JP4185773B2 - Electronic submission management apparatus and control method thereof, electronic submission management system, program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention receives and manages an electronic submission management apparatus and control method for receiving and managing a print request by electronic submission via a network, a request terminal for making a print request by electronic submission, and receiving and managing the print request. The present invention relates to an electronic submission management system and a program configured by connecting an electronic submission management server and a payment terminal that performs payment for the print request through a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various services have been provided via networks such as the Internet due to advances in IT technology. For example, a service that accepts a print request from a user electronically for a printed matter such as a catalog for selling merchandise, a text book for education, or the like is considered.
[0003]
As one of them, Patent Document 1 discloses an order receiving / ordering system that can receive a print order from a user through an electronic network and can perform print processing of the ordered print quickly and at low cost. Yes. In particular, when a provisional estimate request for a printed matter is received from a user terminal device through an electronic network, a printing device suitable for printing the printed matter is extracted from the registered printing devices. The printer operates to place an order for printing to a printing company that owns the printing device with the lowest estimated printing cost. In this system, as described in paragraph number <0073> and the like, after a temporary estimate, the approval of the approver is obtained and the print order is confirmed. Similarly, paragraphs <0157> to <0172> also describe the approval operation of the approver in detail.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP2002-297935
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the ordering / ordering system described in Patent Document 1, an order is made to the printing company after the approval of the approver, and a search is made for the printing company having the cheapest condition at the estimation stage. After it has been made, it cannot be confirmed whether there is a situation in which the charges related to the order are cheap. Even if there is a situation where the charge for printing related to ordering is low, the charge cannot be changed, which can be very disadvantageous for the user of this ordering system.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and when the printing schedule of the first printing base where the estimated fee is low is vacant and the delivery time is met, the recalculated estimated fee for the printed matter is sent to the requesting terminal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic submission management apparatus, a control method therefor, an electronic submission management system, and a program that can be used for a more useful system by notification .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic submission management apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An electronic submission management device that accepts and manages print requests by electronic submission via a network,
Receiving means for receiving print information relating to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
Determining means for determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination means using the print information received by the receiving means;
Monitoring means for monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
As a result of monitoring by the monitoring means within a predetermined period, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing base that is cheaper than the second printing base determined by the determining means, and the first printing base And a notifying unit for notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed material for the first printing base recalculated by the calculating unit when the delivery based on the print information is in time .
Preferably, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit, a vacancy occurs in the print schedule of the first printing site that is lower in estimated fee than the second printing site determined by the determining unit, and the first printing site When the printing based on the printing information is in time for the designated delivery date, the printing apparatus further includes a changing unit that changes the second printing site determined by the determining unit to the first printing site.
Preferably, the notifying unit changes the print base from the second print base to the first print base in addition to the recalculated notification of the estimated price of the printed matter to the first print base. Notice.
Preferably, the predetermined period is a change period in which the second print base can be changed to the print schedule of the first print base.
[0007]
Preferably, a print base that performs printing based on the print information is selected from the plurality of print bases based on a print condition, a delivery destination of a printed matter based on the print information, and a desired delivery date included in the print information. A search condition determining means for determining a search condition for searching ;
Search means for searching for a print base that matches the search conditions determined by the search condition determination means;
Further comprising
The determining means determines the printing base searched by the searching means as a printing base that performs printing based on the printing information.
[0008]
Preferably, the determination unit determines whether or not the printing base determined by the determination unit is the shortest first printing base from the delivery destination of the printed matter,
Further comprising a determination result of said determining means, said monitoring means on the basis of the print information with the print schedule of monitoring, and changing means for changing the print base determined by the determining means to another print base.
[0010]
Preferably, when the result of determination by the determination means is that the printing base determined by the determination means is a second printing base that is not the first printing base, the changing means is a printing schedule monitored by the monitoring means. Based on the print information, the second print base is changed to a print base closer to the delivery destination in a print base group including the first print base other than the second print base.
[0013]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic submission management system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An electronic submission management system configured by connecting a request terminal that performs a print request by electronic submission and an electronic submission management server that receives and manages the print request via a network,
The request terminal is
Transmission means for transmitting print information related to the print request to the electronic submission management server via the network,
The electronic submission management server
Receiving means for receiving the print information from the requesting terminal via the network;
Determining means for determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination means using the print information received by the receiving means;
Monitoring means for monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
As a result of monitoring by the monitoring means within a predetermined period, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing base that is cheaper than the second printing base determined by the determining means, and the first printing base And a notifying unit for notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed material for the first printing base recalculated by the calculating unit when the delivery based on the print information is in time .
[0014]
In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an electronic submission management apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A control method of an electronic submission management apparatus that accepts and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving print information related to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
A determination step of determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation step of calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination step using the print information received by the reception step;
A monitoring step of monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
Within a predetermined period, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring step, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing site, which is cheaper than the second printing site determined by the determining step, and the first printing site A notification step of notifying the request terminal of an estimated fee for the printed material for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation step when the delivery date based on the print information is in time .
[0015]
In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for causing a computer to execute control of an electronic submission management apparatus that accepts and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving print information related to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
A determination step of determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation step of calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination step using the print information received by the reception step;
A monitoring step of monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
Within a predetermined period, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring step, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing site, which is cheaper than the second printing site determined by the determining step, and the first printing site When printing based on the print information is in time for the designated delivery date, the computer is caused to execute a notification step of notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed matter for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation step .
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic submission system that submits an electronic file (print data) to a centralized copy room (CRD: Centralized Reprographic Department) for mass printing, bookbinding printing, and the like to request printing.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, particularly in an environment where a plurality of printing bases (CRD) can be used, even after a printing estimate at a certain printing base is once determined, the estimation is performed according to the state of the printing schedule at each printing base. If the price can be reduced, the estimate is recalculated and updated, and the print requester is notified that the original estimate has been reduced.
[0019]
As a result, even if the requester of printing does not have to be aware of the situation where the estimated estimate is cheaper, if the situation that the estimate is cheaper occurs, the estimate is automatically reduced. can do.
[0020]
In the following description, a “server” stores information such as HTML documents and images in the WWW system, and transmits information through a network such as the Internet in response to a request from client software such as a Web browser. It means a Web server (Web server) or an application server (or Web application server) having a function of receiving a request from a user through a network and bridging a process such as a database system.
[0021]
The “client” means a computer and software that use functions and data provided by a server in a network. As this client, in this embodiment, for example, the request terminal 100 connected to the network 400 in FIG. 1, the payment terminal 200, a Web browser operating on various computers connected on the network 400, a viewer, and the like are applicable. To do.
[0022]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention described below, in the Web environment via the network 400, the request terminal 100 used by the requester who requests electronic submission, and the approval / disapproval of the payment request for printing by electronic submission are determined. An example of electronic submission management realized between the payment terminal 200 used by the decision maker who decides, the CRD system 300 (including the electronic submission management server 301 and the printing device 303 therein), and the CRD systems 500 to 800 As will be described, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the present invention can be applied to any computer network environment in which various operation screens for executing processing related to the functions provided by the server can provide a form that can be displayed on the browser (viewer) of the client. it can.
[0023]
<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic submission management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024]
Note that the configuration of various terminals connected to the network 400 in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.
[0025]
Reference numeral 100 denotes a request terminal used by a requester who makes an electronic submission request. The request terminal 100 can transmit and receive data with each of the plurality of CRD systems 300 and 500 to 800 and the payment terminal 200 via the network 400.
[0026]
A payment terminal 200 is used by an authorizer who instructs whether or not to approve a payment request for printing by electronic submission. The payment terminal 200 can transmit / receive data to / from each of the plurality of CRD systems 300 and 500 to 800 and the request terminal 100 via the network 400.
[0027]
It is assumed that the requester and the authorizer are the same, and the processing executed on both the request terminal 100 and the payment terminal 200 is executed on either one of those terminals.
[0028]
Reference numeral 300 denotes a CRD system that accepts an electronic submission request and executes processing related to printing such as arrangement of printing and estimation of a printing fee in response to the request. The CRD system 300 can exchange data with the request terminal 100 and the payment terminal 200 via the network 400.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, as a component of the CRD system 300, an electronic submission management server 301 that manages electronic submission, an electronic file to be printed electronically, and various information and tables related to electronic submission are managed. Database 302 and a printing apparatus 303 having a network function for printing the electronic file.
[0030]
In this embodiment, CRD systems 500 to 900 similar to the CRD system 300 are connected to the network 400, and a plurality of printing bases are configured in the electronic submission management system. In the following description, for convenience, the printing base name of the CRD system 300 is defined as Tokyo, and the base names of the CRD systems 500 to 800 are defined as Osaka, Ibaraki, Fukuoka, and Hokkaido.
[0031]
In the CRD system 300, the electronic manuscript management server 301 provides various operation screens for realizing various processes of the present embodiment described below based on requests from the request terminal 100 and the payment terminal 200 which are clients. Or the contents of the database 302 are updated based on data transmitted / received between the request terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200.
[0032]
The electronic submission management server 301 and the printing apparatus 303 are connected to each other via a network inside the CRD system 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electronic submission management server 301 directly connects to the network 400. It may be connected.
[0033]
Further, as a printing format of the printing apparatus 303, various printing methods such as an ink jet method, a laser beam method, and a thermal transfer method can be used. In addition, the printing apparatus 303 may be, for example, a multifunction machine having both a network scanner, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. Further, as types of the printing device 303, in order to cope with various applications, there are usually a plurality of types of high-speed / low-speed color printers and a plurality of types of high-speed / low-speed monochrome printers.
[0034]
Reference numeral 400 denotes a network, typically one of the Internet, LAN, WAN, telephone line, dedicated digital line, ATM, frame relay line, communication satellite line, cable TV line, data broadcasting radio line, etc. It is a so-called communication network realized by a combination, and it is sufficient if data can be transmitted and received.
[0035]
Next, hardware configurations of various terminals of the request terminal 100, the payment terminal 200, the electronic submission server 301, and the printing apparatus 303 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0037]
In FIG. 2, the CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204. The ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores an operating system (OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and programs for realizing various functions described later of each server or each client.
[0038]
The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, temporary save area, and the like for the CPU 201.
[0039]
The input controller 205 controls input from the input unit 209. Examples of the input unit 209 include a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse in a terminal such as a server or a client. Moreover, in a printing apparatus etc., a touch panel, a button, a switch, etc. are mentioned.
[0040]
The display controller 206 controls display on the display unit 210. Examples of the display unit 210 include a CRT and a liquid crystal.
[0041]
An external memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to an external memory 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, printer drivers, and the like. In addition, various tables and parameters for realizing various functions of each server or each client are stored. Examples of the external memory 211 include a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), a compact flash connected to the PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, and smart media.
[0042]
The communication I / F controller 208 executes communication control processing with an external device via the network 400.
[0043]
Next, a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
In the following description, processing in the electronic submission management server 301 in the CRD system 300 will be described as an example, but the same processing is also realized in the electronic submission management server in each CRD system at another printing base. Needless to say, you can.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
As described above, the request terminal 100, the payment terminal 200, and the electronic submission management server 301 are connected to each other via the network 400. Then, the request terminal 100 and the payment terminal 200 execute various processes related to electronic submission via various operation screens provided from the electronic submission management server 301. One example will be described below.
[0047]
(1) First, the request terminal 100 electronically submits print information including print data to be printed, its print conditions, print requester information, and the like via an operation screen provided from the electronic submission management server 301. Transmit to the management server 301.
[0048]
(2) The electronic submission management server 301 transmits print confirmation information such as a printing fee and delivery date to the request terminal 100 based on the print information received from the request terminal 100.
[0049]
(3) The request terminal 100 transmits a settlement request for execution of printing to the electronic submission management server 301 based on the print confirmation information received from the electronic submission management server 301.
[0050]
(4) Upon receipt of the payment request from the request terminal 100, the electronic manuscript management server 301 sets the payment data (print information, print requester information, print) for determining the approval / disapproval of print of the print data subject to the payment request. Fee, scheduled delivery date, etc.) are transmitted to the settlement terminal 200.
[0051]
(5) When the payment terminal 200 approves printing corresponding to the payment data based on the payment data received from the electronic submission management server 301, the electronic submission management server 301 displays approval instruction information indicating that fact. Send to. {Circle over (5)} On the other hand, in the case of denying printing corresponding to the settlement data, denial instruction information indicating that fact is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0052]
(6) The electronic manuscript management server 301 transmits print information to the printing apparatus 303 and executes printing, particularly when the approval instruction information is received from the settlement terminal 301. Thereafter, the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus 303 is delivered to the client.
[0053]
(7) On the other hand, the electronic manuscript management server 301 transmits the settlement result (approval information / denial information) corresponding to the data received from the settlement terminal 200 to the request terminal 100.
[0054]
Next, the details of the processing flow characteristic of the present invention realized in this basic processing flow will be described.
[0055]
First, when the request terminal 100 makes an electronic submission request to the electronic submission management server 301, the submission request process executed between the request terminal 100 and the electronic submission management server 301 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. I will explain.
[0056]
4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the submission request process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0057]
First, in step S <b> 101, the request terminal 100 logs in to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0058]
In step S <b> 201, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether or not there is a login from the request terminal 100. If there is no login (NO in step S201), the process waits until there is a login. On the other hand, if there is a login (YES in step S201), the login table is authenticated by referring to the user table (FIG. 11). When the authentication is completed, in step S202, user information transmitted from the request terminal 100 at the time of login. To get. In step S203, an initial screen 700 (FIG. 7) is generated and transmitted to the request terminal 100.
[0059]
In step S <b> 102, the request terminal 100 determines whether or not the initial screen 700 is received from the electronic submission management server 301. If the initial screen 700 has not been received (NO in step S102), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, when the initial screen 700 is received (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103, and the initial screen 700 is displayed.
[0060]
Here, an example of the initial screen 700 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0061]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the initial screen 700 according to the embodiment of this invention.
[0062]
The initial screen 700 of FIG. 7 is displayed on the terminal when the request terminal 100 or the payment terminal 200 accesses the electronic submission management server 301.
[0063]
Reference numeral 701 denotes a submission request button which is pressed when an electronic submission request is made. When the submission request button 701 is pressed, an order screen 800 (FIG. 8A) for making an electronic submission request is displayed.
[0064]
A settlement request button 702 is pressed when a settlement request for printing is made in response to an electronic submission request. When the payment request button 702 is pressed, the electronic payment management server 301 executes the payment process for the payment related to the print information for payment request waiting. The details of the submission settlement process will be described later.
[0065]
A request status button 703 is pressed to confirm the current request status. When this request status button 703 is pressed, a list screen 900 (FIG. 9) of the current print information request status (requesting / settlement waiting / acceptance waiting / printing / changed) is displayed.
[0066]
Returning to the description of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0067]
In step S <b> 104, the request terminal 100 determines an operation via the initial screen 700. In this determination, a new request for electronic submission or confirmation of the request status is determined. Specifically, when the submission request button 701 on the initial screen 700 is pressed, the request is determined to be a new request. On the other hand, when the request status button 703 on the initial screen 700 is pressed, it is determined that the request status is confirmed.
[0068]
If it is determined in step S104 that the request status is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S112, and the list screen 900 is displayed on the request terminal 100. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the request is a new request, the process proceeds to step S105, and the order terminal 800 is displayed on the request terminal 100. In this case, in a configuration in which the request terminal 100 simply browses the HTML file created by the electronic submission management server 301 using a browser, button press information corresponding to the determination in step S104 is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301. Thus, the request terminal 100 may receive and display the order screen 800 generated by the electronic submission management server 301 based on the button press information.
[0069]
Here, an example of the order screen 800 will be described with reference to FIG. 8A.
[0070]
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an order screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0071]
The date when the submission request button 701 is pressed is displayed as the request date at the top of the order screen 800, and a unique request number for specifying the request issued by the electronic submission management server 301 is displayed. Is displayed.
[0072]
In the order screen 800 of FIG. 8A, reference numeral 801 denotes a requester information display field. In this display field 801, as requester information, for example, the requester name, e-mail address, affiliation of the requester (employee code, extension, office name, division name, department name, department code), etc. are displayed. The
[0073]
Reference numeral 802 denotes a data output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting a request content when an electronic file is used as an electronic submission method. Reference numeral 803 denotes a copy output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting a request content when a document document is used as an electronic submission method. Reference numeral 804 denotes a DB output button for displaying an input field 807 for inputting a request content when the database 302 (DB) of the electronic submission management server 301 is used as an electronic submission method.
[0074]
The electronic submission method using the database 302 is a method in which print information of a printed matter (for example, a manual, an instruction manual, a catalog, etc.) that is supposed to be printed a plurality of times is registered in the database 302 in advance. The terminal 100 designates print information registered in the database and executes a request for electronic submission.
[0075]
Reference numeral 805 denotes a delivery button for displaying a setting screen 810 (FIG. 8B) for setting a delivery method. Reference numeral 806 denotes a comment button for displaying a comment input screen 820 (FIG. 8C) for inputting a comment relating to electronic submission.
[0076]
Here, examples of the setting screen 810 and the comment input screen 820 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 8C.
[0077]
FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen according to the embodiment of this invention.
[0078]
In the setting screen 810 of FIG. 8B, 811 is an input field for setting a delivery method. In this input field 811, a delivery base registered in advance, a delivery destination used in the past, or a new delivery destination (address, address, recipient name, telephone number, etc.) can be set as a delivery method. .
[0079]
Reference numeral 812 denotes an input field for a desired delivery date of the printed matter for the print information to be requested. Reference numeral 813 denotes a display field for the scheduled delivery date of the printed matter for the requested print information. The scheduled delivery date displayed in the display field 813 is calculated and displayed by the electronic submission management server 301 based on the print information after the print information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0080]
FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example of a comment input screen according to the embodiment of this invention.
[0081]
In the comment input screen 820 in FIG. 8C, reference numeral 821 denotes a comment input field for each user of the electronic submission management system. Here, there are a comment input field of a requester (orderer) who makes an electronic submission request from the request terminal 100, a comment input field of a settlement operator who uses the settlement terminal 200, a comment input field of an operator of the electronic submission management system, and the like. It is prepared.
[0082]
A settlement request button 822 is pressed when a settlement request for printing is made in response to an electronic submission request. Reference numeral 823 denotes a print button, which is pressed to instruct execution of printing of print information for which printing settlement for an electronic submission request is approved.
[0083]
Returning to the description of FIG.
[0084]
Reference numeral 807 denotes an input field for inputting request contents. The request contents include, for example, a document name of a printed matter generated based on an electronic file, a submission method (attached to an e-mail, a storage medium such as MO, CD-R / RW, DVD-RAM), printing conditions (color / Black and white, document size, print format, paper type, number of printed sheets, etc.), electronic file data type, electronic file, presence / absence of storage of electronic file, storage period, storage location, and the like.
[0085]
8A shows the input field when the electronic submission method is data output, but the other electronic submission method, that is, the input field when it is copy output / DB output. Similarly to the input field 807, information necessary for each electronic submission method can be input.
[0086]
Reference numeral 808 denotes a display field for an estimated amount when printing is performed with the request contents input in the input field 807. The estimated amount (for example, printing fee or printing fee + delivery fee) displayed in the display field 808 is input when the request content is input in the input field 807 or the request content is input in the input field 807, and FIG. When the delivery destination is input in the input field 811 of the 8B setting screen 810, the electronic manuscript management server 301 calculates and displays it.
[0087]
Next, an example of the list screen 900 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0088]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0089]
In the list screen 900 of FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a display field indicating the contents of print information currently managed by the electronic submission management server 301. Here, the contents of the print information include the current state (printing, waiting for acceptance, waiting for payment, change), request NO, type of submission method (data output, copy output, DB output), request date, document name, The number of copies, the amount of money, and the expense item are displayed. However, the content of the print information is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that various information (for example, the name of the printing apparatus used for printing, the scheduled delivery date, the delivery destination, etc.) can be displayed according to the purpose and purpose.
[0090]
Also, on this list screen 900, the authority to the print information that can be browsed for each user is set, and the electronic submission management server 301 creates it based on the authority that can be browsed by the user authenticated in step S201. It is also possible to control as described above.
[0091]
In addition, a check box is prepared at the top of each print information displayed in the display field 901. With this check box, selection / non-selection of print information can be executed.
[0092]
Reference numeral 902 denotes a detail display button. When the detail display button 902 is pressed, a detail display screen (for example, an order screen 800) corresponding to the print information is displayed as details of the print information for which the check box is checked. .
[0093]
Reference numeral 904 denotes a settlement request button. When the settlement request button 904 is pressed, a settlement request for print information whose check box is checked is executed.
[0094]
Reference numeral 905 denotes an end button which is pressed when the display of the list screen 900 is ended.
[0095]
Note that the settlement request can be executed by the settlement request button 822 on the comment input screen 820 in FIG. 8C described above, for example, in consideration of the case of immediacy. That is, on this comment input screen 820, a print settlement request for the electronic submission request can be executed simultaneously with the electronic submission request.
[0096]
On the other hand, the settlement request button 904 of the list screen 900 executes only a plurality of electronic submission requests in advance, and collectively executes a print settlement request for the plurality of electronic submission requests later. This is because of consideration. That is, on the list screen 900, it is possible to execute a settlement request for all the print information whose check boxes are checked at once.
[0097]
Returning to the description of FIGS. 4A and 4B.
[0098]
In step S <b> 105, the request terminal 100 inputs printing conditions via the order screen 800. In step S106, print data to be electronically submitted is designated. In step S107, when input of the input field 807 of the order screen 800 and input of the input field 812 of the setting screen 810 are completed, the print data including the electronic submission request target, the print condition, and the print information including the desired delivery date are electronically stored. Send to the submission management server 301.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the payment terminal 200 has an authority to change print information. However, the request terminal 100 determines whether the print information has an authority to change print information at the payment terminal 200. A flag to be displayed may be set, and an authority to change print information at the settlement terminal 200 may be given according to the flag.
[0100]
In step S <b> 204, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether print information has been received from the request terminal 100. If print information has not been received (NO in step S204), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, when print information is received (YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S205.
[0101]
In step S205, the electronic submission management server 301 calculates an estimate of the printing fee from the printing conditions in the printing information. In step S206, a print schedule investigation process for examining the print schedule is executed based on the print information. Details of the print schedule investigation process will be described later. In step S207, print confirmation information including an estimate of the print fee and a scheduled delivery date of the printed material is transmitted to the request terminal 100.
[0102]
The calculation of the printing fee executed in step S205 is executed with reference to the fee calculation table (FIG. 12), the delivery time table, and the delivery fee table (FIG. 13) based on the print information. Further, the print schedule survey and the scheduled delivery date determination executed in step S206 are performed based on the print information, such as a delivery time table (FIG. 13) and a print schedule table (FIG. 14) of each printing apparatus included in the CRD system at one printing base. ), A priority relationship management table (FIG. 15) indicating the priority relationship of the bases with respect to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs, and a print schedule table for each print base (FIG. 16).
[0103]
In step S <b> 108, the request terminal 100 determines whether print confirmation information has been received from the electronic submission management server 301. If the print confirmation information has not been received (NO in step S108), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, if the print confirmation information is received (YES in step S108), the process proceeds to step S109, and the print fee estimate and the scheduled delivery date of the printed matter are respectively displayed in the display field 807 and the setting screen 810 of the corresponding order screen 800 (FIG. 8A). The information is displayed in the display field 813 of (FIG. 8B).
[0104]
In step S110, the request terminal 100 determines whether a settlement request instruction has been input. Note that this determination is made based on whether or not the settlement request button 822 on the comment input screen 820 (FIG. 8C) has been pressed. If there is a settlement request instruction input (YES in step S110), the process proceeds to step S111, and the settlement request instruction is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0105]
On the other hand, if there is no settlement request instruction input (NO in step S110), the process proceeds to step S115 to determine whether the print information has not been changed. If not changed (YES in step S115), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if it is not changed (NO in step S115), the process proceeds to step S107, and print information including the changed content is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301 again. In this case, the processing of step S204 to step S207 is performed, and in step S108, the request terminal 100 receives print confirmation information including the print information reflecting the changed content from the electronic submission management server 301.
[0106]
In step S <b> 208, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether a settlement request instruction has been received from the request terminal 100. If a settlement request instruction has not been received (NO in step S208), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, if a settlement request instruction has been received (YES in step S208), the process proceeds to step S209, and based on a request from the settlement terminal 200, settlement for determining print approval / denial based on print information waiting for settlement request. Data is generated and transmitted to the payment terminal 200.
It goes without saying that various data are stored in the RAM 203 or the external memory 211 of each terminal or server at the timing required in each step described above. For example, in the process of step S209, not only the print information input in each of the steps so far, but also the status of “waiting for payment” as the status information shown on the list screen 900 is used as an external flag of the electronic submission management server 301. Stored in the memory 211.
[0107]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the request status is confirmed, the request terminal 100 displays a list screen 900 in step S112. In step S113, it is determined whether or not a print information detail display instruction or a settlement request instruction has been input. This determination is made based on whether or not the detail display button 902 or the settlement request button 904 on the list screen 900 is pressed. If there is a settlement request instruction input, the process proceeds to step S110.
[0108]
On the other hand, if there is a detailed display instruction input, the process proceeds to step S114, and the order screen 800 is displayed as a detailed display screen of print information to be processed. As a result, the request terminal 110 can appropriately change the current print information via the order screen 800. The change contents of the print information here may include print data itself, print conditions (number of copies, color / monochrome, etc.), print schedule (delivery date), and the like.
[0109]
In step S115, it is determined whether the print information has not been changed. If not changed (YES in step S115), the process returns to step S110. On the other hand, if it has not been changed (NO in step S115), the process proceeds to step S107.
[0110]
Next, a submission settlement process executed between the electronic submission management server 301 and the settlement terminal 200 when the electronic submission management server 301 transmits settlement data to the settlement terminal 200 will be described with reference to FIG. .
[0111]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the submission settlement process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0112]
In step S <b> 301, the settlement terminal 200 transmits unsettled confirmation information for confirming unsettled print information to the electronic submission management server 301. In particular, detailed processing steps at the time of login are omitted. The processing here corresponds to, for example, an operation in which the payment terminal 200 presses the payment request button 702 while the initial screen 700 is displayed after logging in to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0113]
In step S <b> 401, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether or not unsettled confirmation information is received from the settlement terminal 200. If unsettled confirmation information has not been received (NO in step S401), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, when unsettled confirmation information is received (YES in step S401), the process proceeds to step S402, and user information of the settlement terminal 200 included in the unsettled confirmation information is acquired.
[0114]
In step S <b> 403, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether there is print information waiting for payment request corresponding to the acquired user information. If there is no print information waiting for payment request (NO in step S403), the process proceeds to step S408, and a notification indicating that there is no payment data for printing based on the print information is transmitted to the payment terminal 200. This notification may be sent by e-mail or a message such as a dialog may be displayed. On the other hand, if there is print information waiting for a settlement request (YES in step S403), the process proceeds to step S404, and settlement data for printing based on the print information is transmitted to the settlement terminal 200.
[0115]
In step S302, the payment terminal 200 determines whether payment data has been received from the electronic submission management server 301. If payment data has not been received (NO in step S302), the process waits until it is received. On the other hand, if payment data has been received (YES in step S302), the process proceeds to step S303.
[0116]
In step S303, payment terminal 200 displays payment screen 1000 (FIG. 10) based on the received payment data.
[0117]
Here, an example of the settlement screen 1000 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0118]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0119]
In the settlement screen 1000 of FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a comment display / input field in the print information to be settled, which corresponds to the input field 821 of the comment input screen 820 of FIG. 8C. The payment screen 1000 in FIG. 10 corresponds to the screens in FIGS. 8A to 8C, and each function button on the payment screen 1000 in FIG. 10 corresponding to the buttons 802 to 806 described in FIG. 8A ( By pressing the button 1005), it is possible to confirm the requester information, request contents, and delivery method of the print information to be settled.
[0120]
An approval button 1002 is pressed to approve printing based on print information to be settled. When the approval button 1002 is pressed, approval instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a denial button which is pressed when denying printing based on print information to be settled. When the denial button 1003 is pressed, denial instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0121]
Reference numeral 1004 denotes a print button which is pressed to instruct execution of printing based on print information.
[0122]
Returning to the description of FIG.
[0123]
In step S304, the payment terminal 200 determines whether the approval button 1002 or the denial button 1003 is pressed via the payment screen 1000. If the denial button 1003 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S305, and denial instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301. On the other hand, if the approval button 1002 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S306, and approval instruction information is transmitted to the electronic submission management server 301.
[0124]
In step S <b> 405, the electronic submission management server 301 determines reception of approval instruction information or denial instruction information from the payment terminal 200. When the approval instruction information is received, the process proceeds to step S406, and execution of printing based on the corresponding print information is confirmed. In step S407, approval information indicating that printing based on the print information has been approved is transmitted to the request terminal 100. On the other hand, if reject information is received, the process proceeds to step S409, and reject information indicating that the print information is rejected is transmitted to the request terminal 100.
[0125]
Next, details of the print schedule investigation process in step S206 of FIG. 4B will be described with reference to FIG. 6A.
[0126]
FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing details of the print schedule investigation processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0127]
First, in step S501, the electronic submission management server 301 determines whether or not a print request content is input via the order screen 800 (FIG. 8A) by the request terminal 100. If the request content has not been input (NO in step S501), the process waits until the request content is input. On the other hand, when the request content is input (YES in step S501), the process proceeds to step S502.
[0128]
In step S502, the time required for printing based on the print information obtained from the request content is calculated. The calculation of the required printing time includes, for example, printing conditions such as the number of printed sheets, the number of copies, double-sided / single-sided, bookbinding form, folding, etc., and printing devices (multiple printings) that can be used in the electronic submission management system. It may be a printing device included in the CRD system at each of the bases, or may be calculated based on the performance of a printing device included in the CRD system at a certain printing base. Alternatively, the average required printing time for various printing conditions may be measured, the measured values may be managed as a table for each printing condition, and the required printing time may be calculated with reference to the table. .
[0129]
In step S503, it is determined whether or not a desired delivery date has been input via the setting screen 810 (FIG. 8B) by the request terminal 100. If the desired delivery date has not been entered (NO in step S503), the system waits until the desired delivery date has been entered. On the other hand, if there is an input of a desired delivery date (YES in step S503), the process proceeds to step S504.
[0130]
In step S504, a search condition for searching for a printing apparatus that performs printing based on the print information is determined. This search condition is determined based on the operation schedule of the printing apparatus, the print condition obtained from the print information to be processed, the time required for printing based on the print information, the delivery date, and the delivery destination.
[0131]
In step S505, with reference to the print schedule table (FIG. 14), the priority relationship management table (FIG. 15), and the print schedule table for each printing site (FIG. 16), the printing device that matches the search condition becomes the first priority printing site. Determine if it exists. If there is a printing device that matches the search condition at the first priority printing site (YES in step S505), the process proceeds to step S506, and the printing device at the first priority site is determined as the printing device to be used for printing based on the printing information. To do. Thereafter, print information including print base information indicating the base of the printing apparatus is stored in the database 302.
[0132]
The first priority printing base indicates the shortest printing base for the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs, and the second priority printing base indicates the next shortest printing base.
[0133]
On the other hand, in step S505, if there is no printing device that matches the search condition at the first priority printing site (NO in step S505), the process proceeds to step S507, the print schedule table (FIG. 14), and the priority relationship management table (FIG. 15). ) And the printing schedule table by printing base (FIG. 16), it is determined whether or not a printing apparatus that matches the search condition exists in the second priority printing base. If there is a printing device that matches the search condition at the second priority printing site (YES in step S507), the process proceeds to step S506, and the printing device at the second priority printing site is used as a printing device used for printing based on the printing information. Determine. Thereafter, print information including print base information indicating the base of the printing apparatus is stored in the database 302.
[0134]
On the other hand, in step S507, if there is no printing device that matches the search condition at the second priority printing site (NO in step S507), the process proceeds to step S508, and the delivery date in the search condition is extended by a predetermined period. In step S504, a new search condition whose delivery date is extended by a predetermined period is re-determined, and the subsequent processing is repeated until the printing apparatus is determined.
[0135]
Here, a specific example of searching for a printing apparatus that matches the search conditions in steps S504 to S506 in FIG. 6A will be described.
[0136]
In this specific example, it is assumed that the print schedule table (FIG. 14) is the print schedule table of the Osaka CRD system, and one square that divides each schedule of the printing press in each row in this table into six is 2 hours. Suppose there is.
[0137]
First, in step S504, for example, as a search condition, the type of printing apparatus having a printing function required by the printing condition is “high-speed color printer 2”, the required printing time is “2 hours”, and the delivery date is “2002/12”. / 6 ”, and it is determined that the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs is“ Tokyo / Yokohama ”.
[0138]
Next, in step S505, since the delivery area of the search condition is “Tokyo / Yokohama”, the first priority printing base is Tokyo CRD according to the priority relationship management table (FIG. 15). Next, referring to the print schedule table for each printing base (FIG. 16), it can be seen that all schedules for Tokyo CRD are filled in the schedule before the delivery date “2002/12/6” in the search conditions. Therefore, in this case, there is no first priority printing base that matches the search condition, and the process proceeds to step S507.
[0139]
In step S507, since the delivery area of the search condition is “Tokyo / Yokohama”, the second priority printing base is Osaka CRD according to the priority relationship management table (FIG. 15). Next, referring to the printing schedule table by printing base (FIG. 16), the schedule of Osaka CRD is “2002/12/3”, “2002 /” on the schedule before the delivery date “2002/12/6” in the search condition. It can be seen that there is a vacancy on “12/4”. Furthermore, referring to the printing schedule of Osaka CRD (FIG. 14), the high-speed color printing machine 2 that satisfies the printing device type “high-speed color printing machine 2” and the required printing time “2 hours” in the search condition and its free space. You can see that time exists. As a result, there is a second priority printing base that matches the search condition. In step S506, the high-speed color printing machine 2 of Osaka CRD, which is the second priority printing base, is used for printing based on the printing information. Confirm with the printer.
[0140]
With the process of FIG. 6A described above, the printing base candidates that satisfy the requested delivery date of the client can be searched from the shortest or next two printing bases from the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs. As a result, it is possible to search for a printing apparatus that satisfies the requested delivery date of the client and can perform printing at the shortest or next shortest printing base from the delivery area.
[0141]
In the electronic submission management system according to the present embodiment, when a printing base that is not the shortest is selected from the delivery destination specified by the requester from the relationship of selecting a printing apparatus to be used for printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases. There is. In this case, although the delivery date is maintained, the delivery fee increases according to the delivery distance between the shortest printing base of the delivery destination and the other printing bases.
[0142]
On the other hand, in the printing schedule of each printing base, it is not uncommon for the printing schedule to be vacant due to cancellation of the originally scheduled printing. In this case, naturally, it is possible to assign another print to the empty space.
[0143]
Therefore, in this embodiment, particularly, the print schedules of the first priority print base and the second priority print base are monitored, and when the print schedule of the first priority print base is vacant, the second priority print base is used. The printing information in the printing schedule at the base (print approval has been confirmed) is assigned to the printing schedule at the first priority printing base based on the printing information. That is, even print information once determined for the print schedule at the second priority print base can be changed to the print schedule at the first priority print base according to the state of the print schedule at the first priority print base.
[0144]
Then, changing from the second priority printing base to the printing at the first priority printing base reduces the delivery distance between the delivery destination and the printing base, so that the initial delivery fee can be reduced. That is, the initial estimated amount (printing fee + delivery fee) can be changed (reduced).
[0145]
Hereinafter, an estimate change process for changing the estimated amount will be described with reference to FIG. 6B.
[0146]
FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing an estimate change process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0147]
First, in step S601, the electronic submission management server 301 associates and manages a print flag and a process flag (processed / unprocessed) indicating whether or not to execute an estimate change process for the print information. Reference is made to FIG. In step S602, unprocessed print information is extracted from the print information management table.
[0148]
In step S603, it is determined whether the delivery date of the extracted print information is within a predetermined period. If it is within the predetermined period (YES in step S603), the process proceeds to step S606, the process flag is set to “processed”, and the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if it is not within the predetermined period (NO in step S603), the process proceeds to step S604.
[0149]
The predetermined period is a change period in which a printing base currently scheduled to be printed (second priority printing base) can be changed to a printing schedule of another printing base (first priority printing base). The period for which the processing date is one week before the delivery date of the printed matter based on the print information is the change period.
[0150]
In step S604, delivery destination and printing base information is extracted from the printing information. In step S605, it is determined whether the printing base indicated by the printing base information is the first priority printing base. If it is the first priority printing base (YES in step S605), the process proceeds to step S606, the processing flag of the print information is set to “processed”, and the process proceeds to step S607. On the other hand, if it is not the first priority printing base (NO in step S605), the process proceeds to step S608.
[0151]
In step S608, the print schedule of the first priority print base is confirmed with reference to the print schedule table of the first priority print base (FIG. 14). In step S609, it is determined whether there is a vacancy in the printing schedule of the printing apparatus that matches the printing conditions in the printing information. If there is no space in the print schedule (NO in step S609), the process proceeds to step S606. On the other hand, if there is an empty print schedule (YES in step S609), the process advances to step S610.
[0152]
In step S610, when printing based on the print information is performed by a printing apparatus having a print schedule, it is determined whether or not the delivery date specified by the print information is in time. If it is not in time for the delivery date (NO in step S610), the process proceeds to step S606. On the other hand, if it is in time for delivery (YES in step S610), the process proceeds to step S611.
[0153]
Whether or not this delivery date is met can be determined by adding the date and time of completion of printing based on the print information on the printing device having a vacant print schedule and the date and time required from the printing base of the printing device to the delivery destination. It is determined whether or not the date / time to be received is the delivery date specified by the print information.
[0154]
In step S611, the printing base information is changed. Specifically, the printing base information in the printing information is changed from the second priority printing base to the first priority printing base. In step S612, the delivery fee to be changed according to the change of the printing base is recalculated. In step S613, the estimate associated with the change in the delivery fee is recalculated. In Step S61 4, and transmits the estimated modification information indicating that there is a change in the estimate to the requester terminal 100 and the settlement terminal 200. Note that the estimate change information may be sent by e-mail or a message such as a dialog may be displayed. At the same time, the estimated fee (delivery fee) in the print information is updated. As a result, when the order screen 800 (8A) is displayed on the request terminal 100 or the settlement terminal 200, the new estimated amount whose delivery fee has been changed (becomes cheaper) is displayed in the display field 808.
[0155]
In step S607, it is determined whether or not the processing flags of all print information managed in the print information management table (FIG. 17) have been processed. If all the print information has not been processed (NO in step S607), the process returns to step S602. On the other hand, if all the print information has been processed (YES in step S607), the process ends.
[0156]
The execution timing of the estimate change process can be arbitrarily set by the electronic submission management server 301. For example, the estimate change process may be executed once a day or once every half day. Alternatively, the electronic submission management server at each printing site monitors the printing schedule at each printing site, and if there is a vacancy in the printing schedule, that fact is sent to the electronic submission management server at another printing site. The electronic submission management server 301 that has received the notification may execute the estimate change process.
[0157]
Further, when the estimate change process of FIG. 6B is completed or when the estimate change process is newly started, the process flags of all the print information managed in the print information management table (FIG. 17) are set to “unprocessed”. Reset.
[0158]
In the present embodiment, the various tables shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 are stored in the external memory 211 of the electronic submission management server 301. In addition to these, various tables for realizing the various processes described above. (For example, a table for generating the list screen 900 of FIG. 9) and data are stored in the external memory 211 or the database 302.
In addition, as a state of print information related to a print request in the present embodiment, a state of waiting for settlement is a state of a print reservation without determining a fee or a print schedule.
Further, the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5 have been described in the form of including functions such as some determination means in the processes of the request terminal 100 and the payment terminal 200 on the client side. However, the HTML file is simply displayed in the browser application, and information related to the operation event is transmitted from the client to the electronic manuscript management server 301, so that the server performs processing for realizing each step using CGI. It is also possible to implement this modification.
[0159]
Here, each table shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 will be described.
[0160]
The user table in FIG. 11 includes a user ID, a user name, a name of a business office to which the user belongs, an affiliation name, an e-mail address, a name of a settlement person for the requester, It consists of a payer ID for identifying a payer and an e-mail address. The above-mentioned user information includes information managed by these user tables, and information necessary for various processes is used as user information.
[0161]
The charge calculation table of FIG. 12 calculates the print charge based on the text unit price, the cover unit price, the slip / chapter unit price, the bookbinding unit price and the folding unit price of the printed material based on the print information. The calculation formula is shown. The unit price shown in this table is an example. In addition, the type of unit price is not limited to this, and the type of unit price can be appropriately set based on the request content input in the input field 807 of the initial screen 800 in FIG. 8A.
[0162]
The delivery time table and delivery fee table in FIG. 13 are composed of the delivery time required for each delivery district and the delivery fee for each delivery district by weight.
[0163]
The print schedule table of FIG. 14 manages the temporary print schedule status waiting for settlement and the settled print schedule information of a plurality of types of printing apparatuses 303 within a certain period (3 days) at one printing base.
[0164]
The priority relationship management table in FIG. 15 manages the first priority print base and the second priority print base for each delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs. However, the second priority printing base may not exist. In the present embodiment, the shortest print base in the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs is the first priority print base, and the next shortest print base is the second priority print base. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any of the printing base groups other than the printing base may be set as the second priority printing base.
[0165]
Alternatively, a printing base group other than the first priority printing base that matches the search condition determined in step S504 in FIG. 6A and is closer to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs may be set as the second priority printing base. In this case, in the process of FIG. 6B, when the initial print base that performs printing based on the print information to be processed is the second priority print base, the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs from the current second priority print base. Based on the status of each print schedule of a group of close priority print bases (including the first priority print base), a priority print base closer to the delivery area to which the delivery destination belongs is based on the print information to be processed. It is possible to change to a printing base that performs printing.
[0166]
The printing schedule table for each printing site in FIG. 16 manages the printing schedule for each printing site.
[0167]
The print information management table in FIG. 17 particularly manages a print flag that has been settled (approved) at the settlement terminal 200 and a process flag that indicates whether or not an estimate change process is performed on the print information. It is.
[0168]
It should be noted that the configurations and contents of the various tables in FIGS. 11 to 17 are not limited, and it is needless to say that the tables are configured with various configurations and contents according to applications and purposes.
[0169]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the electronic manuscript management server 301 in one printing base (Tokyo CRD system 300) out of a plurality of printing bases executes the processes of FIGS. 6A and 6B in particular. As described above, an integrated electronic submission management server that integrates the electronic submission management server of each printing base is constructed on the network 400, and this integrated electronic submission management server executes the processing of FIGS. 6A and 6B. May be.
[0170]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the electronic submission management server 301 monitors the printing schedule at each printing base, and the condition for reducing the estimate once determined according to the state of the printing schedule. If the situation is satisfied, the estimate is recalculated. Then, the client or the settlement person is notified that the estimate has been reduced by this recalculation.
[0171]
As a result, the requester can be expected to reduce the estimated price once fixed, and if it becomes cheaper, a notification indicating that will be given, so that more useful system use can be achieved. .
[0172]
Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.
[0173]
In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.
[0174]
Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0175]
In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.
[0176]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.
[0177]
As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.
[0178]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.
[0179]
In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.
[0180]
Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0181]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic submission management apparatus, a control method thereof, an electronic submission management system, and a program that can achieve more useful system utilization. In particular, since the charge can be lowered even after a print request is made, the economic effect for the user of this system is great, leading to the promotion of use of the system.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an electronic submission management system according to an embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a basic processing flow of the electronic submission management system according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing a submission request process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a submission request process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a submission settlement process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing details of a print schedule investigation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing an estimate change process according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen 700 according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of an order screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of a comment input screen according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charge calculation table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery time table and a delivery fee table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print schedule table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a priority relationship management table according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing schedule table by printing base according to the embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print information management table according to the embodiment of this invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Request terminal 200 Settlement terminal 300, 500-800 CRD system 301 Electronic submission management server 302 Database 303 Printing apparatus 400 Network

Claims (10)

An electronic submission management device that accepts and manages print requests by electronic submission via a network,
Receiving means for receiving print information relating to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
Determining means for determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination means using the print information received by the receiving means;
Monitoring means for monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
As a result of monitoring by the monitoring means within a predetermined period, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing base that is cheaper than the second printing base determined by the determining means, and the first printing base And a notification means for notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed matter for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation means when the delivery based on the print information is in time for the designated delivery date. Electronic document management device. As a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit, a vacancy occurs in the print schedule of the first printing site that is lower in estimated fee than the second printing site determined by the determining unit, and based on the printing information at the first printing site. The electronic manuscript according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that changes the second printing base determined by the determining unit to the first printing base when printing is in time for a designated delivery date. Management device. The notifying unit notifies that the print base is changed from the second print base to the first print base in addition to the recalculated notification of the estimated price of the printed matter to the first print base.
The electronic manuscript management apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined period is a change period that can be changed from the second printing base to the printing schedule of the first printing base.
The electronic manuscript management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A search for searching a plurality of print bases for printing based on the print information based on a print condition, a delivery destination of a printed matter based on the print information, and a desired delivery date included in the print information. A search condition determining means for determining a condition;
Search means for searching for a print base that matches the search conditions determined by the search condition determination means;
Further comprising
Said determining means has been printed based search by said search means, electronic traffic according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that to determine the print base to perform printing based on the print information Management device. A determination unit that determines whether the printing base determined by the determination unit is the shortest first printing base from the delivery destination of the printed matter;
And a changing means for changing the printing base determined by the determining means to another printing base based on the determination result of the determining means, the print schedule monitored by the monitoring means, and the print information. The electronic submission management apparatus according to claim 1. As a result of the determination by the determination unit, when the print base determined by the determination unit is a second print base that is not the first print base, the changing unit includes a print schedule and print information monitored by the monitoring unit. based on, wherein the second print base, of the print base group including the first print base other than said second print base, to claim 6, characterized in that the change in the near print base by the delivery destination Electronic document management device. An electronic submission management system configured by connecting a request terminal that performs a print request by electronic submission and an electronic submission management server that receives and manages the print request via a network,
The request terminal is
Transmission means for transmitting print information related to the print request to the electronic submission management server via the network,
The electronic submission management server
Receiving means for receiving the print information from the requesting terminal via the network;
Determining means for determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation means for calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination means using the print information received by the receiving means;
Monitoring means for monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
As a result of monitoring by the monitoring means within a predetermined period, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing base that is cheaper than the second printing base determined by the determining means, and the first printing base And a notification means for notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed matter for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation means when the delivery based on the print information is in time for the designated delivery date. Electronic manuscript management system. A control method of an electronic submission management apparatus that accepts and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving print information related to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
A determination step of determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation step of calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination step using the print information received by the reception step;
A monitoring step of monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
Within a predetermined period, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring step, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing site, which is cheaper than the second printing site determined by the determining step, and the first printing site A notification step of notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed matter for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation step when the delivery based on the print information is in time for the designated delivery date. Control method for electronic manuscript management device. A program for causing a computer to execute control of an electronic submission management apparatus that accepts and manages a print request by electronic submission via a network,
A receiving step of receiving print information related to the print request from the request terminal via the network;
A determination step of determining a printing base for performing printing based on the printing information from a plurality of printing bases;
A calculation step of calculating an estimated charge of the printed material for the printing base determined by the determination step using the print information received by the reception step;
A monitoring step of monitoring a printing schedule of each of the plurality of printing bases;
Within a predetermined period, as a result of monitoring by the monitoring step, there is a vacancy in the print schedule of the first printing site, which is cheaper than the second printing site determined by the determining step, and the first printing site Causing the computer to execute a notification step of notifying the request terminal of the estimated charge of the printed material for the first printing base recalculated by the calculation step when the delivery based on the print information is in time for the designated delivery date A program characterized by

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