print content database according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a registration place table of the print-on-demand server according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a PID management table of the print-on-demand server according to the embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a printer device 6 and a printer controller 7 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of data transfer between elements in a print reservation operation according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a print reservation operation according to the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an input display screen at the time of print reservation according to the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determining a printer device that executes printing according to the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen (1) for notifying print reservation registration according to the embodiment.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen (2) for notifying print reservation registration according to the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating a post-communication operation for determining a printer device that performs printing according to the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen for input at the time of post-communication of the embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation at the time of a print request according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Communication network,
2. Mobile terminal,
3. Content server,
4: Print-on-demand server
5. Print content database
6. Printer device,
7 Printer controller.

Claims (7)

Print information storage means for storing print information;
Display information storing and transmitting means for storing print information specifying display information for specifying print information to be printed, and transmitting the print information specifying display information;
Display input means for displaying the given print information specifying display information, and including information on the user's moving means, and returning a print reservation of the print information,
A print reservation management unit that receives and manages a print reservation from the display input unit, and that changes a restriction on a print permission condition according to the information of the moving unit;
At the time of receiving the print request, it confirms the correspondence with the print reservation to which the print permission condition is added, which is managed by the print reservation management means, and when the print permission condition is satisfied, the correspondence is stored in the print information storage means. Print information transmission control means for transmitting the print information,
A print network for transmitting a print request corresponding to the print reservation and printing the returned print information, the print network having a print unit independent of the display input unit and connectable via a communication network. system. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print reservation management unit changes the print permission condition that is changed according to the information of the transfer unit in a local search range of the print unit that permits printing of the print information. 2. The printing network system according to 1. 3. The print network system according to claim 2, wherein a local search range of the printing unit by the printing reservation management unit is in accordance with a moving direction and / or a moving speed of the display input unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print reservation management unit changes the print permission condition changed according to the information of the moving unit by a search upper limit number of the print unit that permits printing of the print information. 3. The printing network system according to any one of 3. 5. The printing permit management device according to claim 1, wherein the restriction on the print permission condition that is changed according to the information on the moving device is a time limit for permitting printing of the print information. Printing network system. 6. The printing method according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit information transmitting unit that transmits information of one or a plurality of the printing units that permit printing of the print information to the display input unit. Network system. The printing unit information transmitting unit transmits the information of the printing unit that permits the printing of the printing information by using map information that clearly indicates the position of the printing unit, and determines the size of the regional range related to the map information. 7. The print network system according to claim 6, wherein the change is made according to the type of the moving means.

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