JP2004334670A - Document printing method for printing document through internet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document printing method enabling a user to make a printing reservation to a store capable of providing a print service near a visiting place from a remote place, and execute the printing at the visiting pace by radio or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This document printing method comprises retrieving available stores having printing processing means in a desired area according to the printing condition of the user from an information processing terminal connected through the Internet; storing store information for a store desired by the user from a list of the retrieved available stores and document data to be processed from the information terminal as printing reservation information in a document storage means; displaying reservation identification information for identifying the printing reservation information on the information terminal; and making the printing processing means execute, in response to an execution instruction of a printing processing designated by the reservation identification information, the printing processing to the document data according to the printing condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a document printing method in which a print reservation is made from a remote place to a print service store near the destination via the Internet from a remote location, and printing is performed at the destination using wireless communication or the like. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art With the recent spread of weight reduction of notebook personal computers, it has become much easier for users to carry notebook personal computers and go out. When printing a document or the like created on the go, the user prints from a personal computer connected to the printer using a floppy (registered trademark) disk storing the document, or sends the document in advance by e-mail. The document stored in the notebook computer is printed and output by means of transmission to an acquaintance or the like for printing. Alternatively, a document has been created in advance, and the required number of copies have been printed and output in advance to carry on the road.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional print output method, it is assumed that a driver corresponding to a printer on the go is installed in order to directly output the data directly from the user's notebook computer carried by the user. Therefore, direct printing was difficult. Further, printers have been limited to printers installed in offices where they are away from home.
[0004]
Therefore, by using the hot spot service that can be used wirelessly to search for services using the Internet even when going out in recent years, users can print documents directly from their notebook personal computers. It is now possible to output.
[0005]
For example, in the hot spot service, a user can print and output a document directly from a notebook computer that carries a printer provided at a restaurant or a station on the go through the mobile Internet.
[0006]
However, such a hot spot service selects a print service that can be used as a hot spot from a place where oneself is (a place where a notebook computer is present) at the time of a print request. Could not be specified.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a document printing method in which a print reservation is made from a remote place to a store capable of providing a print service in the vicinity of an outside destination via the Internet, and printing is performed using the wireless communication or the like at the outside destination. To provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a document printing method for causing a print processing means searchable via the Internet to perform print processing on document data. A store having the print processing means available in a desired area according to a print condition input by a user from an information processing terminal connected via the Internet is searched, and the use is searched from a list of the available stores searched. Obtains the store information on the store desired by the user and the document data to be subjected to the printing process, stores it as print reservation information in a document storage unit that stores the document data, and stores reservation identification information for identifying the print reservation information. A print reservation process for the print processing means of the desired store is performed by displaying the information on the information processing terminal, and input by the user. The in response to the execution instruction of the booking identification information by the printing process, the printing processing means of the desired shops in accordance with the above printing conditions can be configured to execute the process on the document data.
[0009]
In such a document printing method, a printer capable of printing at a remote place such as a business trip or the like can be searched and reserved in advance. Further, since the document data to be printed can be stored by the document storage means at the time of reservation, it is not necessary to carry around the medium on which the document data is recorded during a business trip.
[0010]
Further, according to the present invention, in a data processing terminal for causing a printer connected to the Internet to perform printing, a predetermined provider searches for the printer on the Internet when printing a document. Screen display means for displaying a screen on which a user can select a first search method to be performed or a second search method other than the first search method on a display unit; and the first display method by the screen display means. A provider connection means for connecting to the predetermined provider via the Internet when the search method is selected by the user;
[0011]
In such an information processing terminal, the search by the provider can be selected from the screen provided at the time of printing. Therefore, the user bother to connect to the provider and perform the connection on the Internet until the predetermined screen is displayed. It is possible to save trouble such as performing screen transition.
[0012]
As a means for solving the above-described problems, the present invention can also be a program for causing a computer to perform a process in the information processing terminal, or a storage medium storing the program.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
A print shop system according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print shop system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A print shop system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of print shops 10 such as an A output service that provides a print service, a B print shop, and a C convenience store, and a print shop that searches for print shops 10 that are adapted to the conditions at the time of a print request. It has a search site 200, a document storage server 250 for storing documents requested to be printed, and an information processing terminal 300 such as a user's notebook, and performs communication by wireless or line connection according to BMLinkS via the Internet 40. Do. Here, the information processing terminal 300 can also search for a print shop that can use a nearby area as a hot spot from the place where the information processing terminal 300 (the information processing terminal 300 itself) is at the time of a print request.
[0015]
Each print shop 10 provides a print service using various printers. By installing printers of each company and performing the print service, a system is provided in which a commission is received from each company according to the degree of implementation of the print service. For example, a commission is paid according to the number of printed sheets. Payment by commission payment is done electronically.
[0016]
The print shop search site 200 performs user registration via the Internet 40, and uses a list of print shops suitable for the search conditions as search results in response to a print shop search request from the registered user. To provide.
[0017]
The document storage server 250 stores a document transmitted from the information processing terminal 300 in response to a print request from a user via the Internet 40, and is designated at the time of a print request in response to execution of printing from the user. Send the document to be printed to the printer.
[0018]
The information processing terminal 300 used by the user is a PC (Personal Computer) or a mobile phone capable of mobile Internet, such as a wireless connection to the Internet 40, and connects to the print shop search site 200 via the Internet 40. By doing so, the user is registered, a print shop is searched, a desired print shop is selected from a list of print shops displayed as a search result, and a print request (print reservation) is made. By executing the printing, printing and output are performed at the selected print shop. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the user has selected the printer 100 of the B print shop. Regardless of which printer is selected, the following description is the same.
[0019]
For example, a print request (print reservation) is made so that printing can be performed in city A before business trip and in city B where business trip is made, and printed and output when the user arrives in city B where business trip is made. By doing so, for example, even when the number of copies is large, it is not necessary to carry from city A to city B. Further, even if there is no printer having a desired function, the printer can be searched, so that printing can be performed at a business trip destination according to the desired function. Further, by completing the payment electronically via the Internet 40, it is only necessary to receive the document printed by the print shop 10 in the B city on the business trip destination.
[0020]
The printer 100 installed in each print shop 10 and searchable at the print shop search site 200 has, for example, a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 2 and a functional configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer applied to the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the printer 100 is a device that is controlled by a computer and executes a printing process. The printer 100 is a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read-only memory (ROM) 12, and a random access memory (RAM). ) 13, a non-volatile random access memory (RAM) 14, a real-time clock 15, an Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F (Ethernet (registered trademark) Interface) 21, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 22, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1284 23, Hard Disk I / F 24, Video I / F 25 , The RS-232C I / F26, is constituted by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) I / F27, is connected to the system bus B.
[0021]
The CPU 11 controls the printer 100 according to a program stored in the ROM 12. In the RAM 13, for example, an area is allocated to resources connected to the interfaces 21 to 26. Information necessary for processing by the CPU 11 is stored in the non-volatile RAM 14 until the power of the printer 100 is turned off. The real-time clock 15 is used by the CPU 11 to measure the current time and synchronize processing.
[0022]
An Ethernet (registered trademark) interface cable such as 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX is connected to the Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 21. A USB interface cable is connected to the USB 22. The IEEE1284 23 is connected to an IEEE1284 interface cable.
[0023]
A hard disk 34 is connected to the hard disk I / F 24, and the document data of the document to be printed transmitted via the Internet or the image data after the print processing is stored in the hard disk 34 via the hard disk I / F 24 as “confidential document”. Is stored. A printer engine 35 is connected to the video I / F 25, image data is transmitted to the printer engine 25 via the video I / F 25, and an image is formed on a printable medium such as paper based on the image data. .
[0024]
An operation panel 36 is connected to the RS-232C I / F 26 to display information to a user and obtain input information or setting information from the user. The wireless LAN I / F 27 controls communication according to a standard such as 802.11A / B / G.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the printer. 3, a printer 100 mainly includes a job receiving unit 101 that receives a print request, a notification issuing unit 104 that notifies a status, a control unit 105 that creates a job related to a job, and controls the entire process. 3, a print processing unit 106 for executing print processing by controlling the printer engine 35, a service execution history management unit 107 for managing the execution history of services to users, and a print shop search site 200 via the Internet 40. And a communication control unit 110 that controls communication with the document storage server 250 and the information processing terminal 300.
[0026]
Upon receiving a print execution instruction from the document storage server 250 together with the document data by executing the print from the information processing terminal 300, the job receiving unit 101 notifies the job control unit 105 that the job has been received. The job control unit 105 analyzes a print execution instruction notified by the job reception unit 101 to generate a job, controls the print processing unit 106 according to the job, and executes print processing.
[0027]
The service execution history management unit 107 manages the processing performed by the print processing unit 106 as a service execution history in the service execution history DB 137. The hardware disk 34 has a service execution history DB 137. The notification issuing unit 104 notifies the print shop search site 200 or the information processing terminal 300 according to the BMLinkS by the communication control unit 110 based on the status notified from the job control unit 105.
[0028]
The B print shop can receive a commission from the manufacturer or provider R of the printer 100 based on the history information managed by the service execution history management unit 122 of the printer 100.
[0029]
The communication control unit 110 further includes a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) 111, an HTTP 112, a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) 113, and a BMLink S114.
[0030]
The TCP / IP 111 is a network communication protocol for controlling data communication via the Internet 40. The HTTP 112 is an Internet communication protocol that realizes information provision and information acquisition on the Internet. The SOAP 113 is a message exchange protocol that controls the exchange of messages described in accordance with, for example, XML (extensible Markup Language). The BMLink S114 is an OA device I / F protocol that controls data communication relating to one or more OA devices that have at least one of the functions of a printer, a scanner, a storage, a facsimile transmission and a reception existing on the Internet 40.
[0031]
Next, the print shop search site 200 and the document storage server 250 have, for example, a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. The print shop search site 200 has, for example, a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 5, and the document storage server 250 has, for example, a functional configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a print shop search site and a document storage server applied to the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4, a print shop search site 200 and a document storage server 250 are servers controlled by a computer, and include a CPU (central processing unit) 41, a memory unit 42, a display unit 43, an input unit 44, It comprises a communication unit 45 and a storage device 46 and is connected to the system bus B2.
[0032]
The CPU 41 controls the storage 200 according to a program stored in the memory unit 42. The memory unit 42 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and stores a program executed by the CPU 41, data required for processing by the CPU 41, data obtained by the processing by the CPU 41, and the like. Further, a part of the area of the memory unit 42 is allocated as a work area used for processing in the CPU 41.
[0033]
The display unit 43 displays various information required under the control of the CPU 41. The communication unit 45 is such that the print shop search site 200 (or the document storage server 250) functions as a computer, a plurality of printers 100, a plurality of information processing terminals 300, and various LANs including, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Is a device for performing communication control between the plurality of printers 100 and the plurality of information processing terminals 300 when connected by the.
[0034]
In the case of the print shop search site 200, the storage device 46 is configured by, for example, a hard disk unit, and prints the printer information searched for by the discovery function that searches the processable printer 100 existing on the Internet 40 at a predetermined timing. Manage as shop information. Alternatively, the printer information acquired in advance from each print shop 10 is stored as print shop information. In the case of the document storage server 250, the storage device 46-2 is configured by, for example, a hard disk unit, and stores a print ID transmitted from the information processing terminal 300, print conditions designated by the user, and document data.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a print shop search site. In FIG. 5, a print shop search site 200 mainly searches for a request processing unit 201 that processes a request to the print shop search site 200 in addition to a printer search request, and a serviceable printer existing on the Internet 40. A service search unit 202 having a discovery function for performing a response, a response processing unit 203 for performing a response process based on a processing result corresponding to the request, and a control unit 205 for performing a process according to the request content notified from the request processing unit 201. A user management unit 206 that performs user registration, user authentication, and the like using the user information DB 236 in which information about users is stored, and a service implementation that stores information about service implementation notified from each printer. A service execution history management unit 207 that manages using the history DB 237, and a print shop system 000, a print shop information search unit 208 that searches for print shop information using a print shop information DB 238 in which print shop information obtained in advance is stored, a printer 100 via the Internet 40, and a document. The storage server 250 includes a communication control unit 210 that controls communication with the information processing terminal 300.
[0036]
The service search unit 202 is a processing unit that searches for a serviceable printer existing on the Internet 40 in real time, and can search for a printer corresponding to a function designated by a user. The print shop information search unit 208 is a processing unit that searches, as print shop information, information on stores handling printers searched by the service search unit 202. The print shop information includes the location of the store, the service fee, and the like. Search results by the service search unit 202 and the print shop information search unit 208 are provided to the user.
[0037]
The service execution history management unit 207 periodically totals information on service execution stored in the service execution history DB 237 for each print shop 10 for commission payment.
[0038]
The storage device 46 of the print shop search site 200 has a user information DB 236, a service history information DB 237, and a print shop information DB 238.
[0039]
The communication control unit 210 further includes a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) 211, an HTTP 212, a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) 213, and a BMLink S214.
[0040]
The TCP / IP 211 is a network communication protocol that controls data communication via the Internet 40. HTTP 212 is an Internet communication protocol that implements information provision and information acquisition on the Internet. SOAP 213 is a message exchange protocol that controls the exchange of messages described in accordance with, for example, XML. The BMLink S214 is an OA device I / F protocol that controls data communication relating to one or more OA devices having at least one of the functions of a printer, a scanner, a storage, and a facsimile transmission and reception existing on the Internet 40.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the document management server. 6, the document management server 250 mainly performs a response process based on a processing result according to the request, and a request processing unit 255 that mainly processes a document data storage request and a document data read request to the printer 100. A response processing unit 253, a document management unit 255 that performs processing according to the request content notified from the request processing unit 201 using the document DB 275 in which document data to be printed is stored, and a print shop search via the Internet 40 The communication control unit 260 controls communication between the site 200, the printer 100, and the information processing terminal 300.
[0042]
When the document storage request is notified from the request processing unit 251, the document management unit 255 associates the document storage request with the print ID issued by the print shop search site 200 indicated by the document storage request, and associates the printer designated by the user with the printer ID. The printer information, print conditions, and document data relating to the print job are stored in the document DB 275 as print reservation information. Further, when notified of the document read request from the request processing unit 251, the document management unit 255 reads the corresponding print conditions and document data from the document DB 275 based on the print ID specified by the document read request, The result is processed by the response processing unit 253, and transmitted to the printer 100 specified by the printer information according to BMLinkS by the network control unit 260.
[0043]
The communication control unit 260 further includes a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) 261, an HTTP 262, a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) 263, and a BMLink S264.
[0044]
TCP / IP 261 is a network communication protocol that controls data communication via the Internet 40. HTTP 262 is an Internet communication protocol that implements information provision and information acquisition on the Internet. SOAP 263 is a message exchange protocol that controls the exchange of messages described in accordance with, for example, XML. The BMLinkS 264 is an OA device I / F protocol for controlling data communication relating to one or more OA devices having at least one function of a printer, a scanner, a storage, a facsimile transmission and a reception existing on the Internet 40.
[0045]
Next, the information processing terminal 300 has, for example, a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 7 and a functional configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing terminal applied to the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 7, an information processing terminal 300 is a terminal controlled by a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a memory unit 52, a display unit 53, an input unit 54, a communication unit 55, and a storage unit. It comprises a device 56 and a driver 57 and is connected to the system bus B3.
[0046]
The CPU 51 controls the information processing terminal 300 according to a program stored in the memory unit 52. The memory unit 52 includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and stores a program executed by the CPU 51, data necessary for processing by the CPU 51, data obtained by the processing by the CPU 51, and the like. Further, a partial area of the memory unit 52 is allocated as a work area used for processing in the CPU 51.
[0047]
The display unit 53 displays various information required under the control of the CPU 51. The input unit 54 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and is used by a user to input various information required for the information processing terminal 300 to perform processing. The communication unit 55 is a device for performing communication control when the information processing terminal 300 is connected to the Internet 40 by wireless mobile Internet. The storage device 56 includes, for example, a hard disk unit and stores programs for executing various processes, document data, and the like.
[0048]
The program that implements the printing process performed by the information processing terminal 300 is provided to the information processing terminal 300 via a storage medium 58 such as a CD-ROM, for example. That is, when the storage medium 58 storing the program is set in the driver 57, the driver 57 reads the program from the storage medium 58, and the read program is installed in the storage device 56 via the system bus B3. . When the program is started, the CPU 51 starts the processing according to the program installed in the storage device 56. Note that the storage medium 58 as the medium for storing the program is not limited to the CD-ROM, but may be any medium that can be read by a computer. The program for implementing the printing process according to the present invention may be downloaded via the Internet by the communication unit 55 and installed in the storage device 56.
[0049]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the information processing terminal. In FIG. 8, the information processing terminal 300 mainly includes a service search unit 301 that searches the Internet 40 for a printable printer existing around the user's destination and a print request that generates and transmits a print request using XML. A control unit 302, a notification processing unit 303 that processes received notifications in accordance with XML, an application 304 that generates document data and requests print processing, installs a printer driver searched by the service search unit 301, and installs a plurality of printer drivers. In addition to controlling the driver, a driver control unit 305 that causes the display unit 53 to display a screen according to a service search method on the display unit 53, an installer 309 that installs the program according to the present invention from the storage medium 58, Communication control unit 310 for controlling communication to be performed. .
[0050]
In response to a service search request from the print control unit 302, the service search unit 301 causes the communication control unit 310 to search for a plurality of service-capable (printable) printers existing on the Internet 40 in accordance with BMLinkS. ). The search result is stored, for example, in a predetermined storage area of the storage device 57 as a print service list, and notifies the print control unit 302 as a search result for the service search request. This is executed when using a hot spot service that allows a user to search for services using the Internet wirelessly even when away from home.
[0051]
The print control unit 302 generates a print request by XML in response to a print request from the application 304, and prints the print request to the printer according to the BMLinkS using the driver of the printer desired by the user by the driver control unit 305. Submit the request.
[0052]
The notification processing unit 303 processes the received notification by XML, converts the received notification into a data format that can be interpreted by the print control unit 302, and transmits the data to the print control unit 302.
[0053]
The application 304 is an application for creating, editing, and deleting data in a predetermined data format. The application 304 is, for example, a spreadsheet application, a drawing application, or the like, and may be any application that requests print processing.
[0054]
The driver control unit 305 provides a search screen to the display unit according to the service search method selected by the user. When the self search indicating the search by the service search unit 301 is selected as the service search method, the service search unit 301 is executed. On the other hand, as a service search method, when a provider search for connecting to the provider via the Internet 40 and causing the provider to search for the service is selected, the connection to the provider is started. In this embodiment, when the user selects the provider search, the information processing terminal 300 is connected to the print shop search site 200 via the Internet 40.
[0055]
The communication control unit 310 further includes a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) 311, an HTTP 312, a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) 313, and a BMLink S 314.
[0056]
TCP / IP 311 is a network communication protocol that controls data communication via the Internet 40. HTTP 312 is an Internet communication protocol that implements information provision and information acquisition on the Internet. SOAP 313 is a message exchange protocol that controls the exchange of messages described in accordance with, for example, XML. The BMLinkS 314 is an OA device I / F protocol that controls data communication relating to one or more OA devices having at least one function of a printer, a scanner, a storage, a facsimile transmission and a reception existing on the Internet 40.
[0057]
Next, in the print shop system 1000, processing until a user makes a print reservation to a desired print shop 10 via the Internet 40 using the information processing terminal will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the process up to making a print reservation at the print shop. In FIG. 9, for example, the user connects to the print shop search site 200 in the city A via the information processing terminal 300 by wireless mobile Internet or the like before business trip, and performs user registration (step S11). At the time of user registration, the electronic mail address of the user's mobile terminal may be registered. By registering the e-mail address, it is possible to receive information such as a print reservation state provided from the print shop search site 200. At the time of this user registration, the payment method is also registered so that payment can be made after the print service is performed.
[0058]
When a user creates a document or the like to be printed at a business trip destination by the application 304 and tries to print it, the driver control unit 305 is executed by the print control unit 302. The driver control unit 305 displays a predetermined screen on the display unit 53. The user selects "search / function setting" from the displayed screen to search for a print service available at a business trip destination (step S12).
[0059]
When the user selects “search / function setting”, the driver control unit 305 connects to a predetermined print shop search site 200, and the print shop search site 200 authenticates the user to the information processing terminal 300. Is displayed. The user performs user authentication by inputting an ID and a password on the displayed authentication screen (step S13). The print shop search site 200 determines whether the authentication has been successful (step S13-2). If the authentication is successful, the process proceeds to step S14. If the authentication fails, the process ends.
[0060]
When the user is authenticated, a search condition setting screen for setting search conditions is displayed on the information processing terminal 300. The user sets a search condition on the displayed search condition setting screen and instructs a search (step S14).
[0061]
The search conditions are transmitted to the print shop search site 200, and the search results executed by the print shop search site 200 are displayed on the information processing terminal 300 (step S15). The user selects one desired print shop from the displayed search results (step S16).
[0062]
Subsequently, a document selection screen for selecting a document to be printed is displayed (step S17). When the user selects a document, the selected document is transmitted to a predetermined document storage server 250 and stored therein (step S17). Step S18). When a document is transmitted to the document storage server 250, a reservation ID for specifying a print reservation and a print condition set as a search condition are also transmitted at the same time.
[0063]
When the document is stored in the document storage server 250, a reservation confirmation screen notifying the reservation of the print reservation by the reservation ID is displayed on the information processing terminal 300 (step S19). The user confirms the reservation ID and ends this processing.
[0064]
Next, a process performed when a user prints a document reserved for printing at a destination such as a business trip will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing up to printing at a print shop. In FIG. 10, the user inputs the print ID acquired at the time of making a print reservation on the print screen displayed on the information processing terminal 300 by the operation panel 36 of the printer 100 or the print shop search site 200 (step S31). .
[0065]
The validity of the print ID is checked by inquiring of the document storage server 250 whether the document is stored with the print ID that matches the input print ID (step S31-2). If valid, the print condition and the document data corresponding to the print ID are transmitted from the document storage server 250 to the printer 100, and the process proceeds to step S32. If the print ID is invalid, the process ends.
[0066]
A print content confirmation screen for confirming the print content is displayed on the operation panel 36 of the printer 100 or the information processing terminal 300 based on the print conditions (step S32). After confirming the print contents, the user executes printing (step S33). The execution result is stored in the service execution history DB 132 by the service execution history management unit 122 as a service execution history and is notified to the print shop search site 200 (step S34).
[0067]
The print shop search site 200 notifies the user of the execution of the print service by e-mail or the like based on the notification (step S35). This notice also informs that the fee will be paid according to the payment method at the time of registration.
[0068]
The print shop search site 200 periodically totals information on service implementation stored in the service implementation history DB 237 for each print shop 10 by the service implementation history management unit 207, and electronically adjusts the payment based on the aggregation result. By performing the processing, a commission is paid to each print shop 10 (step S36). Then, this process ends.
[0069]
In the above description, the print execution time may be designated as the output reservation date when making the print reservation. In this case, in the document DB 275 of the document storage server 250, a print ID, printer information, printing conditions, document data, and an output reservation date and time are stored. The document storage server 250 may transmit the print ID, the print condition, the document data, and the output reservation date and time to the printer 100 in advance when the output reservation date and time approaches.
[0070]
Further, by managing the print ID, the printer information, the print conditions, and the output reservation date and time at the print shop search site 200, it is possible to provide a print content confirmation screen to the information processing terminal 300. By doing so, since the information processing terminal 300 does not need to have the document data itself, even if the information processing terminal 300 is a mobile phone, the information processing terminal 300 accesses the print shop search site 200 to execute printing. It can be carried out. For example, when the user is in the vicinity of the printer 100, the user performs printing using the information processing terminal 300 as a mobile phone, and immediately receives a document output when the user arrives at the printer 100. be able to. The time to wait on the spot until the output is completed can be reduced.
[0071]
Further, by managing the print ID, printer information, print conditions, and the output reservation date and time at the print shop search site 200, the user can be notified by e-mail or the like about the scheduled time before and after the output reservation date and time. The notification may be made.
[0072]
Next, an example of a screen displayed when a document is printed using the print shop system 1000 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a driver screen on which search settings can be made. In FIG. 11, a screen 400 is a screen provided by the driver control unit 305 in step S12 of FIG. 9, and mainly includes a selection area 401 for selecting a service and a print enabled when print is selected. It has a service setting area 402 and a button 407 for canceling.
[0073]
A selection area 401 further includes a selection button 403 selected when the service search unit 301 of the information processing terminal 300 searches for an available printer on the network 40, and a selection button 403 connected to the network 40 and searched by a predetermined provider. , A button 405 for performing search and function setting (printing conditions), and a setting area 406 for setting a range to be printed.
[0074]
In this screen example, the user selects print as a service from the selection area 401, specifies a provider search by clicking a selection button 404 in the setting area 402 in which the setting is enabled, and searches the print range as all pages. And a state in which the button 405 is clicked with a mouse or the like to perform function setting. When the provider search is specified, it is set to be connected to the print shop search site 200 registered in advance in step S11 in FIG.
[0075]
Therefore, since the search by the provider can be selected from the screen provided at the time of printing, the user has to bother connecting to the provider and performing screen transition on the Internet until a predetermined screen is displayed. You can save time and effort.
[0076]
On the other hand, when the user selects print as a service from the selection area 401 and specifies the self search by clicking the selection button 403 in the setting area 402 in which the setting is valid, the service search unit 301 of the information processing terminal 300 Thus, a printer that exists in the Internet 40 and is available in the hot spot is searched for, with the vicinity of the information processing terminal 300 as a hot spot.
[0077]
When the button 405 is clicked in this manner, for example, an authentication screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the information processing terminal 300 by the print shop search site 200 connected via the network 40. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the authentication screen. 12, an authentication screen 420 is a screen displayed by the print shop search site 200 registered by the user in advance in step S13 of FIG. 9, and displays a message prompting the user to input a user ID and a password. The display includes a display key 421 to be displayed, an input area 422 for inputting a user ID, an input area 423 for inputting a password, a button 424 for executing authentication, and a button 425 for canceling authentication.
[0078]
When such an authentication screen 420 is displayed on the information processing terminal 300, for example, the user inputs “user abc” as the user ID in the input area 422, inputs a password in the input area 423, and presses the button 424. When clicked, authentication processing is executed by the user management unit 206 of the print shop search site 200. If the authentication is successful, a search condition setting screen as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search condition setting screen. 13, a search condition setting screen 440 is a screen displayed on the information processing terminal 300 in step S14 of FIG. 9, and mainly includes a designation area 441 for designating a search area, and a search condition as a print condition. , A button 450 for executing a search, and a button 541 for canceling the search.
[0079]
The setting area 442 further includes items such as a condition item, a check area for priority, and a setting condition by a user. The condition items include, for example, selection of color, selection of paper size, presence / absence of both sides, presence / absence of staple, designation of printing speed, selection of resolution, search area, and the like. In correspondence with such condition items, the setting condition items include a selection area 443 for selecting color, photo printing, gray scale, black and white printing, and the like, and a selection area 444 for selecting A4, A3, B5, B4, and the like. A selection area 445 for selecting whether or not to perform double-sided printing, a selection area 446 for selecting whether to perform stapling or not, a setting area 447 for setting a printing speed, a selection area 448 for selecting a resolution, and a search area. And a setting area 449 for setting.
[0080]
In this example, the user selects a color and performs a priority check to make color printing mandatory, and determines the paper size “A4”, both sides “no”, staple “no”, resolution “300” dpi, search When the area “city B” is set in the setting area 442 and the button 450 is clicked to execute a search, a search result display screen displaying search results as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the information processing terminal 300.
[0081]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result display screen. 14, a search result display screen 460 is a screen displayed on the information processing terminal 300 in step S15 in FIG. 9, and includes a display area 461 for displaying a message prompting the user to select a print shop to be printed. A display area 462 for displaying a print shop list as a search result, a selection area 463 for selecting a print shop from the print shop list, a setting area 464 for setting an output reservation date and time for the selected print shop, and a selected print. A button 565 for making a print reservation for the shop and a button 566 for canceling the print reservation are provided. The display area 462 includes, as items, a setting area 464 for setting a shop name, a fee, a place, and an output reservation date and time. In this case, a list of print shops that can perform color printing is displayed in the search result.
[0082]
The user selects the B print shop from the list of print shops displayed in the display area 462 by checking the corresponding selection area 463, sets the output reservation date and time in the setting area 464, and clicks the button 465. To make a print reservation. Here, the B print shop is located in the B station premises and provides a print service for a fee of "1,250" yen. For example, it is assumed that the user has set “4” month “1” day “14” hour “30” minutes as the output reservation date and time. When the user clicks button 465, a stored document selection screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on information processing terminal 300.
[0083]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stored document selection screen. 15, a stored document selection screen 480 is a screen displayed on the information processing terminal 300 in step S17 in FIG. 9, and includes a display key 481 for displaying a message prompting the user to select a document, and a user A selection area 482 that allows the user to select a folder and a list of documents stored in the folder selected in the selection area 482 are displayed. , A button 484 for transmitting the selected document to the document storage server, and a button 485 for canceling.
[0084]
The user selects one folder from the display area 482, selects “Business Plan Proposal” from the list of documents stored in the selected folder displayed in the display area 483, and stores the document in the document storage. Click button 484 to send to server 250. The document selected by the user in response to the user's click is transmitted to the document storage server 250, and is automatically converted into a tiff file and stored. By converting to a tiff file, it is possible to support various printers without depending on the manufacturer.
[0085]
Then, a reservation confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the information processing terminal 300. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the reservation confirmation screen. 16, the reservation confirmation screen 500 is a screen provided to the information processing terminal 300 in step S19 in FIG. 9, and is a display area for displaying a message that the print reservation is confirmed and the print ID is issued. 501, a display area 502 for displaying the contents for which the reservation has been confirmed, a display area 503 for displaying the issued print ID, a button 504 for printing the print ID, and an e-mail for the print ID. Button 505 and a button 506 for ending the print reservation.
[0086]
The display area 502 displays items such as a store name, a fee, a location, and an output reservation date and time as the content of the confirmed reservation. In this case, for example, printing is performed so that the print service can be output at "14:30 on April 1" to the shop name "B print shop" located in "B station premises" where the print service is provided for a fee of "1,250" yen. It indicates that a reservation has been made. The display area 503 indicates that the issued print ID is “1234567”.
[0087]
After confirming the contents of the print reservation, the user clicks the button 504 to print and hold the print ID, and clicks the button 505 to send the print ID by e-mail to a predetermined address. If neither recording nor printing or e-mail is required, the button 505 is clicked.
[0088]
A screen example displayed on the operation panel 36 of the printer 100 specified by the user or the display unit 53 of the information processing terminal 300 when printing is performed at a place such as a business trip after the reservation is determined in this way. This will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0089]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print document designation screen. In FIG. 17, a print document designation screen 520 is a screen displayed in step S31 of FIG. 10, and mainly includes a display style 521 for displaying a message prompting input of a print ID for specifying a document to be printed. , An input area 522 for inputting a print ID, a setting area 523 for displaying print conditions that can be changed at the time of print execution, a button 527 for ending print condition settings and performing print execution, and canceling print execution. Button 528.
[0090]
The setting area 523 is an area that becomes effective after the validity of the print ID input to the input area 522 is confirmed. Based on the print conditions set by the user, the print conditions that can be changed from the print conditions are set. A setting area that is displayed and can be changed by the user, for example, staples, both sides, the number of copies, and the like are displayed as printing conditions, and a setting area that can be set to “yes” or “no” according to staples 524, a setting area 525 in which “Yes” and “No” can be set corresponding to both sides, and an input area 526 for inputting the number of copies corresponding to the number of copies are displayed.
[0091]
In this example, when the user changes the staple "No" to "Yes" and clicks the button 527 to execute printing, for example, a print content confirmation and print execution screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. You. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print content confirmation and print execution screen. In FIG. 18, a print content confirmation and print execution screen 540 is a screen displayed in step S32 of FIG. 10, and includes a display excerpt 541 displaying a message prompting confirmation of the print content and a display area indicating the print content. 542, a display area 543 for displaying a message prompting to execute or cancel printing after confirming the contents, a button 544 for executing printing, and a button 545 for canceling printing.
[0092]
In the display area 542, for example, “B print shop B station premises” as the output location, “00 for the R company model 8” as the device name, “1234567” as the print ID, “10” as the number of copies, and staples as “ "Do not print on both sides", and the fee is "1,250" yen.
[0093]
When the user confirms these contents and clicks button 544 to execute printing, printing is actually started and output by printer 100 of B print shop in B city.
[0094]
Next, a case where the user pays at the print shop 10 for which printing is reserved will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 19, since the method other than the payment method is the same as the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0095]
The user makes a print reservation in advance from the information processing terminal 300 in the city A to the printer 100 in the B print shop in the city B, and when traveling to the city B, stops at the print shop B and prints from the printer 100. The obtained document is obtained, and the fee is paid at the B print shop.
[0096]
In this case, a sales report is periodically made from the B print shop to the R company that provides the printer 100 to the B print shop. The sales report may use the payment system of the B print shop. Alternatively, Company R may periodically refer to the service execution history DB 137 managed by each printer. Then, the R company requests the print shop search site 200 to add the points corresponding to the sales to the total points of the users in order to give points for each user based on the sales report. The print shop search site 200 causes the user management unit 206 to manage the total points in the user information DB 236.
[0097]
By managing points at the print shop search site 200, each user can refer to the accumulated points via the Internet 40. In addition, the print shop search site 200 provides services according to the total points, so that the use of the print shop system 1000 can be promoted.
[0098]
As described above, according to the present invention, the print shop 10 capable of printing on the go can be searched and reserved in advance. Using the print ID issued when the print reservation is made, printing can be executed from the information processing terminal 300 at or near the reserved printer 100 of the reserved print shop 10. Therefore, the user does not need to carry the printed document while going out. Further, the user does not need to keep the document data required for printing because the document data is stored in the document storage server 250 at the time of reservation. Therefore, the information processing terminal 300 that performs printing may be a mobile phone.
[0099]
The document data may be encrypted when transferred from the information processing terminal 300 to the document storage server 250 at the time of printing reservation. The document storage server 250 may store the document data in an encrypted state, transmit the document data to the printer 100 in response to execution of printing, and decrypt the document data in the printer 100. In this way, printing can be performed at a remote location via the Internet 40 while maintaining the confidentiality of the document data.
[0100]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to search for a printer that can be printed at a remote place at an outing place such as a business trip and make a reservation in advance. Further, since the document data to be printed can be stored by the document storage means at the time of reservation, it is not necessary to carry around the medium on which the document data is recorded during a business trip.
[0101]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print shop system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer applied to a print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a printer.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a print shop search site and a document storage server applied to the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a print shop search site.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a document management server.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing terminal applied to the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an information processing terminal.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing until a print reservation is made in a print shop.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing up to printing at a print shop.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a driver screen on which search settings can be made.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication screen.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search condition setting screen.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result display screen.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stored document selection screen.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation confirmation screen.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print document designation screen.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print content confirmation and print execution screen.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the print shop system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 printer
101 Job receiving unit 104 Notification issuing unit
105 job control unit 106 print processing unit
110 communication control unit
121 Authentication Department
122 Service Usage History Management Unit
132 Service Execution History Management Department
200 Print Shop Search Site
201 request processing unit 202 service search unit
203 Response processing unit 205 Control unit
206 User Management Department
208 Print Shop Information Search Section
210 Network control unit
236 User Information DB
238 Print Shop Information DB
250 Document Storage Server
251 request processing unit 253 response processing unit
255 Document Management Unit 275 Document DB
260 Network control unit
300 Information processing terminal
301 Service search unit 302 Print control unit
303 Notification processing unit 304 Application
305 Driver control unit 309 Installer
310 communication control unit

Claims (13)

In a document printing method for causing a print processing means searchable via the Internet to perform print processing on document data,
Searching for a store having the print processing means available in a desired area according to the print conditions input by the user from the information processing terminal connected via the Internet,
From the retrieved list of available stores, store information relating to the store desired by the user and the document data to be printed are obtained and stored as print reservation information in a document storage unit that stores the document data. Then, a print reservation process for the print processing means of the desired store is performed by displaying reservation identification information for identifying the print reservation information on the information processing terminal,
In response to an instruction to execute the print process based on the reservation identification information input by the user, the print processing means of the desired store performs the process on the document data in accordance with the print conditions. Document printing method. A plurality of print processing units existing on the Internet are searched for a print processing unit that satisfies the print condition, and the search is performed from a store information management database that manages information about a store having at least one or more print processing units. 2. The document printing method according to claim 1, further comprising: searching for a store having the print processing means; and providing a list of the searched stores to the information processing terminal as a search result. When the user inputs the print conditions, the user obtains necessary condition items from the user, and searches the plurality of stores for the store having the print processing unit satisfying the condition items. 3. The document printing method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the user obtains a desired store from the list of available stores, the user also obtains a reservation date and time at which the user wants the print process to be executed. Document printing method according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: providing a screen on which the user can select the document data, and transmitting the document data selected on the screen to the document storage unit via the Internet. A document printing method according to any one of the preceding claims. The validity of the reservation identification information is determined based on the reservation identification information input from the information processing terminal by the user, and the printing condition can be changed by the user based on the determination result. The document printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the print processing unit is notified that the print processing is performed, the user is notified of the execution of the print processing and a fee by e-mail to the user. A document printing method according to one of the preceding claims. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the contents of the execution indicated by the notification are managed as execution history information, and a settlement process is executed so as to pay a commission to the store having the print processing unit that has executed the print process. Document printing method described. 7. The document printing method according to claim 1, wherein the points converted based on the sales report of the print processing unit are managed for each user. 10. The data communication control between the print processing unit, the document storage unit, and the information processing terminal via the Internet is performed according to BMLinkS. Document printing method described. In an information processing terminal that causes a printer connected to the Internet to perform printing,
A screen that allows the user to select a first search method for searching for the printer on the Internet by a predetermined provider when printing a document or a second search method other than the first search method Screen display means to be displayed on the unit,
An information processing terminal comprising: provider connection means for connecting to the predetermined provider via the Internet when the first search method is selected by the user by the screen display means. Printer search means for searching for the printer capable of performing print processing via the Internet;
An information processing terminal for executing the printer search means when the second search method is selected by the screen display means. In a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform processing in an information processing terminal that causes a printer connected to the Internet to perform printing,
In the above computer,
A screen that allows the user to select a first search method for searching for the printer on the Internet by a predetermined provider when printing a document or a second search method other than the first search method Screen display procedure to be displayed on the unit,
A computer-readable program storing a program for executing a provider connection procedure for connecting to the predetermined provider via the Internet when the first search method is selected by the user by the screen display means; Storage media.

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