JP2004302787A - Electronic commerce system, wide area print system, and communication terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic commerce system which can settle account with cashless payment in commercial transaction and at the same time can easily grasp use amount of money each time and is excellent also in economic efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: When cybermoney for an article counter value is debitted from a cellular phone at settlement time, a salesclerk inputs amount of money for the article counter value into operation section of a charging control unit, and an instruction to subtract cybermoney amount corresponding to this amount of money is transmitted to cellular phone from communications section (K11). When a subtract request of cybermoney amount is received from a charging control unit (U11), the number inputted from an operation section is determined if it agrees with an identification number or not (U12). When this inputted number agrees with the identification number (YES at U13), a notification that the inputted number and the identification number are agreed is transmitted to the charging control unit (U14), and cybermoney amount of money in a cybermoney storage unit 701 is subtracted (U15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic commerce system and a wide area printing system for performing settlement of a commercial transaction by data communication with a communication terminal device in which electronic money information is stored.
[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, the settlement of the printing fee includes: (1) payment in cash for each printing, (2) a method such as a so-called prepaid card for which payment is completed prior to printing, and (3) totaling for each fixed period of use. It is proposed to collect the collected charges and collect them at a later date after printing.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-32205
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional settlement system described above, in the case of (1), cash is required every time printing is performed, which is inconvenient. In the case of (2), it is difficult to grasp the amount of use for each printing, On the other hand, in the case where the usage statement is written on the back of the card, the card is disposable, so that the card can be used only once, which is uneconomical. In the case of (3), there is a problem that the total amount of the printing fee within a certain usage period is difficult to manage, causing overuse, and the printing fee to be billed later tends to be high.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can be settled at the time of commercial transaction without cash, can easily grasp the usage amount each time, and has excellent economic efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and a wide area printing system using the system.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is an electronic commerce comprising a communication terminal device in which electronic money information is stored, and a charging control device for performing settlement of a commercial transaction by data communication with the communication terminal device. The system
The communication terminal device includes a storage unit that stores the amount of electronic money, an electronic money information adding / subtracting unit that adds and subtracts the amount of electronic money in the storage unit based on an instruction from the charging control device, and a storage unit that stores the amount of electronic money. Display means for displaying the amount of electronic money that
The charging control device includes: a grant amount storage unit configured to store an electronic money amount provided to the communication terminal device; a transmission unit configured to transmit an addition or subtraction instruction of the electronic money amount to the communication terminal device; Electronic money management means for increasing or decreasing the amount of electronic money stored in the amount-of-money storage means in response to an instruction for adding or subtracting the amount of electronic money according to (1).
[0007]
In this configuration, the electronic money amount is stored in the storage unit of the communication terminal device, the electronic money amount in the storage unit is adjusted based on an instruction from the charging control device, and the electronic money amount in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit. Will be displayed. On the other hand, on the billing control device side, the electronic money amount given to the communication terminal device is stored in the provided amount storage means, and when the electronic money amount stored in the storage means of the communication terminal device is adjusted, the electronic money amount is increased. The management means controls the amount of electronic money provided to the communication terminal device stored in the provided amount storage means by adjusting the amount. Accordingly, if the communication terminal device and the charging control device are used for settlement during a commercial transaction, settlement can be performed without cash during the commercial transaction, and the usage amount and the balance can be easily grasped from the display means of the communication terminal device each time. Further, by using a memory or the like provided in the communication terminal device as the storage means, data can be rewritten many times and used, so that the economy is excellent.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic commerce system according to the first aspect, the communication terminal device stores a personal identification number permitting a change of an electronic money amount stored in the storage unit. Password storage means, a number input means for inputting an arbitrary number by an external operation, and authentication for performing authentication between the number input from the number input means and the password stored in the password storage means. Means for changing the amount of electronic money stored in the storage means in response to an instruction from the charging control device when the coincidence between the input number and the password is confirmed by the authentication means. Control means for permitting the adjusting means.
[0009]
According to this configuration, the communication terminal device controls the control unit only when it is confirmed by the authentication unit that the number input from the number input unit and the password stored in the password storage unit match. Allows the electronic money information adding and subtracting means to change the amount of electronic money stored in the storage means, so that only the person who knows the password of this communication terminal equipment can make payment using the communication terminal equipment. And prohibit payment by another person. Thereby, security security at the time of electronic commerce is improved.
[0010]
Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a storage means for storing the electronic money amount, an electronic money information adding / subtracting means for adding and subtracting the electronic money amount in the storage means based on an instruction from the charging control device, Display means for displaying the amount of electronic money stored in the storage means.
[0011]
According to this configuration, the electronic money amount is stored in the storage unit, the electronic money amount in the storage unit is adjusted based on an instruction from the charging control device, and the electronic money amount in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, if this communication terminal device is used for settlement during commercial transactions, settlement can be performed without cash at the time of commercial transactions, and the usage amount and balance can be easily grasped from the display means of the communication terminal device each time. Further, by using a memory or the like provided in the communication terminal device as the storage means, data can be rewritten many times and used, so that the economy is excellent.
[0012]
Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device in which print data transmitted from a server on the Internet is printable by an image forming apparatus installed in a remote place and electronic money information is stored, A wide-area printing system comprising: a charging control device that setstle a printing fee by data communication with the communication terminal device;
The charging control device, a grant amount storage unit that stores an electronic money amount given to the communication terminal device owned by the user, a transmission unit that transmits an addition or subtraction instruction of the electronic money amount to the communication terminal device, Electronic money management means for increasing or decreasing the amount of electronic money stored in the amount-of-money storage means in accordance with an instruction to add or subtract the amount of electronic money by the transmission means,
The communication terminal device includes: a document ID receiving unit that receives a document ID for specifying print data from the server; a transmitting / receiving unit that transmits / receives data to / from the charging control device; and an electronic money amount. Storage means; electronic money information adding / subtracting means for adding and subtracting the electronic money amount in the storage means based on an instruction from the charging control device; and display means for displaying the electronic money amount stored in the storage means. ,
The server includes a data transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives various data to / from the image forming apparatus, a print data storage unit in which print data is stored, and a document ID for specifying the print data stored in the print data storage unit. And a document ID transmitting means for transmitting the document ID stored in the document ID storing means to the communication terminal device owned by the user.
A receiving unit that receives input of the document ID from an operator, a transmitting unit that transmits the document ID input to the receiving unit to the server, a receiving unit that receives print data from the server, Output means for printing the received print data,
When the server receives the document ID from the transmission unit of the image forming apparatus, the server reads out print data corresponding to the document ID from the print data storage unit and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. .
[0013]
According to this configuration, when the document ID transmitted from the server to the communication terminal device is input to the image forming apparatus, the print data corresponding to the document ID is received by the image forming apparatus and output by the image forming apparatus. The printing fee by the forming device can be settled by the communication terminal device and the charging control device. Accordingly, in addition to the effect that the print data stored in the server on the Internet can be obtained from the image forming apparatus installed in a remote place, the communication terminal device originally required to receive the document ID from the server is provided. Accordingly, the printing fee can be settled without cash, and the effect that the usage amount and the balance of the electronic money can be easily grasped on the display means of the communication terminal device can be obtained.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 5 is the wide area printing system according to claim 4, wherein the server generates thumbnail image data of print data stored in the print data storage unit. Means for transmitting a document ID and thumbnail image data of print data from the data transmitting / receiving means to the communication terminal device.
[0015]
According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus can request the server to transmit the print data after confirming the thumbnail image transmitted from the data transmission / reception unit of the server on the display unit of the communication terminal device. As a result, reception and output of erroneous print data are prevented, and the user can surely obtain a desired image.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wide area printing system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the data transmitting / receiving means of the server can transmit / receive various data to / from the charging control device. And transmitting print data to the image forming apparatus when the communication terminal apparatus receives a notification from the charging control apparatus indicating that the electronic money amount corresponding to the print data has been subtracted.
[0017]
According to this configuration, the data transmission / reception unit of the server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus when the communication terminal device receives the notification that the electronic money amount corresponding to the print data has been subtracted from the charging control device. Therefore, the printing fee does not become unpaid in the settlement at the time of printing. Therefore, it is possible to reliably collect the printing fee from the user during the electronic commerce.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the wide area printing system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the data transmission / reception unit of the server is an electronic device stored in the storage unit from the communication terminal device. When the information of the money amount is received and the electronic money amount is equal to or more than the price of the print data instructed to be printed from the communication terminal device, the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
[0019]
According to this configuration, the data transmission / reception unit of the server sends the print data to the image forming apparatus when the electronic money amount stored in the storage unit of the communication terminal device is equal to or more than the price of the print data instructed to be printed. Is transmitted, the possibility that the printing fee will not be receivable in the settlement at the time of printing is reduced, and the security when the printing fee is collected from the user is increased.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an electronic commerce system and 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. The wide area printing system employs an electronic commerce system according to the present invention. The wide area printing system 1 sends print data stored in a WWW document server 2 connected to the Internet to printers 41, 51, 61 installed in a convenience store 4, a print station 5, a hotel 6, etc. at a remote place. Is transmitted via the Internet and printed. The WWW document server 2, convenience store 4, print station 5, hotel 6, and the like are connected via an Internet network.
[0021]
The document server 2 is a server having a database in which various types of print data are stored. For example, a product distributor distributes print data such as pay contents. The document server 2 sends print data (paid content information) to a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone 7, a PC (notebook personal computer) 9, a PDA (personal digital assistants) 10 or the like of each user by e-mail or the like. Is transmitted, and a document ID for specifying the print data is transmitted.
[0022]
The printers 41, 51, and 61 installed in the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like are connected to the Internet and print out the print data received from the document server 2. The printers 41, 51, and 61 only need to have at least a printer function, and needless to say, may be a so-called multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile.
[0023]
In the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like, charging control devices 42, 52, and 62 that settle commercial transactions by data communication with a communication terminal device such as a mobile phone 7 are installed.
[0024]
The provider 8 is an organization that provides an Internet connection service, and enables connection from the document server 2 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.
[0025]
The telephone company 11 provides a voice call 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.
[0026]
Next, an example of data communication between the communication terminal device owned by the user, the document server 2 and the printer 41 when the print data is received in the wide area printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating data communication between the communication terminal device owned by the user, the document server 2, the printer 41, and the like when the print data is received in the wide area printing system 1.
[0027]
For example, (1) a message indicating that the document server 2 that is the source of the paid content information or the like can print the paid content or the like to a communication terminal device such as the mobile phone 7 of the user by mail transmission or the like; The thumbnail image data obtained by reducing the pay content and the document ID of the print data of the pay content are delivered.
[0028]
{Circle over (2)} The user who has received the above message or the like from the document server 2 to the mobile phone 7 or the like checks the contents of the content with the thumbnail image on the mobile phone 7 or the like, and is installed in the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like. When the document ID is input to the printer 41 or the like, information such as the document ID and a print data transmission request is transmitted from the printer 41 or the like to the document server 2.
[0029]
(3) Upon receiving the document ID and the print data transmission request from the printer 41 or the like, the document server 2 transmits the print data corresponding to the document ID to the printer that has transmitted the document ID and the print data transmission request.
[0030]
Thereafter, the printout of the print data and the settlement of the print fee (by data communication between the communication terminal device such as the mobile phone 7 and the charging control device 42) are performed.
[0031]
Next, an outline of the internal configuration of the document server 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the document server 2. The document server 2 includes a print data storage unit 201, a document ID storage unit 202, a thumbnail image data generation unit 203, a data search unit 205, a communication unit 206, a print request reception analysis unit 207, and a control unit 208.
[0032]
The print data storage unit 201 stores print data to be provided to a user. The print data transmitted to the printer 41 or the like is read from the print data storage unit 201 and transmitted.
[0033]
The document ID storage unit 202 stores a document ID associated with the print data. The thumbnail image data generation unit 203 generates thumbnail image data of each print data stored in the print data storage unit 201. The data search unit 205 reads print data corresponding to the document ID received from the printer 41 or the like from the print data storage unit 201.
[0034]
The communication unit 206 performs various data communications with a communication terminal device such as the printer 41 and the mobile phone 7 owned by the user via a network interface (not shown) and the Internet. The print request receiving / analyzing unit 207 analyzes the contents of the print data transmission request accompanied by the document ID, and sends the analysis result to the data search unit 205, the control unit 208, and the like.
[0035]
The control unit 208 controls the operation of each unit of the document server 2 and is stored in the print data storage unit 201 for the data search unit 205 in response to a print data transmission request accompanied by a document ID from the printer 41 or the like. It instructs a search for print data that is present, and instructs the communication unit 206 to transmit and receive print data and the like.
[0036]
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. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the printer 41. The printer 41 transmits a document ID input by a user and a print data transmission request to the document server 2, and receives print data corresponding to the document ID from the document server 2 and prints the data.
[0037]
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. And a data transmission / reception unit 412 for transmitting / receiving a document ID, a print data transmission request instruction, and print data between the document server 2 and an operation panel 411, and performing image formation and printing based on the received print data. A print output unit 414, a charge collection unit 415 for collecting bills and coins to be charged as a print service charge, a charge detection unit 416 for detecting whether or not a charge is input to the charge collection unit 415, and data transmission / reception. Control of data transmission / reception with the document server 2 by the unit 412 and collection of fees Operation control of 415, and a control unit 417 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. Note that the charge collection unit 415 and the charge detection unit 416 may not be used during electronic money settlement.
[0038]
Next, a schematic configuration of the mobile phone 7 will be described as an example of a communication terminal device owned by the user. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of the mobile phone 7. The mobile phone 7 includes an operation unit 705 including a numeric keypad and a call button, a display unit 706 including a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, and an external audio system, which are conventionally provided to exhibit general functions as a communication device. And a control unit 708 for controlling the operation of each unit of the apparatus. In addition to these, an electronic money storage unit 701, an electronic money information adding / subtracting unit 702, a personal identification number storage unit 703, And a password authentication unit 704.
[0039]
The electronic money storage unit 701 stores information on the amount of electronic money added based on an instruction from the charging control device 42 or the like. Electronic money replaces currency values with electronic information and is used as a means of settlement in commercial transactions. The electronic money information adding / subtracting unit 702 adds and subtracts the electronic money amount stored in the electronic money storage unit 701 according to an instruction from the charging control device 42 or the like.
[0040]
The personal identification number storage unit 703 stores a personal identification number used to determine whether to permit the electronic money information adding / subtracting unit 702 to rewrite the electronic money storage unit 701. The password authentication unit 704 determines whether the number input from the operation unit 705 matches the password stored in the password storage unit 703. The control unit 708 controls the operation of the electronic money information adding and subtracting unit 702 based on the authentication result of the personal identification number authentication unit 704. As a result, electronic money settlement by a person other than the owner of the mobile phone 7 (or a person who has obtained permission from the owner) is prohibited and the security of security is ensured.
[0041]
Under the control of the control unit 708, the display unit 706 sequentially displays the usage amount, the balance, and the like of each electronic money based on the information stored in the electronic money storage unit 701.
[0042]
Next, a schematic configuration of the charging control device will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the charging control device. The billing control devices 42, 52, and 62 installed in the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like have the same configuration, and therefore, the billing control device 52 will be described below as an example. The charging control device 52 includes a grant amount storage unit 521, an electronic money management unit 522, an operation unit 523, a display unit 524, a communication unit 525, and a control unit 526.
[0043]
The provided amount storage unit 521 stores the amount information of the electronic money provided to the mobile phone 7. The electronic money management unit 522 adds or subtracts the electronic money amount stored in the grant amount storage unit 521 in accordance with the electronic money amount added or subtracted by transmitting the instruction to the mobile phone 7 and stores the grant amount. The electronic money amount for each mobile phone 7 stored in the unit 521 and the electronic money amount stored in the electronic money storage unit 701 of the mobile phone 7 are managed so as to be the same.
[0044]
The operation unit 523 receives an electronic money amount to be provided to the mobile phone 7 (an electronic money amount to be stored in the provided amount storage unit 521) and inputs of various operation instructions from the operator. The display unit 524 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) display or the like, and displays various information such as an electronic money amount to be provided to the mobile phone 7 (an electronic money amount stored in the provided amount storage unit 521). .
[0045]
The communication unit 525 transmits the electronic money addition or subtraction instruction to the mobile phone 7 or notifies the document server 2 of the electronic money balance in the electronic money storage unit 701 of the mobile phone 7 and the document server 2. The communication with the server 2 is performed. For example, it is realized by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Internet communication. The control unit 526 controls the operation of each unit of the device.
[0046]
Next, communication of electronic money information between the mobile phone 7 and the charging control device 52 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing at the time of adding electronic money information between the mobile phone 7 and the charging control device 52.
[0047]
The charging control device 52 is installed in the convenience store 4, the print station 5, the hotel 6, and the like. When electronic money is given to a mobile phone, for example, the convenience store 4 is used in response to cash payment from a user or the like. Or the like inputs the amount according to the payment from the operation unit 523, and the instruction to add the electronic money amount corresponding to the amount is transmitted from the communication unit 525 to the mobile phone 7 via Bluetooth or the like (K1). . The transmitted information of the electronic money amount is stored and managed in the provided amount storage unit 521 for each mobile phone 7 by the electronic money management unit 522 (K2). When the mobile phone 7 receives the instruction to add the electronic money amount from the charging control device 52 (U1), the received information of the electronic money amount is stored in the electronic money storage unit 701 (U2).
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing processing between the mobile phone 7 and the charging control device 52 at the time of settlement with electronic money (at the time of electronic money information subtraction). When the electronic money corresponding to the product price is to be withdrawn from the mobile phone 7 at the time of settlement, the sales clerk inputs the price corresponding to the product price to the operation unit 523 of the charging control device 52, and the electronic money amount corresponding to this price is subtracted. Is transmitted from the communication unit 525 to the mobile phone 7 (K11).
[0049]
When the mobile phone 7 receives the electronic money amount subtraction request from the charging control device 52 (U11), the password input from the operation unit 705 is stored in the password storage unit 703 by the password authentication unit 704, and the password is stored in the password storage unit 703. It is determined whether the password matches the existing password (U12). If the number input from the operation unit 705 matches the number stored in the personal identification number storage unit 703 (YES in U13), a notification that the input number matches the personal identification number is sent to the charging control unit 52. (U14), and the electronic money amount in the electronic money storage unit 701 is subtracted according to the subtraction amount indicated by the electronic money subtraction request from the charging control device 52 (U15). The subtracted amount and the electronic money balance after the subtraction are displayed on the display unit 706 (U16). Note that the authentication of the password is performed before the mobile phone 7 receives the electronic money subtraction request from the charging control device 52, and when the password is successfully authenticated, the control unit 708 causes the charging control device 52 to May be received.
[0050]
If the input number does not match the password (NO in U13), a notification that the input number does not match the password is transmitted to the charging control device 52 (U17), and the electronic money A message indicating that the settlement is not permitted is displayed on display unit 706 (U18).
[0051]
The accounting control device 52 receives the authentication result of the personal identification number received from the mobile phone 7 (K12), and if the authentication result indicates that the personal identification number has been authenticated (YES in K13), the assigned amount storage unit 521. Is subtracted from the amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money amount stored in the operation unit 513 in the process of K11 (K14), and is managed for each mobile phone 7. If the received authentication result indicates that the authentication of the personal identification number cannot be confirmed (NO in K13), the electronic money settlement is not performed, and the process of K14 is skipped and the processing ends.
[0052]
An example of a process at the time of printing by the printer of the wide area printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing at the time of printing. Either copy (copy) or print is selected according to an instruction input from the operation panel 411, and if copy is selected (copy in S1), normal copy processing is performed (S8).
[0053]
If print is selected in S1 (print in S1), the input document ID and print data transmission request are transmitted to the document server 2 (YES in S2, S3). When print data and data such as a print charge corresponding to the document ID are received from the document server 2 (S4), the print charge is displayed based on the received print charge data (S5), and a notification is received from the charging control device 52. After confirming that the settlement by the electric money is completed (S6), the print data is printed (S7). Note that the user may pay the print fee at a store or the like where the printer 41 or the like is installed without performing the process of S6. Further, the print fee may be calculated on the printer side based on the number of recording sheets required for outputting print data.
[0054]
The processing of the document server 2 during printing by the wide area printing system 1 will be described in association with the processing on the printer side. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the document server 2, the printer 41, and the like. When a document ID is input to the printer 41 or the like, the document ID and a print data transmission request are transmitted to the document server 2 (P1). The document server 2 receives the document ID and the print data transmission request (D1), and searches the print data storage unit 201 for print data corresponding to the received document ID (D2).
[0055]
If the print data corresponding to the received document ID exists in the print data storage unit 201 (YES in D3), the print fee is calculated based on the number of sheets and the size of the sheets required for printing the print data (D4). ), The print fee data and the print data are transmitted to the printer that transmitted the document ID (D5, D6). The printer 41 or the like that receives the print data and the print charge displays the print charge and confirms the collection of the print charge with the accounting control device 51 (P3), and prints the received print data (P3). P4).
[0056]
If there is no print data corresponding to the received document ID in the print data storage unit 201 (NO in D3), data indicating that the print service cannot be received is transmitted to the printer 41 or the like (D7). In the printer 41 or the like receiving this data, a message indicating that the print service cannot be received is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 411 (P2).
[0057]
Next, another embodiment of processing of the document server 2 and the printer at the time of printing by the wide area printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of the document server 2, the printer 41, and the like according to this embodiment. The description of the same processing as in FIG. 10 is omitted.
[0058]
In this process, when the document server 2 receives the notification of the balance of the electronic money amount in the mobile phone 7 from the charging control device 52 and confirms that there is a balance corresponding to the printing fee, the document server 2 prints the data to the printer 41 or the like. It is designed to send data.
[0059]
If the print data corresponding to the document ID received by the document server 2 from the printer 41 or the like is present in the print data storage unit 201 (YES in D13), the electronic data of the mobile phone 7 is transmitted to the charging control device 52 via the Internet or the like. Transmission of money information (that is, the balance of the electronic money amount stored in the electronic money storage unit 701 of the mobile phone 7) is requested (D14).
[0060]
Upon receiving the electronic money information transmission request from the document server 2 (K21), the charging control device 52 reads out the electronic money balance of the corresponding mobile phone 7 from the grant amount storage unit 521 and transmits it to the document server 2 (K22).
[0061]
The document server 2 that has received the electronic money information of the mobile phone 7 from the charging control device 52 (D15) determines based on the received electronic money information whether the mobile phone 7 has an electronic money balance corresponding to the printing fee. It is determined (D16). Here, if the mobile phone 7 has the electronic money balance corresponding to the printing fee (YES in D16), the printing data and the printing fee data are transmitted to the printer 41 or the like (D17 to D19). If the mobile phone 7 does not have the electronic money balance for the printing fee (NO in D16), data indicating that the printing service cannot be received is transmitted to the printer 41 or the like (D20), and the printer 41 receives the data. In such a case, an indication that printing is not possible is displayed (P12).
[0062]
Next, still another embodiment of the processing of the document server 2 and the printer at the time of printing by the wide area printing system 1 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the document server 2, the printer 41, and the like according to this embodiment. The description of the same processes as those in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be omitted.
[0063]
In the processing shown in FIG. 11, the document server 2 receives the notification of the balance of the electronic money amount of the mobile phone 7 from the charging control device 52 and checks the balance for the printing fee. The document server 2 may directly receive the information of the electronic money balance from the mobile phone 7 and check it.
[0064]
In this case, the document server 2 transmits an electronic money information transmission request to the mobile phone 7 via the Internet or the like (D24), and upon receiving this request, the mobile phone 7 (U21) stores the electronic money balance in the electronic money. The data is read from the unit 701 and transmitted (U22). The document server 2 that has received the electronic money information from the mobile phone 7 (D25) determines based on the received electronic money information whether the mobile phone 7 has an electronic money balance corresponding to the printing fee (D26). ). Here, when the mobile phone 7 has the electronic money balance corresponding to the print fee (YES in D26), the print data and the print fee data are transmitted to the printer 41 or the like (D27 to D29). If the mobile phone 7 does not have the electronic money balance for the printing fee (NO in D26), data indicating that the print service cannot be received is transmitted to the printer 41 or the like (D30), and the printer 41 receives the data. In such a case, a display indicating that printing is not possible is displayed (P22).
[0065]
According to the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the electronic money balance in the mobile phone 7 is equal to or more than the printing fee, print data and the like are transmitted from the document server 2 to the printer 41 or the like. The printing fee can be reliably collected by the electronic money settlement using the telephone 7.
[0066]
As described above, according to the wide area printing system 1 of the present embodiment, (1) the print data stored in the document server 2 on the Internet can be obtained from the printer 41 installed at a remote place, etc. (2) The mobile phone 7 originally required to receive the document ID from the document server 2 can settle the printing fee without cash, and display the usage amount and the balance of the electronic money each time the display unit 706 of the mobile phone 7. (3) Furthermore, the content of the content to be printed on the mobile phone 7 can be confirmed. Thus, the convenience at the time of wide area printing is further improved.
[0067]
In addition, since a memory or the like provided in the mobile phone 7 can be used as the electronic money storage unit 701, data can be rewritten and used many times. Therefore, the usage details are not described on the back side as in the case of a prepaid card, and the card is not disposable.
[0068]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the electronic commerce system according to the present invention is used for settlement of the wide area printing system 1 is described, but the electronic commerce system according to the present invention can be applied to other commercial transactions. is there.
[0069]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the electronic commerce system according to the present invention, an example is shown in which electronic money is stored in the mobile phone 7 and the mobile phone 7 is used at the time of commercial transaction settlement. The notebook PC 9 or PDA 10 or the like, which is a communication terminal device, may have the same configuration as that of the mobile phone 7 so that the notebook PC 9 or PDA 10 or the like may be used at the time of commercial transaction settlement.
[0070]
In the above-described embodiment, the document server 2 is described as generating the thumbnail image of each print data stored in the print data storage unit 201 by the thumbnail image generation unit 203. Instead of 203, a thumbnail image storage unit in which thumbnail images of each print data stored in the print data storage unit 201 are stored in advance may be provided.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the electronic money amount is stored in the storage unit of the communication terminal device, and the electronic money amount in the storage unit is adjusted based on the instruction from the charging control device. The electronic money amount in the storage means is displayed on the display means. On the other hand, on the billing control device side, the electronic money amount given to the communication terminal device is stored in the provided amount storage means, and when the electronic money amount stored in the storage means of the communication terminal device is adjusted, the electronic money amount is increased. The management means controls the amount of electronic money provided to the communication terminal device stored in the provided amount storage means by adjusting the amount. Accordingly, if the communication terminal device and the charging control device are used for settlement during a commercial transaction, settlement can be performed without cash during the commercial transaction, and the usage amount and the balance can be easily grasped from the display means of the communication terminal device each time. Further, by using a memory or the like provided in the communication terminal device as the storage means, data can be rewritten many times and used, so that the economy is excellent.
[0072]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, the communication terminal device confirms that the number input from the number input means and the password stored in the password storage means match by the authentication means. Only in the case where the control means permits the electronic money information adding / subtracting means to change the amount of electronic money stored in the storage means, only the person who knows the password of the communication terminal device is allowed to change the amount. Payment using a communication terminal device is enabled, and payment by another person can be prohibited. Thereby, security security at the time of electronic commerce is improved.
[0073]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electronic money amount is stored in the storage means, and the electronic money amount in the storage means is adjusted based on an instruction from the charging control device. Since the amount of money is displayed on the display means, if this communication terminal device is used for settlement at the time of commercial transaction, it is possible to make a cashless settlement at the time of commercial transaction, and the usage amount and balance can be easily displayed from the display means of the communication terminal device each time. I can understand. Further, by using a memory or the like provided in the communication terminal device as the storage means, data can be rewritten many times and used, so that the economy is excellent.
[0074]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the document ID transmitted from the server to the communication terminal device is input to the image forming apparatus, the print data corresponding to the document ID is received by the image forming apparatus at the server. The printing fee of the image forming apparatus can be settled by the communication terminal device and the charging control device. Accordingly, in addition to the effect that the print data stored in the server on the Internet can be obtained from the image forming apparatus installed in a remote place, the communication terminal device originally required to receive the document ID from the server is provided. Accordingly, the printing fee can be settled without cash, and the effect that the usage amount and the balance of the electronic money can be easily grasped on the display means of the communication terminal device can be obtained.
[0075]
According to the invention described in claim 5, the display means of the communication terminal device checks the thumbnail image sent from the data transmission / reception means of the server, and then transmits the print data from the image forming apparatus to the server. You can request transmission. As a result, reception and output of erroneous print data are prevented, and the user can surely obtain a desired image.
[0076]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, the data transmission / reception means of the server performs the image forming when the communication terminal device receives from the charging control device a notification that the electronic money amount corresponding to the print data has been subtracted. Since the print data is transmitted to the apparatus, the printing fee does not become unpaid in the settlement at the time of printing. Therefore, it is possible to reliably collect the printing fee from the user during the electronic commerce.
[0077]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, the data transmission / reception means of the server is provided when the electronic money amount stored in the storage means of the communication terminal device is equal to or more than the price of the print data instructed to be printed. Since the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the possibility that the printing fee will not be receivable in the settlement at the time of printing is reduced, and the security when collecting the printing fee from the user is enhanced.
[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 illustrating an outline of data communication among a communication terminal device, a document server, a printer, and the like owned by a user when print data is received in a wide area printing system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a document server.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of the printer.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a mobile phone.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a charging control device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing at the time of adding electronic money information between a mobile phone and a charging control device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing between the mobile phone and the charging control device at the time of settlement with electronic money (at the time of electronic money information subtraction).
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the printer of the wide area printing system at the time of printing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a document server and a printer during printing by the wide area printing system.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of processing performed by the document server and the printer during printing by the wide area printing system.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing still another embodiment of the processing of the document server and the printer at the time of printing in the wide area printing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 wide area printing system
2 Document server (server)
201 print data storage unit (print data storage means)
202 Document ID storage unit (document ID storage unit)
203 Thumbnail image data generation unit (Thumbnail image data generation means)
206 communication unit (data transmission / reception means)
41, 51, 61 Printer (image forming apparatus)
411 Operation panel (reception means)
412 Data transmission / reception unit (transmission means, reception means)
414 Print output unit (image forming unit)
42,52,62 Charging control device
521 Granted amount storage unit (Granted amount storage means)
522 Electronic money management unit (electronic money management means)
523 Operation unit
524 display
525 Communication unit (transmission means)
7 Mobile phone (communication terminal equipment)
701 Electronic money storage unit (storage means)
702 Electronic money information addition / subtraction unit (electronic money information addition / subtraction means)
703 PIN storage unit (PIN storage unit)
704 PIN authentication unit (authentication means)
705 Operation unit (number input means)
706 display unit (display means)
707 Communication unit (document ID receiving means)
708 control unit (control means)
9 Note PC (communication terminal equipment)
10 PDA (communication terminal equipment)

Claims (7)

An electronic commerce system comprising a communication terminal device in which electronic money information is stored, and a charging control device for performing settlement of a commercial transaction by data communication with the communication terminal device,
The communication terminal device includes a storage unit that stores the amount of electronic money, an electronic money information adding / subtracting unit that adds and subtracts the amount of electronic money in the storage unit based on an instruction from the charging control device, and a storage unit that stores the amount of electronic money. Display means for displaying the amount of electronic money that
The charging control device includes: a grant amount storage unit configured to store an electronic money amount provided to the communication terminal device; a transmission unit configured to transmit an addition or subtraction instruction of the electronic money amount to the communication terminal device; An electronic commerce system comprising electronic money management means for increasing or decreasing the amount of electronic money stored in the amount-of-money storage means in response to an instruction to add or subtract the amount of electronic money according to (1). The communication terminal device includes a password storage unit that stores a password that permits a change in the amount of electronic money stored in the storage unit; a number input unit that receives an arbitrary number by an external operation; An authentication unit for performing authentication between the number input from the input unit and the password stored in the password storage unit, and when the authentication unit confirms that the input number matches the password, 2. The electronic commerce according to claim 1, further comprising control means for permitting the electronic money information adding / subtracting means to change the electronic money amount stored in the storage means in response to an instruction from the charging control device. system. Storage means for storing the electronic money amount; electronic money information adding / subtracting means for adding and subtracting the electronic money amount in the storage means based on an instruction from the charging control device; and electronic money amount stored in the storage means. A communication terminal device comprising: display means for displaying. Print data transmitted from a server on the Internet can be printed by an image forming apparatus installed in a remote location, and a communication terminal device storing electronic money information and a data communication between the communication terminal device and a printing fee. A wide-area printing system comprising a charging control device that setstle
The charging control device, a grant amount storage unit that stores an electronic money amount given to the communication terminal device owned by the user, a transmission unit that transmits an addition or subtraction instruction of the electronic money amount to the communication terminal device, Electronic money management means for increasing or decreasing the amount of electronic money stored in the amount-of-money storage means in accordance with an instruction to add or subtract the amount of electronic money by the transmission means,
The communication terminal device includes: a document ID receiving unit that receives a document ID for specifying print data from the server; a transmitting / receiving unit that transmits / receives data to / from the charging control device; and an electronic money amount. Storage means; electronic money information adding / subtracting means for adding and subtracting the electronic money amount in the storage means based on an instruction from the charging control device; and display means for displaying the electronic money amount stored in the storage means. ,
The server includes a data transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives various data to / from the image forming apparatus, a print data storage unit in which print data is stored, and a document ID for specifying the print data stored in the print data storage unit. And a document ID transmitting means for transmitting the document ID stored in the document ID storing means to the communication terminal device owned by the user.
A receiving unit that receives input of the document ID from an operator, a transmitting unit that transmits the document ID input to the receiving unit to the server, a receiving unit that receives print data from the server, Output means for printing the received print data,
When the server receives the document ID from a transmission unit of the image forming apparatus, the server reads out print data corresponding to the document ID from the print data storage unit and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. And wide area printing system. The server includes a thumbnail image generating unit that generates thumbnail image data of the print data stored in the print data storage unit, and transmits the document ID and the thumbnail image data of the print data from the data transmitting / receiving unit to the communication terminal device. The wide area printing system according to claim 4, wherein the transmission is performed. The data transmission / reception means of the server is capable of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the charging control device, and transmits a notification indicating that an electronic money amount corresponding to print data has been subtracted in the communication terminal device to the charging terminal. The wide area printing system according to claim 4, wherein the print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus when the print data is received from a control device. The data transmission / reception unit of the server receives the information of the electronic money amount stored in the storage unit from the communication terminal device, and the electronic money amount is used as a value of the print data instructed to be printed by the communication terminal device. 6. The wide area printing system according to claim 4, wherein print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus in the case described above.

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