JP2020017177A - Information processing device, server, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a communication load on a content server in a system for which an upper limit value of the output frequency of a content is set and in which an information processing device downloads a content and outputs it.SOLUTION: In a server 20 of an information processing system, storage means 21 stores an upper limit value of the output amount of a content for each store. Transmission means 22 transmits, to an information processing device, upper limit value information indicating the upper limit value for each store at a frequency less than a frequency at which the information processing device installed in the store outputs a content. Reception means 23 receives information indicating output results of a content by the information processing device. Aggregation means 24 aggregates the output records of a content from the information received by the reception means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, a server, and a program.

  Patent Document 1 describes a print system that can be applied to a case where a content server sets a printable period for each content and controls a printable period of a print accumulation job of each content distributed to a printer. .

JP 2008-134934 A

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the communication load of a content server in a system in which an upper limit of the number of times of content output is set, in which an information processing apparatus downloads content from a content server and outputs the content.

  The server according to claim 1 of the present invention has a storage unit that stores an upper limit value of an output amount of content for each store, and a frequency that is lower than a frequency at which an information processing device installed in the store outputs the content. A transmitting unit that transmits upper limit information indicating the upper limit value for each store to the information processing device, a receiving unit that receives, from the information processing device, information indicating a content output result of the information processing device, And a totaling means for totalizing the output results of the content from the information obtained.

  The server according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first aspect, wherein the transmitting unit transmits an information processing device installed in a pre-specified one of the stores to the information processing device. Transmitting the upper limit value information before accepting the content output request.

  The server according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the total value of the upper limit value for each store is not changed by using the totaling result by the totaling means. The information processing apparatus further includes a notification unit configured to change the upper limit of the information processing apparatus and notify the information processing apparatus of the changed upper limit.

  A server according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects, refers to a result storage unit in which a past output result of the content for each store is stored, and And a storage control unit that determines an upper limit value of the content to be allocated to each store from the output upper limit value determined for each content, and stores the determined upper limit value for each store in the storage unit. I do.

  The server according to claim 5 of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the content at a predetermined time interval or when the information processing device The upper limit value information is transmitted each time a predetermined number of times is output.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the fifth aspect, the transmitting means dynamically changes the time interval or the number of times according to a predetermined parameter.

  8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first transmitting unit transmits to the server an information acquisition request indicating an upper limit of the output amount of the content at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the information processing apparatus outputs the content. A storage unit that stores the upper limit value and the output result of the content in the own device; an output unit that outputs the content when the output result of the content for which the output instruction is received is less than the upper limit value; And a second transmitting means for transmitting information indicating the output result of the content by the own device to the server at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the device outputs the content.

  The information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 7, wherein the output unit is configured to store the information corresponding to the content whose output instruction has been received in the storage unit. The information is downloaded from the server.

  In the information processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the first transmission unit determines the content at a predetermined time interval or the output unit determines the content in advance. It is characterized in that the acquisition request is transmitted each time the data is output for a given number of times.

  The program according to claim 10 of the present invention provides a computer having a storage unit for storing an upper limit of the output amount of content for each store, the information processing device installed in the store having a frequency lower than the frequency of outputting the content. Transmitting, to the information processing device, upper limit value information indicating an upper limit value for each store at a frequency, receiving information indicating a content output result by the information processing device from the information processing device, And a step of totalizing the output results of the content from the obtained information.

  A program according to claim 11 of the present invention, wherein the computer transmits, to the server, a request to acquire information indicating an upper limit value of the output amount of the content to the server at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the device itself outputs the content, Storing the upper limit value and the output result of the content in the own device; outputting the content when the output result of the content for which the output instruction is received is less than the upper limit value; Transmitting the information indicating the actual output result of the content by the own device to the server at a frequency lower than the frequency of outputting the content.

According to the first and tenth aspects of the present invention, in a system in which the upper limit of the number of times of content output is set, in which the information processing apparatus downloads content from the content server and outputs the content, the communication load of the content server is reduced. It is reduced.
According to the invention according to claim 2, in a system in which the upper limit of the number of times of content output is set, in which the information processing apparatus downloads content from the content server and outputs the content, the communication load of the content server is reduced. You.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a user who desires to obtain the content from being unable to obtain the content without changing the entire output amount of the content.
According to the invention according to claim 4, it is possible to prevent a user who wants to obtain the content from being unable to obtain the content.
According to the invention according to claim 5, the communication load on the content server is reduced as compared with the case where the upper limit information is not transmitted every time the content is output a predetermined number of times.
According to the invention according to claim 6, in a system in which an upper limit value of the number of times of content output is set, in which the information processing apparatus downloads content from the content server and outputs the content, the communication load of the content server is reduced. You.
According to the invention according to claims 7 and 11, in the system in which the upper limit value of the number of times of output of the content is set, wherein the information processing apparatus downloads the content from the content server and outputs the content, the communication load of the content server is reduced. It is reduced.
According to the invention according to claim 8, in a system in which the upper limit of the number of times of content output is set, in which the information processing apparatus downloads content from the content server and outputs the content, the communication load of the content server is reduced. You.
According to the ninth aspect, the communication load on the content server is reduced as compared with the case where the upper limit information is not transmitted every time the content is output a predetermined number of times.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server 20. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus. The figure which illustrates the content of a content management table. The figure which illustrates the content of an upper limit management table. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation flow of the information processing system 1. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation flow of the information processing system 1. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation flow of the information processing system 1. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation flow of the information processing system 1.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a store 100A, a store 100B, a store 100C,... Are stores such as a convenience store. An image processing device 10A, an image processing device 10B, an image processing device 10C,... Are installed in the store 100A, the store 100B, the store 100C,. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, when it is not necessary to distinguish the store 100A, the store 100B, the store 100C,..., These are referred to as “store 100”. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the image processing devices 10A, 10B, 10C,..., These are referred to as “image processing devices 10”. A plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 may be installed in one store 100.

  The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 and a server 20. The image processing device 10 is installed in the store 100 and is shared by a plurality of users. The image processing apparatus 10 performs image processing such as an image forming process for forming an image on a medium such as paper and an image reading process for reading an image formed on a medium such as a document. The image processing apparatus 10 is connected to the server 20 via the communication line 2. The communication line 2 includes, for example, at least one of the Internet, a mobile communication network, a telephone line, a local area network (LAN), and the like.

  The server 20 provides a service (hereinafter, referred to as “net print service”) for printing and outputting contents such as a photo file and a document file by the image processing apparatus 10 installed in the store 100. In addition to the service of printing out the content prepared by the user (end user) with the image processing apparatus 10, the net printing service is a service in which a corporation sells and distributes content (score, map, bromide, etc.) for consumers. Is included. When content is sold and distributed, a user who desires to obtain content prepared by a corporation obtains identification information called a reservation number (for example, an 8-digit character string). The user causes the image processing apparatus 10 installed in the store 100 to input and output the obtained reservation number to print out the content.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server 20 according to the present embodiment. The server 20 includes a storage unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a reception unit 23, a tallying unit 24, a notification unit 25, a storage control unit 26, and a result storage unit 27. The storage unit 21 stores the upper limit value of the output amount of the content for each store. In this embodiment, the output amount indicates, for example, the number of times the content is output to the end user, the number of output, or the number of end users to be output. The transmission unit 22 transmits the upper limit information indicating the upper limit for each store to the image processing device 10 at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the image processing device 10 installed in the store outputs the content. The receiving unit 23 receives, from the image processing device 10, information indicating the content output results of the image processing device 10. The counting means 24 counts the output results of the content from the information received by the receiving means 23.

  The notifying unit 25 changes the upper limit for each store using the tallying result of the tallying unit 24 without changing the total value of the upper limit for each store, and sends the changed upper limit to the image processing apparatus 10. Notice. The storage control unit 26 refers to the result storage unit 27 in which the past output results of the content for each store are stored, and determines the content to be assigned to each store from the output result and the output upper limit value determined for each content. An upper limit value is determined, and the determined upper limit value for each store is stored in the storage unit.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 (an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention). The image processing apparatus 10 includes a first transmission unit 11, a storage unit 12, an output unit 13, and a second transmission unit 14. The first transmission unit 11 transmits to the server 20 a request to acquire information indicating the upper limit of the output amount of the content at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the device outputs the content. The storage unit 12 stores the upper limit value and the output result of the content in the own device. The output unit 13 outputs the content when the output result of the content for which the output instruction has been received is less than the upper limit. The second transmission unit 14 transmits information indicating the content output result of the own device to the server 20 at a frequency lower than the frequency at which the own device outputs the content.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server 20. The processor 201 is a processor that controls other elements of the server 20. The memory 202 is a storage device that functions as a work area for the processor 201 to execute a program, and includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 203 is a storage device that stores various programs and data, and includes, for example, a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The communication IF 204 communicates with other devices according to a predetermined wireless or wired communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Ethernet (registered trademark)).

  In this example, when the processor 201 executes a program stored in the memory 202 or the storage device 203, the functions illustrated in FIG. 2 are implemented. The processor 201 executing the program is an example of the transmitting unit 22, the receiving unit 23, the counting unit 24, the notifying unit 25, and the storage control unit 26. The memory 202 or the storage device 203 is an example of the storage unit 21 and the result storage unit 27.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. The processor 101 is a processor that controls other elements of the image processing device 10. The memory 102 is a storage device that functions as a work area for the processor 101 to execute a program, and includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 103 is a storage device that stores various programs and data, and includes, for example, a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The communication IF 104 communicates with another device according to a predetermined wireless or wired communication standard (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Ethernet (registered trademark)).

  The UI unit 105 includes, for example, a touch screen and keys. The UI unit 105 may be built in the image processing apparatus 10, or may be externally connected and externally connected. The image forming unit 106 forms an image on a medium such as paper by an electrophotographic method. The image reading unit 107 optically reads an image of a document (medium). The image processing unit 108 includes, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and executes various types of image processing. The paper supply unit 109 supplies a medium such as paper to the image forming unit 106.

  In this example, the functions illustrated in FIG. 3 are implemented by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102 or the storage device 103. The processor 101 executing the program is an example of the first transmission unit 11, the output unit 13, and the second transmission unit 14. The memory 102 or the storage device 103 is an example of the storage unit 12.

2. Operation Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

2-1. Content Registration Operation In the net print, a reservation number distributed free of charge (or paid) is used. This reservation number is associated with the content to be output. The content is registered in the server 20 by a content manager or the like. When the content is registered, the server 20 sets an output upper limit number for each store based on the printing results of other past content (for example, similar content) and registers the same in the content management table. Further, the server 20 sets an output upper limit number for each store, and registers the output upper limit number in the upper limit value management table. The content management table and the upper limit value management table are stored in the storage device 103.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the content management table. In this table, items of “reservation number”, “registered file”, and “printable number” are associated with each other. Among these items, the item of “reservation number” stores identification information assigned to each content. Information indicating a content name is stored in the item “registration file”. The item of “printable number” stores information indicating a content output upper limit set by a content manager or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the upper limit management table. The upper limit management table is an example of a storage unit that stores the upper limit of the content output amount for each store. In this table, items of “reservation number” and “store 1”, “store 2”,..., “Store other” are associated with each other. Among these items, the item of “reservation number” stores identification information assigned to each content. Each item of “Store 1”, “Store 2”,..., “Store other” has items of “Upper limit” and “Result”. The item of “upper limit” stores information indicating an upper limit value of the number of output times of the content allocated to the store. Information indicating the number of times of actual content output at the store is stored in the item of “Result”. In this embodiment, each store has an upper limit for the output of the content, and the output is permitted if the upper limit is not exceeded.

  For each of the stores 100 registered in the upper limit management table, a management file including information indicating the upper limit (hereinafter, referred to as “print upper limit number”) is created, and the image processing apparatus 10 installed in each store 100 stores the management file in advance. It is delivered at a set timing. On the other hand, a store that is expected to have a small number of output sheets based on past printing results is set to “Other” and is excluded from management file creation. The content is downloaded to the image processing apparatus 10 of the store classified as “other” every time the content is instructed by the user, and every time the content is downloaded, information indicating the print result is displayed. (Hereinafter referred to as “the number of actual prints”) is transmitted to the server 20.

2-2. Content Output Operation FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of a process performed by the information processing system 1. In this operation example, an operation in a case where a user obtains content using the image processing apparatus 10 installed in a store will be described. The process illustrated in FIG. 8 is executed with a trigger that the user issues a content output instruction using the UI unit 105 as a trigger. The content output instruction is performed, for example, when the user inputs a reservation number to the image processing apparatus 10.

  In step S102, the user uses the UI unit 105 of the image processing apparatus 10 to input a reservation number obtained in advance by the user. In step S103, the image processing apparatus 10 searches the storage device 103 of the image processing apparatus 10 for content corresponding to the input reservation number. If the corresponding content is stored in the storage device 103, the processing of steps S104 to S107 is skipped. On the other hand, when the corresponding content is not stored in the storage device 103, the image processing device 10 proceeds to the process of step S104.

  In step S104, the image processing device 10 inquires of the server 20 about the reservation number. In step S105, the server 20 searches for a content and a management file associated with the reservation number. In step S106, the server 20 transmits the searched contents and the management file to the image processing device 10. In step S107, the image processing device 10 stores the received content and the management file in the content management table.

  In step S108, the image processing apparatus 10 checks the maximum number of prints assigned to the store where the image processing apparatus 10 is installed. In step S109, the image processing apparatus 10 prints the content on a medium and outputs it. Thereby, the user obtains the content printed on the medium. In step S110, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 updates the actual number of prints included in the management file stored in the own apparatus according to the content of the print processing.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of a process performed by the information processing system 1. The processing in step S111 and the processing in step S113 shown in FIG. 9 are periodically executed at a predetermined timing (for example, every day at midnight, etc.).

  In step S <b> 111, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 transmits to the server 20 information (the number of actual prints) indicating the actual output of the content by the own apparatus. In step S112, the server 20 receives the actual number of prints from the image processing apparatus 10, totals the received actual number of prints for each store, and updates the upper limit number of prints. In this embodiment, the server 20 changes the print upper limit value for each store without changing the total value of the upper limit value for each store, using the aggregation result of the output results (the number of print results) of the content for each store. I do. Specifically, for example, the server 20 allocates the printable number reserved as a spare to a store with a small remaining printable number (below a predetermined threshold), or prints the printable number for each store. The print upper limit value of each store is updated so that there is no store where the printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value by increasing or decreasing the possible number.

  The image processing apparatus 10 storing the content and / or the management file in the storage device 103 of the own apparatus periodically performs the processing of step S113 at a predetermined timing (for example, every day at midnight, etc.). Execute. In step S113, the image processing apparatus 10 transmits a request for updating the management file stored in the image processing apparatus 10 to the server 20.

  In step S114, the server 20 transmits the management file or information indicating the update content of the management file to the image processing apparatus 10. In step S115, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 updates the upper limit number of the management file.

  The process of FIG. 8 is performed each time a user issues a content output instruction. That is, in the case of popular content, a plurality of users instruct the output of the content one after another, and the frequency of the output is increased. On the other hand, the update processing of the management file shown in FIG. 9 is periodically performed at a predetermined timing. In this embodiment, the server 20 transmits the management file to the image processing device 10 less frequently than the frequency at which the image processing device 10 outputs the content.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 searches the storage device 103 of the image processing apparatus 10 for the content associated with the reservation number, and downloads the content and the management file from the server 20 when the content is not searched. On the other hand, when the content is found, the image processing apparatus 10 performs a printing process using the content stored in the image processing apparatus 10 and then updates the management file at a predetermined timing. Further, the image processing apparatus 10 notifies / inquires the contents of the management file to the server at a predetermined timing (in a regular process). The server 20 tallies the number of print results for each store and updates the management file for each store.

  That is, in this embodiment, the management file and the content are distributed from the server 20 to the image processing device 10 at the time of the first search from the image processing device 10. After the first time, the management file is distributed periodically (for example, once every day at midnight, etc.).

  In the related art, when printing content associated with a reservation number, a request for downloading the content is made from the image processing apparatus to the server, and the print result (the number of prints) needs to be transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the server. was there. Therefore, in the case of popular contents, access to the server is concentrated in a short time, and a communication failure or the like may occur. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by providing the management file in the local environment (image processing apparatus 10), server access due to content download and notification of a print result is reduced.

3. Modifications The embodiment described above is merely an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. In addition, the above-described embodiment and each of the modifications described below may be implemented in combination as needed.

(1) In the above embodiment, the server 20 updates the print upper limit number for each store each time the actual number of prints is received from the image processing apparatus 10 (Step S112 in FIG. 9). The timing for updating the upper limit number of printing for each store is not limited to the timing shown in the above-described embodiment. For example, when the server 20 receives the actual number of prints from the image processing apparatus 10, the server 20 determines whether the total value of the actual number of prints exceeds a predetermined threshold. A process for updating the upper limit number may be executed.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the management file and the content are distributed from the server 20 to the image processing device 10 at the timing of the first search of the content by the image processing device 10. The timing at which the management file and the content are distributed is not limited to the timing described in the above embodiment. For example, the management file and / or the content may be distributed from the server 20 to the image processing device 10 before the content is searched by the image processing device 10. In other words, the server 20 stores the images installed in the previously specified store 100 (for example, the store registered in the content management table, the store whose past output number is equal to or more than the threshold, etc.) among the plurality of stores 100. The management file and / or the content may be transmitted to the processing device 10 before receiving the content output request from the image processing device 10. In this case, the content may not be pre-distributed for a store with a small output record in the past (below a predetermined threshold). In this case, in a store with a small number of past output records, the content is downloaded only when the user issues a content output instruction.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, when the image processing apparatus 10 confirms the maximum number of prints assigned to the store in which the image processing apparatus 10 is installed (step S108 in FIG. 8), the number of actual prints becomes the maximum number of prints. If the content has not reached and the content cannot be output, a request to update the upper limit number of prints may be transmitted to the server 20. In this case, for example, processing illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is performed instead of the processing in step S108 in FIG.

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are sequence diagrams illustrating the flow of the process performed by the image processing apparatus 10. In this modification, the processing illustrated in FIG. 10 or 11 is performed instead of the processing in step S108 in FIG. In step S1081, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 checks the maximum number of prints assigned to the shop where the apparatus is installed. In step S1082, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 notifies the server 20 of the actual number of prints.

  Upon receiving the actual number of prints from the image processing apparatus 10, the server 20 prints the available number of prints that can be reallocated among the available number of prints reserved as spares and the number of printables allocated to other stores. Is determined. The determination as to whether or not the printable number can be reassigned is made, for example, when the printable number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold and the printable number is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (that is, at the store). Is not printed out much). If there is a printable number that can be reassigned, in step S1083, the server 20 updates the print upper limit number. In step S1084, the server 20 notifies the image processing apparatus 10 of the updated print upper limit number.

  In step S1085, the application of the image processing device 10 receives the updated print upper limit number from the server 20, and updates the management file stored in the storage device 103 of the device.

  On the other hand, when the server 20 determines that the printable number cannot be reallocated, the processes of steps S1086 to S1087 of FIG. 11 are performed instead of the processes of steps S1083 to S1085 of FIG. In step S1086, the server 20 transmits information indicating that the printable number has not been reallocated to the image processing apparatus 10. In step S1087, the application of the image processing apparatus 10 displays on the UI unit 105 that the printable number has reached the upper limit.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the content is distributed at the time of the first search, and the content stored in the image processing apparatus 10 is reused for the second and subsequent output instructions. The content may be distributed from the server 20 to the image processing apparatus 10 each time an output instruction is issued.

(5) In the above-described embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 transmits a management file update request to the server 20 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every day at midnight, etc.), and the server 20 performs image processing. The management file was transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10 in response to a request from the apparatus 10 (Step S114 in FIG. 9). The timing at which the server 20 transmits the management file (upper limit information) is not limited to the timing described in the above embodiment. For example, the image processing apparatus 10 may transmit a management file update request to the server 20 every time the image processing apparatus 10 outputs a content a predetermined number of times. In this case, the server 20 transmits the upper limit information every time the image processing apparatus 10 outputs the content a predetermined number of times.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the server 20 may dynamically change the time interval or the number of times of updating the upper limit value information according to a predetermined parameter. For example, the server 20 may statistically record the output results of the content for each of the stores, and may increase the update frequency as the output results (the total number of outputs) of the past contents at the store are larger (the sales amount is higher). Further, as another example, for example, when the server 20 increases the update frequency when the total number of output contents in the store approaches the upper limit, the server 20 updates the time interval or the number of updates according to the relationship between the total number of output contents and the upper limit. May be dynamically changed. Further, as another example, for example, the server 20 may dynamically change the update time interval and the number of updates in accordance with the dispersion in the past content output results in the store. Specifically, control may be performed such that when the variance is large, the frequency is increased because the number of outputs is difficult to predict, whereas when the variance is small, the frequency is reduced because the number of outputs is stable.

  Further, for example, the time interval and the number of updates may be dynamically changed depending on the time zone. For example, the update frequency may be set to be low during the night and high during the day. Further, as another example, for example, the time interval and the number of updates may be changed depending on the location of the store. For example, control may be performed such that the update frequency is set high for a city store, while the update frequency is set low for a rural store.

(7) In the above embodiment, the program executed by the processor 101 of the image processing apparatus 10 or the processor 201 of the server 20 may be downloaded via a communication line such as the Internet. These programs are provided in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disk, etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. May be done.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 11 ... First transmission means, 12 ... Storage means, 13 ... Output means, 14 ... Second transmission means, 20 ... Server, 21 ... Storage means, 22 ... Transmission means, 23 receiving means, 24 totaling means, 25 notification means, 26 storage control means, 27 performance storage means, 101, 201 ... processor, 102, 202 ... memory, 103, 203 ... storage devices, 104, 204 ... Communication IF, 105: UI unit, 106: Image forming unit, 107: Image reading unit, 108: Image processing unit.

Claims (11)

Storage means for storing the upper limit of the output amount of the content for each store;
Transmitting means for transmitting to the information processing device upper limit value information indicating an upper limit value for each store, at a frequency less than the frequency at which the information processing device installed in the store outputs the content,
Receiving means for receiving, from the information processing device, information indicating a content output result by the information processing device,
A counting means for counting the output results of the content from the received information. The transmission means transmits the upper limit value information to an information processing device installed in a store specified in advance among the stores before accepting an output request for the content from the information processing device. 2. The server according to 1. Notifying means for changing the upper limit value for each store and notifying the changed upper limit value to the information processing apparatus without changing the total value of the upper limit values for each store, using the result of counting by the counting means. The server according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The upper limit value of the content to be allocated to each store is determined by referring to the result storage unit in which the past output result of the content for each store is stored, and from the output result and the output upper limit value determined for each content, the determination is made. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a storage control unit configured to store the determined upper limit value for each store in the storage unit. The transmission means transmits the upper limit information at predetermined time intervals or each time the information processing apparatus outputs the content a predetermined number of times. Server as described in section. The server according to claim 5, wherein the transmission unit dynamically changes the time interval or the number of times according to a predetermined parameter. First transmitting means for transmitting to the server an acquisition request for information indicating an upper limit value of the output amount of the content, at a frequency less than the frequency at which the own device outputs the content;
Storage means for storing the output value of the content in the upper limit and the own device,
Output means for outputting the content when the output result of the content for which the output instruction has been received is less than the upper limit value;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit, to the server, information indicating a content output result of the own device to the server at a frequency less than a frequency at which the own device outputs the content. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output unit downloads the information from the server when the information corresponding to the content for which the output instruction has been received is not stored in the storage unit. 9. The information according to claim 7, wherein the first transmission unit transmits the acquisition request at a predetermined time interval or each time the output unit outputs the content a predetermined number of times. Processing equipment. A computer having storage means for storing the upper limit of the output amount of content for each store,
Transmitting, to the information processing device, upper limit value information indicating an upper limit value for each of the stores, at a frequency less than a frequency at which the information processing device installed in the store outputs the content;
Receiving from the information processing apparatus information indicating the output result of the content by the information processing apparatus,
And a step of counting the output results of the content from the received information. On the computer,
Transmitting a request to the server to acquire information indicating an upper limit value of the output amount of the content at a frequency less than the frequency at which the device outputs the content,
Storing the upper limit value and the output result of the content in the own device;
If the output result of the content for which the output instruction has been received is less than the upper limit, outputting the content;
Transmitting information indicating the content output results of the own device to the server at a frequency less than the frequency at which the own device outputs the content.

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