JP2009037631A - Information storage server and system environment notification method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information storage server and a system environment notification method which raise satisfaction of system utilization of a user and perform increase of system efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: A print network system of the present invention has: a system state measurement means; a utilization state management means for storing a system state by the system state measurement means and its system state history, storing and managing a system utilization state by every user and its system utilization state history; a system state prediction means for performing statistical processing based on the system utilization state history and the system state history of the user in a registration instruction from the user to predict system environment under which the user can comfortably perform a call instruction of file information; and a notification means in the print network system in which an information storage server which registers and stores the file information to be printed, which is instructed by the user transmits the file information by an instruction from the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information storage server and a system environment notification method. For example, the information storage server stores file information instructed by a user or a related party, and the user can call an information call communication terminal (for example, a multimedia kiosk) even from the outside. The present invention can be applied to a print network system that prints file information stored in an information storage server using a terminal (MMK).

  In recent years, there are services using various Webs that provide information on servers on a network in response to requests from users. In such services using Webs, user satisfaction levels depend on user usage. In order to satisfy the requirements, there are various techniques for changing the information to be provided. Patent Documents 1 and 2 below are examples of such technology.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for setting an appropriate amount corresponding to a request for a user who requests a plurality of service provisions.

  Patent Document 2 describes a technique for appropriately setting a content protection level, a service level, and a price even for a user who illegally uses digital content.

JP 2000-181964 A JP 2002-297929 A

  However, in a print network system in which file information that is acquired and printed by a user or a related party using an information call communication terminal (for example, an MMK terminal) from an outside location is stored in an information storage server on the network, the user uses it. Depending on the network performance status such as the communication speed, usage time, number of access lines to the information storage server, and the system resource status of the information storage server, the service that satisfies the user will be provided. There is a risk that it will not be received.

  On the other hand, if the total storage capacity of the information storage server is sufficient or the system usage rate is low, it may be possible to provide a higher service level to the user. Encouraging the user to use in such a case and using it also increases the utilization efficiency of the entire system.

  Therefore, the present invention comprehensively manages the system status history and the usage status history for each user in consideration of the utilization efficiency of the entire system, and based on the history management, the file information comfortable for the user is managed. There is a need for an information storage server and a system environment notification method that can notify a system environment that can be called.

  In order to solve this problem, the information storage server according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured so that the information storage server that registers and stores the file information to be printed instructed by the user stores the file information in response to a call instruction from the user. In the print network system to be transmitted, (1) system status measuring means for measuring the system status; (2) system status by the system status measuring means and the system status history obtained by collecting the history are stored; Usage status management means for storing and managing a system usage status history in which usage status and its history are aggregated; and (3) when the user instructs to register file information, the system usage status history and system status history of the user Statistical processing is performed based on the file system so that the user can comfortably issue file information call instructions. And system status prediction means for predicting the beam environment, and having a notifying means for notifying the prediction result of the predicted system environment (4) system predicting means to the communication terminal of the user.

  A system environment notification method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a system environment notification method for an information storage server that registers and stores file information to be printed instructed by a user and transmits file information in response to a call instruction from the user. The storage server includes a system status measurement unit, a usage status management unit, a system status prediction unit, and a notification unit. (1) A system status measurement step in which the system status measurement unit measures the system status; ) The usage status management means stores the system status by the system status measurement means and the system status history obtained by collecting the history, and stores and manages the system usage status for each user and the system usage history obtained by collecting the history. (3) When the system status prediction means instructs the registration of file information from the user A system status prediction step for performing a statistical process based on the system usage history and the system status history of the user and predicting a system environment in which the user can comfortably acquire and print file information; and (4) notification The means includes a notification step of notifying the communication terminal of the user of the prediction result of the system environment predicted by the system prediction means.

  According to the information storage server and the system environment notification method of the present invention, the system status at the time of printing can be predicted at the time of registration instruction based on the history of the system status and the usage status of the user. In consideration of the above, it is possible to notify the user of a system environment in which comfortable file information can be called.

(A) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information storage server and a system environment notification method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a print network in which a user or a related party registers (stores) file information for calling and printing using an information call communication terminal (for example, an MMK terminal) in an information storage server even when the user is away from home. This is a print network system that can be applied to a system, and can predict the system environment at the time of printing for each user at the time of file information registration instruction, and can change the user's contract service level according to the system environment It is about.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a print network system according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print network system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information storage server 2, an information registration communication terminal 3, and an information call communication terminal 4 that can be connected to a network 5.

  In FIG. 1, the elements 2 to 4 are shown as being connected via the same network 5, but the network related to the connection between the two elements differs depending on the combination of the two elements. It may be. In FIG. 1, each of the elements 2 to 4 is shown one by one, but a plurality of elements may be present.

  The information registration communication terminal 3 corresponds to a communication terminal operated by a user. As the information registration communication terminal 3, for example, a user's personal computer or a mobile terminal having a browser function can be applied. The information registration communication terminal 3 instructs the information storage server 2 to register (store instruction) file information (also referred to as print information) to be printed by the information call communication terminal 4.

  Here, the file information stored in the information storage server 2 may be information instructed by the user from the information registration communication terminal 3 or managed by a content providing server (not shown) connectable to the network 5. It may be content information. When storing the content information of the content providing server, the information registration communication terminal 3 may access the content providing server and give it to the information storing server 2 by the user.

  The information storage server 2 stores file information instructed for registration from the information registration communication terminal 3 in a storage area allocated for each user. Further, the information storage server 2 transmits stored file information to the information call communication terminal 4 in response to a call instruction from the information call communication terminal 4.

  The information storage server 2 also includes a network performance monitor, a system resource status monitor of the information storage server 2, a user usage history management, a system status prediction that predicts a system status at the time of printing when a user instructs registration, The service is used to change the service level for the user according to the situation and the user's usage history, billing management for each user, management of the usage status of each user, and the like.

  The information call communication terminal 4 corresponds to, for example, an MMK terminal installed in a convenience store, a station, a hotel, or the like, and controls the printer device 5 to obtain file information (print information) acquired via the network as a printer device. 5 for printing. The information calling communication terminal 4 may be included in the printer device 6 as a function in the printer device 5. One information call communication terminal 4 may control a plurality of printer devices 5.

  The printer device 5 is a printer installed in a convenience store or a station, or a device having a printing function (FAX, copier, multifunction device, etc.), and receives file information (printing) under the control of the information calling communication terminal 4. Information).

  Next, the internal configuration of the information storage server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the information storage server 2 includes a control unit 2a, a database 2b, and an information communication unit 2c that control the whole.

  The control unit 2a corresponds to, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, software executed by the CPU, and the like, and includes a user authentication processing function 2a1, a network performance monitoring function 2a2, a server performance monitoring function 2a3, and print execution for each user. A system status prediction function 2a4 related to system usage at the time, a user contract service level management function 2a5, and a user service management function 2a6.

  The authentication processing function 2a1 is a function for performing personal authentication processing and / or authentication processing related to calling file information based on the personal identification information and / or printing authentication information from the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4.

  The network performance monitoring function 2a2 is a function for monitoring the network status between the accessing information registration communication terminal 3 or the information calling communication terminal 4 and storing the monitored information in the database 2b as a history. The network performance monitoring function 2a2 monitors in real time during access.

  Here, the network performance refers to network communication performance between communication terminals related to access, and includes system resources on the side of the communication terminal to be accessed. For example, the network performance includes the speed of the connection line to which the information call communication terminal 4 is connected, the use time, the number of access connection lines to the system at the use time, the CPU utilization rate of the information call communication terminal 4, the information call communication terminal 4 The remaining storage capacity of the temporary storage unit, the status of whether or not the information calling communication terminal 4 is operating another application, and the like.

  The network performance measurement method by the network performance monitoring function 2a2 is based on the existing technology.

  The server performance monitoring function 2a3 monitors the CPU usage rate of the information storage server 2, the remaining storage capacity of the entire storage area, the storage remaining capacity of the individual storage area assigned to each user, and the monitored information as a history database. This is a function to be stored in 2b. The server performance monitoring function 2a3 monitors in real time during access.

  The network performance monitoring function 2a2 and the server performance monitoring function 2a3 may be periodically monitored by the administrator of the information storage server 2 at predetermined intervals.

  The system status prediction function 2a4 is a function that predicts the system status at the time of printing for each user when a registration instruction is issued from the information registration communication terminal 3. The system status prediction function 2a4 allows the user to comfortably read file information based on the user's past usage history and the system status of the entire system (system status obtained from the network performance, server performance, etc., statistically and averagely). It is a function that determines and predicts the system environment in which acquisition and printing can be performed.

  The user contract service level management function 2a5 is a function for managing a contract service level provided to a user based on a contract with the user.

  The user usage service management function 2a6 is based on the user's past usage history and / or system status at the time of printing execution, and a predetermined rule (matching rule) stored in the database 2b. This is a function for determining the service level used. The use service management function 2a6 can change the contract service level of the user to a use service level equal to or higher than the contract service level based on the matching rule, but maintains the contract service level to be the minimum guaranteed service level.

  The database 2b corresponds to, for example, an external storage device and stores file information designated by the information registration communication terminal 3 for each user. The database 2b stores various information in addition to file information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the database 2b includes a personal information database 2b1 that stores personal information of each user, a system state history database 2b2 that stores monitoring history information of the system status monitored by the control unit 2a, and usage of each user. User usage history database 2b3 for storing status histories, contract service database 2b4 for storing service levels according to contracts with each user, and matching rule database for storing predetermined rules for determining the service level used for printing for each user 2b5, and a usage service database 2b6 that stores usage services at the time of printing set based on the matching rules.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of information managed by the personal information database 2b1. The personal information database 2b1 includes personal identification information, a password, a user name / address, an e-mail address, printing authentication information, and the like. The personal identification information is information set for the information storage server 2 side to identify from other users. The password is uniquely determined by each user. The print authentication information is authentication information (print ID information) determined by the information storage server 2 when the file information is called.

  5 and 6 are tables of information examples managed by the system state history database 2b2. The system state history database 2b2 stores information monitored by the server performance monitoring function 2a3. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU usage rate of the information storage server 2, the total remaining storage capacity, the individual storage remaining capacity of each user, and the like Remember. The system state history database 2b2 stores information monitored by the network performance monitoring function 2a2, and as shown in FIG. 6, the usage terminal, the CPU usage rate of the usage terminal, the temporary storage remaining capacity of the usage terminal, and other applications The operation status, the connection line speed of the user terminal, the number of simultaneous connection lines at the time of access, the use time, etc. are stored.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of information managed by the user usage history database 2b3. The usage history database 2b3 stores the history for each user, and is associated with the personal identification information. The usage count, the usage terminal used for the call instruction, the image type of the file information, the payment conditions for the usage fee (for example, withdrawal, credit) , Etc.), the usage fee payment arrears information, usage time zone, usage total amount, usage terminal connection line speed, etc. are stored.

  FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of information managed by the contract service database 2b4. The contract service database 2b4 stores contract services for each user, and provides a storage format for storing file information, a storage period, a resolution level at the time of printing file information, a printing speed of file information, and a contract service. A usage fee, a storage capacity of a storage area for storing file information, and a compression level for compressing image data of the file information when the file information is transmitted via the network 6 are stored.

  FIG. 9 shows matching rules managed by the matching rule database 2b5. This matching rule is a rule for the information storage server 2 to use a measured system performance and usage history of each user as a rule application condition, and change a service that satisfies the condition to a service that is higher than the contract service. It is.

  FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of information managed by the usage service database 2b6. The usage service database 2b6 stores the usage service level determined by the usage service management function 2b6. Since the information example is the same as the information example of the contract service in FIG. 8, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The information communication unit 2c corresponds to, for example, a communication board, communication software, and the like, and executes communication with the information registration communication terminal 3 and the information call communication terminal 4.

  Next, the internal configuration of the information calling communication terminal 4 and the printer device 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information call communication terminal 4 is used as a distributed processing server, and has a control unit 4a that controls the whole as shown in FIG. The control unit 4a includes a network interface 4b connected to the network 5, an HDD (may be another storage device) 4c in which file information (print information) is appropriately stored, and one or more print devices 5 accommodated therein. Are connected to printer interfaces 4d-1, 4d-2, an operation display unit 4e, and the like that perform a communication interface via a SCSI bus (which may be a bus according to another protocol or the like).

  One or a plurality of printer devices 5 that can be accommodated by one information call communication terminal 4 may be accommodated. FIG. 3 shows a case where two printer devices are accommodated.

  In FIG. 3, the printer device 5 is shown as an example of a multifunction peripheral, but may be a pure copying machine, a FAX, or the like. The printer device 5 includes a control unit 5a that controls the whole. An automatic document feeder (ADF) 5b, a scanner unit 5c, a printer unit 5d, an operation panel 6e, an HDD 5f, and a controller interface 5g are connected to the control unit 5a.

  The automatic document feeder 5e and the scanner unit 5c are general ones as a copying machine.

  The printer unit 5e not only prints the current read image data by the scanning unit 5c, but also prints the image data (file information image data) given from the information call communication terminal 4.

  The operation panel unit 5e is used as a display input unit including a liquid crystal display unit with a built-in touch panel and a hard key such as a numeric keypad. Instructions for various operations and settings are input by the touch panel and the hard key, and a liquid crystal display is provided. An operation guide, an error content guide at the time of an error, and the like are displayed on the screen. In the case of this embodiment, instructions such as operations and settings for printing image data of file information are input, and operation guidance and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

  An operation for printing the file information may be performed on the operation display unit 4e of the information call communication terminal 4.

  The HDD 5f is an external storage device represented by a hard disk in which data to be used for printing is stored. In the case of this embodiment, image data of file information (print information) is also stored as appropriate. The image data of the file information is compressed and stored in the HDD 5f, or is compressed from the beginning and stored as it is in the HDD 5f, and the compressed image data is expanded and printed at the time of reading. Also good.

  The controller interface 6g is connected to the information calling communication terminal 4 via the SCSI bus, and exchanges image data of file information.

(A-2) Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the print network system of this embodiment will be specifically described. In the following, (1) the monitoring operation of the system status by the information storage server 2, and (2) the operation of predicting the system status at the time of printing of the information storage server 2 in the registration instruction from the information registration communication terminal 3 and the service used The case will be described separately for the confirmation operation and (3) the operation for confirming the service used when executing printing from the information call communication terminal 4.

(A-2-1) System Status Monitoring Operation FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the system status monitoring operation.

  The information storage server 2 monitors the system status in real time when accessed from the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4, and stores the monitoring result as history information in the system state history DB 2b2.

  When accessed from the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4, the information storage server 2 starts an operation for monitoring the system status (S1).

  The monitoring of the system status means that the network performance with the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 that has accessed and the server performance of the information storage server 2 are measured.

  First, the information storage server 2 measures the system resource status related to the network 6 connected to the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 and the system resource status on the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 side. (S2).

  The information storage server 2 includes a communication speed of a connection line to which the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 is connected, the number of simultaneous connection lines at that time, a CPU usage rate on the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 side, The remaining storage capacity of the temporary storage unit on the information registration communication terminal 3 or the information call communication terminal 4 side, the operating status of other applications used on the information call communication terminal 4 side, and the like are detected.

  This is detected based on, for example, information included in the communication signal with the communication terminal or communication time required for transmission / reception of the communication signal performed with the communication terminal.

  Next, the information storage server 2 measures the server performance of the information storage server 2 itself (S3).

  This is, for example, the CPU usage rate of the information storage server 2, the storage remaining capacity of the entire storage area of the information storage server 2, the storage remaining capacity of the individual storage areas allocated for each user, and the like.

  Based on the measured network performance measurement result and server performance measurement result, the information storage server 2 aggregates the conditions for determining the service to be used when the user executes the printing (S4).

  The information storage server 3 stores the system status history information in the database 2 as the system status history information, which is a condition for determining the aggregated usage service (S5), and the system status monitoring operation ends (S6).

  The history information of the stored system status is printed when a service instruction to be provided to the user at the time of printing is determined at the time of a registration instruction from the information registration communication terminal 3 to be described later or from the information call communication terminal 4 At the time of execution, the service level used is determined and used when executing the service.

  In addition, the information storage server 2 may store the monitored system status as overall information related to system usage, or store it for each user as an access usage mode for each user. Also good.

(A-2-2) Predicting operation of system status at the time of executing printing and determining operation of service level used FIG. 12 shows the predicting operation of the system status at the time of executing printing and the use service in the registration instruction from the information registration communication terminal 3. It is a sequence which shows the determination operation of a level.

  First, the information registration communication terminal 3 accesses the information storage server 2 by a predetermined operation of the user, and a file information registration instruction is given to the information storage server 2 (S101).

  At the time of registration instruction, authentication information (for example, predetermined information such as personal identification information and a password) input by the user is given from the information registration communication terminal 3 to the information storage server 2 (S102).

  When receiving the authentication information from the information registration communication terminal 3, the information storage server 2 performs an authentication process based on the received authentication information and the personal information stored in the personal information DB 2b1 stored in the database 2b. (S103). Although not shown in FIG. 12, when the authentication is NG, the information registration communication terminal 3 is notified of this, or the electronic mail address of the user registered in advance is acquired from the personal information DB 2b1, and the electronic You may make it transmit the electronic mail which attached the mail address to the transmission destination.

  When the user's personal authentication is OK, the file information instructed from the information registration communication terminal 3 functions to be stored in the storage area assigned to the user. Although the file information storage function is not shown, for example, the file information instructed from the information registration communication terminal 3 is acquired directly from the information registration communication terminal 3 and stored in the database 2b, or the instructed file information Is accessed and acquired based on the URL of an information providing server (not shown) on the network and stored in the database 2b. Note that the capacity of the file information storage area may be assigned at the time of contract with the user, or the storage capacity may be increased or decreased according to the contract.

  The information storage server 2 acquires the system status history from the system status history DB 2b2 (S104). This system status includes the current system status (for example, the number of connection lines to the system, the number of connection lines for each time zone, the CPU utilization rate of the information call communication terminal 4 accessed in the past, the remaining storage capacity of the temporary storage unit, etc. Network performance, etc.), and statistical and averaged system status for each time zone.

  After acquiring the system status, the information storage server 2 acquires the user usage history from the user usage history DB 2b3, compares the user usage history with the system status acquired in S104, and executes the user print execution. The system status at the time is predicted (S104).

  The prediction of the system status at the time of printing is, for example, based on the user's usage history, statistically determining the usage time zone that the user often uses at the time of printing execution, and the connection line to the system in that usage time zone Predict the system environment such as the number, for example, statistically determine the information call communication terminal 4 frequently used by the user, and predict the system environment such as the communication speed of the connection line to which the information call communication terminal 4 is connected .

  Although not shown in FIG. 12, the predicted result of the system status at the time of execution of printing predicted by the information storage server 2 is notified to the information registration communication terminal 3 or the registered e-mail address by e-mail. Also good.

  In this case, the information storage server 2 may notify information that can make the system use more smoothly. That is, based on the predicted system status at the time of printing, the information storage server 2 stores the information on the information call communication terminal 4 connected to the time zone in which the number of simultaneous connection lines to the system is small or higher speed connection lines. The user may be prompted to use the system. For example, in the information storage server 2, the higher-speed information call communication device 4 installed near the installation position of the information call communication terminal 4 frequently used by the user based on the predicted system situation at the time of printing is installed. It may be notified that the position is determined and the user is prompted to use the high-speed information call communication device 4.

  After predicting the system status in the call instruction, the information storage server 2 acquires the user's contract service level from the user's contract service DB 2b4 (S106).

  When the information storage server 2 obtains the contract service level of the user, the information storage server 2 determines whether the condition of the matching rule is satisfied from the predicted system status at the time of printing and the usage history of the user (S107), and the matching rule If the above condition is satisfied, the service level used at the time of printing by the user is determined according to the rule (S108). Further, the information storage server 2 may change the service level used based not only on the predicted system status of the call instruction but also on the past history of the system status.

  The service level used is not changed to a service level lower than the contract service level set at the time of contract.

  The change of the user service level according to the matching rule will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 9, “rule condition” indicates a condition for changing the service to be used, and “result” indicates contents to be changed when the rule condition is satisfied. The rule condition “ALL” means that any state is acceptable.

  For example, a case where the rule “0001” of FIG. 9 is applied will be described. In this case, during normal times, the information storage server 2 registers the file information instructed to be stored in the individual storage area at a high resolution level. Here, the resolution level is the resolution of the image information of the file information at the time of printing, and a plurality of levels (for example, 600 bpi, 400 bpi, 200 bpi, etc.) are set in advance. In this example, the highest resolution level is 600 bpi. Register for storage.

  However, when the information storage server 2 determines that the individual storage remaining capacity at the time of the registration instruction is a predetermined threshold value “A or less” based on the system status at the time of printing acquired from the system state history DB 2b2 The information storage server 2 selects the matching rule “0001” in the matching rule DB 2b5, reduces the resolution level of the image information of the file information instructed by the user according to the matching rule “0001” (for example, 400 bpi) Register to keep information. Then, a use service having a content with a reduced resolution level is determined.

  In the present embodiment, the user is not notified that the service level has been changed to a usage service level different from the contract service level (that is, the user is not conscious). This is because even if a usage service level equal to or higher than the contract service level is set in the information storage server 2, the usage service level may not always be provided depending on the system status at the time of printing. For example, when the communication speed of the connection line of the information call communication terminal 4 to be used is low, if high resolution level image information is transmitted, the communication performance may be deteriorated and it may be difficult to guarantee the service level used. Of course, not limited to this, the user may be notified of the changed service level.

  Hereinafter, rules other than the rule “0001” will be briefly described, but the operation in which the information storage server 2 changes the use service level in association with the matching rule DB 2b5 is the same as that described above.

  Application of the rule “0002” indicates a case where the resolution level of the image information of the file information and the printing speed level at the time of printing are set to be high and registered when the usage fee of the user is not overdue. In this case, it is possible to set the monitoring period for the usage fee overdue, for example, 6 months, 1 year, etc., and monitor the overdue status within this monitoring period.

  Application of the rule “0003” is a case where the usage fee is set at a low price when the number of usages of the user is a predetermined number of times B or more, or the usage fee is set free once for every 100 usages, for example. Show.

  The application of the rule “0004” is to increase the storage capacity allocated to the user at the time of contract when the remaining storage capacity of the entire information storage server 2 is empty, and to allocate and store a storage capacity that is greater than that at the time of contract. The case of doing so is shown.

  The rule “0005” is applied when an information call communication terminal 4 or an area to be used by a user is specified in advance when a registration instruction is issued from the information registration communication terminal 3 and the specified information call communication terminal 4 is used. The case where the resolution level and the printing speed level are set high and registered is shown. This use area refers to the use of the information call communication terminal 4 installed within the area range. For example, the area can be set in units of prefectures, municipalities, or arbitrarily set by the administrator. Yes. Moreover, you may specify by the name of the franchised convenience store which has installed the information call communication terminal 4, or along the railway line.

  The rule “0006” is applied when, for example, the usage time such as a time zone with less system usage is limited, and when the usage time zone is used, the resolution level and the printing speed level are set to be high and registered. Indicates.

  As another rule not shown in FIG. 9, for example, the information call communication terminal 4 frequently used by the user is determined, and the network performance (connection line communication speed, CPU utilization rate, etc.) measured for the information call communication terminal 4 is determined. Overall, if the communication performance is low, it may be stored at a resolution level suitable for the communication performance, or may be stored at a high resolution level if the storage period is short.

  Further, based on the system resource status of the information calling communication terminal 4, the compression level of the image information of the file information to be exchanged may be changed according to the system resource. With respect to this compression level, the compression / decompression process places a high burden on the CPU, and the communication performance for communicating information with a high compression level is improved. Therefore, when the CPU utilization rate of the information call communication terminal 4 is high and the network performance is good (for example, when the communication speed of the connection line is high), the compression level is lowered and the load of the decompression process on the information call communication terminal 4 is reduced. If the CPU usage rate of the information call communication terminal 4 is low and the network performance is low, the information call communication terminal 4 may be transmitted with a higher compression level.

  Further, the information storage server 2 may set the use service level based on the system status at the time of printing predicted in S105. For example, when the information call communication terminal 3 frequently used by the user is specified, the measurement result of the network performance in a certain usage time zone is acquired from the system state history DB 2b2, and the network performance is comprehensively judged and the communication performance is high. If it is determined, it may be stored at a high resolution level.

  The contents of the matching rule are not limited to the above-mentioned rules, and other rules may be applied as long as the system status history and the user usage history are taken into account and the contract service of the user is maintained. It may be.

  Returning to FIG. 12, when the information storage server 2 determines the user service level based on the matching rule, the information storage server 2 creates a print image based on the service service (S109) and registers the created print image as information. It transmits to the communication terminal 3 (S110).

  The information registration communication terminal 3 that has received the print image from the information storage server 3 displays or prints the received print image, and the user confirms the print image (S111).

  Thereafter, a final registration instruction is given from the information registration communication terminal 3 to the information storage server 2 by the user, the usage service level is determined (S113), and registered in the usage service DB 2b6 (S114).

  Although the file information storage execution process instructed by the user is not shown, the file information is stored at the usage service level determined by the information storage server 2.

  In this storage execution process, for example, the information storage server 2 extracts the file information attached to the e-mail from the information registration communication terminal 3, and the storage area in which the information storage server 2 side determines the file information at the above-described use service level. Keep in. Then, the authentication information for printing for calling the file information stored in the storage area is notified to the user side.

(A-2-3) Confirmation Operation of Use Service at the Time of Printing FIG. 13 is a sequence showing operations until confirmation of the use service at the time of printing and printing of file information.

  By a predetermined operation by the user, a file information call instruction is issued from the information call communication terminal 4 to the information storage server 2 (S201).

  At this time, the print authentication information for calling the file information is input by the user, and the input print authentication information is given to the information storage server 2 (S202).

  This print authentication information is a print ID for retrieving file information stored by the user. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the storage information server 2 is registered when file information registration is completed at the time of registration instruction. To the information registration communication terminal 3. The authentication information for printing is stored in the personal information DB 2a1 in association with the personal identification information in the information storage server 2.

  Note that the authentication process for calling the file information is not limited to the print authentication information, and other authentication processes can be widely applied.

  When printing authentication information is given from the information call communication terminal 4, the information storage server 2 refers to the personal information DB 2b1 and performs authentication processing of the printing authentication information (S203). Although not shown in FIG. 13, in the case of authentication NG, the information call communication terminal 4 is notified to that effect, or an e-mail to that effect is notified by using a pre-registered e-mail address as a transmission destination. Is done.

  When the authentication process by the information storage server 2 is OK, the information storage server 2 acquires the current system status from the system status history DB 2b2 (S204).

  Further, the information storage server 2 acquires the file information use service determined at the time of registration instruction from the user use service DB 2b6 (S205).

  Whether or not the information storage server 2 can transmit the image information of the file information at the usage service level set at the time of the registration instruction under the current system status based on the acquired current system status and the user's usage service. Is determined (S206).

  Further, the information storage server 2 determines a use service that can be provided under the current system status (S207).

  For example, when storing at a high resolution level at the time of registration instruction, if it is determined that the network performance with the information call communication terminal 4 accessed by the information storage server 3 is lower than a predetermined value, the resolution level is lowered. May be.

  Even in this case, the use service level lower than the contract service level cannot be determined.

  The information storage server 2 determines a use service that can be provided under the current system status (S207), and the information storage server 2 creates an image for printing based on the use service (S208), and the created print The image for use is transmitted to the information calling communication terminal 4 (S209).

  The information calling communication terminal 4 that has received the print image from the information storage server 3 displays the received print image, and the user confirms the print image (S210).

  Thereafter, a final registration instruction is given from the information registration communication terminal 3 to the information storage server 2 by the user (S211), and the use service level is determined (S212).

  When the use service is confirmed in the information storage server 2, the image information of the file information based on the use service is transmitted to the information call communication terminal 4 (S213).

  When the file information is received from the information storage server 2 (S214), the printer device 5 prints the file information under the control of the information calling communication terminal 4 (S215).

(A-3) Effects of the Embodiment As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information storage server 2 includes the network performance history including the system resource status on the information call communication terminal 4 side or the information registration communication terminal 3 side, and information Since the server performance history of the storage server 2 is measured and stored, not only the real-time system status at the time of access but also the system status at the time of printing can be predicted according to the user's usage mode at the time of registration instruction. It is possible to improve the efficiency of the environment.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the information storage server 2 can set a usage service level that is equal to or higher than the user's contract service level based on the system state history and the user usage history. Satisfaction can be further increased.

(B) Other Embodiment (B-1) A modification of the above-described embodiment will be described. The information storage server 2 may notify the information calling communication terminal 4 of the usage service level managed in the information storage server 2 at the time of printing, and disclose the usage service level to the user side. In this case, the use service level may be selected by a user operation.

(B-2) The use service level at the time of registration instruction in FIG. 12 is determined after creating and transmitting a print image based on the use service level determined in S108 and after confirmation by the user (S109 to S112). As described above, the use service level may be determined without performing such processing.

(B-3) As described above, the matching rule is not limited to FIG. 9 and the description thereof, and may be used when printing is performed.

  For example, when the usage is within the usage time designated by the information storage server 2 side, the usage fee may be set at a low price, or may be set to be transmitted at a high resolution level.

  In this case, the information storage server 2 monitors the current system status, grasps the time of access from the information call communication terminal 4, and determines whether or not the time is the specified usage time. This can be achieved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a print network system 1 according to an embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the information storage server 2 which concerns on embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the information call communication terminal 4 and the printer device 5 which concern on embodiment. It is a management table of personal information DB2a1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a management table of system state history DB2a2 concerning an embodiment. It is a management table of system state history DB2a2 concerning an embodiment. It is a management table of utilization history DB2a3 which concerns on embodiment. It is a management table of contract service DB2a4 which concerns on embodiment. It is a management table of matching rule 2a5 concerning an embodiment. It is a management table of utilization service DB2a6 which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart of the system condition monitoring operation | movement which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation | movement change operation according to the prediction operation | movement of the system condition which concerns on embodiment, and system condition. 6 is an operation flowchart when executing printing according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... print network system, 2 ... information storage server,
3 ... Information registration communication terminal, 4 ... Information call communication terminal, 5 ... Printer device,
2a ... control unit, 2b ... database, 2a1 ... user authentication processing function,
2a2 ... Network performance monitoring function,
2a3 ... Server performance monitoring function,
2a4 ... System status prediction function, 2a5 ... Contract service level management function,
2a6 ... service management function, 2b1 ... personal information database,
2b2 ... System state history database, 2b3 ... Usage history database,
2b4 ... contract service database, 2b5 ... matching rule database,
2b6: Use service database.

Claims (10)

In an information storage server for registering and storing file information to be printed instructed by a user and transmitting the file information in response to a call instruction from the user,
System status measuring means for measuring the system status;
Usage status management means for storing the system status by the system status measurement means and the system status history obtained by collecting the history, and storing and managing the system usage status for each user and the system usage history obtained by collecting the history When,
A system that predicts a system environment in which a user can comfortably give an instruction to call file information by performing statistical processing based on the system usage history of the user and the system status history when registering the file information from the user Situation prediction means,
An information storage server comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a prediction result of the system environment predicted by the system prediction unit to the communication terminal of the user.   2. The information storage server according to claim 1, wherein the system status prediction means statistically calculates a use time zone that the user frequently uses as a time zone for the file information call instruction.   3. The information storage server according to claim 1, wherein the system status prediction means statistically determines communication terminals frequently used by the user for file information call instructions.   The system status predicting means predicts a time zone where the number of simultaneously connected lines is small, and the notifying means notifies the predicted time zone where the number of simultaneously connected lines is small to the user's communication terminal. The information storage server according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The system status predicting means predicts a communication terminal for instructing file information to be connected to a higher-speed connection line, and the notifying means of the file information to be connected to the predicted higher-speed connection line. 5. The information storage server according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal is notified to the communication terminal of the user for a call instruction. In a system environment notification method of an information storage server that registers and stores file information to be printed instructed by a user and transmits the file information in response to a call instruction from the user.
The information storage server includes a system status measurement unit, a usage status management unit, a system status prediction unit, and a notification unit,
A system status measuring step in which the system status measuring means measures the system status;
The usage status management means stores the system status obtained by the system status measurement means and the system status history obtained by collecting the history, and stores the system usage status for each user and the system usage history obtained by collecting the history. Use status management process to manage,
The system status prediction means performs statistical processing based on the user's system usage history and the system status history when the user instructs to register file information, and the user can comfortably acquire and print file information. A system status prediction process for predicting a system environment that can be performed;
And a notification step of notifying the communication terminal of the user of the prediction result of the system environment predicted by the system prediction unit.   7. The system environment notification method according to claim 6, wherein the system status prediction means includes a step of statistically determining a usage time zone that the user frequently uses as a time zone for the file information call instruction.   8. The system environment notifying method according to claim 6, wherein the system status predicting means includes a step of statistically determining a communication terminal frequently used by the user for a file information call instruction.   The system status predicting means has a step of predicting a time zone in which the number of simultaneously connected lines is small, and the notifying means notifies the user communication terminal of the predicted time zone in which the number of simultaneously connected lines is small The system environment notification method according to claim 6, wherein the system environment notification method is provided.   The system status prediction means includes a step of predicting a communication terminal for a file information call instruction to be connected to a higher-speed connection line, and the notification means connects to the predicted higher-speed connection line. The system environment notification method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of notifying the communication terminal of the user of the communication terminal for a call instruction.

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