JP2006185399A - Printing system, printing instruction method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct network printing instruction environment of a portable information terminal having excellent operability, allowing omission of input operation on the portable information terminal side, and allowing realization by simple operation, without holding printer information by the portable information terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In service wherein data of the portable information device 100 is printed via a network 700, a service provision server 600 issues a OneTime ID allowing specification of a printer 300 that is an output target, makes the corresponding printer 300 output a two-dimensional bar code for designating the OneTime ID to perform a printing instruction by a specific printing method. The outputted two-dimensional bar code is read by the portable information terminal 100, printing instruction information such as designation of the corresponding printer, or designation of the printing method is produced, and printing requirement is performed to the service provision server 600 from the portable information terminal 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing instruction method, a program, and a recording medium in which a service providing server prints data of a portable information terminal via a network.

  As means for printing data of a portable information terminal, a service for designating “print instruction information” such as an output destination printing apparatus and a printing method via a network using a Web form, an e-mail, or the like is widespread.

  As a method for specifying “print instruction information”, for example, there is a network print service such as sending an e-mail including a print document and a printing method to a printing apparatus provided with an e-mail receiving unit.

  However, since the portable information terminal has only a small display device and input device, when selecting and specifying “print instruction information”, the input operation takes time and many input errors occur. In addition, a plurality of pieces of identification information for specifying the output destination printing apparatus may be held in a portable information terminal having a small storage area.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a method capable of easily making a print request or print reservation while omitting the trouble of selecting and specifying “print instruction information” in a portable information terminal.

  Patent Document 1 assigns a representative address to the entire image forming system configured on a network, and the user uses this representative address to make a print request or print without specifying an output destination. Reservations can be made easily. In this way, the use of the representative address saves the trouble of storing the address for each printing apparatus and designating the output destination, thereby realizing the simplicity related to “print reservation”.

In Patent Document 2, when a document to be printed by an information terminal is transmitted to an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus stores the document and transmits a storage location information URL to the information terminal. A bar code, a two-dimensional bar code, and the like can be added to the URL information, and the user can read the URL information from an arbitrary printing apparatus by reading the URL information into a bar code reader of the printing apparatus that wants to output the URL information. A method for outputting information has been proposed. As described above, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707, the simplicity related to “print instruction” is realized by using URL information created by a two-dimensional barcode or the like.
JP 2002-132476 A JP 2004-110679 A

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is necessary to input a reservation number to be returned from an input device on the printing apparatus in addition to an operation for sending a print document to an information processing apparatus by e-mail, and this is easy. It's not an easy operation. Also, it is necessary to specify the printing method by entering it in the body of the e-mail or using the input device on the printing device side, and it can be said that the printing instruction is completely simplified. Absent.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to select and designate an information processing device for “print reservation” for registering a document and obtaining URL information, and it can be said that the operation on the portable information terminal is simplified. It is not a thing.

  In any of the above patent documents, after making a print reservation after all, it is necessary to perform a print instruction operation on the printing apparatus to be output. When outputting from a plurality of printing apparatuses, it is necessary to instruct each printing apparatus. There is a problem regarding operability when a print instruction is issued from the portable information terminal, which is very complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a predetermined ID that can specify a printing device to be output with respect to a service for printing data of a portable information terminal via a network. (OneTimeID) is issued, a code in a predetermined format (two-dimensional bar code or the like) for designating a print by a specific printing method by designating the ID is output from the corresponding printing apparatus, and the output predetermined format The portable information terminal holds the printing device information by reading the code of the portable information terminal and creating printing instruction information such as designation of a printing device and designation of a printing method corresponding to the code of the predetermined format In addition, the network printing instruction environment of the portable information terminal with excellent operability that can be realized by a simple operation by omitting the input operation on the portable information terminal side is constructed. It is to provide a printing system and a print instruction method, and program and recording medium can.

  The present invention provides a printing system in which a portable information terminal, a printing apparatus, and a service providing server can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, and the service providing server issues an ID that can specify a printing apparatus to be output. ID output control means for causing the printing apparatus to output a plurality of codes of a predetermined format including designation of the ID and a plurality of printing methods, and the ID, designation of the printing method, and image data transmitted from the portable information terminal. A printing control unit that controls a print service process that receives and identifies a printing device based on the ID, and causes the identified printing device to execute a printing process of the image data by the printing method; The portable information terminal includes a code analysis unit that reads the code in any one of the predetermined formats output from the printing apparatus and acquires the ID and method designation; The ID obtained by the code analysis unit, with the specified printing method, characterized in that it comprises a print request means for requesting printing services of the image data to the service providing server.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined ID for specifying a printing device to be output is issued, and a code in a predetermined format for specifying the ID and instructing printing by a specific printing method is issued from the corresponding printing device. Since the output of the predetermined format code is read by the portable information terminal and printing instruction information such as designation of a printing apparatus and designation of a printing method corresponding to the predetermined format code is created, the portable information terminal However, without holding the printing apparatus information, the input operation on the portable information terminal side can be omitted and realized by a simple operation.

  In addition, by making the predetermined ID information that can also specify the settlement target, it is possible to manage billing information related to print processing while maintaining the simplicity of the network print instruction.

[First Embodiment]
In this embodiment, in each store, what is called OneTimeID is issued to a customer (one person or a group) who uses the service in each store. The OneTimeID can specify a store, a printing device set in the store, a settlement ID when a customer settles a fee, and the like.

  Then, the printing device in the store corresponding to the OneTimeID prints a two-dimensional barcode for making a print request from the portable information terminal or the like by designating the printing method for the printing device, and gives it to the customer. The customer who has received this generates an e-mail form by reading the two-dimensional bar code with a portable information terminal, and sends an e-mail with the desired image data attached thereto. Is to make it available. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail.

<System configuration>
1 and 2 are system configuration diagrams showing an example of the configuration of a printing system (sales time information management terminal cooperation type digital image printing system) showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

  1 and 2, the printing system of this embodiment includes a plurality of portable information terminals 100 (100a, 100b) and a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 that can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication network 700 (700a, 700b). (300a, 300b), a plurality of service relay servers 400 (400a, 400b), a plurality of cash register terminals 500 (500a, 500b), a service providing server 600, and the like.

<Communication network 700>
Since the configuration of the communication network 700 is publicly known, detailed description thereof is omitted, but a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or the like can be used as the communication network 700.

<Portable information terminal 100>
The portable information terminal 100 sends an electronic mail to the service providing server 600 to make a digital image print request.

<Printer 300>
In response to a request from the service providing server 600, the printing apparatus 300 transmits two-dimensional barcode data (e-mail form information for specifying a printing method for the OneTimeID and making a print request from the portable information terminal 100 to the two-dimensional barcode. Data), digital image data requested to be printed from the portable information terminal 100, and the like.

<Service relay server 400>
The service relay server 400 manages the settlement information of the customer group, and the service relay PG 401 (401a, 401b) and the settlement information DB 402 (402a, 402b) are mounted (the settlement information DB 402 is another DB server). May be implemented above).

<Service Relay PG 401>
The service relay PG 401 includes a settlement information management process 4011, a OneTimeID request process 4012, and a settlement request process 4013.

  The settlement information management processing 4011 is a function for issuing a settlement ID and managing the printing apparatus 300 used by the customer group, billing information at the store, billing information transmitted from the service providing server 600, and the like. The settlement details information 4022 is registered / deleted / searched / edited in the settlement information DB 402.

  The OneTimeID request process 4012 is a function for requesting the service providing server 600 to issue a unique OneTimeID for the combination of the store ID, the customer group settlement ID, and the printing apparatus 300 used by the customer group.

  The settlement request processing 4013 is a function for processing settlement of one customer group, issuance of a settlement start notification to the service providing server 600 in accordance with a settlement start instruction from the cashier terminal 500, and information stored in the settlement information DB 402 It performs the check-out process using.

<Checkout information DB 402>
The settlement information DB 402 stores and holds settlement information 4021 and settlement details information 4022. An example of the settlement information 4021 and the settlement details information 4022 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the payment information 4021 and the payment details information 4022 stored in the payment information DB 402 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement information 4021 includes a settlement ID and a printing apparatus ID. Further, the settlement details information 4022 includes a settlement ID, an item, and a quantity.

  Returning to the description of FIGS.

<Cash register terminal 500>
The cash register terminal 500 instructs the service relay server 400 to start settlement, and performs receipt printing describing the settlement processing request to the service relay server 400 and the settlement information.

<Service providing server 600>
The service providing server 600 manages information related to the printing apparatus, OneTimeID, etc. in response to requests from the portable information terminal 100, the service relay server 400, etc., and provides services using these, and provides a service providing PG (program ) 601 and a service management DB 602 are mounted (the service management DB 602 may be mounted on another DB server).

  In addition, the service providing server 600 is provided with a POP3d 604 that receives a print request mail or the like transmitted from the portable information terminal 100.

<Service provision PG601>
The service provision PG 601 includes a OneTime ID management process 6011, a print information management process 6013, and a settlement process 6014.

  OneTimeID management processing 6011 manages OneTimeID unique to the combination of store ID, customer group settlement ID, and printing apparatus 300 used by the customer group, and is issued in response to a request from the service relay server 400. The ID information 6022 is registered / deleted / searched / edited in the service management DB 602 according to an instruction from the settlement process 6014.

  The print information management process 6013 processes a print request to the printing apparatus 300. In response to a request from the portable information terminal 100, the service relay server 400, or the like, an e-mail form that issues a print request to the OneTimeID or OneTimeID A print image such as data obtained by converting the information into a two-dimensional bar code or digital image data is generated to make a print request to the printing apparatus 300, and billing information is transmitted to the service relay server 400.

  The settlement process 6014 manages the settlement information of the customer group identified by the settlement ID, and instructs the OneTimeID management process 6011 to delete the OneTimeID in response to the settlement start notification from the service relay server 400.

<Service management DB 602>
The service management DB 602 stores and holds printing device information 6021, ID information 6022, and store information 6025. An example of the printing apparatus information 6021, ID information 6022, and store information 6025 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the printing apparatus information 6021, ID information 6022, and store information 6025 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the printing device information 6021 is information registered in advance, and includes a store ID, a printing device ID, and an IP address assigned to the printing device.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the ID information 6022 includes a OneTimeID, a store ID, a printing apparatus ID, a checkout ID, and a start date and time when the customer group starts service.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the store information 6025 is information registered in advance, and includes a store ID, a store name, and an IP address assigned to the service relay server 400 of the store.

<POP3d604>
The POP3d 604 provides a POP3 service for the purpose of receiving a print request mail transmitted from the portable information terminal 100.

  In FIG. 1, “Store A” indicates an embodiment in which a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 are installed, and “Store B” indicates an embodiment in which one printing apparatus 300 is installed and shared by a plurality of customer groups. However, even when a plurality of printing apparatuses 300 are installed in the same store (within the range managed by the service relay server 400), the same printing apparatus 300 may be shared among a plurality of customer groups.

  In addition, the portable information provided with the function of reading the two-dimensional barcode and converting it into an e-mail by outputting the above-mentioned “data obtained by converting the e-mail form information into a two-dimensional barcode” from the printing device used by the customer group. A customer having the terminal 100 can create print instruction information such as designation of a printing device and designation of a printing method by omitting complicated input operations.

  The printing method includes all print settings that can be set by a normal printing apparatus such as color / monochrome / sticker / paper size. An example of a two-dimensional barcode for setting these printing methods is shown in FIG.

  In addition, the following printing methods other than the above normal print settings can be considered.

  First, a printing method in which a customer group associated with the “settlement ID” corresponding to OneTimeID is output from another printing device that can be used, and simultaneous output from a plurality of printing devices that can be used by the customer group associated with OneTimeID Printing method and the like. An example of a two-dimensional barcode for setting these printing methods is shown in FIG.

  5 and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a two-dimensional barcode printed in association with OneTimeID from the printing apparatus 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  7 and 8 are schematic diagrams showing an example of e-mail form information generated by reading the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the portable information terminal 100. FIG.

  In particular, FIG. 7 corresponds to the one generated by reading the two-dimensional barcode for “color printing” shown in FIG.

  8 reads the two-dimensional barcode of “color printing” shown in FIG. 5 and further reads the two-dimensional barcode of “when printing with all available printers” shown in FIG. Corresponds to what was generated.

  Even if the portable information terminal has only a small display device and input device by attaching the image data to the e-mail form generated by reading the two-dimensional barcode with the portable information terminal in this way, The network print service can be used easily.

  Note that “OneTimeID” included in the “data obtained by converting the e-mail form information into a two-dimensional barcode” is information that can also specify the settlement target, and charging information is accumulated at the time of printing processing, so that It is also possible to manage billing information related to print processing while maintaining the simplicity of network print operations.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 300, service relay server 400, cash register terminal 500, service providing server 600, and communication network 700 shown in FIGS.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of each device will be described in detail.

<Communication network 700>
Since the configuration of the communication network 700 is publicly known, detailed description thereof is omitted, but a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or the like can be used as the communication network 700.

<Service relay server 400, service providing server 600>
The hardware configurations of the service relay server 400 and the service providing server 600, which are computer devices, have almost the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the service relay server 400 will be mainly described below, and the configuration of the service providing server 600 is different. I will explain only.

  The CPU (B200) controls the entire system using the RAM (B600) as a work memory in accordance with programs stored in the ROM (B500) and the HDD (B700). Further, the CPU (B200) loads the program stored in the HDD (B700) into the RAM (B600) and executes it in accordance with a user instruction input via the input device (B100) such as a keyboard, mouse, or numeric keypad. By doing so, various processes are realized.

  For example, in the service relay server 400, the CPU (B 200) loads the service relay PG 401 stored in the HDD (B 700) into the RAM (B 600) and executes the service relay information management process 4011, OneTimeID request process 4012. , Settlement request processing 4013 and the like are executed.

  In the service providing server 600, the CPU (B200) loads the service providing PG 601 stored in the HDD (B700) into the RAM (B600) and executes it, thereby executing the OneTimeID management process 6011 and the print information management process 6013. , Settlement processing 6014 and the like are executed.

  Further, the settlement information DB is mounted on the HDD (B700) of the service relay server 400. Furthermore, a service management DB is mounted on the HDD (B700) of the service providing server 600.

  The display device (B300) is a display such as a CRT or LCD, and displays the progress and results of the processing executed by the CPU (B200). The removable media drive (B800) is mainly used when writing files from the removable media to the HDD (B700) and writing files read from the HDD (B700) to the removable media. As removable media, floppy (registered trademark) disk (FDD), CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-R / W, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-R / W, DVD-RAM, MO, memory Cards, etc. can be used.

  The communication interface (B400) is an interface for connecting a computer device to the communication network 700.

<Printer 300>
The printing apparatus 300 includes a communication interface (P100) for connecting to the communication network 700 and a printer unit (P200) for printing a print image notified from the communication interface (B400).

<Portable information terminal 100, cash register terminal 500>
The hardware configuration of the portable information terminal 100 and the cash register terminal 500 will be omitted. The portable information terminal 100 has a CPU, ROM, memory, operation unit, display unit, camera, communication unit, etc., reads a two-dimensional barcode using the camera, generates an e-mail form, and attaches image data. Any configuration is possible as long as it can be transmitted to the service providing server 600.

  The cash register terminal 500 includes a CPU, a ROM, a memory, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit, a printing unit, and the like, a function for instructing the service relay server 400 to start payment, and a payment processing request to the service relay server 400 Any configuration may be used as long as it has a function of printing a receipt describing settlement information.

<Flowchart>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, each of the information executed by the portable information terminal 100, the printing apparatus 300, the service relay server 400, the cash register terminal 500, and the service providing server 600 in the printing system of the present invention. The procedure (procedure from creation of settlement information, issue of OneTime ID to digital image registration, printing, and settlement) will be described.

  As preconditions for performing these processes, printing device information 6021 for identifying a printing device and store information 6025 for identifying a service relay server are registered in the service management DB 602 of the service providing server 600. Is required.

<Overview>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a schematic example of a series of processing procedures in the printing system of the present invention. In the figure, S100 indicates a step realized by the CPU of the portable information terminal 100 loading and executing a program stored in the ROM on the memory. S110 and S111 show steps realized when the CPU of the printing apparatus 300 loads and executes a program stored in the ROM on the memory. Further, S120 to S125 indicate steps realized by the service relay server 400 and the CPU of the cash register terminal 500 loading and executing the service relay PG 401 and the like stored in the ROM on the RAM. S130 to S137 show steps realized when the CPU of the service providing server 600 loads and executes the service providing PG 601 stored in the ROM on the RAM.

  D100 to D103 indicate information contents transmitted and transmitted in each step of FIG.

  Further, (1) in FIG. 10 shows the process of creating settlement information and issuing OneTimeID, which is executed by the printing apparatus 300, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400, and the service provision PG 601 of the service provision server 600.

  Also, (2) of FIG. 10 shows processing for printing a digital image and adding billing information. The mobile information terminal 100, the printing apparatus 300, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400, and the service of the service providing server 600. This is executed by the providing PG 601.

  Further, (3) of FIG. 10 shows OneTimeID deletion and settlement processing, which is executed by the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400, the cash register terminal 500, and the service provision PG 601 of the service provision server 600.

<(1) ID issuance>
With reference to (1) of FIG. 10, an outline of the adjustment information creation / OneTime ID issue processing will be described.

  First, in step S120, when receiving a request from the cashier terminal 500, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400 gives a settlement ID that is unique to the customer group in the store and a printing apparatus 300 used by the customer group. The registered printing apparatus ID is registered in the settlement information DB 402 (creation information creation).

  In step S121, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400 transmits the settlement information created in step S120 and the store ID (information shown in D100) to the service providing server 600, and requests the issuance of OneTimeID.

  In step S130, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 creates a OneTimeID that is unique for the combination of the store ID, the settlement ID, and the printing apparatus ID, and registers it in the service management DB 602 together with the received D100 information. (Issuance of OneTimeID).

  In step S131, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 generates data obtained by converting the email form information for making a print request to the OneTimeID created in step S130 into a two-dimensional barcode.

  In step S132, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 creates the two-dimensional barcode print image (information shown in D101) generated in step S131, and sets the printing apparatus information corresponding to the received printing apparatus ID. A search is made from the service management DB 602 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 to give a print instruction.

  In step S110, the printing apparatus 300 prints the received two-dimensional barcode print image (information shown in D101), and ends the process.

<(2) Image printing>
With reference to (2) of FIG. 10, an outline of processing for printing and charging information for a digital image will be described.

  First, in step S100, in response to an instruction from the user, the portable information terminal 100 reads the two-dimensional barcode and automatically creates an e-mail form (store ID and settlement ID created in step S130 of FIG. 10 (1)). E-mail data in which a digital image is attached to the service providing server 600 is transmitted to the e-mail in which the OneTime ID that is unique for the combination of the printing apparatus IDs is described and the e-mail address of the service providing server 600 is specified as the transmission destination. Request digital image printing.

  In step S133, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 receives the digital image print request (the e-mail describing the contents of D102) from the portable information terminal 100, analyzes the OneTimeID and the digital image data. The printing apparatus ID is searched from OneTimeID.

  In step S135, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 creates a print image (information (print job) shown in D103) of the digital image data obtained by analysis in step S133, and the print searched in step S133. The printing apparatus information corresponding to the apparatus ID is retrieved from the service management DB 602 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 to issue a printing instruction.

  In step S111, the printing apparatus 300 executes print processing based on the print image (information (print job) shown in D103) of the received digital image data, and transmits the fact to the service providing server 600 when printing is completed.

  In step S135, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 that has issued a print instruction to the printing apparatus 300 in step S135 stores the store information corresponding to the store ID searched in step S134 in step S136 (service relay server information installed in the store). ) Is transmitted to the service relay server 400 and charging information (settlement ID / item / quantity) for the digital image data printing process shown in steps S133 and S135 is transmitted to instruct the renewal of the settlement information.

  In step S122, the service relay server 400 adds the received billing information to the settlement information DB 402 and stores it, and ends the process.

<(3) Checkout>
With reference to (3) of FIG. 10, an outline of OneTimeID deletion / settlement processing will be described.

  First, in step S123, the cashier terminal 500 instructs the service relay server 400 to start settlement as a settlement operation for the customer group. Upon receiving the instruction, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400 sends the settlement ID and store ID created for the customer group in step S120 of FIG. 10 (1) to the service providing server 600 to notify the settlement start. .

  In step S137, the service providing PG 601 of the service providing server 600 searches the service management DB 602 for ID information corresponding to the received combination of store ID and settlement ID, and deletes the corresponding ID information from the service management DB 602.

  In step S124, the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400 searches the settlement information DB 402 for the settlement information corresponding to the settlement ID, calculates the fee, and notifies the cashier terminal 500 of it.

  In step S125, the cashier terminal 500 performs receipt printing or the like on the settlement information when the settlement of the customer group is completed, and ends the processing.

<OneTimeID issuance procedure>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the first control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, which is a detailed version of the ID issuing process shown in FIG. 10 (1), and includes adjustment information creation and OneTime ID issuing process. Indicates. In addition, the same step number is attached | subjected to the step same as FIG.

  First, in step S120, the service relay PG 401 (settlement information management process 4011) of the service relay server 400 creates a settlement ID that is unique to the customer group in the store and assigns it to the printing apparatus 300 used by the customer group. It is registered in the settlement information 4021 of the settlement information DB 402 together with the printing apparatus ID that has been obtained.

  Note that S120 may be automatically executed when the customer group starts an order, triggered by the initial order data registration performed by the order registration portable information terminal or the like, or may be explicitly started by a keyboard operation or the like. You may perform by instructing.

  In step S121, the service relay PG 401 (OneTimeID request processing 4012) of the service relay server 400 transmits the settlement information (settlement ID, printing device ID) and store ID created in S120 to the service providing server 600 (shown in D100). Send information) and request the issuance of OneTimeID. Even when a plurality of customer groups jointly use the same printing device 300, steps S120 and S121 are executed in the same procedure (even if the printing device ID is the same because the settlement ID is different from other customer groups). Various requests can be identified). When one customer group uses a plurality of printing apparatuses 300, the same settlement ID is combined with all the printing apparatuses 300 to be used, and steps S120 and 121 are executed.

  In step S130-1, when the service providing PG 601 (OneTimeID management process 6011) of the service providing server 600 receives the OneTimeID issuance request from the service relay PG 401 of the service relay server 400, the received store is received in step S130-2. OneTimeID that is unique for the combination of ID, settlement ID, and printing apparatus ID (information shown in D100) is created.

  In step S130-3, the information on D100 received in step S130-1 and the OneTimeID created in step S130-2 are registered in the ID information 6022 of the service management DB 602. In the case of restricting the service usage of one customer group, the use frequency upper limit value and the use frequency item corresponding to the settlement ID are provided in the ID information 6022 of the service management DB 602, and the use frequency is registered as “0”. Good.

  In step S131, the service providing PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service providing server 600 displays the “e-mail form information for making a print request for OneTimeID” created in step S130-2 in a two-dimensional bar. Generate encoded data.

  The contents of the two-dimensional bar code include [1] a destination mail address (a mail address received by the POP3d 604 of the service providing server 600), [2] one time ID for identifying the printing apparatus, and [3] a printing method. Information [2] and [3] are set in the title and text so that they can be analyzed when received by the service providing PG 601 (print information management processing 6013) of the service providing server 600. It is necessary to define a fixed form. (Assuming simultaneous printing services for a plurality of printing devices, it is also possible to define a form such that [2] can be specified by separating with a comma).

  In step S131, the “function for converting a two-dimensional barcode into an e-mail form” stored in the hard disk of the portable information terminal 100 and executed by the CPU of the portable information terminal 100 depends on the type of the portable information terminal 100 and the like. When there are a plurality of conversion methods, a plurality of types of two-dimensional barcodes corresponding to these may be created.

  In step S132, the service providing PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service providing server 600 sets the IP address of the printing apparatus corresponding to the combination of the store ID and the printing apparatus ID received in step S130-1 to the service management DB 602. The printing apparatus information 6021 is searched, a “print image (information shown in D101)” for printing the two-dimensional barcode generated in step S131 is created, and transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 indicated by the searched IP address. Give print instructions. If a plurality of two-dimensional barcodes are created in step S131, a print image in which the two-dimensional barcodes are created as a menu list is created and a print instruction is issued.

  In step S110, the printing apparatus 300 prints the print image (information shown in D101) received from the service provision PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service provision server 600, and ends the process.

  An example of a two-dimensional bar code in a menu list that the printing apparatus 300 prints in step S110 is shown in FIGS.

  The portable information terminal 100 reads the two-dimensional barcode in the menu list selected by the user with a two-dimensional barcode reader or the like, so that “e-mail for instructing printing” according to the designation of the printing device and the designation of the printing method. A “form” is automatically created (without input processing of each information by the user), and the use of an electronic mail printing service with a digital image becomes easy.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of an e-mail form that designates a printing method, which is generated by reading a two-dimensional barcode with the portable information terminal 100, and an example of an e-mail form that designates another available printing device. Is shown in FIG.

<Digital image printing process>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, which is a detailed version of the image printing processing shown in FIG. 10 (2). Indicates additional processing. In addition, the same step number is attached | subjected to the step same as FIG. D301 indicates information contents transmitted and transmitted in each step of FIG.

  First, in step S100, the portable information terminal 100 specifies [1] “mail address of the service providing server 600” as the transmission destination (To header), and [2] 130-2 in FIG. "OneTimeID" issued by the service provider PG 601 (OneTimeID management processing 6011) for the combination of the store ID, the settlement ID, and the printing device ID is described in a fixed form (described in the title, etc.), [3] Printing method An instruction is written on a standard form (described in the text), [4] an electronic mail composed of information such as “digital image data” (attached) to be printed is transmitted, and a digital image printing is requested.

  Note that the information [1] [2] [3] of the electronic image-attached electronic mail is the two-dimensional barcode list printed by the printing apparatus 300 in step S110 of FIG. 11 (two-dimensional barcodes in FIGS. 5 and 6). 2D barcode reader mounted on the portable information terminal 100 is read, stored in the hard disk of the portable information terminal 100, etc., and executed by the CPU of the portable information terminal 100 Created by “Function to convert barcode to email form”. Note that FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of e-mail creation screens according to the above-mentioned “e-mail form information for requesting printing for OneTimeID”. In particular, the example shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to a designation for giving a print instruction to all available printing apparatuses.

  In step S133, when the service provision PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service provision server 600 receives the digital image print request from the portable information terminal 100 (the e-mail transmitted by the portable information terminal 100 in step S100). In step S135-1, the contents of the mail are analyzed according to a fixed form, and OneTimeID, a printing method instruction, and digital image data are acquired.

  In step S135-2, the service providing PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service providing server 600 manages the store ID, the printing apparatus ID, and the payment ID corresponding to the OneTimeID analyzed and acquired in step S135-1. Search is made from the ID information 6022 in the DB 602, and “IP address assigned to the printing device” corresponding to the combination of the store ID and the printing device ID is searched from the printing device information 6021 in the service management DB 602.

  In step S135-3, the service providing PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service providing server 600 prints “print image (information shown in D103) for printing the digital image data analyzed and acquired in step S135-1. ”” Is transmitted to the printing apparatus 300 indicated by the IP address searched in step S135-2, and a printing instruction is issued.

  At this time, a printing instruction according to the printing method instruction analyzed in step S135-1 is given to the printing apparatus 300.

  In step S111, the printing apparatus 300 receives the print image (information shown in D103) of the digital image data transmitted by the service provision PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service provision server 600, and performs the print process. Then, at the end of the printing process, information indicating that is transmitted to the service providing server 600.

  In step S135-3, the service provision PG 601 (print information management processing 6013) of the service provision server 600 that has issued a print instruction to the printing apparatus 300 in step S135-3 corresponds to the store ID in step S136. “IP address” is searched from the store information 6025 of the service management DB 602. Further, as the charging information for the digital image printing process, information (information shown in D301) such as the settlement ID, item (color printing / monochrome printing / sticker printing, etc.), quantity (number of sheets, etc.), etc., is searched. To the service relay server 400 indicated by “IP address assigned to” and issues a settlement information update instruction.

  In step S122, the service relay PG 401 (settlement information management process 4011) of the service relay server 400 receives the settlement information update instruction (information shown in D301) and includes the settlement ID, item, and quantity included in the received information. Is registered in the settlement details information 4022 of the settlement information DB 402, and the processing is terminated.

  When the service usage of one customer group is restricted, the usage count upper limit value and the usage count item corresponding to the settlement ID are provided in the ID information 6022 of the service management DB 602, and the usage count upper limit value and the usage count are set in step S135-2. If the service is acquired and the usage count is equal to or greater than the usage count upper limit, a means for notifying the user that the service cannot be used may be executed. In this case, it is necessary to update the usage count in step S135-3.

<Checkout process>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a third control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, which is a detailed version of the checkout process shown in FIG. 10 (3), and shows the OneTimeID deletion and checkout process. . In addition, the same step number is attached | subjected to the step same as FIG. D500 indicates information contents transmitted and transmitted in each step of FIG.

  First, in step S123-1, as a checkout operation for the customer group, the cashier terminal 500 sends a checkout ID to the service relay server 400 (the service relay PG 401 (checkout information management process 4011) of the service relay server 400 in step S120 of FIG. 11). The information created to be unique to the customer group in the store is transmitted to instruct the start of settlement. At this time, it is assumed that the settlement ID transmitted from the cashier terminal 500 to the service relay server 400 is designated by the operator using the input device of the cashier terminal 500 or the like.

  In step S123-2, the service relay PG 401 (settlement request processing 4013) of the service relay server 400 that has received the settlement start instruction from the cashier terminal 500, the settlement ID and store ID (shown in D500) included in the settlement start instruction. Information) is transmitted to the service providing server 600 to notify the start of payment.

  In step S137-1, when the service provision PG 601 (the settlement process 6014) of the service provision server 600 receives the settlement start notification from the service relay PG 401 (the settlement request process 4013) of the service relay server 400, the process proceeds to step S137-2. The service provision PG 601 (checkout process 6014) of the service provision server 600 is registered in the ID information 6022 of the service management DB 602 with respect to the service provision PG 601 (OneTimeID management process 6011), and the store ID received in step S137-1, An instruction is given to delete information corresponding to the combination of settlement IDs. Upon receiving the instruction, the service providing PG 601 (OneTimeID management process 6011) deletes the information.

  In step S124, the service relay PG 401 (settlement request processing 4013) of the service relay server searches the settlement details information 4022 of the settlement information DB 402 for information corresponding to the settlement ID received from the cash register terminal in S123-2, and settlement. The amount is calculated and notified to the cashier terminal 500.

  In step S125, the cashier terminal 500 receives the notification from the service relay PG 401 (settlement request processing 4013) of the service relay server 400, performs receipt printing of the settlement amount, and ends the processing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, “E-mail form information for issuing a OneTimeID that can specify a printing device to be output, specifying a OneTimeID, and issuing a printing instruction using a specific printing method” is described. If the portable information terminal has a function of reading the two-dimensional barcode and converting it into an e-mail by outputting “two-dimensional barcode data” from the corresponding printing device, the printing device designation and printing method The creation of the print instruction information such as designation of the mobile information terminal can be realized by a simple operation without the portable information terminal holding the printing apparatus information and by omitting the input operation on the portable information terminal side.

  In addition, by making OneTimeID information that can also specify the settlement target, it is possible to manage billing information related to print processing while maintaining the simplicity of the network print instruction described above.

  Furthermore, the cash register terminal 500 can charge the corresponding customer using the settlement ID for services other than the printing service, sales, and the like. For example, in the case of a restaurant, the restaurant fee and the above-mentioned printing fee can be charged with the same settlement ID and managed collectively.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, “One-Time ID that can specify a printing device to be output is issued, and“ E-mail form information is converted into a two-dimensional barcode ”for specifying a OneTime ID and issuing a print instruction using a specific printing method. "Data" is output from the corresponding printing device, the two-dimensional barcode is read by the portable information terminal, and converted into an e-mail, whereby the printing instruction information such as the designation of the printing device and the printing method at the portable information terminal However, the portable information terminal that does not include the two-dimensional barcode reader cannot use the method of the first embodiment.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when a portable information terminal user not equipped with a two-dimensional barcode reader is in the group, the portable information terminal user equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader reads the two-dimensional barcode, The information is converted into a mail form, the information is exchanged via the service providing server 600, and the print instruction information such as the designation of the printing apparatus and the printing method is designated using this information. . Accordingly, even a portable information terminal user not equipped with the above-described two-dimensional barcode reader can easily create print instruction information such as designation of a printing apparatus, designation of a printing method, and the like (two-dimensional barcode information). You can enjoy printing service). The embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the flow of processing (information exchange processing for other users such as service specifications) in the second embodiment of the printing system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, the user X using the portable information terminal 100x equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader 1312 reads the two-dimensional barcode 1302 with the two-dimensional barcode reader 1312, and the portable information terminal Is read and converted into a mail form, and the print specifications, etc., which are service specification information, are set in the mail.

  Then, the user X designates the mail address of the portable information terminal 100y that is not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader used by the user Y as the transfer destination. An example of this designation screen is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows portable information when the user X of the portable information terminal 100x equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG. 14 specifies the mail address of the portable information terminal 100y not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a terminal screen.

  Then, the user X transmits to the service providing server 600 a mail 1304 specifying the mail address of the portable information terminal 100y as a transfer destination. An e-mail form content of the e-mail 1304 is shown in 1309. Here, the mail address of Y is stored in the “forwarding destination”. The service specification information can be input without using a two-dimensional barcode, but in this case as well, the portable information terminal 100x must be equipped with a mail form forming program provided by the system. Even if the portable information terminal 100y is not equipped with this program, the service is possible if the service specification information is exchanged.

  The service providing server 600 receives the mail and analyzes the request. It is determined whether the request is “transfer”. If the request is transfer, an e-mail 1305 that prompts a reply is transmitted to the transfer destination (in this case, the portable information terminal 100y) together with the print service message. An e-mail form content of the e-mail 1305 is shown at 1310. Note that the service specification information set by the user X remains in the mail 1305. An example of the reception screen of this mail 1305 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reception screen of the mail 1306 in the portable information terminal 100y not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the user Y can recognize that the service is provided by the message “Please reply with your data attached”.

  Then, the user Y replies to the service providing server 600 with the mail 1305 attached with the original data to be printed as an attached file of the reply mail of the received mail 1305. An e-mail form content of the e-mail 1306 is shown at 1311. An example of the transmission screen of this mail 1306 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reply mail transmission screen in a portable information terminal not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG.

  Accordingly, service specification information is also transmitted to the service providing server 600 together with the original data of the user Y, and the original data is converted into a print image (print job) in the service providing server 600 and sent to the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus 300 executes a printing process based on the received print image, and the user Y can obtain a desired printed material 1308.

<Flowchart of information exchange processing for others such as service specification information>
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, and corresponds to information exchange processing for other people such as service specification information. In the figure, S400 and S401 indicate steps realized when the CPU of the portable information terminal 100x loads and executes a program stored in the ROM on the memory. In the figure, S410 and S411 indicate steps realized when the CPU of the portable information terminal 100y loads and executes a program stored in the ROM on the memory. Further, S420 to S422 show steps realized by the CPU of the service providing server 600 loading and executing the service providing PG 601 stored in the ROM on the RAM.

  First, in step S400, the portable information terminal 100 reads a two-dimensional barcode according to an instruction from the user, and converts the read two-dimensional barcode data into a mail form.

  Then, when the user inputs a mail address of the portable information terminal 100y of the user who wants to pass information to the transfer destination and gives a transfer instruction, in step S401, the portable information terminal 100 sets the mail address as the transfer destination. Set, send an e-mail containing service specification information (“OneTimeID”, printing method, etc.), and request digital image printing.

  In step S420, when the service provision PG 601 (print information management processing 6013) of the service provision server 600 receives the electronic mail from the portable information terminal 100x, in step S421, it is determined whether or not the mail is a transfer request. If it is determined that the request is not a transfer request, the process proceeds to step S135-1 shown in FIG. 12 to perform normal service.

  On the other hand, if the service provision PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service provision server 600 determines in step S421 that the mail received in step S420 is a transfer request, the service reception PG 601 receives the reception in step S420 in step S422. An e-mail that prompts a reply is sent together with the print service message to the e-mail transfer destination.

  In step S410, the portable information terminal 100y receives an e-mail prompting a reply including the print service message.

  When the image data that the user Y wants to print is designated as an attached file and the transmission is instructed to the reply mail of the e-mail received in step S410, in step S411, the portable information terminal 100y A mail with the image data as an attached file is returned to the service providing server 600.

  Then, the service provision PG 601 (print information management process 6013) of the service provision server 600 receives the e-mail from the portable information terminal 100y in step S133 of FIG. 12, and executes the processes in and after step S135. Thereby, in step S411, the image data attached by the portable information terminal 100y is printed by the printing method and printing apparatus corresponding to the two-dimensional barcode read in step S400.

  As described above, even in a portable information terminal not equipped with a two-dimensional barcode reader, a printing apparatus based on two-dimensional barcode data read by another portable information terminal equipped with a two-dimensional barcode reader, Printing can be easily designated using a printing method.

[Third Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, in the printing system using the OneTimeID of the first embodiment, a portable information terminal user equipped with a two-dimensional barcode reader reads the two-dimensional barcode, converts the information into a mail form, and Information is transmitted to the portable information terminal not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader via the service providing server 600 (information exchange). In the portable information terminal not equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader, this information (OneTimeID , Printing method) is used to specify a printing apparatus, a printing method, and the like. This information exchange processing is performed using a general ASP (Application Service Provider) type service (for example, printing service, translation). (Service etc.) That is, the information of the ASP type service member is transmitted to the information terminal of the non-member user via the ASP type service server by the same method as the information exchange process, and the non-member user is received from this member. The ASP type service may be configured to be usable using the obtained information.

<System configuration>
19 and 20 are system configuration diagrams illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system to which the application service system according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  As described above, this embodiment is a non-service member, but can receive an ASP-type service temporarily with the consent of the service member. For example, if the user information of the service member X and the service specification information of the service are transferred from the information processing terminal of the service member X to the information processing terminal of the service non-member Y via the service providing server, the service non-member The member Y can receive the ASP type service provided by the service providing server using the transferred user information of the service member X and service specification information of the service. In this embodiment, the print service is described as an example. However, the ASP type service is not limited to the print service, and may be other services such as a translation service.

  19 and 20, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of service member information processing terminals 110, a plurality of service non-member information processing terminals 112, and a store that can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication network 104. A plurality of printing apparatuses 107 installed in 105, a communication control apparatus 106, a service providing server 102 installed in the print service processing center 101, and the like.

<Communication network 104>
Since the configuration of the communication network 104 is known, detailed description thereof is omitted, but a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or the like can be used as the communication network 104.

<Service Member Information Processing Terminal 110>
The information processing terminal 110 sends an e-mail directly to the service providing server 102 to make a service request. Further, the information processing terminal 110 can transmit information for use by service non-members of services using its service member information to the information processing terminal 112 of service non-members via the service providing server 102. The information processing terminal 110 may be a personal computer or a portable information terminal.

<Non-member information processing terminal 112>
The service non-member information processing terminal 112 transmits an e-mail to the service providing server 102 only when information for using the service transmitted from the service member information processing terminal via the service providing server 600 is used. Service requests can be made. The information processing terminal 112 may be a personal computer or a portable information terminal.

<Printer 107>
In response to a request from the service providing server 102, the printing apparatus 107 performs a printing process of digital image data requested to be printed.

<Communication control device 106>
The communication control device 106 controls data transmission / reception with the service providing server 102 via the communication network 104.

<Service providing server 102>
The service providing server 102 manages information related to the printing apparatus, user ID, etc. in response to a request from the information processing terminal 110 or the like, and provides a service using these, and provides a service providing PG (program) 202, A service management DB 103 is mounted (the service management DB 103 may be mounted on another DB server).

  Further, the service providing server 102 has a communication data control unit 201 that receives a print request mail transmitted from the information processing terminal 110.

<Service provision PG 202>
The service providing PG 202 includes a service processing management unit 203, a print information management unit 204, and a user information management unit 205.

  The service processing management unit 203 manages resources and IDs of the entire service and occupies the core of the system. In addition, a function such as process schedule management for executing request analysis determines a process request from the information processing terminal 110 as “print request”, “transfer request”, or the like.

  The print information management unit 204 processes a print request to the printing apparatus 300. In response to a request from the portable information terminal, the formation of data obtained by converting the email form information into a two-dimensional barcode, digital image data, etc. It is responsible for generating a print image and making a print request to the printing apparatus.

  The user information management unit 204 manages information of members such as members and payment information materials identified by the payment ID.

<Service management DB 103>
The service management DB 103 stores and holds the printing apparatus information 206, each ID related information 207, and the store information 210 as follows. An example of the printing apparatus information 206, each ID related information 207, and the store information 210 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a data configuration diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the printing apparatus information 206, each ID related information 207, and the store information 210 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 21A, the printing device information 206 is information registered in advance, and includes a store ID, a printing device ID, and an IP address assigned to the printing device.

  As shown in FIG. 21 (b), each ID related information 207 includes service member ID (user information for identifying a user permitted to use the service), store ID, printing device ID, checkout ID, and customer group service. Contains the start date and time that started.

  As shown in FIG. 21C, the store information 210 is information registered in advance, and includes a store ID, a store name, and an IP address assigned to the service relay server 400 of the store.

<Communication data control unit 201>
The communication data control unit 201 provides a POP3 service for the purpose of receiving a print request mail transmitted from a portable information terminal.

<Information processing terminal 110>
The information processing terminal 110 includes an information forming unit 209 that generates information for using the service provided by the service providing server 102.

  The hardware configurations of the printing apparatus 107, the communication control apparatus 106, the service providing server 102, and the information processing terminal 110 illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 are the same as those illustrated in FIG.

<Overview>
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a flow of processing (information exchange processing for other users such as service specifications) in the third embodiment of the printing system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 22, first, the service member X uses the information forming unit 209 of the information processing terminal 110 to set the use member ID, the print specifications that are service specification information, and the like in the mail.

  Then, the service member X designates the mail address of the service non-member Y as the transfer destination. An example of this designation screen is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an information processing terminal screen when the service member X illustrated in FIG. 20 designates a mail address of a non-service member to be transferred using the information processing terminal 110.

  Then, the service member X transmits to the service providing server 102 a mail 304 specifying the mail address of the non-service member as the transfer destination. An e-mail form content of the e-mail 304 is shown at 309. Here, the mail address of the service non-member Y is stored in the “forwarding destination”. In addition, it is necessary to use the information formation part 209 for the set of use member ID and service specification information. In addition, the user member ID is protected by an encryption technique (this can prevent the user member ID and the like from being illegally used by a transfer destination user). Furthermore, even if the information processing terminal 112 of the service non-member Y does not have the information forming unit 209, if the service member X exchanges service specification information (identifies the service specification), the service is Is possible.

  The service providing server 102 receives the mail and analyzes the request. It is determined whether the request is “transfer”. If the request is transfer, an e-mail 305 that prompts a reply is transmitted to the transfer destination (in this case, the information processing terminal 112) together with the print service message. The e-mail form content of the e-mail 305 is shown at 310. The mail 305 includes the member ID and service specification information set by the user X. An example of the reception screen of this mail 305 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a reception screen for the mail 306 in the information processing terminal 112 of the service nonmember Y illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the user Y can recognize that the service has been provided by the message “Please reply with your data attached”.

  Then, the user Y replies to the service providing server 102 with the mail 306 attached with the original data to be printed (data to receive the service) as an attached file of the reply mail of the received mail 305. An e-mail form content of the mail 306 is indicated by 311. An example of the transmission screen of the mail 306 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a forwarded mail reply screen in the information processing terminal 112 of the service nonmember Y shown in FIG.

  As a result, the user member ID and service specification information are transmitted to the service providing server 102 together with the original data of the user Y. Then, the service providing server 102 performs a service based on the transmitted original data (in the present embodiment, since the print service is taken as an example, the original data is converted into a print image (print job), and the printing apparatus When the translation service or the like is performed, the original data is subjected to translation processing, and the translation result is transmitted to the information processing terminal 112 that is a non-service member).

  The printing apparatus 300 executes a printing process based on the received print image, and the service non-member Y can obtain a desired printed matter 308.

  As described above, the present invention is a system that can obtain service qualifications and service function specifications by exchanging information, and can use services such as printing on behalf of them.

<Flowchart>
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27, each procedure executed by the information processing terminal 110, the printing apparatus 107, and the service providing server 102 in the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, referring to FIG. 26, normal service use by a service member will be described.

<Flow chart of service usage by service members>
As a precondition for performing these processes, it is necessary that each information is registered in the service management DB 103, each ID-related information 207, and the store information 210 of the service providing server 102.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, which corresponds to a normal service use process by a service member. In the figure, S501 and S502 indicate steps realized by the CPU of the information processing terminal 110 loading and executing a program stored in the ROM on the memory. In the figure, S510 represents a step realized by the CPU of the printing apparatus 107 loading and executing a program stored in the ROM on the memory. Further, S520 to S523 indicate steps realized when the CPU of the service providing server 102 loads and executes the service providing PG 202 stored in the ROM on the RAM.

  First, in step S501, the information processing terminal 110 generates service specification information including printing specification information, printed material receiving store ID, user member ID, printing device ID, usage period, and the like according to an instruction from the user. In step S502, e-mail data 503 including the service specification information generated in step S501 and attached with a digital image is transmitted to the service providing server 102 to request digital image printing.

  In step S520, the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 receives the digital image print request (the e-mail describing the contents of 503) from the information processing terminal 110, and analyzes the request.

  If the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 determines in step S521 that the request is an image print request, in step S522, the print image (information indicated by 509) of the digital image data received in step S520. (Print job)) is created, printing device information corresponding to the store ID and printing device ID specified in the e-mail received in step S520 is retrieved from the service management DB 103, and transmitted to the printing device 107 in step S523. Print instructions.

  In step S510, the printing apparatus 107 executes print processing based on the received print image (information (print job) 509) of the digital image data, and transmits the fact to the service providing server 102 when printing is completed.

  In step S523, the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 that has issued the print instruction to the printing apparatus 107 performs a charging process for the digital image data printing process for the settlement ID corresponding to the member ID or the like in a step not shown. Do.

  Through the processing as described above, the service user member can receive the printed matter.

  If the service provision PG 202 of the service provision server 102 determines in step S521 that the request is a transfer request, the process proceeds to step S622 in FIG. 27 described later.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 27, a case is shown in which service service information is transferred from a service member to a service non-member and the service non-member uses the service.

<Flow chart of service usage using information exchange processing to others such as service specification information>
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a sixth control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention, and corresponds to a service use process using an information exchange process for other people such as service specification information. In the figure, S601 and S602 indicate steps realized by the CPU of the information processing terminal 110 loading and executing a program stored in the ROM on the memory. S610 represents a step realized by the CPU of the information processing terminal 112 loading and executing a program stored in the ROM on the memory. Further, S620 to S622 indicate steps realized when the CPU of the service providing server 102 loads and executes the service providing PG 202 stored in the ROM on the RAM.

  First, in step S601, the information processing terminal 110 generates service specification information including printing specification information, printed material receiving store ID, user member ID, printing device ID, usage period, and the like according to an instruction from the user. To do.

  When the mail address of a non-service member to whom information is to be passed is input to the transfer destination and a transfer instruction is issued, in step S602, the information processing terminal 110 sets the mail address to the transfer destination and sets service specification information (transfer) Send an e-mail containing the specified set) and request forwarding.

  In step S620, the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 receives the request from the information processing terminal 110 (an e-mail describing the contents of 603) and analyzes the request.

  In step S621, if the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 determines that the request is a transfer request, in step S622, the service providing PG 202 sends a print service message to the transfer destination of the mail received in step S620. Along with this, an e-mail that prompts a reply is sent.

  The information processing terminal 112 receives an e-mail prompting a reply including the message of the print service, and the image data to be printed from the service non-member Y is designated as an attached file for the received e-mail reply mail. When the transmission is instructed, in step S610, the information processing terminal 112 returns a mail with its image data as an attached file to the service providing server 102.

  Then, the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 receives the e-mail from the information processing terminal 112 in step S520 of FIG. 26, and executes the processes of steps S521 to S523. Thereby, in step S620, the image data attached by the information processing terminal 112 is printed by the printing method and printing apparatus generated by the information processing terminal 110 of the service member x in step S601. Note that the service providing server 102 may be configured to transmit the billing information for the print service executed in response to a request from the service non-member Y to the mail address of the service member X when the printing is completed.

  If it is determined in step S621 that the service providing PG 202 of the service providing server 102 is an image print request, the process proceeds to step S522 in FIG.

  Through the above process, information on service specifications, including personal certification, membership qualifications, and settlement methods, is provided to others who want to receive ASP-type services such as printing, photo printing, and translation over the network. By exchanging, there is an effect that other users can use the service and use the service for their own data processing.

  In addition, there is an advantage that the other person can use the service without disclosing his / her original data, and the personal information is protected.

  Furthermore, the service member can also allow other people to use the service without telling others of his / her member information.

  The service providing server 102 assigns a unique ID to the received transfer request, and controls so that the reply from the service non-member corresponding to this ID is valid only once. It may be configured. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a service non-member from using the service repeatedly without permission from the service member.

  Further, as shown in the second embodiment, the service specifications may be configured to be input by reading services provided by collecting the service specifications into a two-dimensional barcode. Thereby, there is an effect that it is possible to avoid repeating troublesome operations without requiring specialized knowledge such as setting of service specifications.

  Therefore, in the so-called ASP type service such as data processing and print output, the person who receives the service needs to provide a license for use permission, a payment method, a method of person authentication, and a program for receiving the service depending on circumstances.

  In addition, the service cannot be used unless the service processing content is fully understood.

  In this way, there is a restriction that cannot be used easily even if there is a person who wants to receive a service temporarily.

  Also, in this embodiment, a person who has a qualification and usage environment is based on his / her own certification for those who cannot easily receive temporary services due to restrictions on the equipment used or the program environment. At the expense of one's own expense, it is possible to designate a service specification by itself, make the specification of the generated service look exactly the same, and transfer it to others and receive the service temporarily.

  In this way, processing of personal data, for example, in ASP-type services such as printing, photo printing, translation, etc., service specifications that are processed and formed in their own usage environment, including qualifications for use authorization and payment methods, Others that you specify can enjoy the service as if you were using it.

  That is, the other person can use the “service specification information” provided by the user to receive the ASP-type service for his original data.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

  Further, the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by each information processing apparatus constituting the system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a recording medium (storage medium) that stores various data processing programs that can be read by each information processing apparatus constituting the system according to the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 18, 26, and 27 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system (a point-of-sale information management terminal cooperation type digital image printing system) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system (a point-of-sale information management terminal cooperation type digital image printing system) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of the adjustment information stored in the adjustment information DB shown in FIG. 1, FIG. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of a data structure of the printing apparatus information shown in FIG. 2, ID information, and shop information. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional barcode printed in association with OneTimeID from the printing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional barcode printed in association with OneTimeID from the printing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the email form information produced | generated by reading the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 with a portable information terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the email form information produced | generated by reading the two-dimensional barcode shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 with a portable information terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus, service relay server, cash register terminal, service providing server, and communication network illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic of a series of processing procedures in the printing system of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure in the printing system of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd control processing procedure in the printing system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd control processing procedure in the printing system of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process (information exchange process to others, such as a service specification) in 2nd Embodiment of the printing system of this invention. FIG. 14 shows an example of a portable information terminal screen when a user X of a portable information terminal equipped with the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG. 14 specifies a mail address of a portable information terminal not equipped with a two-dimensional barcode reader. It is a schematic diagram. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the reception screen of the forwarding mail in the portable information terminal which does not mount the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the reply screen of the forwarding mail in the portable information terminal which does not mount the two-dimensional barcode reader shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th control processing procedure in the printing system of this invention. It is a system configuration | structure figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing system which can apply the application service system which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a system configuration | structure figure which shows an example of a structure of the printing system which can apply the application service system which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a data block diagram which shows an example of a data structure of the printing apparatus information shown in FIG. 20, each ID relevant information, and shop information. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process (information exchange process to others, such as a service specification) in 3rd Embodiment of the printing system of this invention. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an information processing terminal screen when the service member X illustrated in FIG. 20 designates a mail address of a non-service member using an information processing terminal. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a transfer mail reception screen in the information processing terminal of the service non-member Y illustrated in FIG. 19. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the reply screen of the forwarding mail in the information processing terminal of the service nonmember Y shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th control processing procedure in the printing system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th control processing procedure in the printing system of this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the recording medium (storage medium) which stores the various data processing program which can be read by each information processing apparatus which comprises the system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Personal digital assistant 300 Printing apparatus 400 Service relay server 500 Cash register terminal 600 Service provision server 700 Communication network

Claims (7)

In a printing system in which data of a portable information terminal is controlled by a service providing server via a predetermined communication medium,
The service providing server includes:
ID output control means for issuing an ID that can identify a printing apparatus to be output, and causing the printing apparatus to output a plurality of codes in a predetermined format including designation of the ID and a plurality of printing methods;
Receiving the ID, printing method designation, and image data transmitted from the portable information terminal, specifying a printing device based on the ID, and printing the image data by the printing method to the specified printing device Print control means for controlling print service processing for executing
It is equipped with
The portable information terminal
Code analysis means for reading the code in any one of the predetermined formats output by the printing apparatus and obtaining the ID and method designation;
Print request means for requesting a print service of image data from the service providing server using the ID acquired by the code analysis means and designation of a print method;
A printing system comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined format code includes a barcode and a two-dimensional barcode.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the designation of the printing method includes designation of a printing method for causing a plurality of printing apparatuses to print at one time. ID issue request means for designating a printing device to be output and requesting the service providing server to issue the ID;
Storage means for storing settlement information corresponding to the ID notified from the service providing server after the ID issue request by the ID issue request means;
A settlement means for notifying the service providing server of the settlement start, and performing a settlement process on the settlement information accumulated in the accumulation means;
A service relay server having
The ID output control means of the service providing server issues the ID in response to a request from the service relay server,
The service providing server includes:
Payment information notification means for notifying the service relay server of payment information corresponding to the ID corresponding to the print service;
The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising: an ID deletion unit that deletes the ID in response to a settlement start notification from the service relay server. In a printing instruction method in a printing system for controlling printing of data of a portable information terminal by a service providing server via a predetermined communication medium,
The service providing server includes:
An ID output step of issuing an ID capable of specifying a printing apparatus to be output, and causing the printing apparatus to output a plurality of codes in a predetermined format including designation of the ID and a plurality of printing methods;
Receiving the ID, printing method designation, and image data transmitted from the portable information terminal, specifying a printing device based on the ID, and printing the image data by the printing method to the specified printing device A print step for controlling a print service process to execute
Is to execute
The portable information terminal
A code analyzing step of reading the code in any one of the predetermined formats output by the printing apparatus to obtain the ID and method designation;
A print requesting step for requesting a print service of image data to the service providing server using the ID acquired by the code analyzing step and designation of a printing method;
A print instruction method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the printing instruction method according to claim 5.   A recording medium storing a computer-readable program for executing the printing instruction method according to claim 5.

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