JP5443962B2 - Content distribution management system and content distribution management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution management system and a content distribution management method for distributing articles such as newspapers and magazines.

  Today, paper media such as newspapers are delivered manually. In addition, information such as news may be distributed via e-mail or the like. It is also possible to obtain news information and the like by accessing a predetermined news site via the Internet. As described above, there are various methods for obtaining and using the content depending on the user, and the type of the desired content is also different.

  Therefore, a distribution system of newspaper article information and insert advertisement information for providing only the information required by the user through the communication network among the newspaper article information and insert advertisement information has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1). .) In the technique described in this document, a server device that distributes newspaper article information and insert advertisement information to each room in a building is used. In addition, an information terminal device including a receiving unit that receives information distributed from the server device through a communication network and a transmitting unit that transmits a print request for information is installed in a room or a common space of the building. The image forming apparatus receives and prints information corresponding to the print request transmitted from the information terminal apparatus.

  In addition, a billing system for billing in browsing page images of printed materials such as newspapers and magazines has been studied (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the technique described in this document, page images of printed materials such as newspapers and magazines distributed from a server via the Internet are displayed on the display in a limited manner on the Internet terminal device. When the user performs an operation for releasing the restriction, the user is charged so as to satisfy the charging condition.

  Furthermore, a technique for distributing paper media such as newspapers, magazines, and posters is also being studied (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In the technique described in this document, distribution information distributed by digital broadcasting or analog broadcasting is received by a copying machine. The copying machine stores the received distribution information and forms an image on the recording paper based on the distribution information.

  However, the amount of information provided every day through various media is enormous. For this reason, when browsing news of interest to the user, it is necessary to select a huge amount of information. In addition, when the source of the article is different, the content, the expression, the way of taking up, etc. are different even in the same event. In some cases, an overall picture of the event can be grasped by browsing various information on various media. In this case, it is desirable to provide articles in an easy-to-read form.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution management system and a content distribution management method capable of efficiently providing an easy-to-read article to a user.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that an article ID for identifying an article, the contents of the article, items of related information of the article, and the rectangular approximation of the paper image of the article. And a content distribution management system comprising a control unit connected to a printing apparatus, and the control unit outputs the content to be output based on an article ID included in a print instruction. Extracting means for extracting from the article database, grouping contents having many common items in the related information of the contents , determining a layout in descending order of the rectangular approximation of the contents, and arranging articles in a layout arranged in groups. Print layout processing means for generating print data to be printed and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus is provided. And summarized in that it was.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the content distribution management system according to the first aspect, the print layout processing means specifies keywords included in text constituting the content as related information, and there are many common keywords. The gist is to generate a print layout for printing contents together.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the content delivery management system according to the first or second aspect, in the article database, a source ID that identifies a source that provided the article is associated with the article ID. The gist of the invention is that the print layout processing means identifies the origin ID that provided the article as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing contents having the same origin ID.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the content distribution management system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the article database records the issue date of the article in association with the article ID. The gist of the present invention is that the print layout processing means identifies the issue date of the article as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing the contents with the similar issue time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the content distribution management system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control means is further connected to a log database that records a print log that has been printed in the printing apparatus. When the printing is completed in the printing device, the control means records the total price of the article content included in each sheet based on the print layout for the page that has been printed from the printing device. The gist of the present invention is that it further comprises a printing charge registration means.

The invention according to claim 6 is an article database in which an article ID for identifying an article, the content of the article, an item of related information of the article, and a rectangular approximation of the paper image of the article are associated with each other. A content distribution management method using a system including a control unit connected to a printing apparatus, wherein the control unit extracts content to be output from the article database based on an article ID included in a print instruction. Print data for grouping contents having many common items in the extraction stage and the related information of the contents , determining a layout in descending order of the rectangular approximation of the contents, and printing an article in a layout arranged in groups. And executing a print layout processing step of transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus. And effect.

(Function)
According to the present invention, the control unit extracts content to be output from the article database based on the article ID included in the print instruction. The control unit groups contents having many common items in the related information of the contents, generates print data for printing an article with a layout arranged collectively for each group, and transmits the print data to the printing apparatus. For this reason, since the printed contents are arranged in a grouped state, the user can easily grasp the contents of the plurality of contents. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the user with contents that are easy to read efficiently.

  According to the present invention, the control unit specifies keywords included in the text constituting the content as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing articles having many common keywords. For this reason, the user can browse the articles of the same content in which the same wording is used collectively.

  According to the present invention, the control unit specifies the origin ID that provided the article as the related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing the content having the same origin ID. For this reason, the user can browse the articles with the same provider collectively.

  According to the present invention, the control unit specifies the issue time of an article as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing the contents having the similar issue time. For this reason, the user can browse the contents with the same issue time collectively. For example, when an article about an incident is desired to be browsed, the articles can be browsed in order of the time history of the incident, so that the user can read the article while grasping the history of the time.

  According to the present invention, the control means determines the layout in descending order of the rectangular approximation. For this reason, since articles close to a rectangle are preferentially stored, articles can be arranged efficiently on one sheet and the number of printed sheets can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, when printing is completed in the printing apparatus, the control unit records the total price of the article content included in each sheet based on the print layout for the page that has been printed from the printing apparatus. To do. For this reason, even when the printing process for printing pages with different prices per sheet is interrupted in the middle, it is possible to appropriately charge for pages that have already been printed.

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to print in a state where it is easy to grasp the contents of a plurality of contents, it is possible to efficiently provide an easy-to-read article to the user.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a content distribution management system in an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the data memorize | stored in each database, (a) is a customer management database, (b) is a keyword database, (c) is a content database, (d) is an accounting database. The flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the first half of a content delivery process. The flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the latter half of a content delivery process. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of print layout generation processing. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of print charge registration processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the screen output to a client terminal, Comprising: (a) is an article list screen, (b) The article module screen in the example of a change. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a print page data generation process of a modification example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a content distribution management system for distributing a newspaper article to a user and providing a content distribution service that provides a printed matter on which the article is printed will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content distribution management system 10 is connected to a client terminal 20 used by a customer and a multi function peripheral (MFP) 30 as a printing apparatus that executes printing via a network.

  The client terminal 20 is a known computer terminal used by a user (customer) who browses a newspaper article to be distributed. The client terminal 20 includes a control unit including a control unit (CPU) and a storage unit (RAM, ROM, etc.), an input unit including a keyboard and a pointing device, an output unit including a display, a communication processing unit, and the like.

  The multifunction device 30 functions as a printing device and prints newspaper articles in accordance with user instructions. The multifunction machine 30 includes a control unit including a control unit (CPU) and a storage unit (RAM, ROM, etc.), a print processing unit, a communication processing unit, and the like. The communication processing unit of the multifunction machine 30 is connected to the content distribution management system 10 and the client terminal 20. In response to a print instruction from the client terminal 20, the multi-function device 30 executes printing using the print data acquired from the content distribution management system 10 and transmits print log data to the content distribution management system 10.

  On the other hand, the content distribution management system 10 includes a customer management server 11, a keyword management server 12, a content management server 13, a page management server 14, and a billing server 15. Each server (11-15) is provided with the control part which consists of a control means (CPU) and a memory | storage means (RAM, ROM, etc.). In this embodiment, a control means is comprised by each server (11-15). The content management server 13 and the page management server 14 function as an extraction unit that executes an extraction step of extracting content to be output from the article database based on the article ID included in the print instruction. The page management server 14 functions as a print layout processing unit that generates print data for printing an article with a layout arranged together for each group, and executes a print layout processing stage that is transmitted to the printing apparatus. The billing server 15 functions as a print billing registration unit that executes a print billing registration stage for billing an article that has been printed.

  The customer management server 11 includes a customer management database 11a. In the customer management database 11a, as shown in FIG. 2A, a customer management record 110 relating to a user is stored. The customer management record 110 is recorded when data relating to a customer who is provided with a content distribution service is stored. The customer management record 110 includes data relating to a customer ID, a distribution destination ID, a printing device ID, a contract condition, and a fee structure.

Data relating to a customer identifier (customer ID) for identifying each user is recorded in the customer ID data area.
In the distribution destination ID data area, data relating to a distribution destination identifier (distribution destination ID) that identifies the client terminal 20 that transmits the newspaper article as the distribution destination of the user is recorded. In this embodiment, a mail address is used as this distribution destination ID.

  In the printing device ID data area, data relating to a device identifier (printing device ID) that identifies the multi-function device 30 that transmits print data in accordance with the print instruction of the user is recorded. In this embodiment, an IP address is used as the printing device ID.

In the contract condition data area, data related to contract conditions when using this service is recorded. The contract conditions include data relating to distribution conditions, full-text browsing format, browsing restrictions, printing conditions, charging conditions, and the like. Here, the delivery condition is a condition related to the time when the article is delivered (
Every evening, every morning, every evening, etc.). In the full text browsing format, data relating to an identifier for specifying a format (article image or article text) when an article is browsed on a display is recorded. The printing conditions include a maximum number of copies to be printed, a paper size to be printed (A4 version, B5 version, etc.), and a paper identifier for specifying a printing format (article image or article text).

  The billing conditions include an act to be billed (billing target range) and a billing execution date. In the present embodiment, “full-text preview output” and “printing” are charged according to the contract conditions. In the present embodiment, browsing an article on the display of the client terminal 20 is referred to as a preview.

  In the fee structure data area, data relating to an identifier for specifying a fee structure applied to a customer determined based on a contract is recorded. In the present embodiment, a flat fee fee system or a pay-as-you-go fee structure is used as this fee system. By using a fee calculation table (not shown) of the fee structure specified by this fee structure identifier, the usage fee of each customer can be calculated and charged.

  On the other hand, the keyword management server 12 includes a keyword database 12a. In the keyword database 12a, as shown in FIG. 2B, a keyword management record 120 related to the keyword for each user is recorded. This keyword management record 120 is recorded in a keyword registration process described later. The keyword management record 120 includes data related to the customer ID, category, and keyword.

Data relating to a customer identifier for specifying each user is recorded in the customer ID data area.
In the category data area and the keyword data area, data related to the category and keyword desired by the user are recorded.

  The content management server 13 is a server that manages the content of articles to be distributed, and stores the distribution time. Furthermore, the content management server 13 includes a content database 13a. In the content database 13a, as shown in FIG. 2C, content records 130 relating to distributable content are recorded. The content record 130 is recorded when new content is generated and registered. The content record 130 includes data relating to an article ID, a source ID, an issue date, a publication page, a category, a keyword, an article image, an article size, a headline, an article content, an attached chart, and the number of characters.

  Data relating to an article identifier (article ID) for specifying each article is recorded in the article ID data area. This article ID is an identifier that manages the article image, the article content (text), and the unit price (billing amount) of the article in association with each other. This article ID is used for user selection, preview generation, and print management before printing, and for log management and customer-specific billing management after printing.

In the source ID data area, data relating to a source identifier (source ID) for specifying the content provider (for example, a content creator such as a newspaper company or a publisher) is recorded.
The issue date data area includes the issue date when this article was issued and the morning and evening publication identifier for specifying the morning and evening publications.

In the posted page data area, data relating to the page on which this article is posted in the content is recorded.
In the category data area and the keyword data area, data relating to the category and keyword of this article is recorded.

In the article image data area, article image image data for the entire article in a state of being posted on the paper is recorded.
In the article size data area, data relating to vertical and horizontal dimensions in the article image is recorded. In the present embodiment, even when the overall shape of the article image is not rectangular such as an inverted L-shape, the minimum rectangular size (the maximum horizontal dimension and the maximum vertical dimension of the entire shape) that can include the article image. Is used.

In the header data area, data related to the header in this article is recorded.
Text data constituting this article is recorded in the article content data area.
In the attached chart data area, data related to the photos, figures, and tables attached to this article are recorded.

In the character count data area, data relating to the number of characters included in this article is recorded.
On the other hand, the page management server 14 manages generation of a preview screen, a print screen, and the like of an article to be transmitted to the client terminal 20 and the multifunction device 30. The page management server 14 stores data relating to the dimensions of each printing sheet. Specifically, the page management server 14 stores data relating to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of each sheet in association with the sheet size identifier.

  Further, the page management server 14 stores a grouping threshold value for identifying and grouping contents related to each other. In this embodiment, when the common item of the category and the keyword is equal to or greater than a predetermined grouping threshold, the page management server 14 determines that they are the same group.

  The page management server 14 also includes a page database 14a. The page database 14a temporarily stores data to be distributed to the client terminal 20 and the multifunction device 30. Specifically, the page database 14a includes a distribution target content data area, a browsing log data area, a transmission screen data area, and a print target data area.

In the distribution target content data area, the content data acquired from the content management server 13 is stored in association with the customer ID.
In the browsing log data area, distributed article data related to articles distributed to the client terminal 20 is temporarily stored. This distributed article data is recorded when a full-text preview browsing instruction is received from the client terminal 20, and is deleted when a full-text preview log is notified to the accounting server 15. The distribution article data includes data related to the customer ID and the distribution article ID.

In the customer ID data area, data relating to a customer identifier for specifying each user to browse is recorded.
In the distribution article ID data area, data related to an article ID for specifying an article distributed to the user's client terminal 20 is recorded.

  Various screen data generated by the page management server 14 are temporarily recorded in the transmission screen data area. In the present embodiment, the various screens include a list preview screen and a full text preview screen. These various screens are deleted after being transmitted to the client terminal 20.

In the print target data area, print target data to be transmitted to the multifunction device 30 is temporarily stored. In this print target data area, print data is recorded in association with each other. The print target data is recorded when a print instruction including an article ID is acquired from the client terminal 20, and is deleted when the print target data is transmitted to the multifunction device 30. This print target data includes data relating to the customer ID, print page number, selected article ID, and source ID.

In the customer ID data area, data relating to a customer identifier for specifying each user who has given a print instruction is recorded.
In the print page number data area, data relating to the print page number to be printed in accordance with the print instruction of the customer is recorded.

In the selected article ID data area, data relating to an article ID for specifying an article included in the paper having the print page number is recorded.
In the source ID data area, data relating to a source identifier for specifying the article provider (article source) of the selected article ID is recorded.

  On the other hand, the billing server 15 includes a billing database 15a. As shown in FIG. 2 (d), the accounting database 15a stores unit price records 151 related to article prices, full-text browsing log records 152 related to user browsing histories, and print log records 153 related to user printing histories. Yes.

  The unit price record 151 is data relating to the unit price of the article. In the present embodiment, the unit price record 151 is recorded when the unit price of the article is determined and registered according to the source ID. This unit price record 151 includes data relating to the origin ID and price.

In the source ID data area, data relating to an identifier (source identifier) for specifying the source of each article is recorded.
In the price data area, data relating to the unit price of the article at the source is recorded.

  The full text browsing log record 152 is data relating to a log in which the customer has browsed the full text. In the present embodiment, it is recorded when a full-text preview screen is transmitted to the client terminal 20. The full text browsing log record 152 includes data related to the customer ID, the full text browsing time, and the browsing article ID.

Data relating to a customer identifier for specifying each user is recorded in the customer ID data area.
In the full text browsing time data area, data related to the date and time when the user browsed the full text is recorded.

In the browsing article ID data area, data relating to an article identifier that identifies an article that the user has browsed through the full text is recorded.
The print log record 153 is data relating to a log that has been printed. In this embodiment, it is recorded when printing according to a customer's print instruction is completed. In the present embodiment, if printing is terminated halfway, only the page for which printing has been completed is saved as a log. The print log record 153 includes data relating to the customer ID, printing time, print page number, selected article ID, source ID, and charge amount.

Data relating to a customer identifier for specifying each user is recorded in the customer ID data area.
In the printing time data area, data related to the date and time when printing is performed according to a user instruction is recorded.

In the print page number data area, data relating to a page for which printing has been completed is recorded.
In the selected article ID data area, data relating to an article identifier for specifying an article included in the print page is recorded.

In the source ID data area, data relating to the source identifier for specifying the provider of the article is recorded.
In the charge amount data area, data relating to the amount charged for this page is recorded.

  Next, a procedure for performing content distribution management processing using the system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the usage registration process, content distribution process, print layout generation process, and print charge registration process will be described in this order.

(Use registration process)
When the user uses the content distribution service, first, as shown in FIG. 3, customer registration processing is executed (step S1-1). Specifically, the client terminal 20 accesses the customer management server 11 of the content distribution management system 10 and transmits a service provision request. In response to this, the customer management server 11 transmits use registration input screen data to the client terminal 20. The client terminal 20 displays a usage registration input screen. In this usage registration input screen, a distribution destination ID and a printing device ID are set, and when the contract conditions and fee structure are confirmed, a registration instruction is input to the client terminal 20. In this case, the client terminal 20 transmits the input information to the customer management server 11. The customer management server 11 assigns a customer ID, generates a customer management record 110 including the customer ID, the acquired delivery destination ID, printing device ID, contract conditions, and fee structure, and registers the customer management record 110 in the customer management database 11a. .

  Next, keyword registration processing is executed (step S1-2). Specifically, the customer management server 11 of the content distribution management system 10 transmits keyword registration screen data for registering keywords and categories to the client terminal 20. In this case, the customer management server 11 includes the customer ID of this user in the keyword registration screen data.

  The client terminal 20 displays a keyword registration screen. On this keyword registration screen, a keyword to be distributed is input and a category is selected. When the user issues a registration instruction, the client terminal 20 transmits the input keyword and the selected category to the content distribution management system 10 together with the customer ID.

  The keyword management server 12 of the content distribution management system 10 generates a keyword management record 120 including the received customer ID, category, and keyword and registers it in the keyword database 12a. This completes the customer registration process.

(Content distribution processing)
Next, content distribution processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the content distribution management system 10 executes content registration processing (step S2-1). Specifically, the content management server 13 of the content distribution management system 10 acquires content data from the content provider immediately before the distribution time every morning and every evening. In this case, the content management server 13 records this content data as a content record 130 in the content database 13a.

  Next, the content management server 13 executes customer information request processing (step S2-2). Specifically, the content management server 13 requests the customer management server 11 for data relating to the distribution condition of the customer management record 110 when the distribution time comes.

  Next, the content management server 13 executes customer information acquisition processing (step S2-3). Specifically, in response to the customer information request, the customer management server 11 extracts the contract condition of the customer of the distribution condition corresponding to the current distribution time in the customer management database 11a. Further, the customer management server 11 extracts a customer ID from the extracted customer contract conditions, and transmits this customer ID to the content management server 13. Thereby, the content management server 13 acquires the customer ID of the customer to be distributed.

  Next, the content management server 13 executes a keyword request process (step S2-4). Specifically, the content management server 13 transmits the acquired customer ID to the keyword management server 12 and requests data related to the keyword.

  Next, the content management server 13 executes keyword acquisition processing (step S2-5). Specifically, in response to the keyword request, the keyword management server 12 extracts a keyword management record 120 in which the acquired customer ID is recorded from the keyword database 12a. Then, the keyword management server 12 transmits the keyword management data of the extracted keyword management record 120. Here, the keyword management data to be transmitted includes data related to the customer ID, category, and keyword. In this case, the content management server 13 acquires a category and a keyword associated with the customer ID.

  Then, the content management server 13 executes a keyword search result notification process (step S2-6). Here, the content management server 13 searches the content record 130 using each keyword management data. Specifically, the content management server 13 searches the content record 130 including the category and keyword of each keyword management data. If the corresponding content record 130 is not registered, the content distribution process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the content record 130 including the category or keyword of the keyword management data is extracted, the content management server 13 associates the customer ID of the keyword management data with the article ID of the content record 130. When the content management server 13 searches for the content record 130 using all of the acquired keyword management data, the content management server 13 transmits the content data of the content record 130 of the article ID associated with the customer ID to the page management server 14. To do. Here, the content data to be transmitted includes data relating to article ID, source ID, issue date, publication page, category, keyword, article image, article size, headline, article content, attached chart, and number of characters. In this case, the page management server 14 transmits all customer IDs associated with the article ID to the page management server 14 together with the content data.

  The page management server 14 executes a list creation process (step S2-7). Specifically, the page management server 14 stores the received content data in the distribution target content data area in association with the customer ID. The page management server 14 generates list preview screen data each including a headline, an issue time, a published page, presence / absence of an attached chart, the number of characters of an article, and an article ID recorded in each content record 130, and transmission screen data Temporarily store in the area. In this case, the page management server 14 assigns a screen identifier (screen ID) for specifying the list preview screen, associates this with the customer ID with the list preview screen data, and temporarily stores it in the transmission screen data area. .

Next, the page management server 14 executes customer information request processing (step S2-8). Here, the page management server 14 acquires information related to the user's browsing restrictions and the delivery destination. Specifically, the page management server 14 requests the customer management server 11 to obtain browsing restrictions and a distribution destination ID. Here, the page management server 14 includes the customer ID in the acquisition request for the browsing restriction and the distribution destination ID.

  The page management server 14 executes customer information acquisition processing (step S2-9). Specifically, the customer management server 11 that has received the distribution destination information acquisition request extracts the customer management record 110 in which the received customer ID is recorded, and displays the viewing restriction and the distribution destination ID included therein. Transmit to the page management server 14. Thereby, the page management server 14 acquires the browsing restriction and the distribution destination ID.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes a list notification process (step S2-10). Specifically, the page management server 14 generates a list notification mail including the acquired browsing restriction and the list table identifier. The page management server 14 transmits the generated list notification mail to the distribution destination ID.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the client terminal 20 executes a list preview request process (step S3-1). Specifically, in response to a user instruction, the client terminal 20 displays a list notification email acquired from the page management server 14 on the display. Here, the user who wishes to view the preview of the list selects a list identifier included in this mail. In this case, the client terminal 20 transmits a display request including the selected list identifier to the content distribution management system 10. This display request includes the IP address data of the client terminal 20.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes a customer information request process (step S3-2). Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts list table preview screen data corresponding to the received list table identifier from the transmission screen data area, and identifies a customer ID included in the screen list preview screen data. Then, the page management server 14 requests the customer management server 11 to acquire chargeable range information. Here, the page management server 14 includes the customer ID in the acquisition request for the accounting target range information.

  Then, the page management server 14 executes customer information acquisition processing (step S3-3). Specifically, the customer management server 11 that has received the request for acquiring the billing target range information extracts the customer management record 110 in which the received customer ID is recorded. The customer management server 11 acquires data relating to the full-text browsing format, printing conditions, and billing target range included in the contract conditions of the extracted customer management record 110 and transmits the data to the page management server 14. In this case, the page management server 14 acquires and temporarily stores data related to the full text browsing format, printing conditions, and chargeable range.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes a list preview transmission process (step S3-4). Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts list preview screen data corresponding to the received list identifier from the transmission screen data area, and transmits it to the client terminal 20.

  Then, the client terminal 20 executes a list preview display process (step S3-5). Specifically, the client terminal 20 displays a list table preview screen 600 shown in FIG. 7A on the display based on the received list table preview screen data. The list preview screen 600 includes a heading 610 of each article and data related to the issue date, the page to be published, the number of characters, the article ID, and the like. In this embodiment, the display area of each article heading is clickable, and the article ID of each article is associated with this display area. The list preview screen 600 includes a check box 620 for printing this article and a print execution button (not shown) corresponding to each article.

  And the client terminal 20 performs an article selection process (step S3-6). Here, the user selects an article by clicking in the display area of the headline of the article to be browsed on the list preview screen 600. In this case, the client terminal 20 acquires the article ID of the selected article.

  Next, the client terminal 20 executes a full-text preview request process (step S3-7). Specifically, the client terminal 20 transmits a full text preview request including the article ID to the page management server 14.

  Then, the page management server 14 executes a full text preview transmission process (step S3-8). Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts the content record 130 in which the received article ID is recorded from the distribution target content data area.

  Further, the page management server 14 specifies data corresponding to the customer's full-text browsing format. For example, when the full-text browsing format is an article image, the page management server 14 acquires an article image from the extracted content data and generates full-text preview screen data including the article image. On the other hand, when the full text browsing format is article text, the page management server 14 acquires the article content from the extracted content data, and generates full text preview screen data including this. Then, the page management server 14 transmits the generated full-text preview screen data to the client terminal 20.

  The client terminal 20 executes a full text preview display process (step S3-9). Specifically, the client terminal 20 that has received the full-text preview screen data displays a full-text preview screen on the display. Thereby, the user can browse the detailed content of the article selected on the preview screen.

  In addition, the page management server 14 that has transmitted the full-text preview screen executes full-text preview log notification processing (step S3-10). Specifically, the page management server 14 transmits full-text browsing log data to the accounting server 15. The full text browsing log data includes the article ID and customer ID of the article posted on the full text preview screen.

  The accounting server 15 that has received the full-text browsing log data executes a full-text browsing accounting registration process (step S3-11). Specifically, the accounting server 15 generates a full-text browsing log record 152 including the article ID and browsing ID of the full-text browsing log data and records it in the charging database 15a. Further, the billing server 15 records the current time in the full text browsing time data area of the full text browsing log record 152.

  As described above, when an article is selected on the list preview screen 600 (step S3-6), the subsequent steps S3-7 to S3-11 are repeatedly executed.

  Thereafter, when the user prints an article, the client terminal 20 executes a print instruction process (step S3-12). Here, on the list preview screen 600 in FIG. 7A, the user selects an article to be printed using the check box 620 and selects a print execution button. In this case, the client terminal 20 transmits a print execution instruction to the multifunction device 30. This print execution instruction includes the article ID of the article selected by the check box 620 and the customer ID included in this list preview screen 600.

Next, the multifunction machine 30 executes print data request processing (step S3-13). Specifically, the multi-function device 30 transmits a print data request to the page management server 14. This print data request includes the article ID and customer ID included in the print execution instruction from the client terminal 20.

  Upon receiving the print data request, the page management server 14 executes print layout generation processing (step S3-14). In this case, the page management server 14 executes the print layout generation process using the print conditions associated with the acquired customer ID. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes print data transmission processing (step S3-15). In this case, the page management server 14 generates print data by integrating print data of each print page. In this case, the page management server 14 generates print target data in which the article ID, source ID, and customer ID associated with the paper format of each print page are associated. Then, the page management server 14 transmits the print data to the multi-function device 30 together with the print target data. The multi-function device 30 temporarily stores the received print data and print target data.

Then, the multifunction machine 30 executes a printing process (step S3-16). Specifically, the multifunction machine 30 executes printing based on the received print data.
Next, the multifunction machine 30 executes a print log notification process (step S3-17). Here, the multifunction device 30 transmits the print log data to the accounting server 15 when the printing is completed. This print log data includes temporarily stored print target data and data relating to pages for which printing has been completed. Note that the multifunction machine 30 also transmits print log data to the accounting server 15 even when printing is terminated halfway due to an error or the like. Further, the multifunction device 30 may notify the client terminal 20 of the end of printing.

Then, the billing server 15 executes a print billing registration process (step S3-18). Details of this processing will be described later.
Thereafter, when the customer's closing date is reached, the billing server 15 executes billing processing (step S3-19). Specifically, the customer management server 11 periodically compares the current date with the closing date of the contract condition of each customer. When the current date has passed the closing date, the customer management server 11 transmits a billing processing instruction including the customer ID of the customer to the billing server 15.

  The billing server 15 totals the monthly usage amount of this customer. Specifically, the charging server 15 extracts a full-text browsing log record 152 including the full-text browsing time of the billing target period from the charging database 15a according to the contract condition of the customer ID. The accounting server 15 counts the number of extracted full-text browsing log records 152 and calculates a full-text browsing fee according to the number of full-text browsing log records. Further, the accounting server 15 extracts a print log record 153 including the customer ID and the printing time of the billing target period from the accounting database 15a. The charging server 15 acquires the charging amount of the extracted print log record 153, and calculates the printing fee by adding up the charging amounts. Then, the billing server 15 sums up the basic fee, the full text preview fee, and the printing fee to calculate the monthly usage amount of this customer. Then, billing processing is executed based on this usage amount. Thus, the content distribution process ends.

(Print layout generation process)
Next, the above-described print layout generation process (step S3-14) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In this process, first, the page management server 14 executes an acquisition process for the content to be arranged (step S4-1). Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts each content data including the received article ID from the distribution target content data area.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes a content grouping process with many common items (step S4-2). Specifically, the page management server 14 compares the extracted content data categories and keywords with each other, and calculates the number of common items between the content data. Then, the page management server 14 identifies a plurality of pieces of content data whose common item count is equal to or greater than the grouping threshold as the same group. Here, the number of items common to other content data is smaller than the grouping threshold, and the content data that does not form a group with the other content data is identified as one group. Then, the page management server 14 temporarily stores the article ID and the source ID of the content data constituting each group in association with each other.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes the first sheet setting process (step S4-3). Specifically, the page management server 14 temporarily stores the first page as a print page in the print target data area in association with the paper format of the paper size specified by the printing conditions.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes content identification processing within the group (step S4-4). Specifically, groups are specified in descending order of the number of contents included in the same group. And content data are specified in the order of old issue time among the content data which constitutes this group.

  Then, the page management server 14 determines whether or not this content is the first content for the placement target paper (step S4-5). Specifically, the page management server 14 searches the print target data area for the presence or absence of the preceding article ID associated with the print page of the current layout target paper.

  Here, if the preceding article ID associated with the print page is not extracted (in the case of “YES” in step S4-5), the page management server 14 executes an arrangement process on this sheet ( Step S4-6). Specifically, the page management server 14 specifies the content data of this article ID, and acquires the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension of this article. Specifically, the page management server 14 acquires the article size of the content record 130 when the customer's print format is an article image. Further, when the print format of the customer is a text image, the page management server 14 calculates the dimensions of the article when the article content of the content record 130 is displayed in a preset character font. Get the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Then, the page management server 14 generates a horizontal and vertical article block of the acquired article size, and generates a print layout arranged at the upper right of the paper format. In addition, the page management server 14 stores the article ID and source ID of this content (article) in association with the print page of this print layout.

  On the other hand, when the preceding article ID associated with the print page is extracted (in the case of “NO” in step S4-5), the page management server 14 displays “excess” from the sheet when this content is arranged. It is determined whether or not it occurs (step S4-7). Here, the page management server 14 specifies the content data of the content to be arranged, and acquires the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension of this article. Then, the page management server 14 generates an article block having a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension of the acquired article size. Then, in the paper format of the paper to be arranged, a search is made as to whether there is a position where the article block does not protrude from the paper format in a portion where the preceding article block is not arranged. In this case, the page management server 14 searches for positions that can be arranged in an order closer to the already arranged article blocks.

Here, when a position where “no protrusion” does not occur is extracted from the placement target paper (in the case of “NO” in step S4-7), the page management server 14 executes the placement processing on this paper format (step S4). -6). Specifically, the page management server 14 generates a print layout in which this article is additionally arranged at the extracted position. Furthermore, the page management server 14 associates the article ID and source ID of this article with the print page of this print layout and records it in the print target data area.

  On the other hand, if a position where “no protrusion” does not occur from the placement target paper cannot be extracted (in the case of “YES” in step S4-7), the paper management server 14 sets the next paper and places it on this paper. Processing is executed (step S4-8). Specifically, the page management server 14 specifies a page number obtained by adding “1” to the page number of the print page of the layout target paper as the print page of the new layout target paper. The page management server 14 generates a print layout in which the article block is arranged at the upper right of the paper format associated with the print page. In addition, the page management server 14 stores the article ID and source ID of this content (article) in association with the print page of this print layout.

Then, the page management server 14 determines whether or not the arrangement of all articles has been completed for the same group (step S4-9).
Here, in the articles constituting the group to be processed, if there are articles that have not been placed on the placement target paper, the page management server 14 has not finished the articles in the group. In this case (when “NO” in the step S4-9), the page management server 14 repeatedly executes the processes after the step S4-4 described above.

  On the other hand, when all the articles in the processing target group have been arranged (in the case of “YES” in step S4-9), the page management server 14 determines whether or not the article arrangement of all the groups has been completed ( Step S4-10).

  If there is still a group that has not yet been arranged (in the case of “NO” in step S4-10), the page management server 14 determines whether all articles in the next group fit on the sheet. (Step S4-11). Specifically, the page management server 14 acquires an article ID already associated with the current placement target sheet. Next, the page management server 14 specifies the content record 130 in which the article ID of each article belonging to the next group is recorded. The page management server 14 acquires the horizontal dimension and vertical dimension of the article based on each content record 130 according to the print format corresponding to the customer ID. The page management server 14 generates the acquired horizontal dimension and vertical dimension blocks, and the article block does not protrude from the arrangement target paper in a portion where the preceding article block is not arranged in the paper format of the arrangement target paper. Search for a location.

  Here, when the arrangement that fits on the print sheet cannot be extracted (in the case of “NO” in step S4-11), the page management server 14 executes the next sheet setting process (step S4-12). . Specifically, the page management server 14 specifies a page number obtained by adding “1” to the page number of the print page of the layout target paper as the print page of the new layout target paper. Then, the page management server 14 repeatedly executes the processes after step S4-4.

  On the other hand, when the arrangement that fits on the printing paper is extracted (in the case of “YES” in step S4-11), the page management server 14 executes the arrangement processing on the paper (step S4-13). Specifically, the page management server 14 generates a print layout in which all articles belonging to this group are additionally arranged with the arrangement determined to fit within the sheet in step S4-11. Furthermore, the page management server 14 associates the article IDs and source IDs of all the arranged articles with the print pages of this print layout, and records them in the print target data area.

On the other hand, when the arrangement of the articles of all groups is completed (“Y” in step S4-10)
In the case of “ES”), the print layout generation process ends.
(Printing fee registration process)
Next, the above-described print charging registration process (step S3-18) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the print log data is acquired from the multifunction machine 30 in step S3-17 described above, the billing server 15 first executes a print log recording process (step S5-1). Specifically, the accounting server 15 generates a print log record 153 including a customer ID, a print page, an article ID, and a source ID included in the acquired print log data, and records it in the accounting database 15a. Then, the billing server 15 records the current date and time in the print log record 153 as the print time.

  Next, the billing server executes a print completion page specifying process for calculating a price (step S5-2). Specifically, the billing server 15 specifies a print completion page included in the print log data. In this case, the print page recorded in the print log record 153 is compared with the print completion page, and if there is a page that has not been printed, the print log record 153 of this page is deleted.

Next, the billing server 15 repeatedly executes the following processing for each printed page.
First, the accounting server 15 executes a process for acquiring the price of each article included in the page to be processed (step S5-3). Specifically, the accounting server 15 extracts the origin ID associated with each print completion page from the print log data. Then, the accounting server 15 extracts the unit price record 151 in which each origin ID is recorded from the accounting database 15a.

Next, the billing server 15 executes the total processing of the prices of articles included in the processing target page (step S5-4). Specifically, the billing server 15 sums up the prices of the acquired articles.
Next, the billing server 15 executes a process for recording the price of the print completion page (step S5-5). Specifically, the billing server 15 records the total price in the billing amount data area of the print log record 153 of the processing target page. The above processing is repeatedly executed for the print completion page. When Steps S5-3 to S5-5 are executed for all print completed pages, the print billing registration process is completed.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the client terminal 20 transmits a print execution instruction including the article ID and customer ID of the selected article to the multi-function device 30 in the print instruction process (step S3-12). The multi-function device 30 transmits the article ID and customer ID included in the print execution instruction to the page management server 14 and executes print data request processing (step S3-13). The page management server 14 executes print layout generation processing (step S3-14). In this process, the page management server 14 executes a content grouping process (step S4-2) for items having many items common to the selected article. Further, the page management server 14 sequentially identifies the content data in the order of the publishing time in the same group, determines whether or not the contents data will be sequentially placed on the placement target paper, and if so, places the data on the same paper and protrudes. If so, place the article to include it on the next sheet. Then, the page management server 14 combines the print target data including the print data of each print page generated by the print layout generation process, the customer ID, the print page, the article ID and the source ID associated with each print page. To the machine 30. For this reason, since articles with many common categories and common items of keywords are arranged and printed in a grouped state, the user can easily grasp the contents of a plurality of contents. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the user with contents that are easy to read efficiently.

(2) In the present embodiment, the multifunction device 30 transmits print log data to the accounting server 15 when printing is completed. This print log data includes data to be printed and data relating to pages for which printing has been completed. The accounting server 15 generates a print log record 153 using the print log data, and stores only the print log record 153 of the printed page. For this reason, it is possible to charge only for an article included in a page that has been printed.

Moreover, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the grouping process (step S4-2) of the print layout generation process of the above embodiment, the page management server 14 specifies content data whose common items of the extracted content data category and keyword are equal to or greater than the grouping threshold as the same group. did. The page management server 14 is not limited to registered categories and keywords, and may specify content having many common words included in each article as the same group. Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts nouns from the article content (text data) of the extracted content data, and performs grouping according to the ratio of the same nouns. In this case, even if the registered words do not match, the similarity of the articles can be grasped from the contents, so that the articles can be printed in an arrangement that is easy for the user to read.

  Further, grouping may be performed on the basis of other content attributes such as the origin ID and issue date of the content data instead of the category and the keyword. For example, when grouping is performed based on the issue time, the page management server 14 arranges the content data in the order of the extracted issue times. Then, the page management server 14 may determine a different group when the time until the next content issuance time is more than a predetermined grouping threshold time. In this case, even if the next content can be stored on the same sheet, it may be a different sheet, so that the user can read the article while grasping the relationship with the preceding and following articles.

  In the above-described embodiment, the page management server 14 specifies one content data item in the order of chronological issue within the same group in the content specifying process (step S4-4) in the group. The order in which the content data is specified is not limited to this. For example, the order in which the article images are close to a rectangle may be used. Specifically, the rectangle approximation degree of the article image is recorded in the content record 130. In this case, a predetermined rank may be used as the rectangle approximation degree, or a value calculated from the ratio between the area of the article image and the peripheral length may be used. Then, the page management server 14 specifies content data in the same group using this rectangular approximation. In this case, since articles close to a rectangle are preferentially stored, articles can be arranged efficiently on one sheet and the number of printed sheets can be suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the print format based on the article image or article content has been described. Furthermore, a thumbnail summarizing the article content may be provided as the print format. For example, in the case where the contract condition includes that the user receives browsing of thumbnails, thumbnail request processing may be performed instead of the full-text preview request processing (step S3-7) in the above embodiment. In this case, a thumbnail is included in the content record 130. When receiving the thumbnail request, the page management server 14 generates article module screen data including a plurality of thumbnail articles included in the content record 130 of this article ID, and transmits it to the client terminal 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the client terminal 20 displays an article module screen 700 including a plurality of thumbnail articles 710 on the display. In this case, since a plurality of summarized articles can be viewed at a time, the user can grasp the outline of the article based on the summary contents.

In the above embodiment, printing is performed according to a print format for displaying article images or article contents. Not limited to this, as shown in the printing paper 800 of FIG. 8, a three-form simultaneous printing format that prints the paper image 810, the article image 820, and the article content (text) 830 published in a newspaper is used. May be. In this case, for the article ID, the page image image on which the article is posted and the display position on the page are stored in the content database 13a. Here, the article ID functions as an identifier that manages the article image of the article, the article text, the paper image, and the unit price (charge amount) of the article in association with each other. Further, instead of the processing after step S4-5, the print page data generation processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed for each article. In this process, if the print format associated with the customer ID is simultaneous printing in three forms, the page management server 14 first executes a page image setting process (step S6-1). Specifically, the page management server 14 extracts the page data including the article ID acquired from the client terminal 20 in the content database 13a, specifies the page image image included therein, and arranges it in the sheet format of the arrangement target sheet. Generated print layout.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes an article position specifying process (step S6-2). Specifically, when the page management server 14 specifies the content in the group in step S4-4, the page image image of the extracted page data surrounds the position corresponding to the display position of the page image data. Add markings.

  Next, the page management server 14 executes article image setting processing (step S6-3). Specifically, the page management server 14 acquires the article image data of the content record 130 and generates a print layout in which this is additionally arranged.

  Furthermore, the page management server 14 executes a text setting process (step S6-4). Specifically, the content of the article of the content record 130 is acquired, and a print layout in which this is additionally arranged is generated. As described above, the paper image 810, the article image 820, and the article content (text) 830 are included and printed on one printing paper 800. For this reason, the user can grasp not only the article image and the article content but also the position and size on the paper where the article is posted.

  In the above embodiment, the size when this article image is regarded as a rectangle is recorded in the content record 130 as the article size. Instead of this, a dimension corresponding to the outer shape of the actual article image may be used as the article dimension. In this case, data relating to the article block shape similar to the outer shape of the article image is included in the content record 130. The paper management server 14 obtains the article block shape and the article size of the content record 130 of the article ID associated with the placement target paper in the determination of whether or not the content is placed out of the paper (step S4-7). To do. Then, the page management server 14 may determine whether or not the article size block shape is combined to fit in the placement target sheet. In this case, when it is regarded as a rectangle, an article can be efficiently arranged when combined with an article having a large area of a margin.

  In the above embodiment, the multifunction machine 30 sends the print log data including the temporarily stored print target data and the data related to the print completion page to the accounting server 15 in the print log notification process (step S3-17). sent. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when performing aggregate printing, the page management server 14 may include information on the format of the aggregate printing in the print target data and transmit the information to the accounting server 15 via the multifunction device 30. In this case, the paper can be used effectively.

In the above embodiment, the unit price record 151 records the unit price associated with the source ID. In the billing process (step S3-19), the usage amount was calculated according to the source of the article. Here, the unit price record 151 only needs to record data used by the billing server 15 to calculate the usage amount, and may record data related to a price associated with an identifier other than the source ID. For example, a unit price record 151 that associates article IDs with prices is recorded. In this case, the origin ID may not be included in the print target data transmitted by the paper management server 14 or the multifunction device 30. The billing server 15 extracts the article ID associated with each print completion page from the print log data in the price acquisition process (step S5-3) of each article in the print billing registration process (step S3-18). The unit price record 151 in which each article ID is recorded is extracted from the charging database 15a, and the price of each article is specified. As a result, even for articles of the same provider, the price can be set for each article.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Content delivery management system, 11 ... Customer management server, 11a ... Customer management database, 12 ... Keyword management server, 12a ... Keyword database, 13 ... Content management server, 13a ... Content database, 14 ... Paper management server, 14a ... Paper Database, 15 ... billing server, 15a ... billing database, 20 ... client terminal, 30 ... multifunction device, 110 ... customer management record, 120 ... keyword management record, 130 ... content data, 151 ... unit price record, 152 ... full text browsing log record 153 ... Print log record, 800 ... Printing paper, 810 ... Paper image, 820 ... Article image, 830 ... Article content.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-46343 (first page, FIG. 1) JP 2002-304534 A (first page, FIG. 8) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-313191 (first page, FIG. 2)

Claims (6)

An article database that associates an article ID that identifies an article, the content of the article, an item of related information of the article, and a rectangular approximation of the paper image of the article;
A content distribution management system including a control unit connected to a printing apparatus,
The control means is
Extraction means for extracting content to be output from the article database based on the article ID included in the print instruction;
Grouping content with many common items in the related information of the content, determining a layout in descending order of the rectangular approximation of the content , generating print data for printing an article in a layout arranged collectively for each group, A content distribution management system comprising print layout processing means for transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus.   2. The print layout processing means identifies a keyword included in text constituting the content as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing content having many common keywords. Content distribution management system described in 1. In the article database, a source ID that identifies a source that provided the article is recorded in association with the article ID.
3. The print layout processing means identifies an origin ID that provided an article as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing contents having the same origin ID. Content delivery management system. In the article database, the article ID is recorded in association with the article ID,
The print layout processing means identifies the issue time of an article as related information, and generates a print layout for collectively printing contents having a similar issue time. The content distribution management system according to item. The control means is further connected to a log database that records a print log that has been printed in the printing apparatus,
The control means is
When the printing is completed in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus further includes a print billing registration unit that records the total price of the article content included in each sheet based on the print layout for the page that has been printed from the printing apparatus. The content distribution management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein An article database that associates an article ID that identifies an article, the content of the article, an item of related information of the article, and a rectangular approximation of the paper image of the article;
A content distribution management method using a system including a control unit connected to a printing apparatus,
The control means is
An extraction stage for extracting content to be output from the article database based on the article ID included in the print instruction;
Grouping content with many common items in the related information of the content, determining a layout in descending order of the rectangular approximation of the content , generating print data for printing an article in a layout arranged collectively for each group, A content distribution management method comprising: executing a print layout processing step of transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus.

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