JP2008293286A - Selection of object to be downloaded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow even a small-scale device to properly select an object to be downloaded. <P>SOLUTION: An identification image which is adjacently located to a desired thumbnail image in an index sheet is picked up with a camera 59 of a mobile phone 50, then the identification image is decoded, and identification information of image data 12c corresponding to the thumbnail image is acquired. The download request including the identification information is made to a server 10, and printing data PD incorporated with the image data 12c desired by an user are downloaded to the mobile phone 50 and printed by a printer 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to selection of a download target.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique in which a mobile phone and a printer are connected by short-range wireless communication, and the printer executes printing in response to a print instruction from the mobile phone (see Patent Document 1).
When a print instruction is issued from a mobile phone in this way, it is common for a user to issue a print instruction while visually recognizing a UI screen displayed on the display of the mobile phone.
JP 2002-297345 A

However, a general mobile phone has a small display, which makes it difficult for a user to issue a print instruction according to a UI screen displayed on the display. In particular, a list of multiple print candidate images is displayed on the mobile phone display, and the user visually selects the print target. However, the individual images are too small and the user selects them appropriately. There was a problem that could not. If an appropriate selection cannot be made, an unexpected print result is obtained, and ink and print paper are wasted. In addition, in the on-demand printing in which print data of an image selected as a printing target is downloaded from an external server at the printing stage, there is a problem that the user is burdened with unnecessary communication costs and billing costs.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to appropriately select a download target even in a small-scale apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an external device and a download device are connected via a predetermined communication line, and the download device downloads image data from the external device. Prior to downloading the image data, the preliminary download means obtains thumbnail data obtained by reducing a plurality of image data to be downloaded from the external device and identification information necessary for downloading the image data from the external device. to download. The output means outputs print data for printing an index sheet in which a thumbnail image indicated by the thumbnail data and an identification image obtained by converting the identification information into an image are associated with each other. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the thumbnail image printed on the index sheet. The identification information may be any information that can identify the image data. For example, the information indicating the location of the image data such as a URL or the information indicating the name of the image data is applicable. By printing the index sheet on a large printing paper, a plurality of the thumbnail images can be printed relatively large, and the user can easily check the outline of the image data. The restoration means captures the identification image associated with the thumbnail image selected as the download target in the index sheet, and restores the identification information. Thereby, the download apparatus can acquire the identification information of the image data selected as a download target. Further, the download means downloads the image data from the external device based on the restored identification information. By doing so, it is possible to download the download object selected by visually recognizing the thumbnail image printed on the index sheet, and to download the image data as intended by the user. Note that the download device is not limited to a device that only performs the download, and includes, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer, and the like that have a communication function using a predetermined communication line. The download line and the printing apparatus can be connected to a wide variety of communication lines as long as the communication line can make a file acquisition request.

  It should be noted that the thumbnail data and the identification information that are preliminarily downloaded by the preliminary download means are also preferably in accordance with the user's intention. For example, a search condition is received from a user, the image data is searched to the external device based on the search condition, and the thumbnail data and the identification information of the download candidates are narrowed down according to the search result. May be. In this way, download candidates according to the user's preferences can be printed on the index sheet.

  Further, when the thumbnail data of the download candidate is preliminarily downloaded according to the search result, the search result can be reflected in more detail on the index sheet. For example, when information such as a search frequency for each image data or a matching degree with the search condition is obtained as the search result, the size of the thumbnail image in the index sheet is changed based on the information. May be. In this way, the user can preferentially visually recognize the thumbnail image having a high degree of matching with the search condition specified by the user or the generally popular thumbnail image.

  Furthermore, not only the information for identifying the image data but also other information may be specified as the identification information. For example, a charging destination for a fee generated when the download unit downloads the image data may be specified by the identification information. In this way, the billing destination can be associated with the index sheet, and the usage of the index sheet can be expanded. For example, by giving the index sheet with the billing destination to the other person, the image data in which the thumbnail images are listed in the index sheet can be substantially given to the other person. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the case where the index sheet itself is presented, and print data for printing the index sheet may be presented to another person.

  However, if the index sheet is given to another person and it can be downloaded indefinitely, the billing amount becomes enormous. For this reason, it is desirable that the identification information further specifies the amount of download permitted when the download means downloads the image data. By doing so, it is possible to limit the amount (for example, the number of downloads and the number of downloads) that can be downloaded by the side that gave the index sheet, and prevent unexpected charges.

  It is also assumed that the index sheet is illegally obtained and that the price of the image data downloaded by an unintended partner is charged by itself. In order to prevent such a situation, it is desirable that the identification information can be used to identify the download device that permits download when the download means downloads the image data. Further, if the image data downloaded by the download device is printed by the printing device via the download device, the image indicated by the image data can be obtained as a printed matter.

  Needless to say, the technical idea of the present invention can be concretely realized not only in the download device described above but also in other devices having a part of the configuration. For example, the download device of the present invention may be incorporated in a device such as a mobile phone provided with means other than downloading. Further, the technical idea of the present invention can be embodied not only by a specific device but also by a method thereof. That is, the present invention can also be specified as a method having each process performed by the download device described above. Of course, when the download device reads the program and realizes each means described above, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to a program for executing a function corresponding to each means and various recording media on which the program is recorded. Needless to say, it can be realized.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) About the print billing system:
(2) Flow of print billing process:
(2-1) Index sheet printing:
(2-2) Printing and billing:
(3) Modification:

(1) Print Billing System FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a print billing system having a printer as an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the printer as the printing apparatus of the present invention executes printing as processing. In FIG. 1, a print billing system includes a content server (an external device of the present invention, hereinafter abbreviated as a server) 10 in which a large number of image data are stored, a printer 30, and a mobile phone 50 as a download device of the present invention. And an Internet In, a gateway G, and an antenna At for connecting them. The mobile phone 50 performs wireless communication with the antenna At via a radio wave in a predetermined radio frequency band. The antenna At is connected to the Internet In via the gateway G, and can communicate with the server 10 that is also connected to the Internet In. The mobile phone 50 and the server 10 can communicate with each other. Both the mobile phone 50 and the printer 30 have an infrared interface (I / F) capable of infrared communication, and can communicate with each other. The antenna At and the mobile phone 50 can communicate with each other via a radio signal conforming to a radio telephone communication standard such as CDMA. Of course, the antenna At and the mobile phone 50 may be communicable by another wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN, or may be communicable by wire.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the content server. As shown in the figure, the server 10 includes a control unit 11 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 12, and a WAN I / F 13 is connected thereto. The WAN I / F 13 is connected to the Internet In, and the server 10 communicates with an external device connected to the Internet In via the WAN I / F 13. The HDD 12 stores program data 12b such as a print accounting program SP, an OS (Operating System) 12a, various image data 12c, a management database (MDB) 12d, and an image database (GDB) 12e. The control unit 11 includes a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, and a RAM 11c. The CPU 11a executes the print accounting program SP on the OS while using the RAM 11b as a work area.

  The print billing program SP includes a search unit SP1, an index print data creation unit SP2, a data registration unit SP3, a print data distribution unit SP4, and a billing unit SP5. The search unit SP1 searches the image database (GDB) 12e for image data 12c that matches the specified search condition, and outputs the search result to the index print data creation unit SP2. The index print data creation unit SP2 creates and transmits the index print data IPD for printing the index sheet based on the search result and information such as the billing destination, the print limit number, the permitted terminal, etc. designated by the user. In this index sheet, a thumbnail image and an identification image corresponding to the searched image data 12c are arranged in association with each other. On the other hand, the data registration unit SP3 registers the billing destination designated by the user, the print limit number, and the permitted terminal in the MDB 12d. The print data distribution unit SP4 specifies the image data 12c to be distributed based on the identification information included in the download request transmitted from the mobile phone 50, and whether or not the image data 12c can be distributed to the mobile phone 50. Is determined with reference to the MDB 12d.

  If it can be distributed, the print data PD for printing the image data 12c is created and transmitted. The print data PD is an electronic file in which layout information, printing conditions, copyright management information, and the like are attached to the data of the image data 12c itself. The image data 12c may be data that can be finally rendered by the printer as pixel data, and may be vector data or image data. As a printing (processing) condition, a printing paper size, a printing resolution, and the like are designated. Further, when printing a plurality of sheets, print data PD corresponding to the number of sheets is created. When the charging unit SP5 confirms that printing of the distributed print data PD has been completed, the charging unit SP5 executes a process of charging the charge corresponding to the print data PD to the charging destination obtained by referring to the MDB 12d.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the printer 30. As shown in the figure, the printer 30 includes a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, an infrared I / F 33, a nonvolatile memory 34, a control circuit 35a, an ink cartridge 35b, a print head unit 35c, an ASIC 36a, a head drive unit 36b, and an I / O. F37a, a carriage mechanism 37b, and a paper feed mechanism 37c are provided. The control unit 31 includes a CPU 31a, a ROM 31b, and a RAM 31c, and the CPU 31a controls the entire printer 30 using the RAM 31c as a work area according to program data (not shown) recorded in the ROM 31b. The units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a constituting the printer 30 are connected via a system bus so that they can communicate with each other.

  A carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction by the carriage mechanism 37b is provided with a cartridge holder on which each ink cartridge 35b is mounted, and a print head unit 35c that includes a print head. The head drive unit 36b receives the applied voltage data corresponding to the print data from the ASIC 36a, generates an applied voltage pattern to the piezo element, and causes the print head incorporating the element to eject ink droplets of four colors in dot units. . The carriage mechanism 37b and the paper feed mechanism 37c connected to the interface (I / F) 37a cause the print head unit 35c to perform main scanning, and sequentially feed sheet-like print media while performing page break operations as appropriate, thereby performing sub-scanning. To go.

  The printer 30 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet printer that discharges each ink of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) from a print head to form ink dots on a print medium and prints the ink. Of course, an ink jet printer using other types of ink may be employed as the printer 30, and various ink sublimation printers, laser printers using toner ink, and the like may be employed as the printer 30. The infrared I / F 33 includes a light emitting diode that transmits infrared light and a photodiode that performs reception. For example, infrared communication standards such as IrDA 1.0 to 1.4, FIR, UFIR, and Ir-Simple can be used. Has been. In these communication standards, infrared rays are used as a communication medium for wireless communication, and the communicable distance is about 30 cm to 1 m. The operation unit 32 receives an operation input from the user using, for example, a plurality of operation buttons. The non-volatile memory 34 is a memory capable of recording, deleting, and rewriting data according to the control of the control unit 31. For example, a flash memory or an EEPROM can be used.

  The control program PP executed by the control unit 31 includes an infrared communication unit PP1, a print execution unit PP2, a request reception unit PP3, a status acquisition unit PP4, a status file generation unit PP5, and a status transmission unit PP6 as internal modules. The control unit 31 executes an OS (not shown), and the control program PP uses an API provided by the OS. The infrared communication unit PP1 demodulates various electronic files from the infrared signal received by the infrared I / F 33, and outputs them to the modules PP2 to PP4. Conversely, the electronic file input from each of the modules PP2 to PP4 is modulated into an infrared signal and output to the infrared I / F 33. In the infrared communication described above, an object transfer protocol (for example, OBEX (object exchange protocol) or the like) or a file transfer protocol (for example, FTP or the like) can be used as an upper layer protocol, and exchange is possible in the object transfer protocol. Electronic files can be exchanged as objects.

  The print execution unit PP2 acquires the index print data IPD and the print data PD from the infrared communication unit PP1, and executes a process for executing printing based on these. Specifically, the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a are controlled based on the printing conditions attached to the print data PD, and the layout process / rendering process / color based on the main body of the print data. Conversion processing / halftone processing / microweave processing is sequentially executed to output a drive signal corresponding to the print image to each of the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a. The print execution unit PP2 appropriately obtains status information from the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a, and the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, The control of 37a is executed.

  The request acceptance unit PP3 receives a status request from the infrared communication unit PP1, and sends the status request to the status acquisition unit PP4. The status acquisition unit PP4 inquires status information from each of the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a via the system bus and collects status information. The status file generation unit PP5 acquires the status information collected by the status acquisition unit PP4 and converts the status information into an electronic file that can be transmitted by the infrared communication unit PP1.

  This electronic file is stored in the RAM 31c as a status file SF. For example, each status information is described as text in a file in the TXT format, HTML format, XML format or the like. The status transmission unit PP6 acquires the status file SF from the RAM 31c and sends the status file SF to the infrared communication unit PP1. As a result, the status file SF is transmitted to the outside via infrared rays. When the status file SF is transmitted, the status transmission unit PP6 deletes the status file SF from the RAM 31c.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the mobile phone 50. In the figure, a mobile phone 50 includes a control unit 51, a memory 52, a wireless I / F 53, an infrared I / F 54, a liquid crystal display 55, an operation unit 56, a speaker 57, a microphone 58, and a camera 59. The memory 52 is a rewritable and non-volatile memory, and the wireless I / F 53 demodulates an audio signal or a data signal from a radio signal input from the antenna, and an audio signal or data input from the microphone 58 or the control unit 51. The signal is modulated into the radio signal. The liquid crystal display 55 displays a screen for accepting various operation inputs at the time of a call or a print instruction. The operation unit 56 receives an operation input from the user with an operation key. The speaker 57 and the microphone 58 respectively output and input sound. The camera 59 has a large number of image sensors and generates image data corresponding to the captured image.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU 51a and a RAM 51c. The CPU 51a executes the print relay program CP read from the ROM 51b on an OS (not shown) while using the RAM 51c as a work area. A non-volatile memory 52 is connected to the control unit 51, and a mobile phone ID (52 a) that can uniquely identify the mobile phone 50 is stored in the memory 52. The mobile phone ID only needs to be a code that can uniquely identify the body of the mobile phone 50. For example, the mobile phone ID is a mobile phone serial number, a telephone number (including a case where a mounted USIM card specifies), a user name, or the like. There may be. In the present embodiment, a user name registered in advance in association with the body of the mobile phone 50 when the print billing system is used is stored as a mobile phone ID. The print relay program CP is not limited to a native application on the OS, and may be executed on a virtual machine such as Java (registered trademark of Sun Microsystems). The print relay program CP includes a search request unit CP1, a download unit CP2, an infrared communication unit CP3, a status request unit CP4, a print data transmission unit CP5, and a charge request unit CP6. The download unit CP2 further includes a preliminary download unit CP2a and a main download unit CP2b.

  The search request unit CP1 uses the browser or the like to access the server 10 via the wireless I / F 53 and the Internet In based on the operation received by the operation unit 56, and searches for the server 10 to search. Perform processing to specify keywords and search conditions. The preliminary download unit CP2a of the download unit CP2 downloads the index print data IPD generated by the server 10 according to the search result. On the other hand, the download unit CP2b acquires image data obtained by the camera 59 capturing an index sheet printed by the printer 30 based on the index print data IPD, and also identifies the download target from the identification image included in the image data. Information is extracted (restoring means). Then, the extracted identification information is transmitted to the server 10 to perform processing for downloading the print data PD.

  The infrared communication unit CP3 demodulates various electronic files from the infrared signal received by the infrared I / F 54, and outputs them to the modules CP1 to CP6. On the contrary, the electronic files input from the modules CP1 to CP6 are modulated into infrared signals and output to the infrared I / F 54. The status request unit CP4 generates a command requesting status information from the printer 30 as a status request, and outputs it to the infrared communication unit CP3. The print data transmission unit CP5 performs processing for transmitting the index print data IPD downloaded by the preliminary download unit CP2a to the printer 30 (output unit). Further, the print data transmission unit CP5 also performs processing for transmitting the print data PD downloaded by the download unit CP2b to the printer 30. When receiving the print completion notification transmitted as an electronic file from the printer 30, the charging request unit CP6 transmits a charging request to the server 10 via the wireless I / F 53 and the Internet In. The billing destination designated at this time is obtained from the billing information included in the identification information.

(2) Print Billing Process (2-1) Index Sheet Printing FIG. 5 shows the overall flow of the index sheet print process. In the figure, the index sheet printing process is performed between the server 10, the mobile phone 50, and the printer 30, and at that time, the control units 11, 31, 51 included in the server 10, the mobile phone 50, and the printer 30 are charged for printing. A program SP, a print relay program CP, and a control program PP are executed. In step C01, the search request unit CP1 of the mobile phone 50 accesses the server 10 via the wireless I / F 53 and the Internet In using a browser or the like based on the operation received by the operation unit 56. In response to the search request, the search request including the search keyword and search condition information that the user wants to search is transmitted to the server 10 via the wireless I / F 53 and the Internet In.

  FIG. 6 shows information specified in the search request and a UI screen for performing the search request. In the figure, a search keyword, a search mode, a search terminal, an authorized terminal, a billing destination, a limited number of sheets, and a list mode are included in the search request. In the example shown in the figure, “Japan” and “mountain” are designated as the search keywords 1 and 2, and “and” is designated as the search mode. By including such a designation in the search request, it is possible to cause the server 10 to search for image data 12c including both “Japan” and “Mountain” as search keywords. In the example shown in the figure, “XXXXX” indicating the same mobile phone ID (user name) is designated as the search terminal, the permission terminal, and the billing destination designation. Thereby, it is possible to specify that only the mobile phone 50 that has made the search request is allowed to download the print data PD and that the user of the mobile phone 50 is charged. The search terminal, the permitted terminal, and the billing destination designation are not necessarily the same, and it is possible to designate a mobile phone ID of a mobile phone 50 different from the mobile phone 50 that made the search request, and to permit download. It can also be specified that the mobile phone 50 (user) different from the authorized terminal is charged. Further, “unlimited” is set as the limit number designation, and “map mode” is designated as the list mode designation. When the search request as described above is received, the search unit SP1 of the server 10 searches the image data 12c that matches the specified search condition in step S01, and outputs the search result to the index print data creation unit SP2.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of information stored in the GDB 12e. In the GDB 12e that is referred to when the search unit SP1 searches, keywords, the number of downloads, position information (latitude / longitude), identification information, and the like related to each image data 12c are registered. A plurality of keywords are registered for each image data 12c. For example, image data 12c whose keyword matches a plurality of designated search keywords among a large number of image data 12c registered in the GDB 12e is extracted as a download candidate to be described later. The search unit SP1 delivers the identification information, position information, and number of downloads of each image data 12c extracted as described above to the index print data creation unit SP2. The index print data creation unit SP2 that has received the above information as a search result generates an index sheet based on the search result, the permitted terminal designated by the user (mobile phone 50), the billing destination, the limited number of sheets, and the list mode. In step S02, index print data IPD for printing is created and transmitted.

  FIG. 8 shows a flow of the index print data IPD creation and transmission process performed by the index print data creation unit SP2 in step S02. First, in step S021, a unique number of index print data to be created is generated. The unique number may be a unique number for each index print data, and is generated by a random number, for example. In step S022, the index print data creation unit SP2 acquires the identification information of each extracted image data 12c, and acquires the thumbnail image data of each image data 12c based on the identification information. The identification information is information that can identify each image data 12c, and is information indicating the storage path and file name of the image data 12c in the HDD 12, for example. Therefore, it is possible to specify each image data 12c of the searched download candidate based on the identification information, and obtain thumbnail image data from each specified image data 12c. The thumbnail image data is image data having a resolution (small size) lower than that of the image data 12c, and is obtained by reading out data attached to the image data 12c or by thinning out pixels of the image data 12c. Can do.

  When the thumbnail image data corresponding to each searched image data 12c can be acquired, in step S023, a process of determining a position for arranging them in the index print data IPD is performed. Here, the thumbnail image data is generated based on the list mode designation, the position information, and the number of downloads. First, when the list mode is designated as “map mode”, the size of thumbnail image data is converted according to the number of downloads. For the thumbnail image data of the image data 12c with a large number of downloads, the image size is increased by performing pixel interpolation, and for the thumbnail image data of the image data 12c with a small number of downloads, the image size is reduced by thinning out the pixels. Further, the arrangement coordinates of each thumbnail image data in the index print data IPD are determined according to the position information corresponding to each image data 12c. On the other hand, when the list mode is designated as “map mode”, the thumbnail image data in the index print data IPD of the thumbnail image data is arranged in descending order of the number of downloads without converting the size of the thumbnail image data. Determine the placement coordinates.

When preparation of thumbnail image data and determination of arrangement coordinates are completed as described above, identification image data for each image data 12c is generated in step S024. Specifically, the unique number of the index print data IPD generated in step S21, the identification information indicating the storage path and file name of each searched image data 12c, the character string indicating the print paper size and the number of prints. Generate. For example, the character string which shows each information is produced | generated by combining the character string which shows each said information by a comma division | segmentation. For example, the unique number of the index print data IPD is (01234), and the EFGH. For the image data 12c having the file name identification information jpg, the print paper size (A4 or L version) and the number of prints (1 or 2) are designated. In this example, the following character string is generated.
01234, \ ABCD \ EFGH. jpg, A4, 1
01234, \ ABCD \ EFGH. jpg, A4, 2
01234, \ ABCD \ EFGH. jpg, L version, 1
01234, \ ABCD \ EFGH. jpg, L version, 2
Then, the character string is spatially modulated (encoded) into a two-dimensional image according to a predetermined modulation rule to generate identification image data indicating an identification image as a two-dimensional barcode. Various encoding rules can be adopted. For example, a QR code (registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED) may be generated. Since the identification image data differs depending on the identification information of each searched image data 12c, a different one is generated for each image data 12c. Further, identification image data of a plurality of types (four types in the above example) of printing paper sizes and the number of printed sheets is created for one image data 12c. The identification information may be information that can specify the image data 12c, and may be, for example, a URL or a command necessary for the server to specify the image data 12c.

  In step S025, the arrangement coordinates of each identification image data are determined. For example, the arrangement coordinates are determined so that the identification image data corresponding to the same image data 12c is arranged at the coordinates adjacent to the arrangement coordinates of the thumbnail image data determined in step S23. In the next step S026, index print data IPD is created by arranging each thumbnail image data and each identification image data in the coordinates determined in advance in steps S023 and S025 with respect to the background image data.

  FIG. 9 shows the index print data IPD. FIG. 9A shows the index print data IPD created in the map mode, and FIG. 9B shows the index print data IPD created in the normal mode. In the map mode, each thumbnail image and the identification image are mapped adjacent to the background map image. As described above, each thumbnail image data is arranged according to the position of the corresponding image data 12c. The background map image data is image data associated with position information, and each thumbnail image and identification image can be arranged on the background map. In the example of FIG. 6, since “Japan” and “Mountain” are designated as the search keywords 1 and 2, thumbnail images indicating mountain photographs are arranged on the map of Japan. By registering the position information where the image data 12c of the photograph is captured in the GDB 12e, the capture position of each thumbnail image can be easily grasped on the map.

  Furthermore, since the thumbnail image has a size corresponding to the number of downloads, the thumbnail image corresponding to the popular image data 12c can be displayed prominently. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, since thumbnail images are arranged according to the number of downloads, the outline of the image data 12c can be confirmed in order of popularity. In the present embodiment, the number of downloads is applied as an index for evaluating the popularity of the image data 12c, but the number of search hits can also be applied. In any mode of index print data IPD, four identification images corresponding to the print paper size (A4 or L version) and the number of prints (1 or 2) are arranged adjacent to one thumbnail image. In the identification image, characters indicating the printing paper size and the number of printed sheets are written together so that the user can visually recognize them. The index print data IPD created as described above is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 that transmitted the search request in step S027. In step S03, the data registration unit SP3 additionally stores information on the index print data IPD transmitted in step S027 in the MDB 12d.

  FIG. 10 shows information recorded in the MDB 12d. The MDB 12d is a table that stores the unique number of the index print data IPD, the authorized terminal specified in the search request (step C01), the billing destination, the limited number of sheets, and the number of printed sheets for each index print data IPD. . In the above example, when the print data PD having the unique number “01234” is the index print data IPD, the same mobile phone ID “XXXXX” is used as the target terminal that is permitted to download and the billing destination that performs billing. It is remembered. For the index print data IPD, “unlimited” is stored as the limit number designation. At the time immediately after transmission, the number of printed pages is stored as “0”.

  On the other hand, the index print data IPD transmitted in step S027 is received by the preliminary download unit CP2 of the mobile phone 50 in step C02. Next, in order to cause the printer 30 to print the received index print data IPD, the status request unit CP4 requests status information from the printer 30 in step C03. In step P01, the request receiving unit PP3 of the printer 30 receives a status request from the infrared communication unit PP1. In step P02, the status acquisition unit PP4 inquires the status information from each of the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a via the system bus and collects the status information. In step P03, the status file generation unit PP5 acquires the status information collected by the status acquisition unit PP4 and converts the status information into an electronic file that can be transmitted by the infrared communication unit PP1.

  This electronic file is stored in the RAM 31c as a status file SF. For example, each status information is described as text in a file in the TXT format, HTML format, XML format or the like. In step P04, the status transmission unit PP6 acquires the status file SF from the RAM 31c and transmits the status file SF to the mobile phone 50 via the infrared communication unit PP1.

  When the cellular phone 50 receives the status file SF via the infrared communication unit CP3 in step C04 and confirms that there is no problem with the status, the print data transmission unit CP5 previously downloaded from the server 10 in step C05. The index print data IPD is transmitted to the printer 30. When the printer 30 receives the index print data IPD (step P05), in step P06, the print execution unit PP2 performs layout processing / rendering processing / color conversion processing / halftone processing / microweave processing based on the index print data IPD. Are sequentially executed to output a drive signal corresponding to the print image to each of the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a. The print execution unit PP2 appropriately obtains status information from the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a, and the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, The control of 37a is executed. Thus, the printing process of the index print data IPD is completed, and the user can print an index sheet as shown in FIG.

(2-2) Printing and Billing FIG. 11 shows the flow of printing and billing processing. In the figure, in step C11, the camera 59 of the mobile phone 50 captures any identification image (barcode) on the index sheet. As described above, thumbnail images that match the user's search are printed on the index sheet, and the user can select a thumbnail image that the user desires to print. Four identification images corresponding to each combination of the print paper size (A4 or L version) and the number of prints (1 or 2) are displayed adjacent to each thumbnail image, and the user selects the desired print paper size and number of prints. It is possible to do. Therefore, the user selects a thumbnail image desired by the user, an identification image indicating the print paper size, and the number of prints, and the camera 59 captures only the identification image within the viewing angle. For example, in this embodiment,
01234, \ ABCD \ EFGH. jpg, L version, 1
The following description will be made on the assumption that an identification image in which a character string indicating is encoded has been captured.

  In step C12, the download unit CP2b acquires image data captured by the camera 59, detects an identification image from the image data, and decodes the identification image. As a result, the thumbnail image is printed on the index sheet with the unique number “01234”, stored in the path “¥ ABCD” of the server 10, and the image data 12c with the file name “¥ EFGH.jpg” is converted into the “L version”. This download unit CP2b can recognize that it desires to print “one sheet” on the printing paper. In step C13, the download unit CP2b transmits a download request for the image data 12c desired by the user to the server 10 via the wireless I / F 53. In this download request, the unique number “01234” of the index print data IPD described above, the identification information “¥ ABCD ¥ EFGH.jpg” of the image data 12 c, the print paper size “L”, and the desired number of prints “1”. The mobile phone ID (user name) of the mobile phone 50 that captured the identification image is also transmitted.

  The print data distribution unit SP4 of the server 10 receives the download request transmitted from the mobile phone 50 in step S11, and determines whether or not the download request can be satisfied in the subsequent step S12. In this determination, first, the unique number “01234” of the index print data IPD included in the download request is acquired, the unique number is searched in the MDB 12d, and the stored authorized terminal associated with the unique number is charged. Get the destination, limit number, and number of printed pages. In step S13, it is determined whether or not the authorized terminal acquired from the MDB 12d matches the mobile phone ID (user name) included in the download request. Thus, by determining whether or not the mobile phone ID of the mobile phone 50 that has made the download request matches the permitted terminal stored in association with the index sheet, an unintended download request from the mobile phone 50 Can be refused.

  In the present embodiment, since “XXXXX” is specified as the mobile phone ID (user name) specified as the permitted terminal in the search request (step C01), the download request is the mobile phone ID “O”. It is determined whether or not the mobile phone 50 has “XXXX”. In this embodiment, since the mobile phone 50 that has made the search request and the mobile phone 50 designated as the permitted terminal have the same mobile phone ID “XXXXX”, the search request and the download request are the same. It is determined whether or not it is made by the other mobile phone 50. If a user name other than the mobile phone 50 that performs the search request is specified as the mobile phone ID of the permitted terminal in the search request (step C01), the mobile phone is included in the download request by the mobile phone 50 of another user. It will be determined that the IDs match. By doing so, for example, an index sheet can be given to an acquaintance, and the acquaintance can be permitted to download the print data PD. Therefore, it is possible to distribute recommended index sheets and share their preferences with other people. If the mobile phone IDs do not match, the process ends with an error because there is an illegal download request.

  If the mobile phone IDs match, it is determined in step S14 whether or not the number obtained by subtracting the number of printed sheets from the limited number of sheets acquired from the MDB 12d is equal to or larger than the desired number of prints included in the download request. If the number obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages from the limit number is smaller than the desired number of prints included in the download request, the download request is not accepted and the process ends in error. In this embodiment, since the limit number is designated as “unlimited” in the search request (step C01), the number obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages from the limit number is always greater than or equal to the desired print number included in the download request. It becomes. In the search request (step C01) of the present embodiment, the mobile phone 50 designated as the permitted terminal and the billing destination user are designated as the same mobile phone ID (user ID) “XXXXX”, The person who downloads is charged.

  Therefore, there is no problem even if the limit number is “unlimited”. However, as described above, there is a case where the mobile phone 50 specified as the permitted terminal and the billing user are specified as different mobile phone IDs (user IDs). Since it is conceivable that an amount unintended by the person to be charged is downloaded, it is necessary to limit the number of printable sheets by the limit number. For example, when an index sheet in which a mobile phone ID (user ID) is specified as a recommended billing destination is given to an acquaintance, downloading can be permitted to the acquaintance's mobile phone 50 by an intended number.

  If the number obtained by subtracting the number of printed pages from the limit number is equal to or greater than the desired number of prints, the image data 12c is retrieved from the HDD 12 based on the identification information “¥ ABCD ¥ EFGH.jpg” included in the download request in step S15. The print data PD including the specified image data 12c is generated. The print data PD includes the image data 12c specified by the identification information, and information specifying the print paper size and the number of prints is attached to the printer 30. Here, the print paper size “L” and the desired number of prints “1” included in the download request of the present embodiment are designated by the print data PD. More specifically, the size of the image data 12c is converted so that it can be printed in the “L version”, and the image data 12c whose size has been converted by the desired number of prints “1” is incorporated into the print data PD, thereby specifying these Is reflected in the print data PD. Further, the unique number of the index print data IPD included in the download request for the print data PD is attached.

  In step S16, the print data PD created by the print data distribution unit SP4 is transmitted to the mobile phone 50. In response to this, in step C14, the main download unit CP2b of the mobile phone 50 receives the print data PD. In step C15, status information is requested to the printer 30 as in step C03 described above. Then, the printer 30 generates and transmits the status file SF in steps P11 to P14 as in the above-described steps P01 to P04. When the print data transmission unit CP5 of the mobile phone 50 receives the status file SF (step C16) and confirms that there is no problem in the status information indicated by the status file SF, the print data PD is transmitted to the printer by infrared communication in step C17. 30.

  When the printer 30 receives the print data PD (step P15), in step P16, the print execution unit PP2 performs layout processing / rendering processing / color conversion processing / half based on the print data PD in the same manner as the printing of the index sheet described above. Tone processing / microweave processing is sequentially executed to output a drive signal corresponding to the print image to each of the units 31, 32, 33, 34, 35a, 36a, and 37a. The print processing of the print data PD is completed as described above, and the print conditions (print paper size and desired print number) indicated by the identification image corresponding to the thumbnail image adjacent to the identification image captured by the user with the camera 59 are displayed. Can be printed by. When the printing of the print data PD is completed, the status file generation unit PP5 of the printer 30 creates a status file SF indicating that the printing has been successfully completed (step P17), and transmits the status file SF to the mobile phone 50 by infrared communication. .

  In the mobile phone 50, the charging request unit CP6 receives the status file SF in step C18, and in response to this, transmits a charging request to the server 10 in step C19. In this billing request, the unique number of the index print data IPD attached to the print data PD that has been printed is attached. The billing unit SP5 of the server 10 receives the billing request in step S17, and the unique number of the index print data IPD attached to the print data PD that is the subject of the billing request (“01234” in the present embodiment). Is acquired (step S18). Then, in step S19, the unique number is searched in the MDB 12d, a charge is generated for the stored billing destination associated with the unique number, and billing is performed. In this embodiment, since the mobile phone 50 that has made the search request, the permitted terminal, and the billing destination are specified as the same mobile phone ID, the user of the downloaded mobile phone 50 is charged.

  Further, since the print data PD for “one L plate” has been distributed, a charge corresponding to one L plate is recorded. On the other hand, when the permitted terminal and the billing destination are registered in the MDB 12d as having different mobile phone IDs, billing is performed on different billing destinations. Further, in step S20, the number of printed sheets associated with the unique number of the index print data IPD charged in the MDB 12d is added in accordance with the charged number of printed sheets. In this embodiment, since one sheet is printed, the number of printed sheets is incremented by one. Thereby, the number of downloadable pages for each index print data IPD in the MDB 12d can be managed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can select what he / she wants to print while viewing the thumbnail image printed on the index sheet based on the index print data IPD. The user does not have to select a print (purchase) target by the thumbnail image displayed on the small liquid crystal display 55 of the mobile phone 50, and the desired print target can be reliably selected. When the user captures the identification image arranged adjacent to the desired thumbnail image with the camera 59 of the mobile phone 50, the identification image is decoded and the identification information of the image data 12c corresponding to the thumbnail image is acquired. . Then, a download request including the identification information is made to the server 10, and print data PD in which image data 12 c desired by the user is incorporated is downloaded to the mobile phone 50 and printed by the printer 30.

(3) Modified Example In the above description, the server 10 has created the index print data IPD including the identification image data in response to the search request. However, the index print data IPD is created by the mobile phone 50 or the printer 30. It is also possible. In general, creating index print data IPD in the server 10 whose processing capability is superior to that of the mobile phone 50 or the printer 30 has an advantage in processing efficiency. On the other hand, by creating an identification image in the printer 30, information unique to the printer 30 can be added to the identification image. For example, in the above embodiment, the server 10 generates an identification image that can specify the print paper size (A4 or L version). However, depending on the specifications of the printer 30, only the L version may be printed. Therefore, when the printer 30 generates an identification image, it is possible to determine its own specification and generate an identification image that can be specified only by the L version (no identification image specifying A4 is generated). As a result, it is possible to prevent downloading of A4 size print data PD that cannot actually be printed.

  In the above embodiment, the index print data IPD is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 that has made a search request. However, the index print data IPD may be distributed to mobile phones other than the mobile phone 50 that has made the search request. For example, the index print data IPD may be distributed to the authorized terminal specified in the search request. In this case, the index print data IPD is transmitted to the mobile phone 50 that is different from the mobile phone 50 that has made the search request, but the index based on the index print data IPD by the printer 30 connected to the mobile phone 50. The sheet can be printed and an identification image can be taken by the camera 59 of the mobile phone 50. Since the mobile phone 50 is designated as a permitted terminal, it can be downloaded. In this way, the index print data IPD can be distributed to a partner who permits download even if the user who has made the search request does not print and hand over the index sheet. In the above embodiment, the billing destination and the print limit number stored in the MDB 12d in the server 20 are acquired based on the identification image of the index sheet. Information may be recorded. In this case, by reading the index sheet, it is possible to directly obtain information such as the billing destination and the print limit number of sheets, and the data amount of the MDB 12d can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram of a print billing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of a content server. It is a block diagram of a printer. It is a block diagram of a mobile phone. It is a flowchart of an index sheet printing process. It is a figure which shows the search request | requirement and UI screen which instruct | indicates it. It is a figure which shows an image database (GDB). It is a flowchart of an index print data creation transmission process. It is a figure which shows an index sheet. It is a figure which shows a management database (MDB). It is a flowchart of a printing and charging process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Content server, 11 ... Control part, 11a ... CPU, 11b ... ROM, 11c ... RAM, 12 ... HDD, 12a ... OS, 12b ... Program data, 12c ... Image data, 12d ... MDB, 12e ... GDB, 30 ... Printer 31... Control section 31 a CPU 31 b ROM 31 c RAM 32 Operation section 33 Infrared I / F 34 Nonvolatile memory 35 a Control circuit 35 b Ink cartridge 35 c Printing Head unit, 36b ... head drive unit, 37a ... I / F, 37b ... carriage mechanism, 37c ... paper feed mechanism, 50 ... mobile phone, 51 ... control unit, 51a ... CPU, 51b ... ROM, 51c ... RAM, 52 ... Memory, 53 ... Wireless I / F, 54 ... Infrared I / F, 55 ... Liquid crystal display, 56 ... Operation unit, 57 ... S , 58 ... microphone, 59 ... camera, At ... antenna, CP ... print relay program, CP1 ... search request part, CP2 ... download part, CP2a ... preliminary download part, CP2b ... main download part, CP3 ... infrared communication part, CP4 ... Status request part, CP5 ... Print data transmission part, CP6 ... Billing request part, G ... Gateway, In ... Internet, PP ... Control program, PP1 ... Infrared communication part, PP2 ... Print execution part, PP3 ... Request acceptance part, PP4 ... Status acquisition unit, PP5 ... Status file generation unit, PP6 ... Status transmission unit, SP ... Print charging program, SP1 ... Search unit, SP1 ... Print data distribution unit, SP2 ... Index print data creation unit, SP3 ... Data registration unit , SP4 ... print data distribution unit, SP5 ... billing unit.

Claims (8)

In a download device that downloads image data from an external device connected via a predetermined communication line,
Thumbnail data obtained by reducing a plurality of image data as download candidates from the external device, and preliminary download means for downloading identification information necessary for downloading the image data from the external device;
Output means for outputting print data for printing an index sheet in which a thumbnail image indicated by the thumbnail data and an identification image obtained by imaging the identification information are arranged in association with each other to a printing apparatus;
A restoration unit that captures the identification image associated with the thumbnail image selected as a download target in the index sheet and restores the identification information;
A download device comprising: download means for downloading the image data from the external device based on the restored identification information.   The preliminary downloading means causes the external device to search the image data based on a search condition received from a user, and downloads a plurality of the thumbnail data and the identification information of the download candidates according to the search result. The download device according to claim 1.   3. The download apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit varies the size of the thumbnail image in the index sheet according to the search result.   The download apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a billing destination for a fee generated when the download unit downloads the image data is specified based on the identification information.   The download device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an amount of download permitted when the download unit downloads the image data is specified based on the identification information.   The download according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the download device that is permitted to download when the download means downloads the image data is specified based on the identification information. apparatus.   The download device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a printing unit that outputs the image data received by the download unit so as to be printed by the printing device. In a download program for causing a computer to execute a function of downloading image data from an external device connected via a predetermined communication line,
Thumbnail data obtained by reducing a plurality of image data to be downloaded from the external device, and a preliminary download function for downloading identification information necessary for downloading the image data from the external device;
An output function for outputting, to a printing apparatus, print data for printing an index sheet in which a thumbnail image indicated by the thumbnail data and an identification image obtained by imaging the identification information are arranged in association with each other;
A restoration function for capturing the identification image associated with the thumbnail image selected as a download target in the index sheet and restoring the identification information;
A download program for causing a computer to execute a download function for downloading the image data from the external device based on the restored identification information.

Images