JP2005031959A - Information providing method, program, and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing method, program and device for enabling an information provider to register information in the device, while also enabling users to output the registered information from the device. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing device 11 comprises: a main control part 12; a file storage part 21 for storing files; a reading part 14 for inputting the data of the files; an interface 15; and a print execution part 16. When a file is input and payment confirmation information for an expected output rate related to the output of the file is received, the main control part 12 causes the file to be stored in the file storage part 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information providing method, an information providing program, and an information providing apparatus for outputting registered information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, information transmission devices have been installed in convenience stores and the like. This information transmission device is a public terminal having a function of performing various processes in addition to a communication function, and is installed in a place where an unspecified number of people gather and can be used by anyone. This terminal is usually installed by an administrator at the installation location, etc., and it is considered that many terminals are aimed at the effect of attracting customers to stores or the like (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Non-Patent Document 1]
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Institute of Posts and Telecommunications, “Survey Report on the Use of Public-Use Information Terminals,” July 2002, p. 3
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the terminal as described above, the user cannot store various information in the terminal and provide the information to other users.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing method, an information providing program, and an information providing apparatus capable of registering information in an apparatus by an information provider and outputting information registered by a user from the apparatus. .
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information providing method, an information providing program, and an information providing apparatus that enable an information provider to efficiently manage the output of provided information.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 provides provision information storage means storing provision information, input means for inputting provision information, output means for outputting provision information, a management computer, An information providing method for outputting the provision information using an information provision device comprising: the management computer based on payment information corresponding to an output possible amount for the provision information input by the input means A first stage for determining whether or not registration is possible, a second stage for registering the provision information in the provision information storage means if registration is possible, and a provision information output request when there is a provision information output request. And a third stage of outputting the provision information and updating the usage amount based on the usage amount and the outputable amount.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is the information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the first stage is determined based on whether or not payment information is received from the charging terminal.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is the information providing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output possible amount is information related to a scheduled output fee or a scheduled output count of the provided information.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information provision method according to any one of the first to third aspects, when the management computer outputs the provision information, output notification information is transmitted to a provider terminal. The gist of the present invention is to further include the step of:
[0011]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information provision method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the management computer outputs the provision information, the usage amount of the provision information is predetermined. The present invention further includes a step of transmitting a notification to the provider terminal when the predetermined amount is reached.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 6 uses an information providing apparatus comprising provision information storage means storing provision information, input means for inputting provision information, output means for outputting provision information, and a management computer. A first information provision program for outputting the provision information, wherein the management computer determines whether or not registration is possible based on payment information corresponding to an outputable amount for the provision information input by the input means. A means for registering the provision information in the provision information storage means, and, if there is a provision information output request, the usage amount of the provision information and the output possible amount. Based on this, the gist is to output the provision information and to function as a third means for updating the usage amount.
[0013]
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the information providing program according to the sixth aspect, wherein the first means makes a determination based on whether or not payment information is received from a charging terminal.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 8 is the information providing program according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the output possible amount is information related to a scheduled output fee or a scheduled output count of the provided information.
[0015]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing program according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, the management computer transmits output notification information to the provider terminal when the provided information is output. The gist is to make it further function as a means to do this.
[0016]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information provision program according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, when the management computer outputs the provision information, the usage amount of the provision information is predetermined. The gist is to further function as means for transmitting a notification to the provider terminal when the predetermined amount is reached.
[0017]
The invention described in claim 11 is an information providing apparatus comprising provision information storage means storing provision information, input means for inputting provision information, output means for outputting provision information, and a management computer. The management computer determines whether the registration information can be registered based on the payment information corresponding to the output possible amount with respect to the provision information input by the input means; and, if registration is possible, the provision information Registration means for registering in the provision information storage means, and output control means for outputting the provision information based on the use amount of the provision information and the output possible amount when there is a provision information output request; The gist of the invention is that it includes an updating means for updating the usage amount.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 12 is the information providing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the determination means makes a determination based on whether or not payment information is received from the billing terminal.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 13 is the information providing apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the output possible amount is information related to a scheduled output fee or a scheduled output count of the provided information.
[0020]
The invention according to claim 14 is the information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the management computer transmits output notification information to the provider terminal when the providing information is output. The gist of the present invention is that the first transmission means is further provided.
[0021]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information providing apparatus according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, when the management computer outputs the provision information, the usage amount of the provision information is preliminarily determined. The gist of the present invention is that the apparatus further comprises a second transmission means for transmitting a notification to the provider terminal when the predetermined amount is reached.
[0022]
(Function)
In the invention according to claim 1, 6 or 11, the management computer determines whether or not the provision information can be registered based on the payment information corresponding to the output possible amount, and registers the provision information when registration is possible. . When there is an output request, the provision information is output based on the use amount and the output possible amount of the provision information, and the use amount is updated. Therefore, the information provided by the information provider can be registered in the information providing apparatus, and the provided information can be output from the information providing apparatus in response to the user's output request. In addition, since whether or not the provision information can be registered is determined by the payment information corresponding to the output possible amount, it is possible to perform a process of causing the information provider to bear the charge for the output in advance.
[0023]
In the invention described in claim 2, 7 or 12, the management computer determines whether or not to register based on payment information, and determines whether or not to register based on whether or not payment information is received from the charging terminal. . Therefore, when the information provider uses the charging terminal to perform payment processing for the fee for output, the information provider is charged for the fee for output of the provided information because the provided information is registered.
[0024]
In the invention described in claim 3, 8 or 13, the output possible amount is information related to the scheduled output fee or the scheduled output count of the provided information. Therefore, provision information whose output fee or output count exceeds the scheduled output fee or scheduled output count is not output from the output means. For this reason, the information provider can efficiently manage the output of the provided information.
[0025]
In the invention according to claim 4, 9 or 14, when providing information is output, an output notification is transmitted to the provider terminal. Therefore, since the output of the provided information can be notified to the provider, the provider can efficiently manage the provided information.
[0026]
In the invention described in claim 5, 10 or 15, when the usage amount of the provided provision information reaches a predetermined amount, a notification is transmitted to the provider terminal. Therefore, since the information provider can know that the usage amount has reached the predetermined amount, the provider can efficiently manage the provided information.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment will be described as an apparatus that inputs and outputs information provided by an individual or the like.
[0028]
The information providing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment is a terminal installed in a store such as a musical instrument store or a convenience store, a station premises, or the like. The information providing apparatus 11 inputs and registers information brought in by an individual or a user such as a store, or outputs information already registered in response to a request from each user. The information providing apparatus 11 is connected to a user terminal 17 via a network N as shown in FIG.
[0029]
The user terminal 17 as a provider terminal is a terminal that a providing user who has provided information has. The user terminal 17 is a personal computer, PDA, mobile phone, or the like, and includes communication means such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and modem (not shown). The user terminal 17 receives a notification of the output status of the provided information from the information providing apparatus 11.
[0030]
The information providing apparatus 11 includes a main control unit 12 as a management computer, a display unit 13, a reading unit 14, an interface 15, and a print execution unit 16. Further, a user information storage unit 20, a file storage unit 21, an attribute information storage unit 22, and a fee information storage unit 23 are provided.
[0031]
The main control unit 12 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, and communication means (not shown), and various processes for input / output according to an information providing program and various programs stored in the ROM and RAM, Performs various processes for managing registered information. The main controller 12 transmits and receives various data via the user terminal 17 and the network N.
[0032]
The display unit 13 includes a display (not shown) and displays guidance for each operation, a menu screen for selecting a service, a summary of provided information, and the like according to instructions from the main control unit 12. The main control unit 12 executes the information providing program stored in the main control unit 12 described in the claims, thereby allowing the input means, the first means, the second means, and the third means. Acts as a means. Also, it functions as a determination unit, an output control unit, a registration unit, an update unit, a first transmission unit, and a second transmission unit.
[0033]
The reading unit 14 as input means scans and reads an image or a document and stores it as digital data. In addition, the information providing apparatus 11 is provided with a drive (not shown) for inputting data of an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM. The interface 15 as input means acquires data from the external storage medium set in this drive. The interface 15 receives data from a mobile terminal used by a user such as a mobile phone or a PDA via a cable.
[0034]
The print execution unit 16 serving as an output unit prints a file b2 in the file storage unit 21 described later in cooperation with a printing mechanism (not shown). In addition, the information providing apparatus 11 is provided with operation means such as operation buttons on which the user performs operations for various commands. Furthermore, a billing device as a billing terminal for depositing the output fee, and a card device as a billing terminal for performing settlement processing using a credit card or the like (none of them are shown) are provided.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, user information 200 is stored in the user information storage unit 20 for each user. Here, the user is a person who uses the information providing apparatus 11. This user includes a person who registers a file in the information providing apparatus 11 and a person who outputs a file from the information providing apparatus 11. The user performs user registration using the information providing apparatus 11 in advance and stores the user information 200 before the file input / output operation. The user information 200 stores a user identifier a1, an e-mail address a2, a password a3, an address a4, and a name a5.
[0036]
The user identifier a1 is an identifier assigned to each user at the time of user registration. The e-mail address a2 is an e-mail destination input by the user at the time of user registration. The information providing apparatus 11 makes a notification regarding the output status of the file and the like with the e-mail address a2 as a destination. The password a3 is a password used for user authentication. The address a4 and the name a5 are the user's address and name, respectively, and are set at the time of user registration.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, file information 210 is stored for each registered file in the file storage unit 21 as provision information storage means. The file information 210 stores a file identifier b1 and a file b2 as provided information. The file identifier b1 is an identifier generated when the file b2 is registered in the information providing apparatus 11, and is given to the registered file b2. The file b2 is data input via the reading unit 14 or the interface 15, and is document data, image data, moving image data, audio data, or the like.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 4, the attribute information storage unit 22 stores attribute information 220 for each registered file b2. The attribute information 220 stores information set by the user for the file b2 when the file b2 is input. The attribute information 220 stores a file identifier b1, a user identifier a1, a scheduled output count c1, an output form c2, a gist c3, an information storage time limit c4, and an output count c5.
[0039]
The file identifier b1 corresponds to the file identifier b1 of the file information 210, and indicates which file b2 the attribute information 220 is for. The user identifier a1 corresponds to the user identifier a1 of the user information 200, and stores the identifier of the user who registered the file b2.
[0040]
The scheduled output count c1 as an outputable amount indicates the number of times the file b2 can be output, and is set by the providing user. For example, if the scheduled output count c1 is set to “10 times”, the maximum number of times the file b2 is output is 10 times. The output form c2 indicates a method of outputting the file b2, and is set in advance by the providing user when the file b2 is input. For example, when the file b2 is output as digital data when the file b2 is registered, data indicating “digital data output” is stored. When the file b2 such as image data is printed on paper and output, data indicating “print output” is stored. In the case of print output, data indicating color output or monochrome output is also stored. For this reason, the output count and output method of the file b2 are set in advance by the providing user, and the file b2 is output by the set output method and cannot be output more than the set output count.
[0041]
The summary c3 is data such as a description of the file b2, and is input by the user at the time of registration. The information storage time limit c4 indicates a period for storing the file b2 in the information providing apparatus 11 or a last date for storing the file b2. The output count c5 as the usage amount indicates the number of times the file b2 has been output in the past. This output count c5 is updated every time the file b2 is output.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 5, the charge information storage unit 23 stores charge information 230 related to a charge for outputting the file b2. The charge information 230 stores an output form c2 and a unit price d1. The output form c2 indicates a method of outputting the file b2 such as “digital data output”, “print output”, and the like, and corresponds to the output form c2 of the attribute information 220. The unit price d1 indicates a unit price required when one file b2 is output according to the output form c2.
[0043]
(File registration process)
Next, a processing procedure in which the main control unit 12 registers a file will be described with reference to FIG. First, when registering a file, the providing user selects “data registration” according to a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 13.
[0044]
In this case, the main control unit 12 performs user authentication (step S1-1). Specifically, first, an authentication screen for inputting a user identifier and a password is displayed on the display unit 13. When a user identifier or the like is input, user authentication is performed by comparing the user information 200 with the input user identifier or the like.
[0045]
When user authentication is performed, the main control unit 12 temporarily stores the file (step S1-2). First, the main control unit 12 outputs a screen for instructing file input to the display unit 13. On this screen, a selection item of a file input method and an operation guide corresponding to each item are displayed. The providing user visually recognizes this screen and inputs a file to the information providing apparatus 11. At this time, if what the providing user brought is digital data such as document data, image data, moving image data, or audio data stored in an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM, the external drive stores those external data. Data is input by setting a storage medium. If the data is stored in a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA, the portable terminal and the port provided in the information providing apparatus 11 are connected by a cable or the like to input data. In addition, when the provided user brings an image or a document, data is input by using the reading unit 14 and digitizing the document. When data is input, the main control unit 12 temporarily stores the input data as a file in a storage unit (not shown).
[0046]
Next, the main control unit 12 temporarily stores the attribute information 220 of the file b2 (step S1-3). Specifically, the main control unit 12 outputs a screen for inputting attribute information of the file b2 on the display unit 13. On the attribute information input screen, the scheduled output count c1, output format c2, gist c3, and information storage time limit c4 of the file b2 can be input.
[0047]
The providing user inputs the scheduled output count of the file b2, and inputs the output method of the file b2 as the output form c2. At this time, the output method can be selected from digital data output and print output. When printing output is selected, color printing or monochrome printing can be selected. Further, the providing user inputs the summary c3 that is an explanation of the file b2 and the date of the expiration date for saving the file b2. The input attribute information 220 is temporarily stored in a storage unit (not shown).
[0048]
Next, the main control unit 12 calculates a usage fee and displays it on the display (step S1-4). Specifically, the main control unit 12 extracts the output form c2 and the scheduled output count c1 from the attribute information 220 input in step S1-3. Further, the charge information storage unit 23 is searched, and the unit price d1 corresponding to the extracted output form c2 is extracted. At this time, for example, when the output form c2 is “print output” and “color printing”, the unit price d1 corresponding to the output form c2 indicating the output method is extracted. Then, the unit price d1 is multiplied by the scheduled output count c1 to calculate the total charge for output, that is, the use charge. Then, the amount of the usage fee is displayed on the display unit 13.
[0049]
Next, the main control unit 12 performs a payment confirmation process (step S1-5). This payment confirmation process is a process of determining whether or not receipt confirmation information as payment information is received from a charging device or the like. First, the providing user deposits according to the screen on which the amount is displayed. For example, according to the display on the display unit 13, the providing user deposits the amount of money into the billing device provided in the information providing device 11. Alternatively, the providing user makes a payment by causing a dedicated card processing device provided in the information providing device 11 to read a credit card or a prepaid card.
[0050]
When depositing into the billing device or depositing with a prepaid card or the like, when the deposit is confirmed by the billing device or the card processing device, the deposit confirmation information is transmitted from the billing device or card reader to the main control unit 12. When the providing user makes payment by a payment method in which payment is performed in cooperation with an external system, such as a payment method using a credit card, first, payment is performed by an external system as a charging terminal such as a financial institution. Then, data indicating payment confirmation is transmitted from the external system to the information providing apparatus 11.
[0051]
When receiving the payment confirmation information, the main control unit 12 registers the temporarily stored file b2 (step S1-6). More specifically, the main control unit 12 assigns a file identifier b1 to the temporarily stored file b2 and causes the file storage unit 21 to store the file identifier b1 and the file b2. Further, the attribute information 220 is stored in the attribute information storage unit 22 together with the file identifier b1 and the user identifier a1 of the providing user. At this time, data indicating “0” is stored in the output count c5 of the attribute information 220. Then, the process related to file registration ends.
[0052]
(File output processing)
Next, a processing procedure in which the main control unit 12 outputs the file b2 in response to a request from the user who outputs the file b2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the user selects “file output” on the menu screen displayed on the display unit 13 of the information providing apparatus 11 in order to view information on the file b2 to be output.
[0053]
When file output is selected, the main control unit 12 performs user authentication (step S2-1). At this time, a user authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 13. Then, the main control unit 12 displays the attribute information 220 regarding each file b2 on the display unit 13 (step S2-2). At this time, a summary c3, an information storage time limit c4, an output form c2, and the like which are explanations of each file b2 are displayed on the screen. At this time, the remaining number of possible outputs may be displayed.
[0054]
After the user c refers to the summary c3 and the like, the user performs an operation of selecting the file b2 to be output using the operation means. When a file selection operation is performed, the operation means transmits an output instruction to the main control unit 12 together with the file identifier b1 of the selected file b2.
[0055]
When receiving the output instruction, the main control unit 12 outputs the designated file b2 (step S2-3). At this time, the main control unit 12 searches the file storage unit 21, extracts the file information 210 in which the received file identifier b1 is stored, and extracts the file b2 from the file information 210. At that time, the output form c2 is extracted from the attribute information 220 corresponding to the file b2.
[0056]
Then, the main control unit 12 outputs the file b2 by the output method indicated by the output form c2. For example, when the output form c2 indicates digital data output, the display unit 13 displays a data output method and a user's operation guidance for that purpose. The user uses the screen to set an external storage medium owned by the user to the drive, or connects the portable terminal and the information providing apparatus 11 with a cable. Then, the main control unit 12 sends the file b2 to the external storage medium or portable terminal of the user and stores it.
[0057]
When the output form c2 indicates printing output, the main control unit 12 instructs the print execution unit 16 to print the file b2. At that time, the main control unit 12 determines whether the output method is color printing or monochrome printing based on the output form c2, and prints the file b2 by the designated printing method. Then, the output process of the file b2 is finished.
[0058]
Then, when outputting the file b2, the main control unit 12 updates the output count c5 of the attribute information 220 (step S2-4). Specifically, the main control unit 12 searches the attribute information 220 corresponding to the output file b2, and adds “1” to the output count c5 in the corresponding attribute information 220.
[0059]
When the output count c5 is updated, the main control unit 12 performs provision stop processing for the file b2 whose output count c5 has reached the scheduled output count c1 (step S2-5). Specifically, the main control unit 12 compares the output count c5 updated in step S2-4 with the scheduled output count c1 of the attribute information 220 for the output file b2, and the output count c5 is scheduled. It is determined whether the output count c1 has been reached. When it is determined that the scheduled output count c1 has been reached, the file identifier b1 corresponding to the output count c5 is extracted, and the file b2 corresponding to the identifier is deleted from the file storage unit 21.
[0060]
Then, the main control unit 12 transmits an output notification for notifying the providing user that the file b2 has been output to the user terminal 17 (step S2-6). At this time, the main control unit 12 determines the providing user based on the user identifier a1 in the attribute information 220 corresponding to the output file b2, and extracts the email address a2 from the user information 200 of the providing user. Then, an e-mail indicating that the file b2 of the providing user is output is transmitted with the e-mail address a2 as a destination. At that time, the main control unit 12 also transmits the data regarding the output date and time and the output count c5.
[0061]
When the providing user receives the output notification, the providing user refers to information on the date and time or the number of times of output. Then, the attribute information 220 of the registered file b2 is changed depending on circumstances. For example, when the number of times of output of the file b2 is small, the information providing apparatus 11 is used to re-input the output form b3, the summary c3, and the like, and the attribute information 220 of the information providing apparatus 11 is updated. At this time, the attribute information 220 can also be changed from the user terminal 17. If the file b2 is frequently output, the information providing apparatus 11 is used to update the scheduled output count c1 and the like as necessary. At that time, the attribute information 220 may be updated by accessing the information providing apparatus 11 from the user terminal 17 via the network N.
[0062]
Further, the main control unit 12 determines whether the output count c5 is equal to or greater than a predetermined count at that time (step S2-7). In the present embodiment, the predetermined number of times as the predetermined amount is a number of times less than the scheduled number of times c1 stored in the attribute information 220 by a preset number of times. For example, it is determined that the predetermined number of times has been reached when the number of outputs c5 is two times less than the scheduled number of outputs c1.
[0063]
When the output count c5 is equal to or greater than the predetermined count (YES in step S2-7), the main control unit 12 transmits a notification of the remaining count to the user terminal 17 (step S2-8). At this time, the main control unit 12 transmits the data regarding the remaining number of times by e-mail with the e-mail address a2 of the providing user as a destination. And the main control part 12 complete | finishes the process after file b2 output.
[0064]
When the output count c5 is less than the predetermined count (NO in step S3-5), the main control unit 12 ends the process as it is. When the providing user who has received the notification of the remaining number of times that can be output continues to register the file b2 in the information providing apparatus 11 as necessary, the providing user registers with the information providing apparatus 11 to increase the number of times that can be output. Continue operation. At that time, the providing user re-inputs the scheduled output count c1 of the attribute information 220 according to the display unit 13 of the information providing apparatus 11. The main control unit 12 charges the scheduled output fee for the increased scheduled output count c1. The providing user deposits the output fee for the scheduled number of output times increased according to the display on the display unit 13. When the main control unit 12 newly receives payment confirmation information for the file b2 that has already been registered, the main control unit 12 updates the scheduled output count c1 and the information storage period c4 of the attribute information 220 corresponding to the file b2.
[0065]
(Remaining amount refund processing)
Next, the remaining amount refund process for the file b2 whose information storage time limit has passed will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 12 searches the information storage period c4 of the attribute information 220 at a predetermined interval. When the date indicated by the information storage time limit c4 has passed, a notification that the time limit has passed and the remaining number of times that can be output are transmitted to the providing user's e-mail address a2. Then, when the attribute information 220 has not been updated within a certain period from the notification transmission, the main control unit 12 deletes the file b <b> 2 whose time limit has passed from the file storage unit 21. At this time, if the output count c5 is less than the scheduled output count c1, the attribute information 220 corresponding to the deleted file b2 is not deleted but temporarily stored. Then, the user is paid for the remaining number of times.
[0066]
The providing user receives the notification of the expiration of the deadline, and checks whether there is a remaining number of times that can be output. If there is a remaining number of times, user authentication is performed after selecting “refund” on the menu screen of the information providing apparatus 11.
[0067]
When user authentication is performed, the main control unit 12 extracts user attribute information 220 based on the user identifier a1 received during user authentication (step S3-1). If a plurality of attribute information 220 exists, the plurality of attribute information 220 is extracted. Then, the main control unit 12 extracts from the attribute information 220 the attribute information 220 whose output count c5 is less than the scheduled output count c1. Then, the finally extracted attribute information 220 is output to the display. The providing user refers to the screen, selects one to be refunded from the attribute information 220, and performs an operation for specifying the remaining payment.
[0068]
When payment is specified, the main control unit 12 calculates the remaining amount based on the specified attribute information 220 (step S3-2). Specifically, the remaining number of possible outputs is calculated by subtracting the number of output times c5 from the scheduled number of output times c1 of the specified attribute information 220. Then, the unit price d1 of the fee information 230 corresponding to the attribute information 220 is extracted, and the remaining unit price is calculated by multiplying the unit price d1 by the possible number of times of output.
[0069]
When calculating the remaining amount, the main control unit 12 sends a refund instruction (step S3-3). Specifically, first, the main control unit 12 displays a screen for selecting a payment method for the remaining amount on the display unit 13. On this screen, for example, payment at the charging device, payment at a store, etc., transfer to the account of the providing user's financial institution, etc. are displayed. The providing user refers to this screen and selects a payment method. When the payment method is designated, the main control unit 12 transmits a refund instruction to the charging device provided in the information providing device 11 or the system of the financial institution according to the designated payment method.
[0070]
When the charging device receives a refund instruction, the remaining amount is paid by the charging device. Alternatively, the main control unit 12 causes the print execution unit 16 to print the remaining amount payment instruction based on the calculated remaining amount. At this time, the providing user hands over this instruction to a person in charge such as a store where the information providing apparatus 11 is installed, and receives the balance from the person in charge. When the balance payment process ends, the main control unit 12 deletes the attribute information 220 and ends the process.
[0071]
According to the information providing system of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the above embodiment, the information providing apparatus 11 can be used to input the file b2 provided by the providing user and the user b can output the file b2 from the information providing apparatus 11. That is, the providing user can provide information using the information providing apparatus 11.
[0072]
In the above embodiment, the main control unit 12 receives the file b2 and attribute information 220 temporarily stored in the file storage unit 21 and the attribute when receiving the payment confirmation information indicating that the providing user has paid the scheduled output fee. Each information is stored in the information storage unit 22 and registered. That is, the main control unit 12 does not perform an output fee charging process when the file b2 is output, but performs a process of charging an output fee to the providing user when the file b2 is input. Accordingly, since the charging process is not performed for the user, the file b2 can be easily output. For this reason, provision of information of a providing user can be prompted.
[0073]
In the above embodiment, the output count c5 is updated when the file b2 is output. When the output count c5 reaches the scheduled output count c1, provision of the file b2 is stopped after a certain period. For this reason, there is no possibility that the providing user is charged for an output charge that is greater than the amount paid by the providing user. For this reason, the provision according to a request | requirement of a provision user can be performed. Further, it is possible to output only the number of times set by the providing user. Therefore, the output management of the file b2 can be performed efficiently.
[0074]
In the above embodiment, the scheduled output fee for the file b2 is calculated based on the output form c2 and the scheduled output count c1. Since the scheduled output charge is based on the output form c2 and the scheduled output count c1 of the file b2, the providing user can adjust the scheduled output charge by setting the output form c2 and the scheduled output count c1.
[0075]
In the above embodiment, after the file b2 is output, an output notification that the file b2 has been output is transmitted to the user terminal 17. Therefore, the providing user can know that the file b2 has been output. In accordance with this notification, the providing user can change the attribute information 220 of the file b2, and the providing user can efficiently manage the file b2.
[0076]
In the above embodiment, after the file b2 is output, it is determined whether or not the output count c5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined count at that time. When the output count c5 is equal to or greater than the predetermined count, a notification of the remaining count is transmitted to the user terminal 17. For this reason, the providing user can know the remaining number of times the file b2 can be output. In some cases, the attribute information 220 of the file b2 can be changed again, or the file b2 can be re-registered. Therefore, the providing user can efficiently manage the file b2.
[0077]
In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the file b2 is document data, image data, moving image data, audio data, or the like, but may be a combination of these data.
[0078]
In the above embodiment, the file b2 can be input in the information providing apparatus 11, but the file b2 may be transmitted from the user terminal 17 to the information providing apparatus 11. In this case, the file b2 is registered when the main control unit 12 receives the payment confirmation information by the payment of the planned output fee using the user terminal 17 or the providing user paying the planned output fee at the store or the like.
[0079]
In the above embodiment, when the file b2 is input, the scheduled output fee is settled. However, if the payment is made within a predetermined time, the file b2 may be registered. For example, if the input file b2 is temporarily stored in the main control unit 12 and payment is made within 24 hours from the time of input, for example, the file b2 may be formally registered in the file storage unit 21. Good.
[0080]
In the above embodiment, the number of times the user outputs one file b2 may be limited to one. In this case, the main control unit 12 stores the file identifier b1 of the file b2 in the user information 200 when outputting the file b2. When an output request is made again for the file b2 from the same user, an error notification or the like is displayed on the display.
[0081]
In the above embodiment, when printing the file b2, one file b2 is printed on one sheet of paper or the like. Alternatively, a plurality of files b2 may be assigned to a sheet of paper and printed. In this case, when layout printing is designated by the operation of the user, the main control unit 12 extracts a plurality of files b2 from the file storage unit 21 according to the command. Then, the print execution unit 16 assigns and prints the plurality of files b2. At that time, the main control unit 12 sets the output count c5 of one file b2 to, for example, 0.5 times. That is, the output count c5 is the number of times divided by the number of allocated files b2.
[0082]
In the above embodiment, the output of the file b2 is limited with the scheduled output count c1 as an upper limit, but this may be limited by the scheduled output fee received by the providing user. In this case, the attribute information 220 stores data indicating the scheduled output fee and data indicating the actual output fee. Then, the main control unit 12 outputs the file b2 whose output fee is less than the scheduled output fee. In this way, the output management of the file b2 can be efficiently performed when the output fee varies depending on the data size of the file b2, the output form c5, the file b2, and the like.
[0083]
In the above embodiment, the notification of the output status is transmitted with the email address a2 of the providing user as the destination. At the time of this notification, information regarding the user who has output the file b2 may be transmitted based on the user information 200. In this way, the providing user can obtain information on the user who has output the file b2.
[0084]
In the above embodiment, when the output count c5 reaches a predetermined count, the remaining output count is notified, but the remaining amount or the like may be notified.
In the above embodiment, an output notification is transmitted to the user terminal 17 every time it is output, but this may be limited to only when the number of outputs reaches a predetermined number.
[0085]
In the above embodiment, the main control unit 12 temporarily stores the file b2 in a storage unit (not shown), and then receives the payment confirmation information and then stores the file b2 in the file storage unit 21 so as to be registered. did. This may be registered by storing the input file b2 in the file storage unit 21 and giving the file identifier b1 after receiving the payment confirmation information.
[0086]
In the above embodiment, the user who outputs the file b2 also stores the user information 200 related to the user in the user information storage unit 20 so that it cannot be output unless the user is registered. In addition, a user who is not registered as a user may be able to output the file b2 from the information providing apparatus 11.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing method, an information providing program, and an information providing apparatus capable of registering information in a device by an information provider and outputting information registered by the user from the device. . Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information providing method, an information providing program, and an information providing apparatus that enable an information provider to efficiently manage the output of provided information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a data configuration diagram of a user information storage unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of a file storage unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram of an attribute information storage unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of a charge information storage unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of file registration processing in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of file output processing in the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of refund processing in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Information provision apparatus, 12 ... Management computer, 1st-3rd means, input means, registration means, reception means, output control means, update means, 1st and 2nd transmission means, and main as judgment means Control unit, 14 ... Reading unit as input means, 15 ... Interface as input means, 16 ... Print execution part as output means, 17 ... User terminal as provider terminal, 21 ... File as provided information storage means Storage unit, b2 ... file as provided information, c1 ... scheduled output count as possible output amount, c5 ... output count as usage amount.

Claims (15)

An information providing method for outputting the provision information using an information provision apparatus comprising provision information storage means for storing provision information, input means for inputting provision information, output means for outputting provision information, and a management computer Because
The management computer is
A first step of determining whether registration is possible or not based on payment information corresponding to an outputable amount for the provided information input by the input means;
If registration is possible, a second stage of registering the provision information in the provision information storage means;
A third stage of outputting the provision information and updating the utilization amount based on the use amount of the provision information and the output possible amount when there is a request for outputting the provision information. Information providing method. In the information provision method of Claim 1,
The information providing method according to claim 1, wherein the first stage is determined based on whether or not payment information is received from a billing terminal. In the information provision method of Claim 1 or 2,
The information providing method, wherein the possible output amount is information related to a scheduled output fee or a scheduled output count of the provided information. In the information provision method as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The information providing method further comprising the step of transmitting output notification information to a provider terminal when the management computer outputs the provision information. In the information provision method as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The management computer further includes a step of transmitting a notification to the provider terminal when the usage amount of the provision information reaches a predetermined amount when the provision information is output. Information providing method. An information providing program for outputting provided information using an information providing apparatus comprising provided information storage means for storing provided information, input means for inputting provided information, output means for outputting provided information, and a management computer Because
The management computer,
First means for determining whether registration is possible or not based on payment information corresponding to an output possible amount for the provided information input by the input means;
If registration is possible, second means for registering the provision information in the provision information storage means;
When there is a provision information output request, the provision information is output based on the use amount of the provision information and the output possible amount, and the third function is used to update the use amount. Information providing program. In the information provision program of Claim 6,
The information providing program according to claim 1, wherein the first means makes a determination based on whether or not payment information is received from a charging terminal. In the information provision program of Claim 6 or 7,
The information provision program characterized in that the output possible amount is information relating to a scheduled output fee or a scheduled number of times of output of the provision information. In the information provision program as described in any one of Claims 6-8,
An information providing program for causing the management computer to further function as means for transmitting output notification information to a provider terminal when the provision information is output. In the information provision program as described in any one of Claims 6-9,
The management computer is further caused to function as a means for transmitting a notification to the provider terminal when the usage amount of the provision information reaches a predetermined amount when the provision information is output. Information providing program. An information provision apparatus comprising provision information storage means for storing provision information, input means for inputting provision information, output means for outputting provision information, and a management computer,
The management computer is
Determination means for determining whether registration is possible or not based on payment information corresponding to the output possible amount for the provision information input by the input means;
If registration is possible, registration means for registering the provision information in the provision information storage means;
When there is an output request for provision information, output control means for outputting the provision information based on the use amount of the provision information and the output possible amount; and
An information providing apparatus comprising: an updating unit that updates the usage amount. The information providing apparatus according to claim 11,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit makes a determination based on whether or not payment information is received from a charging terminal. The information providing device according to claim 11 or 12,
The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output possible amount is information related to a scheduled output charge or a scheduled output count of the provided information. In the information provision apparatus as described in any one of Claims 11-13,
An information providing apparatus, further comprising: first transmission means for transmitting output notification information to a provider terminal when the management computer outputs the provision information. In the information provision apparatus as described in any one of Claims 11-14,
When the management computer outputs the provision information, when the usage amount of the provision information reaches a predetermined amount, a second transmission means for transmitting a notification to the provider terminal is further provided. An information providing apparatus characterized by comprising.

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