JP2006164158A - Print service system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user using print service to acquire and print desired data without registering information in advance in order to use the service. <P>SOLUTION: This print service system comprises a selection information creating means for creating information for printing selected data, a onetime password creating means for creating a password for allowing the user to use only once the information created by the selection information creating means, and a determining means for determining, when the user requests print, whether user information and the information requested using the password created by the onetime password creating means can be used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print service providing method and a print service using method when printing a document stored on the Internet using a print service.

  In recent years, with the expansion of the environment that can connect to the Internet, various services have been provided through the Internet. Among these services, storage services have become widespread as services that store and manage user data, company data, and copyrighted data on a server on the Internet. In addition, a print service that prints data on the Internet using a multifunction machine such as a convenience store is also being used.

  When these two services are linked and data in the storage service is printed using a print service on a convenience store multifunction device, the data stored in the storage service may be printed (for example, Patent Document 1). Or the case where the data provided from other companies, such as a company, is printed is considered. Conventionally, when realizing a service that links these services, in both the former case and the latter case, the user to use must be registered in advance as a member in order to use the service. It was.

  For example, access the print reservation home page to make a print reservation for the desired data, store the reservation information in the server in association with the user ID, and if there is a request from the output device, make a reservation from the user ID The specified data is specified, the data is transmitted to the output device, and printing is performed. As can be seen from the fact that the server manages the user ID and reservation information of the user who made the print reservation, the server manages the user information to be used.

Also, in PullPrint for electronic documents, print control information for controlling printing is generated to protect the copyright, the information is distributed to the device together with the document data, and the device is operating normally based on the information. This is a print management system that manages the number of times printing has been performed by sending the number of times printed to the server to grasp the print status of the copyrighted work. Since it is assumed that the user information is used, the user information is managed.
JP2003-140875

  As described above, in the above-described conventional technology, it is assumed that the service providing side manages user information to be used. Therefore, a user who wants to use registers information as a member before using the service. It will be necessary. For this reason, for users who are not supposed to use the service at all times, the threshold for using the service becomes high, and there is a problem that the user cannot use the service easily.

  In order to solve the above problem, it is conceivable that the user can use the service without performing membership registration by determining the user's service use using the one-time password. However, in this method, when providing a service to a user who has not registered as a member, the means for controlling the service provision to the user uses only the value set by the service side. If the amount is small, regularity is inevitably generated in the set value, and there is a problem that the risk of being estimated increases. In addition, in order to avoid the problem, it is necessary to increase the amount of information set by the service side, but if the amount of information increases, there is a problem that the effort of the user who uses the information must be increased. There is.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention uses a print service for a user who does not use the information of the user to be used and has a reduced risk of being seized of the right to use the service. It aims to provide a means.

  The present invention uses a selection means for selecting data to be printed by a user, a selection information generation means for generating information for printing the selected data, and information generated by the selection information generation means only once. One-time password generation means for generating a password that can be used, user information setting means for a user to set access information for using the one-time password, and information generated by the selection information generation means When the user makes a print request, it is determined whether the requested information can be used using the user information set by the user information setting unit and the password generated by the one-time password generation unit Determining means to provide the user with the data selected by the selecting means when the request is correct Providing means that, and having a.

  Further, the providing means of the present invention includes a print completion determining means for determining whether or not printing has been completed, a print completion notifying means for notifying that printing has been completed or printing has not been completed, and a user printing. After the server receives the print completion notification from the printing apparatus that performed printing, if the print completion notification is received, the one-time password generated for printing and the user information set by the user are invalidated. When a time password deletion unit, a print completion notification, or a print failure notification is received from the printing device, a deletion request unit for requesting deletion of the data provided to the printing device, and a deletion request from the server Print data deleting means for deleting the print data temporarily stored in the printing device when the printing is completed. By disabling the password, if not performed printing user incorrectly again, characterized in that to be able to perform the printing.

  According to the present invention, a user who uses a print service can acquire and print desired data without registering information in advance to use the service. Furthermore, by using the one-time password necessary for using the service and the information set by the user together, the user can illegally use the service multiple times, or another user can intercept the use of the service. Since it is considered that the service has been exercised upon completion of printing, it is possible for the user to use the device with a sense of security.

Example 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of the first embodiment.

  A print service provider 101 that provides a print service and a storage service provider 102 that stores data to be printed are connected to the Internet network 100, respectively. There is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 110 capable of accessing these service providers, and a plurality of devices 111 that perform print service and print desired data are connected to the Internet network 100, respectively.

  The flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. First, the user accesses the print service provider 101 using the PC 110. The print service provider 101 acquires a list of printable data among the data managed by the storage service provider 102 and presents the data to the user. The user selects desired data from the presented data and requests a means for executing the print service. The print service generates the access URL necessary for printing the requested data and the one-time password information necessary for printing, and the information necessary for using the generated one-time password ( Requests that the user set an access password. After the user sets an access password, the user is notified of the access URL and one-time password information necessary for printing the data by e-mail. The user accesses the URL described in the received mail from any device 111 and inputs the one-time password, thereby receiving the desired data and printing.

  Details of each of the above processes will be described below. The configuration of the print service provider 101, the storage service provider 102, and the printing device 111 that executes printing is shown in FIG. The print service provider 101 processes information provided from the communication unit 211 that transmits and receives data through the Internet and the storage service provider 102, generates data to be presented to the user, and processes a request from the user. An information processing unit 212 that performs, a one-time password generation unit 213 that generates a one-time password for performing a process requested by the user, and an access unit that requests execution of the process requested by the user. URL information generating unit 214 that generates certain URL information, issued URL information and one-time password, and information storage unit 215 that stores an access password that is information set by the user in association with the requested data, The mail generation unit 216 generates a mail for notifying the user of the generated information. The storage service provider 102 includes a communication unit 221 that transmits and receives data via the Internet, an access right information management unit 223 that manages access right information of data that may be disclosed to the print service provider 101, and information to be managed From an information management unit 224 that performs data processing using a database (DB) 231 storing information, and an information processing unit 222 that performs information processing using information in the information management unit 224 and information in the access right management unit 223 Composed. The device 111 communicates with the print service provider, converts the user input data into a format for transmitting to the print service provider 101, and analyzes data information received from the print service provider 101. And an information processing unit 242 that detects the completion of data printing, manages the number of copies to be printed and the number of print executions, and controls print processing. The print service provider 101, the storage service provider 102, and the device 111 are each connected to the Internet by a communication unit, and transmission / reception of information to / from each other is performed through the Internet.

  The user accesses the site of the print service provider 101 using the PC 110 that can be connected to the Internet. When receiving a request from the user to acquire data information that can be printed by the print service provider, the print service provider 101 can make the storage service provider 102 open to the user at that time. A data list acquisition request is transmitted from the communication unit 221. When the storage service provider 102 receives the request, the storage service provider 102 acquires access right information that can be disclosed to the print service provider that has made the request from the access right information management unit 223, and uses the access right information, The information management unit 224 acquires a list of information from the DB, and transmits the information from the communication unit 221 to the print service provider 101. The print service provider 101 uses the received data to generate a screen to be presented to the user by the information processing unit 212 and present it to the user.

  For example, when the user requests calendar information, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is generated and presented to the user. The user selects a calendar to be printed from the presented calendar list, selects the next button, and transitions to the next processing screen.

  When a calendar is selected on the screen of FIG. 3 and the next button is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen of FIG. In the screen of FIG. 4, the user is requested to input information on how many copies of a desired calendar are to be printed and an e-mail address that is a transmission destination of information for performing a print service. The user inputs predetermined information in each input field on the screen and presses an order button to request acquisition of authority to execute the print service.

  When the above request is made from the user to the print service provider 101, the print service provider 101 requests the storage service provider 102 to acquire the data requested by the user. In the storage service provider 102, the access right information management unit 223 determines whether the requested data can be transmitted to the requested print service provider 101, and it is determined that the requested data can be transmitted. In this case, the requested data is acquired from the DB 230 and transmitted. In the print service provider 101, when the requested data can be acquired from the storage service provider 102, the data is stored in the information management unit 215, and URL information for accessing the stored data is generated by the access means generation unit 214. To do. Further, the one-time password generation unit 213 generates a one-time password that is necessary for performing processing using URL information for accessing stored data. The one-time password generated here is generated so as to have a unique value in the system.

  When the URL information and the one-time password information are generated, the screen transitions to a screen as shown in FIG. 5 and requests the user to set access password information necessary for using the one-time password. The user sets an arbitrary value and presses the next button.

  When the access password information is transmitted to the print service provider 101, the access password information, the generated URL information, the one-time password information, and the number of copies to be printed are stored in the information management unit 215 together with the data acquired from the storage service. store. In the information management unit 215, the stored data and its URL information, one-time password information, access password information, and print copy number information are stored in association with each other as shown in FIG. Further, the generated URL information and one-time password are notified to the user by mail as shown in FIG. 8 to the mail address entered by the user on the screen shown in FIG. The mail to be notified to the user is generated by the mail generation unit 216 of the print service provider 101 and is transmitted from the communication unit 211 to the mail server.

  When the mail is sent, the screen shown in FIG. 6 is presented to the user as the processing result, so that the request is processed normally and the mail is sent to the input mail address. To be notified.

  After receiving the mail transmitted from the print service provider 101, the user performs printing of desired data using an arbitrary device 111 that can connect to the Internet and perform the print service.

  For example, a case where the user executes printing using the device 111 installed in a convenience store will be described. The user inputs URL information described in the received mail using the touch panel operation unit of the device 111 installed in the convenience store as shown in FIG. When the URL information is input and the determination button is pressed, the device 111 accesses the designated URL using the communication unit 241.

  A processing flow when the print service provider 101 receives a request from the device 111 is shown in FIG. When the print service provider 101 receives the request from the device 111, in step S1001, the URL information managed by the information management unit 215 checks whether or not the requested URL exists. In step S1003, it is confirmed that the one-time password information and access password information corresponding to the request exist, and the request source is requested to transmit the one-time password and access password.

  When the communication unit 241 receives the one-time password and access password request from the print service provider 101 via the communication unit 241, the information processing unit 242 analyzes the information and generates and displays a screen as shown in FIG. Prompt for one-time password and access password. The user inputs the access password information set by himself and the one-time password information described in the received mail and presses the enter button. When the input of the user password is completed, the input one-time password information and access password information are converted into data for requesting the print service provider by the information processing unit 242 and transmitted to the print service provider 101.

  In step S1004 and step S1005, the print service provider 101 uses the received one-time password information, access password information, and requested URL information again to manage the URL information and the one-time password information managed by the information management unit 215. If the access password information is correct, if the access password is correct, then determine if the one-time password is correct, and if the one-time password is also correct In step S1006, data is acquired using the data storage location information associated with the information, and the acquired data and the print copy number information of the data are transmitted to the device 111 in step S1007. When the transmission is completed, the information management unit 215 stores that the predetermined information has been transmitted in step S1008.

  The user executes printing of the received data using the device 111. In the device 111, the data received by the information processing unit 242 is analyzed to obtain print copy number information, and the print management unit 243 controls print processing so that printing is performed for the number of print copies. Further, the print management unit 243 manages whether or not the printing is normally completed. When the printing for the number of copies is normally completed, the printing process of the data is once stopped, and the request from the user is stopped. Then, the information processing unit 242 generates the number of copies to be printed and information indicating that printing has been normally completed, and notifies the print service provider 101 of the information generated from the communication unit 241.

  When the print service provider 101 receives a print execution completion notification from the device 111, the print service provider 101 compares the received print copy number information with the print copy number information managed by the information management unit 215. Delete all information including one-time password information, URL information, access password information, and print data that was managed in. Furthermore, all the information is deleted and the device 111 is requested to delete the print data.

  When the device 111 receives a print data deletion request from the print service provider 101, the information processing unit 242 deletes the print data that the print management unit 243 has canceled, and cancels the request stop from the user. So that requests from users can be accepted.

  Through the above processing, the print service provider 101 obtains data managed by the storage service provider 102 and prints the data without specifying the user even when a request is made from an unspecified user. Is provided to the user, and the user can execute the service using the provided means and the one-time password.

  In addition, by creating a password to make a judgment based on a one-time password, it is possible for a user to set a desired value and set a password in response to a user request, which is intercepted by other users. It is possible to reduce the risk of being lost.

  Furthermore, by notifying that the printing has been completed and deleting the data to be printed using the notification information, even if the service can be executed only once, the user can always execute it normally once. And

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a system. 1 is a configuration diagram of a print service provider, a storage service provider, and a printing device. Screen example 1 of print data specifying process Screen example 2 of print data specifying process Screen example 3 of print data specifying process Screen example 4 of print data specifying process An example of information managed by the print service provider. An example of the email text when sending email. Screen example 1 of printing device. Screen example 2 of printing device 10 is a flowchart of authentication processing for print document identification processing and request processing.

Explanation of symbols

100 Internet network
101 Print service provider server that provides print services
102 Storage service provider server providing storage services
103 User's PC
111, 112 Devices that perform printing
211 Data communication part of print service provider
212 Information processing section of print service provider
213 One-time password information generator of print service provider
214 Print service provider URL information generator
215 Print Service Provider Generation Information Management Unit
216 Print service provider email information generator
221 Data communication part of storage service provider
222 Information processing department of storage service provider
223 Data Access Right Information Management Department of Storage Service Provider
224 Data Information Management Department of Storage Service Provider
231 Database that stores storage service provider data
241 Data communication part of the device that executes printing
242 Information processing unit of the device that performs printing
243 Print processing manager of the device that executes printing

Claims (2)

In a system for printing data stored on the Internet using a printing device that can be connected to a network,
The selection means for selecting data to be printed by the user, the selection information generation means for generating information for printing the selected data, and the information generated by the selection information generation means can be used only once. One-time password generation means for generating a password, user information setting means for the user to set access information for using the one-time password, and a print request using the information generated by the selection information generation means Determining means for determining whether or not it is possible to use information requested by the user information set by the user information setting means and the password generated by the one-time password generating means when the user performs And providing the user with the data selected by the selection means when the request is correct Print service system, characterized in that it comprises a supply means.   Further, a print completion determination unit that determines whether printing has been completed, a print completion notification unit that notifies that printing has been completed or has not been completed, and a printing apparatus that has performed printing by the user, A one-time password deleting means for invalidating the one-time password generated for printing and the user information set by the user if the notification is a print completion notification after the print completion notification is received by the server; When a notification of completion or a notification of printing failure is received from the printing device, a deletion request means for requesting deletion of the data provided to the printing device, and when a deletion request is received from the server, the printing device The print service system according to claim 1, further comprising: a print data deleting unit that deletes the temporarily stored print data. .

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