JP2005216103A - Method, program, and system for supplying printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method, a program, and a system for supplying a printed matter capable of easily producing a printed matter using an image file owned by each user. <P>SOLUTION: A management system 1 comprises a group information memory section 10 for memorizing group information regarding a group organized by a plurality of users, and a management computer 2 connected with user terminals 3 via a network N. The management computer 2 transmits a notice to each user terminal 3, and memorizes the image file transmitted from each user terminal 3 in response to the notice into an image file memory section 12. The management computer 2 also transmits a completion notice to a user terminal 3a used by a management user. Further, the management computer 2 prepares data for printing under an edit instruction transmitted from the user terminal 3a, and makes a printer 5 print on the basis of the data for printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printed matter providing method, a printed matter providing program, and a printed matter providing system.

  Recently, with the widespread use of electronic devices such as digital cameras, scanners, personal computers, etc., image data created by users using digital cameras, etc., or image data created by reading photos etc. with scanners, etc., using printers You can print on your own. The user can also edit and print the image data using an application program stored in the computer. However, this image data editing work takes time and effort, and is difficult for those who are not familiar with the operation of a personal computer or the like. Further, in order to obtain a beautiful printed matter, an expensive application program or electronic device may be required. Furthermore, in order to obtain a printed matter printed on large format paper, a large business printer is necessary, and it is difficult for an individual to print on large format paper.

On the other hand, a method has been proposed in which a server keeps an image file transmitted by a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, users other than the user who registered the image file can browse and print the image data by connecting to the server using the terminal. Further, the image file can be printed in a desired size according to the user's order.
JP 2003-289415 A

  By the way, for example, when traveling with a travel companion, each travel companion (each user) provided photos (image files) taken with a digital camera or the like, and a plurality of photographs (image files) provided ) May be appropriately selected and edited to create a single memorial print.

  At this time, a work (process) for collecting image files provided by each travel companion and a work (process) for appropriately selecting the collected image files and editing them into one printed matter are required. . In addition, a preview of each edited image file printed on a single sheet of paper is sent to each travel companion who provided each image file and asked to confirm that it will be printed as the final printed matter. (Process) may be required.

  In the above case, in the method in which the server keeps the image file, the leader (administrative user) among the travel companions must make a notification for each travel companion to store (register) the image file owned by the server. I must. In addition, after the image file is stored, the reader selects some of the image files stored in the server by each travel companion and uses them to print image data for printing the printed matter. Must be created. In addition, the reader may need to allow each travel companion to browse the created image data using e-mail or the like and receive a confirmation reply. Furthermore, the reader has to collect from each travel companion the burden for creating the printed matter. Therefore, when creating a printed matter using image files owned by each travel companion (user), it takes time to read the readers who manage those image files. In addition, since the reader edits the image file itself, there is a possibility that a beautiful printed matter cannot be easily created.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printed matter providing method, a printed matter providing program, and a printed matter providing system capable of easily creating a printed matter using an image file owned by each user.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed matter providing method, a printed matter providing program, and a printed matter providing system capable of easily creating a beautiful printed matter using image data owned by each user.

  The printed matter providing method of the present invention uses a group information storage unit that stores group information related to a group of a plurality of users, and a management computer connected to a user terminal used by each user via a network. A printed matter providing method for creating a printed matter using an image file owned by each user, wherein the management computer is configured for each user terminal based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit. A step of transmitting a notification prompting transmission of the image file, a step of storing the image file transmitted from each user terminal in the image file storage unit, and a notification that the collection of each image file has been completed. Transmitting to a user terminal used by at least one of the users, and at least one of the users In accordance with an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by a user, using the image files, creating printing data, and transmitting the printing data to a printing apparatus connected to the management computer, And executing printing based on the printing data.

  According to this, the management computer transmits a notification prompting the user terminal to transmit the image file. The image file transmitted from each user terminal by the management computer is stored in the image file storage unit. Further, the management computer transmits a notification that the collection of the image file has been completed to a terminal used by at least one of the users. Furthermore, print data is created using an image file in accordance with an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one of the users. Then, printing is executed by the management computer based on the printing data using the printing apparatus. In other words, the management computer performs a process for prompting and collecting image files for each user, a part of the printing data creation process using the image file, and a printing process for printing data on behalf of the user. Can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to easily create a printed matter using image files owned by a plurality of users.

  In this printed matter providing method, after the print data is created, the management computer transmits a notification for confirming the print data to the user terminals, and confirms the print data. Receiving a confirmation notification from the user terminal used by the completed user, wherein the management computer causes the printing apparatus to print based on the printing data when the confirmation notification is received. And causing the printing apparatus to perform printing.

  According to this, a notification for confirming the print data is transmitted to each user terminal by the management computer, and a confirmation notification transmitted from the user terminal of the user who has completed confirmation in response to this notification is received. . In addition, when the confirmation notification is received by the management computer, the printing data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. For this reason, after each user confirms the printing data, the printing data can be printed. In addition, since the management computer transmits a notification for confirming the printing data and receives the confirmation notification in place of the user, the user's trouble can be reduced.

In this printed matter providing method, the management computer creates the printing data by using template data and the image files.
According to this, creation of the printing data is performed using template data created in advance by a trader or the like, so that a beautiful printed matter can be easily created.

  In this printed matter providing method, the management computer further includes a step of calculating a contribution for the fee for creating the printed matter for each user and transmitting fee information regarding payment of the contribution to each user terminal. It was.

  According to this, the management computer calculates the contribution of the fee for creating the printed matter for each user, and the fee information related to the payment of each contribution is transmitted to each user terminal. For this reason, the management computer can reduce the effort of the user who manages the contribution in the process of collecting the print creation fee from each user.

  In this printed matter providing method, the management computer receives, from each user terminal, payment information relating to a contribution to the creation fee of the printed matter assigned to each user, and stores user information relating to each user The method further includes the step of storing each in the storage unit.

  According to this, the management computer receives the payment information related to the contribution of the creation fee of the printed matter assigned to each user from each user terminal. Further, the management computer stores the received payment information in user information corresponding to each user. For this reason, the management computer can reduce the effort of the user who manages the contribution in the process of collecting the print creation fee from each user.

  In the printed matter providing method, the management computer further includes a step of causing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on attribute information relating to a destination address and a recipient name of the printed matter.

  According to this, the management computer transmits attribute information relating to a preset destination address and recipient name to the printing apparatus, and printing is executed. For this reason, a slip for delivering printed matter can be created.

In this printed matter providing method, the management computer is connected to the printing apparatus via a network.
According to this, since the printing apparatus is connected to the management computer via the network, the management computer and the printing apparatus can be installed in different places.

  The printed matter providing program of the present invention uses a group information storage unit that stores group information related to a group of a plurality of users, and a management computer connected to a user terminal used by each user via a network. A printed matter providing program for creating a printed matter using an image file owned by each user, wherein the management computer is connected to each user terminal based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit. Means for transmitting a notification prompting transmission of the image file, means for storing the image file transmitted from each user terminal in the image file storage unit, notification of completion of collection of each image file, Means for transmitting to a user terminal used by at least one person, at least of each of the users In accordance with the editing command transmitted from the user terminal used by one person, the printing data is transmitted to the printing device connected to the management computer, means for creating printing data using each image file, It functions as means for executing printing based on the printing data.

  According to this, the management computer transmits a notification prompting the user terminal to transmit the image file. The image file transmitted from each user terminal by the management computer is stored in the image file storage unit. Further, the management computer transmits a notification that the collection of the image file has been completed to a terminal used by at least one of the users. Furthermore, print data is created using an image file in accordance with an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one of the users. Then, printing is executed by the management computer based on the printing data using the printing apparatus. In other words, the management computer performs a process for prompting and collecting image files for each user, a part of the printing data creation process using the image file, and a printing process for printing data on behalf of the user. Can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to easily create a printed matter using image files owned by a plurality of users.

  The printed matter providing system of the present invention includes a group information storage unit that stores group information related to a group of a plurality of users, and a management computer connected to a user terminal used by each user via a network. A printed matter providing system for creating a printed matter using an image file owned by the management computer, wherein the management computer outputs an image to each user terminal based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit. A first transmission unit that transmits a notification that prompts transmission of a file; a reception unit that stores an image file transmitted from each user terminal in an image file storage unit; and a notification that the collection of each image file has ended. A second transmitting means for transmitting to a user terminal used by at least one of the users; In accordance with an editing instruction transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one of the users, a creation unit that creates printing data using each image file, and a printing device connected to the management computer include the printing Command transmitting means for transmitting data and executing printing based on the printing data.

  According to this, the notification for urging the user terminal to transmit the image file is transmitted by the first transmission means provided in the management computer. Further, the image file transmitted from each user terminal by the accepting unit is stored in the image file storage unit. Further, the second transmission means transmits a notification that image file collection has been completed to a terminal used by at least one of the users. Furthermore, the creation unit edits the image file in accordance with an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one of the users, and creates print data. Then, the command transmission means executes printing based on the printing data using the printing apparatus. In other words, since the management computer performs the process of prompting and collecting the image file for each user, a part of the image file editing process, and the printing process of the edited data on behalf of the user, the labor of the user is reduced. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to easily create a printed matter using image files owned by a plurality of users.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a group consisting of a plurality of users creates a printed material using an image file owned by each user, and delivers the printed material to a desired destination or the like. A case where the printed material creation service is implemented will be described. In the present embodiment, the completed printed matter is received by a recipient other than the user belonging to the group.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 is connected via a network N to a management user terminal 3 a as a user terminal, a general user terminal 3 b as a user terminal, and a printing terminal 4. The management system 1 is a system owned by a trader who provides a print creation service. The management user terminal 3a and the general user terminal 3b are terminals owned by the management user and the general user as customers, respectively. In this embodiment, the management user is one person in the group, but the general user may be one or more. In addition, when the management user and the general user, the management user terminal 3a, and the general user terminal 3b are not particularly distinguished, they are referred to as a mere user and a user terminal 3, respectively. The printing terminal 4 is a terminal installed in the printer center C, and is a terminal owned by a trader who provides the service or a trader who exclusively operates the print service. The network N is the Internet or the like.

  The management system 1 includes a management computer 2 as a first transmission unit, a reception unit, a second transmission unit, a creation unit, and a command transmission unit. The management computer 2 includes a control unit such as a CPU (not shown), a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, and communication means. The management computer 2 transmits / receives various data to / from the user terminal 3 and the printing terminal 4 according to various programs as a printed matter providing program stored in the storage unit.

  The user terminal 3 (management user terminal 3a and general user terminal 3b) is, for example, a personal computer or the like, and includes a control unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, a communication unit, and the like (all not shown). It has. Further, the user terminal 3 includes input means such as a keyboard K and a mouse M, and display means including a display D. Further, the control unit and the communication unit of the user terminal 3 can transmit and receive data to and from external devices G1 and G2 such as a digital camera and a scanner. For this reason, the user terminal 3 can acquire image files and the like from the external devices G1 and G2 by wired communication or wireless communication, and can temporarily store them in the storage unit.

  The printing terminal 4 includes a control unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a RAM and a ROM, and a communication unit (all not shown). The printing terminal 4 includes input means such as a keyboard K and a mouse M, and display means including a display D. Further, a printer 5 as a printing apparatus is connected to the printing terminal 4. The printer 5 is, for example, an ink jet printer or the like, and is a printer capable of printing on a large printing paper. The printing terminal 4 converts the image file or the like stored in the storage unit into print data and transmits it to the printer 5, and the printer 5 performs printing based on the print data transmitted from the printing terminal 4. It has become.

  Next, each storage unit provided in the management system 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system 1 includes a group information storage unit 10, a user information storage unit 11, and an image file storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the group information storage unit 10 stores group information 10a for each group. Each group information 10a includes data of a group identifier a1, a registration time limit a2, a destination address a3, a recipient name a4, and a user identifier a5. The group identifier a1 is an identifier assigned for each group. The registration time limit a2 is data indicating the date of the time limit for each user to register the image file in the management system 1. The destination address a3 is data relating to the delivery destination of the created printed matter. The recipient name a4 is data relating to the name of the recipient of the created printed matter. The user identifier a5 is an identifier of the users that make up the group. In the group information 10a, the same number of user identifiers a5 as the number of users constituting the group are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user information storage unit 11 stores user information 11a relating to each user constituting the group for each user. This user information 11a is composed of data of a user identifier a5, authority b1, e-mail address b2, registration status b3, confirmation status b4 and payment method b5.

The user identifier a5 is an identifier assigned to each user and corresponds to one of the user identifiers a5 of the group information 10a. The authority b1 indicates the authority for the management system 1 set for the user. The authority b1 includes an identifier indicating “management user” and an identifier indicating “general user”. The e-mail address b2 is an e-mail address owned by the user. The registration status b3 is data regarding whether or not the user has registered an image file in the management system 1, and is a flag that is changed according to the registration status, for example. The confirmation status b4 is data relating to whether or not the user has confirmed the edited image data, and is a flag that is changed according to the confirmation status, for example. The payment method b5 is data relating to a method of paying a print creation fee.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image file storage unit 12 stores image file information 12a for each image file c2. The image file information 12a includes data of a registration number c1, an image file c2, and a user identifier a5. The registration number c1 is an identifier assigned to each image file c2 when the image file c2 is registered in the management system 1. The image file c2 is an image file transmitted from the management user terminal 3a or the general user terminal 3b. The user identifier a5 is an identifier of the user who transmitted the image file c2, and corresponds to one of the user identifiers a5 in the user information storage unit 11.

  Next, a printed material creation service using the management system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The management computer 2 performs group registration processing and user registration processing before each user receives the image file c2 created using the external devices G1 and G2.

  In the group registration process and the user registration process, the management user terminal 3a connects to the management system 1 according to the operation of the management user and transmits a request command for each registration process. The management computer 2 that has received this command displays a registration screen (not shown) on the display D of the management user terminal 3a. Further, the management user terminal 3a transmits the group information 10a and each user information 11a input by the management user using the keyboard K or the like according to the registration screen to the management computer 2. At this time, the group information 10a includes a group name (group identifier a1), an identifier of a user belonging to the group (user identifier a5), a registration time limit a2, a print destination address a3, and a recipient name a4. Each user information 11a includes authority b1 and e-mail address b2 of each user. When the management computer 2 receives the group information 10a and the user information 11a, the management computer 2 adds the group identifier a1 and the user identifier a5 and stores them in the group information storage unit 10 and the user information storage unit 11, respectively. At this time, the management computer 2 sets the registration status b3 of each user information 11a to data (flag) indicating “unregistered” and the confirmation status b4 to data (flag) indicating “unconfirmed”.

  Next, the management computer 2 performs file registration processing. Specifically, when the group information 10a is stored, the management computer 2 uses an email for each user based on the user identifier a5 in the group information 10a and the email address b2 of the user information 11a. Then, a notification that the transmission of the image file c2 is urged is sent. At this time, the management computer 2 also transmits data such as the URL of the site provided by the management system 1 and the registration time limit a2 in the electronic mail.

  Each general user who has received the notification of registration start using the general user terminal 3b displays the electronic mail on the display D for confirmation. In accordance with this notification, the general user performs file registration processing to register the image file c2 stored in the external devices G1 and G2 owned by the general user in the management system 1.

This file registration process will be described with reference to FIG. The general user connects to the management computer 2 using the general user terminal 3b. At that time, the management computer 2 performs user authentication for confirming the group to which the user belongs and the identifier of the user. When the user authentication is completed, the management computer 2 displays a file input screen (not shown) for inputting the image file c2 on the display D of the general user terminal 3b. The general user terminal 3b acquires the image file c2 designated by the general user from the external devices G1 and G2 according to the file input screen, and transmits it to the management computer 2 (S1-1). At this time, the image file c2 to be transmitted may be single or plural.

  The management computer 2 stores each received image file c2 in the image file storage unit 12 (S1-2). At this time, the management computer 2 assigns a registration number c1 to the image file c2 and stores it as image file information 12a. Also, the management computer 2 changes the registration status b3 in the user information 11a corresponding to the user who transmitted the image file c2 to data indicating “registered”. As described above, when the management computer 2 receives the image file c2 from each general user terminal 3b, the management computer 2 accumulates the image file c2 in the image file storage unit 12. Further, the management computer 2 may store the image file c2 received from the management user terminal 3a in the image file storage unit 12 as well as the general user terminal 3b.

  For example, the management computer 2 searches the registration time limit a2 in the group information 10a every day. When the management computer 2 determines that the registration time limit a2 has elapsed, it sends a registration completion notification to the management user terminal 3a based on the group information 10a and the user information 11a (S1-3). Specifically, the management computer 2 transmits an e-mail using the e-mail address b2 of a user whose authority b1 is “management user” as a transmission destination.

  When receiving the registration completion notification using the management user terminal 3a, the management user performs an editing process (S1-4). Specifically, the management computer 2 receives a connection request from the management user terminal 3 a according to the operation of the management user, and performs the user authentication process on the user terminal 3. When the management computer 2 receives the user identifier a5 by the user authentication process, the management computer 2 determines whether or not the authority b1 corresponding to the received user identifier a5 is data indicating “management user”. If the authority b1 is “management user”, the management computer 2 displays a screen for the management user that can edit the image file on the display D. At this time, if the authority b1 is “general user”, a screen for general users is displayed. That is, only the administrative user can edit the image file c2.

  The administrative user performs an editing operation using the image file c2 registered by each user according to the administrative user screen. Specifically, the management computer 2 transmits data for displaying each template stored in a storage unit (not shown) as a list screen (not shown) to the management user terminal 3a. The management user selects one desired template from the template list screen, and transmits the template identifier from the management user terminal 3a to the management computer 2. Upon receiving the selected template identifier, the management computer 2 displays an editing screen SC1 for the template identifier shown in FIG. 8 on the display D of the management user terminal 3a. A template T is displayed on the editing screen SC1. The template data for displaying the template T is provided with a plurality of image areas Z1 for associating the image file c2. Further, an input area Z2 for inputting characters or the like is provided in the template data.

When the management user selects the image area Z1 of the template T using the mouse M or the like, an image display command is transmitted from the management user terminal 3a. Also, the management computer 2 that has received the image display command transmits various data to the management user terminal 3a. As a result, an image selection screen (not shown) is displayed on the management user terminal 3a. On this image selection screen, a large number of image files c2 registered by the user are displayed as images. The administrative user
An image file c2 (image) to be incorporated into the image area Z1 is selected on the image selection screen. Then, the identifier of the selected image file c2 and the editing command are transmitted from the management user terminal 3a. The management computer 2 creates template data in which the image file c2 is associated with the image area Z1 according to the identifier and the editing command of the image file c2 transmitted from the management user terminal 3a, and transmits the template data to the management user terminal 3a. As a result, the image P is displayed in the image area Z1 like the image area Z1 such as the upper left of the template T in the editing screen SC1 of FIG. The management user performs this operation on all the image areas Z1, and further inputs a sentence or the like in the input area Z2. When the completion selection unit S2 displayed at the bottom of the editing screen SC1 is selected, the management user terminal 3a transmits an editing work completion notification to the management computer 2.

  When the management computer 2 receives the completion notification, the management computer 2 temporarily saves template data as print data edited in association with each image file c2 in a storage unit (not shown). In addition, when the edited template data is stored, the management computer 2 transmits an editing completion notification to each general user terminal 3b (S1-5). Specifically, the management computer 2 transmits an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address b2 of each user whose authority b1 is “general user”.

  Each general user confirms the editing completion notification using the general user terminal 3 b and connects to the management computer 2. When the user authentication process is performed by the management computer 2, the general user terminal 3b transmits a confirmation screen display command to the management computer 2 in accordance with the operation of the general user. When receiving the display command, the management computer 2 displays the confirmation screen SC2 shown in FIG. 9 on the display D of the general user terminal 3b. On the confirmation screen SC2, the template T in which the image P and the message are displayed is displayed as the image T1. Each general user confirms the image T1 edited by the management user. If it is not necessary to re-edit, the confirmation completion selection unit S3 is selected. When the confirmation completion selection unit S3 is selected by an operation of a general user, the general user terminal 3b transmits a confirmation notification to the management computer 2 (S1-6).

  On the other hand, when the general user requests re-editing of the image T1 edited by the management user, the general user selects the correction request selection unit S4 on the confirmation screen SC2. When the correction request selection unit S4 is selected, the general user terminal 3b transmits a correction notification to the management computer 2. When the management computer 2 receives the correction notification, the management computer 2 displays a screen for inputting a description of the correction portion on the display D of the general user terminal 3b. The general user terminal 3b transmits a correction request notification to the management computer 2 when an explanation is input by the user. The management computer 2 transmits the correction request notification to the management user terminal 3a. When the management user confirms the correction notification using the management user terminal 3a, the management user performs an editing process. Then, the editing process and the like (S1-4 to S1-5) are repeated by the management user terminal 3a and the management computer 2.

  Upon receiving the confirmation notification, the management computer 2 changes the confirmation status b4 of the user information 11a to data indicating “confirmed”. When the confirmation status b4 of all the user information 11a becomes “confirmed”, the management computer 2 transmits a confirmation completion notification to the management user (S1-7).

  When the management user confirms the confirmation completion notification using the management user terminal 3a, the management user connects to the management computer 2. When the management computer 2 performs user authentication processing, the management user terminal 3a transmits a print order according to the operation of the management user (S1-8). Specifically, the management user transmits a print order according to a print confirmation screen (not shown) displayed on the display D of the management user terminal 3a by the management computer 2.

  Upon receiving the print order, the management computer 2 stores the group identifier a1, the destination address a3, the completed template data, etc. in an order reception storage unit (not shown) and accepts the order (S1-9).

  Next, the management computer 2 and the printing terminal 4 perform print execution processing based on the edited template data. This print execution process will be described with reference to FIG. The management computer 2 transmits the edited template data (hereinafter referred to as image data) and attribute information to the printing terminal 4 (S2-1). This attribute information includes the destination address a3 and the recipient name a4 stored in the group information 10a.

  When receiving the image data and the attribute information, the printing terminal 4 temporarily stores the data in a storage unit (not shown) (S2-2). Further, the printing terminal 4 performs printing using the printer 5 based on the image data (S2-3). Specifically, the printing terminal 4 converts the image data into print data, attaches a print effective command to the print data, and transmits the print data to the printer 5. The printer 5 performs printing on printing paper based on the received print data. Further, the printing terminal 4 converts the attribute information into print data and causes the printer 5 or another printer (not shown) to print based on the print data. As a result, the printer 5 creates a slip displaying the destination address. When the printed matter and the slip are created, the printed matter is delivered to the address of the recipient described on the slip.

  In addition, when the management computer 2 transmits image data or the like to the printing terminal 4, the management computer 2 performs charge processing. This fee billing process will be described with reference to FIG. The management computer 2 calculates a contribution for the print creation fee for each user based on a preset ratio. This ratio may be set uniformly for each user. The ratio may be set to be different for each user.

  When the management computer 2 calculates the contribution fee for each user, the management computer 2 obtains the fee information consisting of data relating to the amount of the fee to be borne by the user and data relating to a plurality of payment methods to the user terminal 3 (general user terminal 3b And to the management user terminal 3a) (S3-1). The data relating to the payment method includes information relating to the payment method such as a credit settlement method, a bank transfer method, and a payment method at a predetermined store.

  The user confirms the fee information using the user terminal 3. Further, the user terminal 3 connects to the management computer 2 according to the user's operation, and transmits a selection screen display command. Upon receiving the display command, the management computer 2 performs user authentication processing by transmitting / receiving various data to / from the user terminal 3 and displays a payment method selection screen (not shown) on the display D of the user terminal 3. On this selection screen, payment methods such as credit settlement and bank transfer can be selected.

  Furthermore, the user terminal 3 transmits payment information to the management computer 2 according to the user's operation (S3-2). This payment information is data relating to the payment method selected by the user according to the selection screen. For example, when the user selects credit settlement, the payment information includes data necessary for credit settlement, such as a credit card number.

When receiving the payment information, the management computer 2 stores the payment method b5 in the user information 11a of the user (S3-3). Furthermore, the management computer 2 performs various processes according to the payment method b5. For example, if the management computer 2 determines that the payment method b5 is credit settlement, the management computer 2 performs credit settlement processing by transmitting / receiving various data to / from a server owned by the credit company. Further, when the payment method b5 is bank transfer, the management computer 2 performs various processes for notifying the user of an account number and the like.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 transmits an e-mail for prompting the general user terminal 3b to transmit the image file c2. Further, the management computer 2 stores the image file c2 transmitted from each general user terminal 3b (or the management user terminal 3a) in response to the e-mail in the image file storage unit 12. Furthermore, the management computer 2 transmits a registration completion notification to the management user terminal 3a within the registration time limit a2. Furthermore, the management computer 2 creates image data in accordance with an editing command transmitted from the management user terminal 3a. Further, the management computer 2 causes the printer 5 to execute printing based on the image data created using the image file c2. That is, since the management computer 2 performs the steps of prompting and collecting the transmission of the image file c2, creating the image data using the image file c2, printing the edited image data, and the like instead of the management user, Time and effort can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to easily create a printed matter using the image file c2 owned by a plurality of users.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 transmits an editing completion notification for confirming the edited template data (image T1) to each general user terminal 3b. Further, the management computer 2 receives a confirmation notification from the general user terminal 3b of the general user who has completed the confirmation in response to this notification. Further, when the management computer 2 receives confirmation notifications from all users, the management computer 2 transmits a confirmation completion notification to the management user terminal 3a, and accepts a print order from the management user terminal 3a that has received this notification. Therefore, after each user confirms the edited image data (image T1), printing can be performed based on the edited image data. In addition, since the management computer 2 transmits and receives a notification for confirming the edited image data in place of the management user, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the management user.

  (3) In the embodiment described above, the management computer 2 uses the image file c2 and template data created in advance by a contractor to create data for printing. For this reason, it is possible to easily create a beautiful printed matter.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the management computer 2 calculates the contribution of the print creation fee for each user. Further, the management computer 2 transmits fee information including information related to contributions to each general user terminal 3b and the management user terminal 3a. Further, the management computer 2 receives payment information related to the payment method selected by each user from each general user terminal 3b and the management user terminal 3a, and performs various processes for settlement of charges. For this reason, it is not necessary for the management user to collect the fee for creating the printed material from each user, so that the labor of the management user can be reduced.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 transmits attribute information such as the destination address a3 and the recipient name a4 to the printing terminal 4. Further, the management computer 2 causes the printer 5 to print the attribute information via the printing terminal 4 to create a slip. For this reason, since the management computer 2 can perform the process for delivering the printed matter to a desired destination, the labor of the management user can be reduced.

In addition, you may change this embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 sends a notification to the management user when the registration time limit a2 is reached. However, the cumulative number of image files c2 stored in the image file storage unit 12 is a predetermined number. When arriving at, the e-mail may be transmitted to the management user terminal 3a. Further, when the image file c2 is received from all users who own the image file c2, the management computer 2 may send an e-mail to the management user terminal 3a. In this case, an image ownership identifier for identifying whether or not the image file c2 is owned is stored in each user information 11a, and the registration status b3 is set to “registered” when the image file c2 of the user is stored. change. The management computer 2 transmits an e-mail to the management user terminal 3a when the registration status b3 of the user information 11a whose image ownership identifier is “owned” is all “registered”.

  In the above embodiment, the printing terminal 4 and the printer 5 create a slip describing the delivery destination of the printed matter, and the printed matter is delivered to the destination using the slip. In addition, the recipient may receive the printed matter at a store such as a convenience store. At this time, the printed matter created at the printer center C is sent to the store.

  In the above embodiment, the printed matter may be received by each user (administrative user or general user). In this case, on the confirmation screen SC2, the destination address and the recipient name of the user who wants to deliver the printed matter can be input. In addition, the management computer 2 stores information related to a desired destination from each user in the group information storage unit 10 or the user information storage unit 11. Alternatively, when the management user terminal 3a performs the group registration process or the user registration process in accordance with the operation of the management user, data regarding the destination address of each user may be transmitted.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 5 is a printer that prints on printing paper. However, the printer 5 may print on paper other than paper. Further, a plurality of different types of printers 5 may be connected to the management computer 2 via the network N.

  In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 transmits an editing completion notification to each general user to prompt confirmation of the image T1. In addition, when the management computer 2 receives confirmation notifications from all users, a confirmation completion notification is transmitted to the management user terminal 3a. These confirmation processes by the general user may be omitted if the general user does not need to confirm.

In the above embodiment, the printer 5 is a printer that can print on large-size printing paper, but it may be a printer that can print on plain paper such as A4.
In the above embodiment, the group registration process and the user registration process are performed by each command transmitted from the management user terminal 3a, but are performed by each command transmitted from the other general user terminal 3b. Also good. The group registration process may be performed by the management user terminal 3a by an operation of the management user, and the user registration process may be performed by an instruction of the general user terminal 3b according to the operation of each general user.

  In the above embodiment, the management computer 2 is connected to the printing terminal 4 and the printer 5 installed in the printer center C via the network N, but the management computer 2 is not connected to the network N. It may be directly connected to the printer 5 or the printing terminal 4. The management computer 2 and the printer 5 are connected via the printing terminal 4. However, when the person in charge of the printer center C does not need to operate the printing terminal 4, the printing terminal 4 is used. May be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the user terminal 3 is a personal computer. However, the user terminal 3 may be a portable device such as a PDA as long as it can transmit / receive necessary data to / from the management system 1 via the network N.

In the above embodiment, the user terminal 3 receives the image file c2 from the external devices G1 and G2. However, the user terminal 3 has a connection function with the network N and a shooting function, such as a mobile phone with a shooting function. May be. In this case, since the user terminal 3 also functions as the external devices G1 and G2, the external devices G1 and G2 are omitted.

  In the above embodiment, if the management computer 2 does not receive the image file c2 even after a predetermined period has passed since the notification for prompting the transmission of the image file c2, the notification is transmitted again. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, when the management computer 2 transmits image data to the printing terminal 4 installed in the printer center C, if there are a plurality of printer centers C, the printer center C close to the destination address a3 is selected. You may make it do. In this case, the management computer 2 is connected to a storage unit that stores data related to the area handled by each printer center C, and compares the destination address a3 with the area assigned to the printer center C. Further, the management computer 2 transmits the printing data to the printing terminal 4 of the printer center C that is in charge of the area including the destination address a3. In this way, it is possible to reduce the delivery time and delivery fee, and to provide a service that meets the user's demand.

  In the above embodiment, the management user is one in the group, and only the user information 11a of the management user includes the authority b1 indicating “management user”. In addition to this, a plurality of management users may be set in the group, and the authority b1 of the user information 11a corresponding to each management user may be set to “management user”.

The system schematic of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the group information storage part of the management system of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the user information storage part of the management system. Explanatory drawing of the image file memory | storage part of the management system. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the screen displayed on the management user terminal of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the screen displayed on the general user terminal of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Management system which comprises printed matter provision system, 2 ... 1st transmission means, reception means, 2nd transmission means, preparation means, management computer as command transmission means, 3a ... management user terminal as user terminal, 3b: General user terminal as a user terminal, 5 ... Printer as a printing apparatus, 10 ... Group information storage unit, 10a ... Group information, 11 ... User information storage unit, 11a ... User information, 12 ... Image file storage unit, c2 ... image file, N ... network.

Claims (9)

An image file owned by each user is obtained using a group information storage unit that stores group information related to a group of a plurality of users and a management computer connected to a user terminal used by each user via a network. A printed matter providing method for creating a used printed matter,
The management computer is
Transmitting a notification prompting the user terminal to transmit an image file based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit;
Storing the image file transmitted from each user terminal in an image file storage unit;
Sending a notification that collection of each image file has been completed to a user terminal used by at least one of the users;
Creating print data using each image file according to an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one user among the users;
A method for providing printed matter, comprising: sending the printing data to a printing apparatus connected to the management computer, and executing printing based on the printing data. The printed matter providing method according to claim 1,
The management computer is
After the printing data is created, sending a notification to each user terminal to confirm the printing data;
Receiving a confirmation notification from the user terminal used by the user who has completed confirmation of the printing data,
The method of causing the management computer to execute printing based on the printing data causes the printing apparatus to execute printing when the management computer receives the confirmation notification. In the printed matter providing method according to claim 1 or 2,
The printed matter providing method, wherein the management computer creates the printing data using template data and the image files. In the printed matter providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The management computer further includes a step of calculating a contribution of the print creation fee for each user and transmitting fee information regarding payment of the contribution to each user terminal. How to provide printed materials. In the printed matter providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The management computer receives payment information related to the contribution of the print creation fee allocated to each user from each user terminal, and stores it in a user information storage unit that stores user information related to each user. A printed matter providing method, further comprising a step. In the printed matter providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The printed matter providing method further comprising the step of causing the management computer to perform printing on the printing device based on attribute information relating to a destination address and a recipient name of the printed matter. In the printed matter providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The printed matter providing method, wherein the management computer is connected to the printing apparatus via a network. An image file owned by each user is obtained using a group information storage unit that stores group information related to a group of a plurality of users and a management computer connected to a user terminal used by each user via a network. A printed matter providing program for creating a used printed matter,
The management computer,
Means for transmitting a notification prompting the user terminal to transmit an image file based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit;
Means for storing an image file transmitted from each user terminal in an image file storage unit;
Means for sending a notification that collection of each image file has ended to a user terminal used by at least one of the users;
Means for creating print data using each image file in accordance with an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one user among the users;
A program for providing printed matter, characterized in that the print data is transmitted to a printing apparatus connected to the management computer and functions as means for executing printing based on the print data. A group information storage unit for storing group information regarding a group of a plurality of users and a management computer connected via a network to a user terminal used by each user, and using an image file owned by each user A printed matter providing system for creating printed matter,
The management computer is
First transmission means for transmitting a notification prompting the user terminal to transmit an image file based on the group information stored in the group information storage unit;
Receiving means for storing the image file transmitted from each user terminal in the image file storage unit;
A second transmission means for transmitting a notification of completion of collection of each image file to a user terminal used by at least one of the users;
Creating means for creating print data using each image file according to an editing command transmitted from a user terminal used by at least one user among the users;
A printed matter providing system comprising: command transmission means for transmitting the printing data to a printing apparatus connected to the management computer and executing printing based on the printing data.

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