JP2004252678A - Wide-area printing system, document server, content server, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the charging of different amounts according to the content or value of information to be provided to a user without being limited to the charging of a printing rate based on the number of sheets necessary for printing print data or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The charging part of the content server charges an information charge to the user who prints the print data, and the charging part of the document server charges the printing rate according to the number of prints of the print data to the user. Accordingly, the printing rate and the information charge are charged to the user in the independent servers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting information stored in a server connected to the Internet to an image forming apparatus installed in a remote place via the Internet and printing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Network printing in which information stored in a server on the Internet is called from an image forming apparatus (at least an apparatus having a printer function) installed at a remote place via the Internet and necessary documents can be printed. A system is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this network printing system, a user (print data receiver) transmits a document ID (identification) from a printer installed in a convenience store or the like to a print service server via the Internet, and the print service server inputs the document ID. Then, the print data corresponding to the document ID is searched, and the print data is transferred to the printer that has notified the document ID, and based on the document ID, the number of sheets required for printing the print data is determined. Charges are made for each user accordingly.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-32205
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described network printing system, it is possible to charge the user for a print fee or the like in accordance with the number of sheets required for printing the print data, but the user is charged according to the content and value of the information provided to the user. It is not possible to charge different amounts. For example, when a print data provider (operator of a content server) wants to collect an information fee for print data other than a print fee, or wants to collect a non-uniform so-called rich content fee according to the content of the print data However, the above-mentioned network printing system cannot realize such fee collection.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is not limited to a charge according to a print fee based on the number of sheets required for printing print data, but also a content of information provided to a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wide-area printing system, a document server, a content server, and an image forming apparatus that can perform charging with different amounts of money according to the value and the value.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a document server receives print data from a content server that provides various information via the Internet, and the document server is installed at a remote location. In a wide area printing system for transmitting to an image forming apparatus for printing
The content server includes: a data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive various data including print data to / from a user-owned communication terminal device and a document server; a data storage unit configured to store the print data; When a print request from a device is received, control means for reading print data corresponding to the print request from the data storage means and transmitting the print data from the data transmission / reception means to the document server; When print data is transmitted to the server, an information fee billing unit that calculates and charges an information fee of the print data to the user who made the print request,
A data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive various data including the print data to / from the content server and the image forming apparatus; a storage unit configured to store print data received from the content server; A data search unit for searching whether print data corresponding to a print data transmission instruction from the storage unit is stored in the storage unit, and calculating and charging a print fee according to the number of print data printed by the data search unit. Print charge accounting means for storing as data, and control means for transmitting print data and accounting data from the data transmission and reception means to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives an input of a print data transmission instruction; a transmission unit that transmits a print data transmission instruction input from the reception unit to the document server; and print data and accounting data from the document server. A receiving unit that receives the print data; an output unit that prints out the received print data; and a fee collecting unit that collects a print fee from a user based on the billing data received by the receiving unit from the document server. .
[0007]
According to this configuration, for the user who prints the print data, the information fee charging unit of the content server charges the information fee to the user, and the print fee charging unit of the document server responds to the number of print data printed. By charging the print fee, the user is charged for the print fee and the information fee on separate servers, so that the user is charged for the print fee, etc. according to the number of sheets required for printing the print data. In addition to the above, it is possible to perform charging with different amounts according to the content and value of information provided to the user (such as collecting non-uniform so-called rich content fees according to the content of print data). .
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wide area printing system according to the first aspect, the information fee billing unit of the content server transmits print data from the data transmission / reception unit to the communication terminal device owned by the user. At the time of transmission, the information fee for the print data is charged to the user.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the timing of charging the user by the information fee charging unit of the content server is determined when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception unit to the communication terminal device owned by the user. The information fee can be reliably collected even in a case where the user only visually recognizes the obtained information with his / her own communication terminal device and does not perform printing with the image forming apparatus.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wide area printing system according to the second aspect, the control means of the content server, when a print request is received by the data transmitting / receiving means, the communication owned by the user. The data transmission / reception unit transmits the print data obtained by adding information to the print data transmitted to the terminal device to the document server. The information fee of the print data is charged by adding a certain amount of money.
[0011]
According to this configuration, information is further added to the print data transmitted from the content server to the document server and actually printed, rather than the print data transmitted from the content server to the communication terminal device owned by the user. When the print data to which the information is added is transmitted to the document server, the user is charged an information fee to which a fixed amount is added. Therefore, it is possible to print the print data with high image quality and large size using the image forming apparatus, so that the user can not only visually recognize the print data with the communication terminal device at hand, but also perform image forming. It is possible to provide a motivation for printing by the apparatus, and it is also possible to reliably collect the information fee for the information added for printing in the image forming apparatus.
[0012]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wide area printing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit of the content server receives the print request by the data transmission / reception unit. In the case, the data transmission / reception unit transmits print data to the document server, and transmits the information fee of the print data calculated by the information fee accounting unit as accounting data,
The control means of the document server transmits, from the data transmission / reception means, the image data charge data and the print charge data calculated by the print charge charging means to the image data. To the forming device,
The fee collecting unit of the image forming apparatus collects a required fee from a user based on both the information fee and the print fee of the print data received by the receiving unit from the document server.
[0013]
According to this configuration, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection route can be unified and reliably collected. In addition, the user can easily understand the fee payment method.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document for receiving print data from a content server that provides various information via the Internet, transmitting the print data to an image forming apparatus installed at a remote location, and printing the document. A server,
Data transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving various data between the content server and the image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing print data received from the content server;
Data search means for searching whether print data corresponding to a print data transmission instruction from the image forming apparatus is stored in the print data storage means,
A print fee charging unit that calculates a print fee corresponding to the number of prints of the print data retrieved by the data retrieval unit and stores the calculated fee as billing data;
A control unit for transmitting the print data and the billing data from the data transmission / reception unit to the image forming apparatus.
[0015]
According to this configuration, when print data corresponding to the print data transmission instruction from the image forming apparatus exists in the storage unit, the data transmission / reception unit calculates the print data received from the content server side by the print fee charging unit. Since the control means controls to transmit the billing data to the image forming apparatus, a document server is inserted between the content server and the image forming apparatus connected to the Internet to manage the print data and the billing data. Control for managing print data and billing data in the content server and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the document server according to the fifth aspect, the control unit includes: a print fee billing data calculated by the print fee billing unit; The data transmission / reception unit transmits both the charge data of the information fee of the print data received from the content server to the image forming apparatus.
[0017]
According to this configuration, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user can be collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection path are unified and reliably collected. In addition, the user can easily understand how to pay the fee.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content server which transmits print data to a document server via the Internet and causes the print data to be printed by a remotely located image forming apparatus via the document server.
Data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving various data including print data between a communication terminal device and a document server owned by a user,
Control means for transmitting print data from the data transmitting / receiving means to the document server when a print request from a communication terminal device is received by the data transmitting / receiving means;
And information charge means for calculating an information charge of the print data when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception means to the document server and charging the user who made the print request. .
[0019]
According to this configuration, when the data transmission / reception unit of the content server transmits the print data to the document server, the information fee charging unit of the content server charges the information fee to the user. The fee can be reliably charged without depending on the processing by the document server or the image forming apparatus.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 8 is the content server according to claim 7, wherein the information fee billing unit is configured to transmit the print data to the communication terminal device owned by the user by the data transmission / reception unit. Then, the user is charged for the information fee of the print data.
[0021]
According to this configuration, the timing of charging the user by the information fee charging unit of the content server is determined when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception unit to the communication terminal device owned by the user. The information fee can be reliably collected even in a case where the user only visually recognizes the obtained information with his / her own communication terminal device and does not perform printing with the image forming apparatus.
[0022]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the content server according to the eighth aspect, when the print request is received by the data transmitting / receiving means, the control means transmits the print request to the communication terminal device owned by the user. Print data obtained by further adding information to the generated print data, from the data transmission / reception means to the document server, and when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception means to the document server, the charging means Is added to the user who has performed the printing, and the information fee of the print data is charged.
[0023]
According to this configuration, information is further added to the print data transmitted from the content server to the document server and actually printed, rather than the print data transmitted from the content server to the communication terminal device owned by the user. When the print data to which the information is added is transmitted to the document server, the user is charged an information fee to which a fixed amount is added. Therefore, it is possible to print the print data with high image quality and large size using the image forming apparatus, so that the user can not only visually recognize the print data with the communication terminal device at hand, but also perform image forming. It is possible to provide a motivation for printing by the apparatus, and it is also possible to reliably collect the information fee for the information added for printing in the image forming apparatus.
[0024]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the content server according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein, when a print request is received by the data transmission / reception unit, the control unit transmits the print request from the data transmission / reception unit. The print data is transmitted to the document server, and the information fee of the print data calculated by the information fee billing means is transmitted as billing data.
[0025]
According to this configuration, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection route can be unified and reliably collected. In addition, the user can easily understand the method of paying the fee.
[0026]
The invention according to claim 11 is an image forming apparatus that receives and outputs print data from a server connected to the Internet via the Internet,
Receiving means for receiving an input of a print data transmission instruction;
Transmitting means for transmitting a print data transmission instruction input from the receiving means to the document server;
Receiving means for receiving, from the document server, print data corresponding to the print data transmission instruction transmitted from the transmitting means;
Output means for printing out the print data received by the receiving means,
When print data is output by the output unit, the reception unit collects a print fee from a user based on the billing data received from the document server.
[0027]
According to these configurations, the user grants a license to use the printing target information to the document server from the image forming device side to the document server for transmitting the printing target information to the remote image forming apparatus. It is possible to prove that the print data has been received, and it is possible to reliably collect the required fee required for outputting the print data from the user.
[0028]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the fee collection unit includes both an information fee and a print fee of the print data received by the receiving unit from the document server. The required fee is collected from the user based on the charging data of (1).
[0029]
According to this configuration, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collectively collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee are unified and the information fee and the print fee are unified. The fee can be reliably collected, and the user can easily understand how to pay the fee.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a wide area printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wide area printing system according to the present invention. In the wide area printing system 1 according to the present invention, the document server 3 temporarily receives print data stored in the content server 2 connected to the Internet via the Internet, and stores the data in a convenience store 4, a print station 5, and a hotel in a remote place. The document server 3 transmits print target information via the Internet to each of the printers 41, 51, and 61 installed at the printer 6 and the like, and prints the information. The convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like are connected by an Internet network.
[0031]
The content server 2 is a server having a database in which various types of information are stored. For example, the content server 2 distributes print target information (hereinafter, referred to as print data) used by a product distributor or the like for advertisement. The content server 2 assigns, for example, a print data unique number (a number assigned to identify the print data when a certain print data is registered in the content server 2) to each print data to be provided to the user. A content ID (identification) is given, and a user ID is given to each user (print data receiver). The user ID is a user-specific identification number assigned to each user when the user is registered in the content server 2 for the purpose of printing out print data. The transmission of these IDs to the document server 3 will be described later.
[0032]
The content server 2 distributes print data by electronic mail or the like to communication terminal devices such as a mobile phone 7, a PC (notebook personal computer) 9, and a PDA (personal digital assistants) 10 of each user. Send a message. Further, the content server 2 transmits the print data to be provided to the user and the document ID accompanying the print data to the document server 3.
[0033]
The document server 3 creates a document ID from the content ID and the user ID received from the content server 2, and stores the print data received from the content server 2 in association with the document ID. This document ID is transmitted from the document server 3 to a communication terminal device such as the user's mobile phone 7, notebook PC (notebook personal computer) 9, PDA 10, and the like. When the user inputs this document ID to one of the printers 41, 51, and 61, and the document server 3 receives the document ID from any of the printers 41, 51, and 61, the document server 3 transmits the document under certain conditions. The print data corresponding to the document ID is transmitted to the printers 41, 51, and 61 that have transmitted the ID.
[0034]
The printers 41, 51, and 61 installed at the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like can transmit and receive data to and from the document server 3 via the Internet. The printers 41, 51, and 61 only need to have at least a printer function, and may be a so-called multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile.
[0035]
The provider 8 is an organization that provides an Internet connection service, and is capable of connecting from the document server 3 to communication terminal devices such as a notebook PC (notebook personal computer) 9 and a PDA (personal digital assistants) 10 via the Internet. I have to.
[0036]
The telephone company 11 provides a voice communication service to the mobile phone 7 and, as a provider, provides an Internet connection service for enabling the mobile phone 7 to transmit and receive data. Note that the telephone company 11 itself does not need to provide the Internet connection service, and may enable the Internet connection through the service of another provider group. The mobile phone 7 has a data transmission / reception function in addition to a normal voice call function.
[0037]
The outline of data communication between the user, the content server 2 and the document server 3 in the wide area printing system 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of data communication among the user, the content server 2 and the document server 3.
[0038]
{Circle around (1)} The content server 2 that transmits information such as advertisements distributes so-called rich contents such as advertisements, fortune-telling information, and image data to communication terminal devices such as the user's mobile phone 7 by e-mail or the like. At this time, a message indicating that the rich content can be printed is also delivered.
[0039]
{Circle over (2)} The user who has received the rich content from the content server 2 transmits an instruction to request printing of the rich content by accessing the Internet site by mail transmission, login by transmitting a user ID and a password, or the like.
[0040]
{Circle around (3)} Upon receiving the print request from the user, the content server 2 transmits the data of the target rich content to the document server 3 as print data, and, together with this, the content ID indicating the print data and the content ID of the print data. A user ID indicating a user permitted to print is transmitted.
[0041]
{Circle around (4)} Upon receiving the print data, the content ID, and the user ID, the document server 3 creates a document ID based on the content ID and the user ID, and transmits the document ID to the user (the mobile phone 7 or the like).
[0042]
When the user who receives the document ID inputs the document ID to a printer installed in the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, or the like, (5) the printer receives the document ID and a print data transmission request, etc. Is transmitted to the document server 3.
[0043]
When the document server 3 receives the document ID and the print data transmission request from the printer, the document server 3 specifies the print data to be printed from the document ID, and (6) determines the print data and the print fee required for printing the print data. Send the information to the printer.
[0044]
The printer receiving the print data prints the print data. The print fee is displayed on a display unit provided on the operation panel of the printer.
[0045]
Next, an outline of the internal configuration of the document server 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the document server 3. The document server 3 includes a print data storage unit 301, a document ID management unit 302, a charging unit 304, a data search unit 305, a communication unit 306, a print request reception analysis unit 307, and a control unit 310.
[0046]
The print data storage unit 301 stores the print data received from the content server 2 in association with the associated document ID. The print data provided to each user is read from the print data storage unit 301 and transmitted to each of the printers 41, 51, and 61.
[0047]
The document ID management unit 302 creates and stores a document ID based on the user ID and the content ID associated with the print data. The billing unit 304 calculates a print fee based on the number of sheets required for printing, and stores the calculated billing data. The data search unit 305 reads print data corresponding to the document ID received from each of the printers 41, 51, and 61 from the print data storage unit 301.
[0048]
The communication unit 306 performs various data communications with each of the printers 41, 51, 61 and the content server 2 via a network interface (not shown) and the Internet. The print request receiving / analyzing unit 307 analyzes the contents of the print data transmission request based on the document ID, and sends the analysis result to the control unit 310, the data search unit 305, and the like.
[0049]
The control unit 310 instructs the data search unit 305 to search for print data stored in the print data storage unit 301 in response to a print request based on the document ID from each of the printers 41, 51, and 61. It instructs the communication unit 306 to transmit and receive print data, billing data, and the like.
[0050]
Next, an outline of the internal configuration of the content server 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the content server 2. The content server 2 includes a print data storage unit 201, an ID management unit 202, a charging unit 203, a communication unit 204, a print request reception analysis unit 205, a data read unit 206, and a control unit 210.
[0051]
The print data storage unit 201 stores print data provided to a user in association with a document ID attached thereto. The print data transmitted to the document server 3 is read from the print data storage unit 201 and transmitted.
[0052]
The ID management unit 202 stores and manages a user ID and a content ID attached to the print data in association with the print data. The user ID and the content ID transmitted to the document server 3 are read from the ID management unit 202 and transmitted. The billing unit 203 calculates an information fee set according to the content and value of the rich content (print data) and stores the information fee as billing data for the user. The billing data of the billing unit 203 is provided when the print data provider (the operator of the content server 2) directly bills the user for the information fee (for example, the print target information provider who is the In the case of a company, the telephone company collects information charges together with telephone charges, etc.).
[0053]
The communication unit 204 performs various data communications with a communication terminal device such as the user's mobile phone 7 and the document server 3 via a network interface (not shown) and the Internet.
[0054]
The print request reception / analysis unit 205 analyzes the contents of a print request instruction or the like from a user's communication terminal device such as the mobile phone 7 and sends the analysis result to the control unit 210 and the like.
[0055]
Based on the print data distribution instruction received from the mobile phone 7 or the like owned by the user, the data reading unit 206 stores the corresponding print data, the content ID and the user ID associated with the print data, and the print data storage unit 201 and It is read from the ID management unit 202.
[0056]
The control unit 210 reads the print data stored in the print data storage unit 201 and the corresponding document ID from the document ID storage unit 202 in response to a print request instruction from the user, and transmits the read data to the communication unit 204. And so on.
[0057]
Next, an outline of the internal configuration of the printers 41, 51, 61 will be described. Since the main parts of the internal configuration of each printer are the same, the printer 41 will be described below as an example. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the printer 41. The printer 41 transmits a document ID, a print data transmission request instruction, and the like input by the user to the document server 3, and receives print data corresponding to the document ID from the document server 3 and prints the data.
[0058]
The printer 41 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) display section on which various messages (print fee and the like) necessary for operating the printer 41 are displayed, a touch panel on which operation instructions and a document ID necessary for printing are input by a user, and the like. An operation panel 411, a data transmission / reception unit 412 for transmitting / receiving a document ID, print data, and the like to / from the document server 3, a print output unit 414 for performing image formation based on the received print data and printing, and printing. A fee collection unit 415 for collecting bills and coins to be charged as a service fee, a fee detection unit 416 for detecting whether or not a fee has been charged to the fee collection unit 415, and a document server 3 by a data transmission / reception unit 412. Entire device such as data transmission / reception control and operation control of fee collection unit 415 And a control unit 417 for controlling the operation.
[0059]
The processing at the time of printing by the printer of the wide area printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process at the time of printing. When the charge detection unit 416 detects that at least the charge has been input (YES in S1), it is determined whether copy (copy) or print is selected according to the instruction input from the operation panel 411 ( S2). Here, when copy is selected (copy in S2), normal copy processing is performed (S10).
[0060]
If print is selected in S2 (print in S2), the input document ID and print data transmission request are transmitted to the document server 3 (YES in S3, S4). When print data and data such as a print fee corresponding to the document ID are received from the document server 3 (S5), the print fee is displayed based on the received print fee data (S6), and the print data is printed (S7). ). Then, an instruction to collect the print fee is issued to the fee collection unit 415 (S8).
[0061]
Processing between the communication terminal device owned by the user, the content server 2 and the document server 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing between the communication terminal device owned by the user, the content server 2 and the document server 3.
[0062]
First, the content server 2 sends rich content to be provided to the user to the mobile phone 7 or the like owned by the user (C1). Then, the rich content is received by the user's mobile phone 7 (U1). The user looks at the content of the rich content displayed on the mobile phone 7 and inputs a user ID and a password to the mobile phone 7 in order to print the rich content on a paper medium. 7, a print request is transmitted to the content server 2 (U2). When the print request is received by the content server 2 (C2), the rich content is transmitted as print data from the content server 2 to the document server 3 together with a content ID and a user ID indicating the print data (C3). .
[0063]
After transmitting the print data, the content ID, and the user ID, the content server 2 calculates and charges an information fee (information provision fee other than the print fee) for the rich content (C4). The calculated billing data is used as data for charging an information fee to a user from an operator of the content server 2 or the like. For example, when the operator of the content server 2 is a telephone company or the like of the mobile phone 7, based on the billing data, the telephone company provides an information fee to the user together with the telephone fee.
[0064]
When the print data, the content ID, and the user ID are received by the document server 3 (D1), a document ID is created based on the content ID and the user ID (D2). And the like, the print data to be printed and the document ID used to confirm the user are transmitted (D3). Then, the document ID is received by the user's mobile phone 7 (U3).
[0065]
The processing in the document server 3 will be described in association with the processing on the printer side. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the document server 3 and the printer. When the user inputs the document ID received by the mobile phone 7 or the like to the printer, the document ID and a print data transmission request are transmitted from the printer to the document server 3 (P11). The document server 3 receives the document ID and the print data transmission request (D11), and searches the print data storage unit 301 for print data corresponding to the received document ID (D12).
[0066]
If the print data corresponding to the received document ID exists in the print data storage unit 301 (YES in D13), the print fee is calculated based on the number of sheets and the size of the sheets required for printing the print data (D14). ), The print fee data and the print data are transmitted to the printer (D15, D16). The printer that has received the print data and the print fee displays and collects the print fee (P13), and prints the received print data (P14).
[0067]
If there is no print data corresponding to the received document ID in the print data storage unit 301 (NO in D13), print data indicating that the print service cannot be received is transmitted to the printer (D17). In the printer that has received the print data, a message indicating that the print service cannot be received is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 411 (P12).
[0068]
Another embodiment of the accounting and data transmission processing by the content server 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the charging and data transmission processing by the content server. When the rich content is transmitted from the content server 2 to the mobile phone 7 or the like owned by the user (C11), the information fee of the rich content is calculated and charged (C12). Subsequently, when a print request by transmitting a user ID and a password is received from the user's mobile phone 7 or the like (YES in C13), printing in which further information is added to the rich content data transmitted to the user's mobile phone 7 or the like is performed. The data, the content ID indicating the print data, and the user ID are transmitted to the document server 3 (C14). After transmitting the print data, the content ID, and the user ID to the document server 3, a certain amount is added to the information fee calculated in C12 (C15).
[0069]
That is, the rich content transmitted to the user's mobile phone 7 or the like only needs to be visible to the user on the display screen of the mobile phone 7 or the like. It is conceivable that necessary information is added to print data to be actually printed in order to realize high quality printing and provision of a wealth of information. For example, when image data is transmitted from the content server 2 to the user's mobile phone 7 or the like, the image data may be any thumbnail image data or the like that can be viewed on a display unit of the mobile phone 7 or the like. For example, when printing on A3 size paper or the like, it is necessary to further increase the resolution. The information fee charged when the print data with the increased resolution is transmitted to the document server 3 is a sum of a certain amount added to the information fee charged when the rich content is transmitted to the user's mobile phone 7 or the like. However, even when such data transmission is performed, according to the charging and data transmission processing, the data amount according to the data amount of the rich content transmitted to the user's mobile phone 7 or the document server 3 is determined. Billing can be performed accurately.
[0070]
As described above, the print data transmitted to the document server 3 is obtained by adding information to the content data transmitted to the user's mobile phone 7 or the like, so that the print data can be displayed on a small display of the communication terminal device at hand. The image forming apparatus can print on a large-sized sheet with high image quality in addition to being visually recognized by the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the user can store the printer in a store (convenience store 4, print station 5). , Hotel 6 etc.).
[0071]
Next, a third embodiment of the accounting process in the content server 2 and the corresponding processes in the document server 3 and the printer will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process. The information (rich content) to be provided to the user is transmitted from the content server 2 to the mobile phone 7 or the like owned by the user (C21), and the user ID and password are transmitted from the user's mobile phone 7 to the content server 2 and a print request is issued. When the print request is transmitted and received by the content server 2 (YES in C22), the print data obtained by further adding the information to the rich content is permitted to print the content ID indicating the print data and the print data. The content server 2 transmits the document ID to the document server 3 together with the user ID indicating the performed user (C23). After transmitting the print data, the content ID, and the user ID, the content server 2 calculates an information fee (information provision fee other than the print fee) of the rich content to which the fixed fee is added (C24). The data of the calculated rich content information fee is transmitted from the content server 2 to the document server 3 (C25).
[0072]
Upon receiving the print data, the content ID, and the user ID from the content server 2 (D21), the document server 3 creates a document ID based on the content ID and the user ID (D22). When the data of the rich content information fee is received (D23), the document ID is transmitted from the document server 3 to the mobile phone 7 or the like owned by the user (D24). When the user inputs the document ID to a printer installed in a store desired by the user (the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, etc.), the printer sends the document ID and a print data transmission request. It is transmitted to the document server 3 (P21).
[0073]
When the document server 3 receives the document ID and the print data transmission request from the printer (D25), the print data corresponding to the received document ID is retrieved from the print data storage unit 301 (D26). If the print data corresponding to the received document ID exists in the print data storage unit 301 (YES in D27), the print fee is calculated based on the number of sheets and the size of the sheets required for printing the print data (D28). The print fee data and the rich content information fee received from the content server 2 in D23 are transmitted to the printer that transmitted the document ID (D29), and the print data is transmitted (D30). The printer that has received the print fee, the rich content information fee, and the print data displays and collects the print fee and the rich content information fee (P23), and prints the received print data (P24).
[0074]
If there is no print data corresponding to the received document ID in the print data storage unit 301 (NO in D27), print data indicating that the print service cannot be received is transmitted to the printer (D31). In the printer receiving the print data, a message indicating that the print service cannot be received is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 411 (P22).
[0075]
In the above processing, the full amount of the rich content information fee charged to the user is managed by the document server 3 and transmitted to the printer, and the full amount of the rich content information fee is collected from the user at the printer. For example, the content server 2 transmits to the document server 3 data indicating only the additional amount (C15 in FIG. 9) of the rich content information fee, and only the information fee corresponding to the additional amount is transmitted by the printer. The rich content information fee other than the added content may be directly collected from the user at the time of printout and managed by the content server 2 and separately collected from the user.
[0076]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the configurations and processes of the content server 2, the document server 3, the printer 41, and the like are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, but these processes are merely examples, and the configuration and processes of the wide area printing system 1 according to the present invention. Is not limited to the above.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the information fee charging unit of the content server charges the user who prints the print data the information fee, and the print fee charging unit of the document server. Charges the print fee according to the number of print data to be printed, and charges the print fee and the information fee to the user on separate servers. In addition to the charging such as the print fee according to the information, etc., the fee which varies according to the content and value of the information provided to the user (a so-called rich content fee which is not uniform is collected according to the content of the print data). Etc.) can be performed.
[0078]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the timing of charging the user by the information fee charging unit of the content server is determined when the print data is transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit to the communication terminal device owned by the user. It is possible to reliably collect information charges even when the user only views the information provided to the user from the content server on his / her own communication terminal device and does not perform printing on the image forming apparatus. Will be possible.
[0079]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the print data transmitted from the content server to the document server and the print data actually printed are more information than the print data transmitted from the content server to the communication terminal device owned by the user. Is added, and when the print data to which this information is added is transmitted to the document server, the user is charged an information fee to which a fixed amount is added. Therefore, it is possible to print the print data with high image quality and large size using the image forming apparatus, so that the user can not only visually recognize the print data with the communication terminal device at hand, but also perform image forming. It is possible to provide a motivation for printing by the apparatus, and it is also possible to reliably collect the information fee for the information added for printing in the image forming apparatus.
[0080]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection route are unified and ensured. In addition, the user can easily understand the fee payment method.
[0081]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when print data corresponding to a print data transmission instruction from the image forming apparatus exists in the storage unit, the data transmission / reception unit transmits the print data together with the print data received from the content server. Since the control means controls the charge data calculated by the print charge charging means to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the document server is inserted between the content server and the image forming apparatus connected to the Internet, and the print data and the charging are performed. Since data management is performed, control for managing print data and billing data in the content server and the image forming apparatus can be reduced.
[0082]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collect both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user by the image forming apparatus. It is possible to collect the information in a unified manner, and the user can easily understand how to pay the fee.
[0083]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the data transmission / reception unit of the content server transmits the print data to the document server, the information fee charging unit of the content server charges the information fee to the user. The information fee for the print data for the user can be reliably charged without depending on the processing by the document server or the image forming apparatus.
[0084]
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the timing of charging the user by the information fee charging means of the content server is determined when the print data is transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving means to the communication terminal device owned by the user. It is possible to reliably collect information charges even when the user only views the information provided to the user from the content server on his / her own communication terminal device and does not perform printing on the image forming apparatus. Will be possible.
[0085]
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the print data transmitted from the content server to the document server and the print data actually printed are more information than the print data transmitted from the content server to the communication terminal device owned by the user. Is added, and when the print data to which this information is added is transmitted to the document server, the user is charged an information fee to which a fixed amount is added. Therefore, it is possible to print the print data with high image quality and large size using the image forming apparatus, so that the user can not only visually recognize the print data with the communication terminal device at hand, but also perform image forming. It is possible to provide a motivation for printing by the apparatus, and it is also possible to reliably collect the information fee for the information added for printing in the image forming apparatus.
[0086]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection route can be unified and ensured. And the user can easily understand how to pay the fee.
[0087]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the user performs the printing on the document server which is to transmit the print target information to the image forming apparatus at a remote place, and from the image forming apparatus side to the document server. It is possible to prove that the use of the target information has been licensed, and it is possible to reliably collect the required fee required for outputting the print data from the user.
[0088]
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since both the information fee and the print fee charged to the user are collectively collected by the image forming apparatus, the information fee and the print fee collection route are unified. As a result, the information fee and the print fee can be reliably collected, and the user can easily understand the fee payment method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a wide area printing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating data communication among a user, a content server, and a document server.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a document server.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a content server.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the printer.
FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart at the time of printing by a printer of the wide area printing system.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing between a communication terminal device, a content server, and a document server owned by a user.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a document server and a printer.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of charging and data transmission processing by the content server.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the charging process in the content server and the corresponding processes in the document server and the printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 wide area printing system
2 Content server
3 Document server
4 Convenience store
5 print station
6 Hotels
7 Mobile phone (communication terminal equipment owned by user)
9. Laptop PC (user-owned communication terminal equipment)
10 PDA (user-owned communication terminal equipment)
41, 51, 61 Printer (image forming apparatus)
201 print data storage unit (data storage unit)
202 ID management unit (data storage unit)
203 Billing unit (print fee billing means)
204 communication unit (data transmission / reception means)
210 control unit (control means)
301 print data storage unit (storage means)
302 Document ID management unit (storage means)
304 Billing unit (information fee billing means)
305 Data search unit (data search means)
306 Communication unit (data transmission / reception means)
310 control unit (control means)
412 Data transmission / reception unit (reception means, transmission means)
414 Print output unit (output means)
415 Charge collection section (charge collection means)
416 Charge detection unit (charge collection means)

Claims (12)

In a wide area printing system, a document server receives print data from a content server providing various information via the Internet, and the document server transmits the print data to an image forming apparatus installed at a remote place to print the data.
The content server includes: a data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive various data including print data to / from a user-owned communication terminal device and a document server; a data storage unit configured to store the print data; When a print request from a device is received, control means for reading print data corresponding to the print request from the data storage means and transmitting the print data from the data transmission / reception means to the document server; When print data is transmitted to the server, an information fee billing unit that calculates and charges an information fee of the print data to the user who made the print request,
A data transmission / reception unit configured to transmit / receive various data including the print data to / from the content server and the image forming apparatus; a storage unit configured to store print data received from the content server; A data search unit for searching whether print data corresponding to a print data transmission instruction from the storage unit is stored in the storage unit, and calculating and charging a print fee according to the number of print data printed by the data search unit. Print charge accounting means for storing as data, and control means for transmitting print data and accounting data from the data transmission and reception means to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes: a receiving unit that receives an input of a print data transmission instruction; a transmission unit that transmits a print data transmission instruction input from the reception unit to the document server; and print data and accounting data from the document server. Receiving means for receiving, output means for printing out the received print data, and fee collecting means for collecting a print fee from a user based on the billing data received from the document server by the receiving means. Wide area printing system. The information fee charging means of the content server charges the user for the information fee of the print data when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception means to the communication terminal device owned by the user. Item 2. The wide area printing system according to Item 1. The control means of the content server, when a print request is received by the data transmission / reception means, print data obtained by adding information to print data transmitted to the communication terminal device owned by the user from the data transmission / reception means to the document server. And transmitting the print data, the information fee charging means adds a fixed amount to the user who made the print request and charges the information fee of the print data. The wide area printing system as described. The control means of the content server, when a print request is received by the data transmission / reception means, causes the data transmission / reception means to transmit print data to the document server, and the data calculated by the information fee billing means. The information fee of print data is transmitted as billing data,
The control means of the document server transmits, from the data transmission / reception means, the image data charge data and the print charge data calculated by the print charge charging means to the image data. To the forming device,
The charge collecting means of the image forming apparatus collects a required charge from a user based on both the information charge and the print charge of the print data received by the receiving means from the document server. The wide area printing system according to claim 1. A document server that receives print data from a content server that provides various types of information via the Internet, transmits the print data to an image forming apparatus installed in a remote place, and prints the print data.
Data transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving various data between the content server and the image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing print data received from the content server;
Data search means for searching whether print data corresponding to a print data transmission instruction from the image forming apparatus is stored in the print data storage means,
A print fee charging unit that calculates a print fee corresponding to the number of prints of the print data retrieved by the data retrieval unit and stores the calculated fee as billing data;
Control means for transmitting the print data and billing data from the data transmission / reception means to the image forming apparatus. The control unit may transmit both the print fee billing data calculated by the print fee billing unit and the information fee billing data of the print data received from the content server by the data transmitting / receiving unit, from the data transmitting / receiving unit. The document server according to claim 5, wherein the document server is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A content server that transmits print data to a document server via the Internet and causes the print data to be printed by a remotely located image forming apparatus via the document server.
Data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving various data including print data between a communication terminal device and a document server owned by a user,
Control means for transmitting print data from the data transmitting / receiving means to the document server when a print request from a communication terminal device is received by the data transmitting / receiving means;
When print data is transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit to the document server, an information fee charging unit that calculates an information fee of the print data and charges the user who made the print request a fee. Content server. 8. The information fee charging unit, when print data is transmitted to the communication terminal device owned by the user by the data transmission / reception unit, charges an information fee of the print data to the user. Content server according to 1. The control means, when a print request is received by the data transmission / reception means, causes the data transmission / reception means to transmit print data obtained by adding information to the print data transmitted to the communication terminal device owned by the user to the document server. And when the print data is transmitted from the data transmission / reception means to the document server, the charging means adds a fixed amount to the user who made the print request and charges an information fee for the print data. 9. The content server according to claim 8, wherein: The control means, when a print request is received by the data transmission / reception means, causes the data transmission / reception means to transmit print data to the document server, and transmits the print data calculated by the information fee billing means. The content server according to claim 7, wherein the information fee is transmitted as billing data. An image forming apparatus that receives and outputs print data from a server connected to the Internet via the Internet,
Receiving means for receiving an input of a print data transmission instruction;
Transmitting means for transmitting a print data transmission instruction input from the receiving means to the document server;
Receiving means for receiving, from the document server, print data corresponding to the print data transmission instruction transmitted from the transmitting means;
Output means for printing out the print data received by the receiving means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a charge collection unit configured to collect a print charge from a user based on the billing data received from the document server by the reception unit when print data is output by the output unit. . 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the fee collecting unit collects a required fee from a user based on both the information fee and the print fee of the print data received by the receiving unit from the document server. Image forming apparatus.

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