JP4222305B2 - Printing system, printing apparatus and data transmission server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system configured so that data communication can be performed between a printing apparatus that prints an image represented by print data on a recording medium and a data transmission server that transmits the print data to the printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus that constitutes the printing system. And a data transmission server.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system that provides a service via a network and charges for the service is known. In such a system, if you charge before the service is completed, you will be charged even if the service does not complete normally due to some abnormality. A configuration is proposed in which billing is performed after confirming the above.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a game machine and a file server are connected via a communication line. In this system, a game machine operated by a user is connected from a file server via a communication line. Billing processing is performed after the billing management system on the file server side confirms that a file such as a game program has been downloaded.

On the other hand, a printing system is known in which a printing apparatus that prints an image represented by print data on a recording medium such as paper and a server that provides the print data to the printing apparatus are capable of data communication. Also in such a printing system, it has been proposed to charge for printing an image represented by print data provided by a server by a printing apparatus. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that printing data is printed by a printing apparatus. A system is disclosed in which charging is performed upon completion of printing of the represented image. Specifically, a printing system having a client device, a server device, and a printing device on a network is disclosed. In this printing system, the client device creates print data and transmits the print data to the server device. The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. Then, the printing apparatus prints an image represented by the print data received from the server apparatus, and transmits the information regarding the printing cost to the server apparatus when the printing is completed. Based on the information about the printing cost received from the printing device, the server device measures the actual printing cost at the time of printing to obtain an actual printing cost value, and prints the print cost accumulated value that has already been stored. The accumulated print cost value is updated by accumulating the actual cost value (that is, charging is performed).
JP 2001-357212 A JP 2001-195224 A

By the way, in the system that charges after confirming that charging is normally completed as described above, if the service is not completed normally, no charging is performed.
Here, in the service for downloading a game program as in the system described in Patent Document 1, if the download is not completed normally due to some abnormality, the game program cannot be used.

  On the other hand, in the service that prints the image represented by the print data as in the printing system described in Patent Document 2, even if the printing of the image represented by the print data is not normally completed due to some abnormality, The printed matter for the printed portion can be used. For this reason, immediately before the printing of the image represented by the print data is completed, an error is intentionally generated so that the printing apparatus cannot print the image represented by the print data. It is conceivable that fraudulent acts such as printing the part and not charging at all will be performed. In particular, in a printing apparatus, since a state in which an image represented by print data cannot be printed is likely to occur, such as when a recording medium is not set or ink or toner has run out. Even if an image cannot be printed, it is difficult to determine whether the image is intentional.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent fraudulent acts that prevent charging while printing an image represented by print data in a printing system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing system according to claim 1, wherein an image represented by print data (image data representing an image for printing) is a recording medium (a medium on which an image is printed, for example, paper A printing apparatus that prints on a sheet-like medium) and a data transmission server that transmits print data to the printing apparatus are configured to be capable of data communication. The “printing apparatus” may be any apparatus having a configuration for printing an image represented by print data on a recording medium. Examples thereof include a printer, a facsimile machine, a copier, and a multifunction machine of these.

  In this printing system, the printing apparatus includes a storage unit and a printing unit, the storage unit stores all the print data received from the data transmission server, and the printing unit stores the data in the storage unit. The image represented by the printed data is printed on a recording medium.

In the printing system, the data transmission server includes a print data transmission unit, a determination unit, and a billing unit. The print data transmission unit transmits the print data to the printing apparatus, and the determination unit prints the print data. In the apparatus, it is determined whether or not reception of the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit is completed, and when it is determined by the determination unit that reception of the print data is completed, the charging unit is configured by the print data transmission unit. A billing process for billing an amount determined according to the transmitted print data is executed.

  That is, in this printing system, the printing apparatus stores all data (not only a part of the print data) of the print data (print data to be charged) transmitted from the data transmission server in the storage unit. . Then, the data transmission server executes charging processing for the print data when reception of the print data is completed in the printing apparatus, in other words, when storage of all data of the print data is completed.

  Therefore, according to the printing system of the present invention, fraudulent acts can be prevented as compared with a configuration in which charging processing is executed when printing of an image represented by print data is completed in a printing apparatus. In other words, in a configuration in which charging processing is executed when printing is completed, charging is performed while printing a large part of the image represented by the print data by intentionally putting the printing device into a non-printable state immediately before printing is completed. Unauthorized acts such as preventing the processing from being executed at all will be possible. On the other hand, in the printing system of the present invention, regardless of whether or not the printing apparatus is ready to print the image represented by the printing data, the charging process is executed when the printing apparatus has received the printing data. In this way, it is possible to prevent the illegal acts as described above. Further, in this printing system, since the printing apparatus is configured to store all data of the print data, it is assumed that the printing apparatus cannot print the image represented by the print data when the reception of the print data is completed. Even if there is, the image represented by the print data can be printed on the basis of the stored print data when it becomes ready for printing.

Incidentally, (determination of whether the received print data is completed in the printing apparatus) determination by the determination means of the data transmission server, specifically, for example, can be performed as following configuration.

That is, for example, the determination unit of the data transmission server determines that reception of the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit in the printing apparatus is completed when the transmission of the print data by the print data transmission unit is completed. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily determine on the data transmission server side whether or not reception of print data is completed in the printing apparatus.

Further, the following configuration is also conceivable. In this configuration , the printing apparatus includes reception completion notification means, and when the reception completion notification means has completed reception of print data from the data transmission server, reception completion notification data for notifying that effect. Is transmitted to the data transmission server. Then, the determination unit of the data transmission server determines that the reception of the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit in the printing apparatus is completed when the reception completion notification data is received from the printing apparatus.
According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine on the data transmission server side whether or not reception of print data is completed in the printing apparatus. That is, the configuration according to the former example may occur because the reception of the print data may not be normally completed in the printing apparatus even though the transmission of the print data by the print data transmission unit is completed due to a communication error or the like. In such a case, there is a possibility that the printing apparatus determines that the reception has been completed even though the reception of the print data has not been completed normally. On the other hand, in the configuration according to the latter example, since the reception completion is determined based on the notification from the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus does not normally receive the print data. It can be prevented that the reception is completed.

  On the other hand, if the printing apparatus starts printing the image represented by the print data based on a part of the received print data before the reception of all the print data is completed, the charging process is executed. In spite of this, a part of the image represented by the print data is printed.

Therefore, in this printing system, in the above-described printing system, the data transmission server includes a print permission transmission unit, and when the charging process for the print data is executed by the charging unit, the print permission transmission unit Print permission data for permitting printing of the image represented by the print data on the recording medium is transmitted to the printing apparatus. The printing unit of the printing apparatus is configured to be able to print an image represented by the print data for which the accounting process has been executed after receiving the print permission data from the data transmission server.

  That is, in the present printing system, printing of an image represented by print data in the printing apparatus is prohibited until print permission data for the print data is transmitted from the data transmission server (until billing processing is executed). I have to.

For this reason, according to the present printing system, it is possible to prevent the printing of the image represented by the print data that has not been charged.
By the way, it is preferable that the storage means is configured as in claim 2 .

That is, in the printing system according to claim 2 , in the printing system described above , the storage means is a nonvolatile storage medium (for example, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory). According to this configuration, it is possible to retain print data storage even after the printing apparatus is turned off. For this reason, even if the printing apparatus cannot print the image represented by the print data at the stage where the reception of the print data is completed, it can be reliably printed thereafter.

Next, when the printing apparatus according to claim 3 transmits the print data to the printing apparatus that prints an image represented by the print data on the recording medium and the printing apparatus receives the print data, A data transmission server that executes accounting processing for transmitted print data and transmits print permission data to the printing apparatus is used in a printing system configured to be capable of data communication. The printing apparatus includes a storage unit, a printing unit, and a reception completion notification unit . The storage unit stores all data of the print data received from the data transmission server, and the printing unit stores the data. An image represented by the print data stored in the means is printed on a recording medium.
Further, in this configuration, when reception of the print data from the data transmission server is completed, the reception completion notification means transmits reception completion notification data for notifying the fact to the data transmission server, The printing means is capable of printing an image represented by the print data for which the accounting process has been executed after receiving the print permission data from the data transmission server.

  According to such a printing apparatus, even if the image represented by the print data cannot be printed at the stage when the reception of the print data is completed, the image is stored when the print is ready after that. The image represented by the print data can be printed based on the print data that is present. For this reason, the data transmission server can execute the billing process at the stage when reception of the print data is completed in the printing apparatus regardless of whether or not the image represented by the print data is printable. As a result, fraud can be prevented.

On the other hand, the data transmission server according to claim 4 stores all data of the received print data, and transmits reception completion data notifying the fact to the data transmission server when reception of the print data is completed, Upon receiving the print permission data from the data transmission server, and printing apparatus for printing an image represented by the print data stored in the recording medium, said data transmission server for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus, is configured to be a data communication Used in printing systems. The data transmission server includes a print data transmission unit, a determination unit, a billing unit, and a print permission transmission unit . Then, the print data transmitting means transmits the print data to the printing apparatus, the completion notification receiving means receives the reception completion notification data from the printing apparatus , and the accounting means receives the reception completion notification data by the completion notification receiving means. when receiving, by performing the charging process for charging the amount determined in accordance with the print data transmitted by the print data transmission unit, the print permission transmission means, accounting for the print data by said charging means When the process is executed, print permission data for permitting printing of an image represented by the print data transmitted by the print data transmitting unit on a recording medium is transmitted to the printing apparatus.

  According to such a data transmission server, regardless of whether or not the printing apparatus is ready to print the image represented by the printing data, the charging process is executed when the printing apparatus has received the printing data. Therefore, cheating can be prevented. In addition, since the printing apparatus is configured to store all data of the print data, even if the printing apparatus cannot print the image represented by the print data when the reception of the print data is completed, After that, when printing becomes possible, an image represented by the print data can be printed based on the stored print data.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.
In this printing system, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 10, 10,... And a function server 20 are configured to be capable of data communication via the network 1 (the Internet in the present embodiment).

  The multifunction device 10 is a multi-function device having a telephone (voice communication) function, a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like, and includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a reading unit 13, a recording unit 14, and a communication unit. 15, a storage unit 16, a sound input unit 17, and a sound output unit 18.

The control unit 11 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs overall control of each unit constituting the multifunction machine 10.
The operation unit 12 receives an input operation from a user (user) through an operation panel 12 a (FIG. 2) disposed on the outer surface (a casing (not shown)) of the multi-function device 10, and provides various information to the user. indicate. Specifically, on the operation panel 12a, as an input unit (key group) for receiving an input operation from a user, a copy key 41, a scanner key 42, a FAX key 43, a service key 44, a setting key 45, an up / down key Left and right direction keys 46, 47, 48, 49, an OK key 50 and a cancel key 51 are provided, and a display 52 is provided as a display unit for displaying various information to the user. . Then, the operation unit 12 inputs the contents of the input operation performed on the operation panel 12a to the control unit 11 and displays various information (message or the like) for the user on the display 52 according to a command from the control unit 11. To do.

  A reading unit (scanner) 13 is a known image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) that converts an image of a document set at a predetermined document reading position based on a command from the control unit 11. To generate image data representing this image.

  A recording unit (printer) 14 feeds sheets one by one from a sheet feeding cassette (sheet feeding tray) capable of storing a plurality of sheets as recording media based on a command from the control unit 11. A printing operation is performed in which an image represented by image data (print data) is printed on a sheet by a well-known image recording method such as an inkjet method, and the sheet is discharged to a discharge tray. The image data printed by the recording unit 14 is, for example, image data generated by the reading unit 13, facsimile data received by a facsimile function, received from an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) or the function server 20. Image data.

The communication unit 15 performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network 1.
The storage unit 16 stores various data on a hard disk (not shown).
The sound input unit 17 inputs sound from a microphone provided in a handset (receiver) (not shown) included in the multifunction machine 10 and generates sound data (PCM data) representing the sound.

The sound output unit 18 outputs the sound represented by the sound data from a speaker provided in the handset or a speaker (not shown) provided in the multifunction device 10 main body.
Next, the configuration of the function server 20 will be described.

  The function server 20 is for providing a service to the requesting multifunction device 10 in response to a request from the multifunction device 10, and includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage unit 23.

The control unit 21 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls each unit configuring the function server 20.
The communication unit 22 performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network 1.

  The storage unit 23 stores various data on a hard disk (not shown). Specifically, the storage unit 23 includes a charging information storage unit 24 for storing charging information (FIG. 3) described later, and a session management information storage unit for storing session management information (FIG. 10) described below. 25, a service program storage unit 26 for storing a service program described later, and a service output information storage unit 27 for storing output data described later.

  Here, the service program stored in the service program storage unit 26 is a program executed to provide a service to the multifunction machine 10. That is, the service program storage unit 26 stores a plurality of types of service programs corresponding to a plurality of types of services that can be provided to the multi-function peripheral 10, and corresponds to the service programs by executing the service program. A service is provided to the multifunction device 10. As specific contents of the service, for example, the text read from the original by the reading unit 13 of the multifunction device 10 is translated, and print data representing the translated text is generated and printed on the recording unit 14 of the multifunction device 10. A translation copy service, a news providing service that obtains the latest news data from a specific database, generates print data representing the obtained information, and causes the recording unit 14 of the multifunction device 10 to print the data, and a reading unit of the multifunction device 10 There is a speech reading service or the like in which the text read from the document is converted into speech and the speech is output to the sound output unit 18 of the multifunction machine 10.

Next, an outline of processing performed in the printing system of the present embodiment will be described.
When the user presses the service key 44 of the operation panel 12a, the multifunction device 10 allows the user to select a desired service from a plurality of types of services that can be provided by the function server 20 (available for the multifunction device 10). A service selection screen (not shown) is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. The contents of services that can be provided by the function server 20 may be stored in advance in the multi-function peripheral 10. For example, data representing the contents of services that can be provided by the function server 20 is external (function server). 20 and other servers) can be selected from the latest service even in an environment where the service that can be provided by the function server 20 changes.

  When the user performs a service selection operation on the service selection screen displayed on the display 52, the multifunction peripheral 10 is an ID input screen (not shown) for allowing the user to input a user ID and a password. Is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a.

  Here, the user ID and the password are identification information unique to the user necessary for receiving the service provided by the function server 20, and are combined with the service provider that provides the service using the function server 20. It is given by the user of the machine 10 performing a separate user registration procedure. That is, in the present printing system, the function server 20 is configured to perform a billing process for collecting the value of the provided service for each user who requested the service, and the user ID and password are stored in the function server. It is used for identifying the user of the service request source on the 20 side. The user registration procedure can be performed, for example, via the operation panel 12a of the multifunction machine 10 or a personal computer.

  In the user registration procedure, the user registers a payment method (credit card, prepaid card, debit card, etc.) and payment-accompanying information (information necessary for payment such as a credit card number, a card PIN). Such information is stored in the billing information storage unit 24 of the function server 20 as billing information. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the billing information storage unit 24 stores a user ID, a password, a settlement method, settlement-accompanying information, an unsettled billing amount, and lock information as billing information. Here, the unsettled billing amount represents a cumulative value (scheduled amount of billing) of a billing amount that has not yet been settled (debited from an account, etc.). The lock information indicates whether or not the billing information is in a rewritable state, and “FALSE (unlocked state)” is in a rewritable state. “TRUE (locked state)” "Indicates that the rewrite is prohibited. The lock information is set to “TRUE” while the accounting information is being rewritten. That is, the lock information is used to prevent the charging information from being rewritten based on a plurality of different processes.

  Then, when the user performs an input operation of the user ID and password on the ID input screen displayed on the display 52, the multifunction device 10 performs a process of requesting the function server 20 for the service selected on the service selection screen. Do.

  On the other hand, when the function server 20 receives a service request from the multi-function device 10, the function server 20 executes a service program corresponding to the service, thereby obtaining data (print data, sound data, etc.) corresponding to the service contents. Data ") is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10 that is the service request source. When the function server 20 determines that the reception of the output data has been completed in the multifunction device 10, the function server 20 performs charging processing for the service (specifically, the charging information stored in the charging information storage unit 24 has not been stored). Execute processing for updating the settlement charge amount).

  Further, in the present printing system, the multifunction machine 10 is configured to request the function server 20 to retransmit the output data. That is, the function server 20 is configured to store (store) output data to be transmitted to the multifunction device 10 in the service output information storage unit 27 of the storage unit 23, and in response to a retransmission request from the multifunction device 10 A process of transmitting the output data to the multifunction machine 10 is performed. On the other hand, the MFP 10 operates a retransmission data selection screen (FIG. 4) for allowing the user to select output data to be requested for retransmission by performing a predetermined retransmission operation by the user on the operation panel 12a. This is displayed on the display 52 of the panel 12a. Specifically, each time a service is requested from the function server 20, the multi-function device 10 stores information for identifying the service request (session ID and information on the date and time when the service was requested (date and time information) described later). It is configured to be stored (stored) in the unit 16 (S110 in a service use process (FIG. 5) described later), and the date and time information stored in the storage unit 16 is displayed as a list as a retransmission data selection screen. When the date and time information is selected by the user on the retransmission data selection screen displayed on the display 52, the multi-function device 10 causes the user to input the user ID and password as in the case of requesting the service. Is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. Then, when the user performs an input operation of the user ID and password on this ID input screen, processing for requesting the function server 20 to transmit output data corresponding to the date and time information selected on the retransmission data selection screen is performed. Do.

  In the present printing system, the output data stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the function server 20 is deleted by an input operation from the multifunction machine 10. That is, the multifunction machine 10 displays a deletion data selection screen for allowing the user to select output data to be deleted when the user performs a predetermined deletion operation on the operation panel 12a. 52. Specifically, as with the retransmission data selection screen (FIG. 4), the date and time information stored in the storage unit 16 is displayed as a list as information for specifying output data to be deleted. When the user selects date / time information on the deletion data selection screen (the same screen as in FIG. 4) displayed on the display 52, the multifunction device 10 prompts the user as in the case of requesting a service. An ID input screen for inputting the user ID and password is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. When the user inputs a user ID and password on this ID input screen, the function server 20 is requested to delete the output data corresponding to the date / time information selected on the deletion data selection screen. Do.

Next, specific processing contents executed by the control units 11 and 21 of the multifunction machine 10 and the function server 20 will be described.
First, service use processing performed by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This service use processing is performed by performing a service selection operation on the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a of the multifunction machine 10, and further performing an input operation of a user ID and a password on the ID input screen. Be started. Note that the specific content of the service use process varies depending on the requested service (for example, whether or not the image of the document needs to be read by the reading unit 13), so “translated copy” is selected here. An example will be described.

  When this service use process is started, first, in S101, a service activation command for requesting the function server 20 for the service (translation copy service in this example) selected on the service selection screen, and ID input A process of transmitting the user ID and password (user ID and password of the user requesting the service) input on the screen to the function server 20 is performed.

  Subsequently, in S102, the session ID and parameter request command transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the transmission of the service activation command in S101 are received. Here, the session ID is unique identification information for each service request, and is used for identifying communication related to a plurality of service requests on the function server 20 side. That is, in the subsequent processing (specifically, S105, S109, S112, and S114) in the service use processing, the multi-function device 10 transmits data to be transmitted to the function server 20 together with the session ID, and the function server 20 Specifies the service request data based on the received session ID. The session ID is generated in S401 in a later-described translation copy service (FIG. 9) executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20. In S402, the session ID is transmitted together with the parameter request command to the MFP 10 that is the source of the service activation command. Is done.

  Subsequently, in S103, on the basis of the parameter request command received in S102, a parameter input screen for allowing the user to set parameters necessary for the service (in this example, translation copy service) is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. To display. Specifically, the parameter request command includes XML (extensible Markup Language) data representing the parameter input screen shown in FIG. 6, and the multifunction device 10 displays the parameter input screen based on the XML data. 52. In this example, a plurality of types of parameters (“English → Japanese” and “Japanese → English”) that can be selected as the translation language of the translation copy service are displayed, and the up and down direction keys 46, The parameter selection is performed by moving the cursor for selecting a parameter (broken rectangle shown in FIG. 6) up and down by pressing the 47 key and pressing the OK key. For other services, parameters necessary for the service (for example, news category, issuer, etc. for news service) are set. For services that do not require parameter setting, the parameter request command is not received in S102, and the processes in S103 to S105 are not performed.

  Subsequently, in S104, the process waits until the user selects a parameter on the parameter input screen displayed on the display 52 in S103, and when a parameter is selected, the process proceeds to S105.

In S105, the parameter (“English → Japanese” or “Japanese → English”) selected in S104 is transmitted to the function server 20.
Subsequently, in S106, an image input command transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the parameter transmission in S105 is received. This image input command requests the multifunction device 10 to transmit image data necessary for providing a service (in this example, image data of a document to be translated). The image input command is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10 in S404 in a translation copy service (FIG. 9) described later executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20.

  Subsequently, in S107, a message (for example, “Please set the document and press the OK key”) for prompting the user to read the document to be translated by the reading unit 13 is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. To display.

Subsequently, in S108, the process waits until the user performs an original reading operation. When the reading operation is performed, the process proceeds to S109.
In S109, a process of transmitting image data representing the image read from the original in S108 (image data generated by the reading unit 13) to the function server 20 is performed. Note that if the service does not require reading of a document by the reading unit 13 (for example, a news providing service), the processes of S106 to S109 are not performed.

  Subsequently, in S110, the session ID received in S102 is stored in the storage unit 16 in association with the current date and time. That is, information on the date and time when the service is requested (date and time information) and the session ID are stored in the storage unit 16 as a service request history. The data saved here is used when requesting retransmission of output data or requesting deletion of output data.

  Subsequently, in S111, reception of output data (in this example, translated print data) transmitted from the function server 20 is started. The received output data is stored in the storage unit 16. Note that the output of the received output data is prohibited until an output start command is received from the function server 20 in S115 described later.

Subsequently, in S <b> 112, a reception start notification for notifying that reception of output data has started is transmitted to the function server 20.
Subsequently, in S113, it is determined whether or not the reception of the output data is completed (in other words, whether or not all the data of the output data is stored in the storage unit 16), and it is determined that the reception of the output data is completed. Then, the process proceeds to S114.

  In S114, a reception completion notification (corresponding to the reception completion notification data of the present invention) for notifying completion of reception of the output data is transmitted to the function server 20. As a result, billing processing (billing information update processing) is executed in the function server 20.

  Subsequently, in S115, an output start command (corresponding to the print permission data of the present invention) transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the transmission of the reception completion notification in S114 is received. The output start command is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10 that is the transmission source of the reception completion notification in S417 in a later-described translation copy service (FIG. 9) executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20.

  Subsequently, in S116, output of output data (output data received from the function server 20) stored in the storage unit 16 (in this example, printing of an image represented by print data) is performed. Thereafter, the service use process is terminated.

  Next, output information transmission request processing performed by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this output information transmission request process, date and time information is selected on the retransmission data selection screen (FIG. 4) displayed on the display of the operation panel 12a of the multifunction machine 10, and the user ID and password are further displayed on the ID input screen. This is started by performing the input operation.

  When the output information transmission request process is started, first, in S201, an output command for requesting the function server 20 to transmit the output data, and a session ID corresponding to the date / time information selected on the retransmission data selection screen (The session ID stored in the storage unit 16 in association with the selected date and time information) and the user ID and password input on the ID input screen are transmitted to the function server 20. In the subsequent processing (specifically, S206 and S208) in the output information transmission request processing, the multifunction machine 10 transmits the data to be transmitted to the function server 20 together with the session ID, and the function server 20 The service request data is specified based on the received session ID.

  Subsequently, in S202, information transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the transmission of the output command in S201 is received. The information received here is information indicating whether or not the function server 20 can transmit the output data. For example, when the transmitted password is incorrect or the output data corresponding to the transmitted session ID. Is not stored in the service output information storage unit 27, information indicating an error is transmitted. This information is transmitted to the MFP 10 that is the transmission source of the output command in S502 or S503 in an output information transmission process (FIG. 11) described later executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20.

Subsequently, in S203, it is determined whether or not the information received in S202 is information indicating an error.
If it is determined in S203 that the received information is information indicating an error, the process proceeds to S204, and a message indicating an error is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. Thereafter, the output information transmission request process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S203 that the received information is not information indicating an error (information indicating that output data can be transmitted), the process proceeds to S205 and is transmitted from the function server 20. Reception of output data (for example, print data and sound data) is started. The received output data is stored in the storage unit 16. Note that the output of the received output data is prohibited until an output start command is received from the function server 20 in S209 described later.

Subsequently, in S206, a reception start notification for notifying that reception of output data has started is transmitted to the function server 20.
Subsequently, in S207, it is determined whether or not the reception of the output data is completed (in other words, whether or not all the data of the output data is stored in the storage unit 16), and it is determined that the reception of the output data is completed. Then, the process proceeds to S208.

In S <b> 208, a reception completion notification for notifying completion of reception of output data is transmitted to the function server 20.
Subsequently, in S209, an output start command transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the transmission of the reception completion notification in S208 is received. The output start command is transmitted to the MFP 10 that is the transmission source of the reception completion notification in S512 in an output information transmission process (FIG. 11) described later executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20.

  Subsequently, in S210, output data (output data received from the function server 20) stored in the storage unit 16 is output (for example, printing of an image represented by print data, output of sound represented by sound data). Thereafter, the output information transmission request process is terminated.

  Next, output information deletion request processing performed by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this output information deletion request process, the date / time information is selected on the deletion data selection screen (the same screen as FIG. 4) displayed on the display of the operation panel 12a of the multifunction machine 10, and the ID input screen is used. The process starts when a user ID and password are input.

  When the output information deletion request process is started, first, in S301, a deletion command for requesting the function server 20 to delete the output data, and a session ID corresponding to the date / time information selected on the deletion data selection screen. (The session ID stored in the storage unit 16 in association with the selected date and time information) and the user ID and password input on the ID input screen are transmitted to the function server 20.

  Subsequently, in S302, the information transmitted from the function server 20 in response to the transmission of the deletion command in S301 is received. The information received here is information indicating whether or not the function server 20 can delete the output data. For example, when the transmitted password is incorrect or the output data corresponding to the transmitted session ID. Is not stored in the service output information storage unit 27, information indicating an error is transmitted. This information is transmitted to the MFP 10 that is the transmission source of the deletion command in S602 or S603 in an output information deletion process (FIG. 12) described later executed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20.

Subsequently, in S303, it is determined whether or not the information received in S302 is information indicating an error.
If it is determined in S303 that the received information is information indicating an error, the process proceeds to S304, and a message indicating an error is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a. Thereafter, the output information deletion request process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S303 that the received information is not information indicating an error (information indicating that the output data has been deleted), the process proceeds to S305 and a message indicating that the deletion of the output data has been completed. Is displayed on the display 52 of the operation panel 12a.

  Subsequently, in S306, among the session ID and date / time information (information about the service requested in the past) stored in the storage unit 16, the session ID and date / time information corresponding to the deleted output data (deleted data selection screen) Delete the information selected in. Thereafter, the output information deletion request process is terminated.

  Next, the translation copy service performed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This translation copy service is started by receiving a service activation command from the multifunction machine 10. The service activation command is transmitted in S101 in the service use process (FIG. 5) described above.

  When the translation copy service is started, first, in S401, a unique session ID is generated for each service request, and the generated session ID is registered in the session management information storage unit 25 of the storage unit 23 as session management information. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the session management information storage unit 25 stores a session ID, a user ID, a file name, a service program name, and a reception completion flag as session management information. Here, the user ID is a user ID (user ID of the user who requested the service) transmitted from the multifunction device 10 together with the service activation command. The file name is a file name of output data transmitted to the multifunction machine 10 for providing a service. The service program name is a service program name corresponding to the requested service. The reception completion flag is a flag indicating whether or not reception of output data has been completed in the MFP 10 (“0” is incomplete, “1” is complete).

  Subsequently, in S402, processing is performed to transmit the session ID generated in S401 and a parameter request command for requesting setting of parameters required for the service to the multifunction machine 10.

  Subsequently, in S403, the parameter transmitted from the multifunction device 10 is received in response to the transmission of the parameter request command in S402. The parameter is transmitted in S105 in the service use process (FIG. 5) described above.

In step S404, an image input command for requesting transmission of image data of a document to be translated by the translation copy service is transmitted to the multifunction device 10.
Subsequently, in S405, image data transmitted from the multifunction device 10 in response to the transmission of the image input command in S404 (image data generated by reading a document by the reading unit 13 of the multifunction device 10) is received. To do. The image data is transmitted in S109 in the service use process (FIG. 5) described above.

  Subsequently, in S406, the image data received in S405 is subjected to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing to recognize text included in the image, and the recognized text is translated (based on the parameters received in S403). Translation process).

In step S407, output data (print data representing an image of the translated text) is generated by setting a print layout for the text translated in step S406.
Subsequently, in S <b> 408, the output data generated in S <b> 407 is stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the storage unit 23. The output data is stored until a deletion request is received from the multifunction device 10.

  In step S409, it is determined whether the output data can be transmitted. Specifically, for example, when the password received together with the service activation command is incorrect, it is determined that the output data cannot be transmitted.

If it is determined in step S409 that the output data cannot be transmitted, the output information transmission process ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S409 that the output data can be transmitted, the process proceeds to step S410, and processing for transmitting the output data (print data) generated in step S407 to the multifunction device 10 is started.

  Subsequently, in S411, it is determined whether or not a reception start notification, which is a notification that reception of output data has started, has been received from the multifunction device 10. The reception start notification is transmitted in S112 in the service use process (FIG. 5) described above.

  If it is determined in S411 that the reception start notification has not been received, the process proceeds to S412 and it is determined whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the start of transmission of output data in S410. Note that the certain time referred to here is a time that is a criterion for abnormality determination that exceeds the normal time required from the start of transmission of output data to the reception of the reception start notification.

If it is determined in S412 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S411.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S412 that the fixed time has elapsed, the translated copy service is terminated. In other words, when a reception start notification is not received even though a certain time has elapsed since the start of transmission of output data, the transmission of output data is stopped.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S411 that the reception start notification has been received, the process proceeds to S413, and whether or not a reception completion notification, which is a notification that the reception of the output data has been completed, has been received from the multifunction device 10. Determine. The reception completion notification is transmitted in S114 in the service use process (FIG. 5) described above.

  If it is determined in S413 that the reception completion notification has not been received, the process proceeds to S414, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception start notification was received in S412. Note that the certain time referred to here is a time used as a criterion for abnormality determination that exceeds a normal time required from reception of the reception start notification to reception of the reception completion notification. However, since the time required from receiving the reception start notification to receiving the reception completion notification varies depending on the size of the output data, check whether a certain amount of time has elapsed from completion of transmission of the output data to reception of the reception completion notification. You may make it determine.

If it is determined in S414 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S413.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S414 that a certain time has elapsed, the translation copy service is terminated. That is, the transmission of the output data is stopped when the reception completion notification is not received even though a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception start notification was received.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S413 that the reception completion notification has been received, the process proceeds to S415, and charging information update processing is executed. The specific contents of the billing information update process will be described later (FIG. 13).

  Subsequently, in S416, a reception completion flag is set. Specifically, of the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25, the value of the reception completion flag stored for the user ID of the service request source user is changed from “0” to “1”. Update.

Subsequently, in S417, an output start command for permitting output of the output data is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10. Then, this translation copy service is terminated.
Next, output information transmission processing performed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This output information transmission process is started by receiving an output command from the multifunction machine 10. The output command is transmitted in S201 in the above-described output information transmission request process (FIG. 7).

  When the output information transmission process is started, first, in S501, it is determined whether or not output data can be transmitted. Specifically, for example, when the password received together with the output command is incorrect, or when the output data corresponding to the session ID is not stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the storage unit 23, the output data is It is determined that transmission is not possible.

  If it is determined in S501 that the output data cannot be transmitted, the process proceeds to S502, and information indicating an error is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10. Thereafter, the output information transmission process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S501 that the output data can be transmitted, the process proceeds to S503, and information indicating that the output data can be transmitted is transmitted to the multi-function device 10.
Subsequently, in S504, a process for transmitting the output data stored in the service output information storage unit 27 to the multi function device 10 is started. Specifically, the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25 is referred to and stored in the service output information storage unit 27 based on the file name stored for the session ID received together with the output command. The output data corresponding to the session ID is read from the output data being transmitted and transmitted.

  In step S <b> 505, it is determined whether a reception start notification, which is a notification that output data reception has been started, has been received from the multifunction device 10. The reception start notification is transmitted in S206 in the output information transmission request process (FIG. 7) described above.

If it is determined in S505 that the reception start notification has not been received, the process proceeds to S506, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since transmission of output data was started in S504.
If it is determined in S506 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S505.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S506 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the output information transmission process is terminated. In other words, when a reception start notification is not received even though a certain time has elapsed since the start of transmission of output data, the transmission of output data is stopped.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S505 that the reception start notification has been received, the process proceeds to S507, and whether or not the reception completion notification, which is a notification that the reception of the output data has been completed, has been received from the multifunction device 10. Determine. The reception completion notification is transmitted in S208 in the above-described output information transmission request process (FIG. 7).

If it is determined in S507 that the reception completion notification has not been received, the process proceeds to S508, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception start notification was received in S505.
If it is determined in S508 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to S507.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S508 that a certain time has elapsed, the output information transmission process is terminated. That is, the transmission of the output data is stopped when the reception completion notification is not received even though a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception start notification was received.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S507 that the reception completion notification has been received, the process proceeds to S509, where it is determined whether or not the accounting information update process (FIG. 13) has been executed for this output data. Specifically, referring to the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25, if the reception completion flag stored for the session ID received together with the reception completion notification is “1”, the charging information update process If the reception completion flag is “0”, it is determined that the charging information update process has not been executed.

  If it is determined in S509 that the charging information update process has not been executed, the process proceeds to S510, and the charging information update process is executed. The specific contents of the billing information update process will be described later (FIG. 13).

  Subsequently, in S511, a reception completion flag is set. Specifically, of the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25, the value of the reception completion flag stored for the user ID of the service request source user is changed from “0” to “1”. Update. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S512.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S509 that the billing information update process has been executed, the process directly proceeds to S512. That is, the charging information update process is not executed again for the output data for which the charging information update process has been executed.

In S512, an output start command for permitting output of the output data is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10. Thereafter, the output information transmission process is terminated.
Next, output information deletion processing performed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This output information deletion process is started by receiving a deletion command from the multifunction machine 10. The deletion command is transmitted in S301 in the output information deletion request process (FIG. 8) described above.

  When this output information deletion process is started, first, in S601, it is determined whether or not output data can be deleted. Specifically, for example, when the password received together with the deletion command is incorrect, or when the output data corresponding to the session ID is not stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the storage unit 23, the output data is It is determined that it cannot be deleted.

  If it is determined in step S601 that the output data cannot be deleted, the process proceeds to step S602, and information indicating an error is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10. Thereafter, the output information deletion process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S601 that the output data can be deleted, the process proceeds to S603 and the output data is deleted. Specifically, the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25 is referred to and stored in the service output information storage unit 27 based on the file name stored for the session ID received together with the delete command. The output data corresponding to the session ID is deleted from the existing output data.

In step S604, information indicating that the output data has been deleted is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 10. Thereafter, the output information deletion process is terminated.
Next, charging information update processing performed by the control unit 21 of the function server 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This billing information update process is started by receiving a delete command from the multifunction machine 10. The deletion command is transmitted in S301 in the output information deletion request process (FIG. 8) described above.

  When this billing information update process is started, first, in S701, a charge for output data is calculated. Specifically, the calculation is performed according to the contents of the service, the size of output data (number of printed sheets, etc.), and the like.

  Subsequently, in S702, the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 24 is referred to until the lock information stored for the user ID of the service requesting user becomes “FALSE (unlocked state)”. The process waits, and when “FALSE (non-locked state)” is entered, the process proceeds to S703. Note that the user ID of the service requesting user is determined based on the session management information stored in the session management information storage unit 25 and the session ID received from the MFP 10.

  Subsequently, in S703, the lock information stored for the user ID of the service requesting user in the charging information stored in the charging information storage unit 24 is rewritten to “TRUE (locked state)”. That is, the billing information is locked. This prevents the charging information rewriting process based on another process from being performed simultaneously.

Subsequently, in S704, the unsettled billing amount stored for the user ID of the user of the service request source is read from the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 24.
Subsequently, in S705, the charge for the output data calculated in S701 is added to the unsettled charge amount read in S704.

Subsequently, in S706, the amount obtained by adding the charge of the output data in S705 is written as an unsettled charge amount. That is, the unsettled charge amount is updated.
Finally, in S707, the lock information rewritten to “TRUE (locked state)” in S703 is rewritten to “FALSE (unlocked state)”. In other words, the billing information is unlocked. Thereafter, the billing information update process is terminated.

  As described above, in the printing system of the present embodiment, the multifunction device 10 notifies the function server 20 of the completion of reception of output data (S118), and the function server 20 receives the notification of completion of reception (S118). (S413: YES), the charging process for the output data is executed (S415). For this reason, according to the present printing system, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts as compared with a configuration in which charging processing is executed when output of output data is completed in the multifunction machine 10. That is, in the configuration in which the charging process is executed when the output of the output data is completed, the output data is intentionally set to a state in which the output of the output data cannot be performed immediately before the output of the output data is completed. It is possible to perform fraudulent acts such as preventing the billing process from being executed at all while outputting the majority of the above. In contrast, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, regardless of whether or not the multi-function peripheral 10 is in a state where output data can be output, the multi-function peripheral 10 has received the output data (in other words, output). Since the billing process is executed at the stage where all the data of the data is stored in the storage unit 16, fraud can be prevented. In addition, since the storage unit 16 stores all of the output data, even when the multifunction device 10 cannot output the output data when the output data is received, the storage unit 16 can output the data later. The output data can be output based on the output data stored in the storage unit 16. Since the storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage medium, the storage of output data can be held even after the multifunction device 10 is turned off.

  Furthermore, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, the output data stored in the function server 20 can be transmitted in response to a request from the multifunction machine 10 (FIGS. 7 and 11). For the output data, the charging process is not executed again (S509). For this reason, according to the present printing system, it is possible to reliably output the output data for which the accounting process has been executed, and the user of the multifunction device 10 can be prevented from being disadvantaged.

  On the other hand, in the printing system of the present embodiment, whether or not the reception of the output data is completed in the multifunction device 10 is determined based on the reception completion notification from the multifunction device 10. It can be prevented that it is determined that the reception is completed although the reception is not normally completed due to a communication error or the like.

  In addition, in the printing system of the present embodiment, output of output data in the multifunction device 10 is prohibited until an output start command for the output data is transmitted from the function server 20 (until billing processing is executed). Therefore, it is possible to prevent output data that has not been charged from being output.

  In the printing system of this embodiment, the multifunction machine 10 corresponds to the printing apparatus of the present invention, the recording unit 14 corresponds to the printing unit of the present invention, and the storage unit 16 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention. The process of S114 in the service use process (FIG. 5) and the process of S208 in the output information transmission request process (FIG. 7) correspond to the reception completion notification unit of the present invention. The function server 20 corresponds to the data transmission server of the present invention, and the processing of S410 in the translation copy service (FIG. 9) and the processing of S504 in the output information transmission processing (FIG. 11) are the print data of the present invention. The processing of S413 and the processing of S507 correspond to the determining means of the present invention, the processing of S415 and the processing of S510 correspond to the charging means of the present invention, and correspond to the processing of S417. , S512 corresponds to the print permission transmission means of the present invention.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention can take a various form.
For example, in the printing system of the above-described embodiment, whether or not reception of output data is completed in the multifunction device 10 is determined based on a reception completion notification from the multifunction device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the output of the output data is completed in the function server 20, it may be determined that the reception of the output data is completed in the multifunction machine 10. In this way, it can be easily determined on the function server 20 side whether or not the reception of the output data is completed in the multifunction device 10.

  In the printing system of the above-described embodiment, charging is managed for each user of the multifunction device 10, but instead, charging may be managed for each multifunction device 10. In this way, the function server 20 can perform the billing process as long as it can identify even the multifunction machine 10 that is the service request source, and therefore it is possible to eliminate the need for a user ID or password input operation.

  Furthermore, in the printing system of the above embodiment, the output data stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the function server 20 can be transmitted in response to a request from the multifunction machine 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, in the case of a news providing service, the multifunction machine 10 may request output data from the function server 20 periodically (for example, once a day).

  In the printing system of the above embodiment, the output data stored in the service output information storage unit 27 of the function server 20 is deleted by an input operation from the multifunction machine 10, but this is not a limitation. For example, it may be automatically deleted after a predetermined period. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the output data is not saved on the function server 20 side, such as deleting the output data of the function server 20 when the multifunction device 10 has received all the data normally.

  Further, in the printing system of the above embodiment, the output data is transmitted to the multifunction device 10 regardless of the unpaid billing amount of the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 24 of the function server 20. For example, the transmission of output data may be prohibited when the unsettled charge amount is a certain amount or more.

  On the other hand, in the printing system of the above embodiment, the configuration using the multifunction machine 10 as an example of the printing apparatus has been exemplified, but it is also possible to use a normal printing apparatus (printer, facsimile, copier, etc.) that is not such a multi-function apparatus. is there.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the operation panel provided in a multifunctional machine. It is explanatory drawing of the accounting information memorize | stored in the accounting information storage part of a function server. It is explanatory drawing of the screen for retransmission data selection. It is a flowchart of a service use process. It is explanatory drawing of the screen for parameter input. It is a flowchart of an output information transmission request process. It is a flowchart of an output information deletion request process. It is a flowchart of a translation copy service. It is explanatory drawing of the session management information memorize | stored in the session management information storage part of a function server. It is a flowchart of an output information transmission process. It is a flowchart of an output information deletion process. It is a flowchart of an accounting information update process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 10 ... MFP, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Operation part, 12a ... Operation panel, 13 ... Reading part, 14 ... Recording part, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Memory | storage part, 17 ... Sound input part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Sound output part, 20 ... Function server, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Communication part, 23 ... Storage part, 24 ... Billing information storage part, 25 ... Session management information storage part, 26 ... Service program storage part, 27 ... Service output information storage unit.

Claims (4)

In a printing system in which a printing apparatus that prints an image represented by print data on a recording medium and a data transmission server that transmits the print data to the printing apparatus are configured to be capable of data communication.
The printing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing all data of print data received from the data transmission server;
Printing means for printing an image represented by the print data stored in the storage means on a recording medium;
Reception completion notifying means for transmitting reception completion notification data for notifying the fact to the data transmission server when reception of print data from the data transmission server is completed , and
The data transmission server is
Print data transmission means for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus;
Completion notification receiving means for receiving the reception completion notification data from the printing device ;
A charging unit that executes a charging process for charging an amount determined according to the print data transmitted by the print data transmitting unit when receiving the completion notification data by the completion notification receiving unit ;
Print permission data for permitting printing of an image represented by the print data transmitted by the print data transmission means on a recording medium when the charge processing for the print data is executed by the charge means. Printing permission transmission means for transmitting to
The printing system of the printing apparatus is configured such that when the print permission data is received from the data transmission server, an image represented by the print data can be printed. The printing system according to claim 1 ,
The printing system, wherein the storage unit is a non-volatile storage medium. A printing apparatus that prints an image represented by the print data on a recording medium; and when the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus and the printing apparatus receives the print data, a charging process is performed on the transmitted print data. And the data transmission server that transmits the print permission data to the printing apparatus is the printing apparatus used in a printing system configured to be capable of data communication,
Storage means for storing all data of print data received from the data transmission server;
Printing means for printing an image represented by the print data stored in the storage means on a recording medium;
A reception completion notification means for transmitting reception completion notification data for notifying that to the data transmission server when reception of the print data from the data transmission server is completed;
Equipped with a,
The printing device is configured to be capable of printing an image represented by the print data for which the accounting process has been executed after receiving the print permission data from the data transmission server. . Stores all data of the received print data, and when reception of the print data is completed, transmits the reception completion data notifying the fact to the data transmission server and stores the print permission data from the data transmission server . a printing apparatus for printing an image represented by the print data on a recording medium, said data transmission server for transmitting print data to the printing device, a said data transmission server for use in a data communication configured to be able to print system ,
Print data transmission means for transmitting print data to the printing apparatus;
Completion notification receiving means for receiving the reception completion notification data from the printing device ;
A charging unit that executes a charging process for charging an amount determined according to the print data transmitted by the print data transmitting unit when receiving the completion notification data by the completion notification receiving unit ;
Print permission data for permitting printing of an image represented by the print data transmitted by the print data transmission means on a recording medium when the charge processing for the print data is executed by the charge means. And a print permission transmission means for transmitting to the data transmission server.

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