JP6418150B2 - Newspaper article printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a newspaper article printing system.

  Traditionally, newspapers with articles are sold at stores and convenience stores and purchased by subscribers. In addition, for subscribers who applied for regular subscriptions, a delivery member delivers a newspaper to each home every day from the nearest newspaper delivery store.

  Here, a technique relating to a newspaper sales system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-150010 (Patent Document 1). Also, a technique related to an image output system provided with a charging device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-183833 (Patent Document 2). Also, a technique for charging for content printing is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-189940 (Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-150010 JP 2002-183833 A JP 2002-189940 A

  In the delivery of newspapers, printed newspapers were transported to each newspaper delivery store, and then each delivery member delivered to each household. However, if the quantity of regular subscriptions increases and the amount of transport of newspapers as printed matter increases accordingly, the cost such as transport costs will increase. In addition, the amount of printed newspapers that are transported becomes a problem, and the number of sales may be limited, which is undesirable for both subscribers and newspaper sellers. In addition, subscribers had to purchase a newspaper with all the articles published, even though the articles they wanted to read were part of the newspaper, and this was a cost burden. It is difficult to cope with such a situation with the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a newspaper article printing system capable of improving the efficiency of both subscribers and newspaper sellers.

In the present invention, the newspaper article printing system includes a server and a printing apparatus. The server stores data of a plurality of newspapers. The printing apparatus is connected to the server via a network. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit that performs printing based on data. The newspaper article printing system includes a newspaper selection receiving unit, a newspaper data downloading unit, an article selection receiving unit, a billing unit, a determination unit, a print control unit, and a common article extraction unit . The newspaper selection accepting unit accepts selection of a newspaper to be printed from among a plurality of newspaper data stored in the server. The newspaper data download unit downloads the newspaper data to be printed received by the newspaper selection receiving unit to the printing apparatus. The article selection accepting unit accepts selection of an article to be printed from newspaper data downloaded by the newspaper data downloading unit. The accounting unit performs accounting when the article data received by the article selection receiving unit is printed by the printing unit. The determination unit determines whether or not a fee has been collected for the charging performed by the charging unit. If it is determined that the fee has been collected by the determination unit, the print control unit operates the printing unit to control printing based on the data of the article to be printed. When the selection of a plurality of newspapers is received by the newspaper selection reception unit, the common article extraction unit extracts an article common to the articles received by the article selection reception unit from the data of the plurality of newspapers. The print control unit controls not to print the common articles extracted by the common article extraction unit.

  According to such a newspaper article printing system, it is possible to reduce the labor and cost of transporting newspapers, and it is possible to improve the efficiency when selling newspapers for newspaper sellers. In addition, since the subscriber can print the desired article and read the newspaper, the cost can be reduced. In this case, the subscriber can read the printed newspaper by hand and can be in line with the potential subscriber's needs. Therefore, according to such a newspaper article printing system, both subscribers and newspaper sellers can be made more efficient.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a newspaper article printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the newspaper article printing system shown in FIG. It is an external view which shows the schematic structure of an operation part. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine control unit. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of printing a newspaper article using the newspaper article printing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a newspaper article printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the newspaper article printing system shown in FIG.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the newspaper article printing system 24 includes a multifunction device 11 as a printing apparatus and a server 26 connected to the multifunction device 11 via a network 25. Here, the multifunction peripheral 11 is arranged in, for example, a convenience store. The server 26 is installed in a management company that manages newspaper articles of each newspaper company, for example. In this case, the network 25 is the so-called Internet.

  Next, the configuration of the multifunction machine 11 will be described. The multifunction device 11 includes a multifunction device control unit 12, an operation unit 13, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, a multifunction device hard disk 16, a charging unit 17, and a network interface unit for connecting to a network 25. 18.

  The multifunction device control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction device 11. The operation unit 13 includes a display screen 21 that displays information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 11 side and user input contents. The operation unit 13 allows the user to input image forming conditions such as the number of copies to be printed and gradation, and power on / off. The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document transport device that transports a document set at the set position to the read position. The image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a mounting table (not shown). Of course, the image reading unit 14 can read the image data of the business card placed on the placing table. The image forming unit 15 forms an image on a sheet based on the image read by the image reading unit 14 and the image data transmitted via the network 25. The multi-function device hard disk 16 stores the transmitted image data, input image forming conditions, and the like.

  The multi-function device 11 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) for writing and reading image data, and the illustration and description thereof are omitted. In addition, arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of data regarding control signals, control, and images.

  The multifunction device 11 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 using the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 14. Further, the multifunction machine 11 operates as a printer by forming an image in the image forming unit 15 based on the transmitted image data and printing it on a sheet. That is, the image forming unit 15 operates as a printing unit that performs printing based on data. The multifunction machine 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in detail.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 13 described above will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit 13 includes a numeric keypad 31 for allowing a user to input numbers from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, and symbols “*” and “#”, A start key 32 for instructing the user to start facsimile transmission, a power key 33 for instructing the user to turn on or off the multifunction device 11, and an instruction for selecting the printer function, copy function, etc. of the multifunction device 11 A menu key 34, a registration key 35 for instructing the user to register various image forming conditions and a user to be used, and a reset key 36 for allowing the user to cancel the contents of the instruction input by the user using the numeric keypad 31 or the like. And the display screen 21 described above. The display screen 21 has a touch panel function.

  Next, the configuration of the server 26 will be described. The server 26 includes a server control unit 27 and a server hard disk 28. The server control unit 27 controls the server 26 itself. The server hard disk 28 stores received image data, input data, and the like. The server hard disk 28 stores a plurality of newspaper data. In this case, newspaper data of each newspaper company is stored including past data. In addition, newspaper data from each newspaper company is input to the server hard disk 28 every day.

  Next, the configuration of the multifunction device control unit 12 provided in the multifunction device 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine control unit 12. Referring to FIG. 4, the multifunction device control unit 12 includes a newspaper selection reception unit 41, a newspaper data download unit 42, an article selection reception unit 43, a billing unit 44, a determination unit 45, and a print control unit 46. And a preview display unit 47. The newspaper selection receiving unit 41 receives selection of a newspaper to be printed from among a plurality of newspaper data stored in the server. The newspaper data download unit 42 downloads the newspaper data to be printed received by the newspaper selection receiving unit 41 to the multifunction machine 11. The article selection accepting unit 43 accepts selection of an article to be printed from newspaper data downloaded by the newspaper data downloading unit 42. The accounting unit 44 performs accounting when the article data received by the article selection receiving unit 43 is printed by the printing unit. The determination unit 45 determines whether or not a fee has been collected for the charging performed by the charging unit 44. If it is determined by the determining unit 45 that the fee has been collected, the printing control unit 46 operates the printing unit to control printing based on the article data to be printed. The preview display unit 47 displays a preview of article data to be printed before the operation of the printing unit.

  Next, the flow of processing when printing newspaper articles using the newspaper article printing system 24 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a newspaper article is printed using the newspaper article printing system 24.

  Referring to FIG. 5, first, a user as a subscriber goes to a location where a multifunction store 11 of a convenience store is installed. Then, a predetermined operation is performed to bring up the display screen 21 of the operation unit 13 for printing a newspaper article. Then, the display screen 21 is displayed (in FIG. 5, step S11, hereinafter, “step” is omitted). Then, a newspaper company name to be printed is selected from the display screen 21.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21a in this case. Referring to FIG. 6, the display screen 21 a includes a message 51 a “Please select a newspaper company name” and “X newspaper”, and “X newspaper” is selected as a print target when pressed. A selection key 52a to be selected and "Y newspaper" is selected, and a selection key 52b to select "Y newspaper" as a print target when pressed, and "Z newspaper" is indicated as a print target when pressed. A selection key 52c for selecting "newspaper", a message 51b "Please input date and time for printing.", A printing month input unit 53a for inputting the month of a newspaper requesting printing, and a newspaper requesting printing. A print date input part 53b for inputting the date is displayed.

  The user selects and presses any of the selection keys 52a to 52c, and selects a newspaper company to be printed from among the X newspaper, the Y newspaper, and the Z newspaper. Then, the user uses the numeric keypad 32 or the like to input the month and day to be printed in the print month input unit 53a and the print date input unit 53b. Then, the newspaper selection receiving unit 41 receives selection of a newspaper to be printed from the selected newspaper, that is, the selected newspaper company name and the input date and time (S12).

  Next, the newspaper data download unit 42 identifies the newspaper to be downloaded from the received contents, that is, the selected newspaper company and the date and time, and downloads the newspaper data to be printed from the server 26 (S13).

  Thereafter, the user selects an article to be printed. First, the article selection receiving unit 43 displays a screen for selecting an article (S14).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21b in this case. Referring to FIG. 7, a message 56 “Please select an article to print.”, An image 57 displaying newspaper data as thumbnails, and “print all pages” are displayed on the display screen 21 b. A selection key 58a that prints all pages when pressed, and a selection key 58b that is described as "to previous page" and shifts the image 57 displayed as a thumbnail to the image of the previous page when pressed. And “to next page”, a selection key 58c for shifting the image 57 displayed as a thumbnail to the image of the next page when pressed, and “preview display”. A selection key 58d for previewing the selected article, “reselect”, a selection key 58e for reselecting the article selected by pressing, and “confirm” It is, are shown a selection key 58f for confirming the articles selected by the pressed. The image 57 displays frames 59a and 59b indicated by alternate long and short dash lines for each article.

  The user selects an article to be printed from the display screen 21b shown in FIG. If the selection key 58a is pressed and all page printing is selected (YES in S15), the article to be printed is determined as the article of all pages in the downloaded newspaper data (S16).

  On the other hand, if all page printing is not selected (NO in S15), selection of an article to be printed is accepted (S19). For example, the user presses the frames 59a and 59b to select an article.

  Thereafter, if selection key 58d is pressed and a request for preview display is accepted (YES in S20), preview display unit 47 displays the selected article on display screen 21b as a preview (S21). In other words, an image as a printed matter obtained by executing printing is displayed as a preview.

  After that, if the selection key 58e is pressed and a reselection request is accepted (YES in S22), the process proceeds to the reselection display screen 21b. In this case, the screen returns to the display screen 21b shown in FIG.

  In this way, the selection of the article to be printed is accepted at the request of the user, and the article to be printed is fixed (S16).

  Thereafter, the accounting unit 44 performs accounting when the article data received by the article selection receiving unit 43 is printed by the printing unit. In this case, charging is performed according to the number of printed sheets (S23).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 21c in this case. Referring to FIG. 8, a message 61 “Price is WWW yen. Please pay” and “Return” are written on display screen 21c, and display screen 21b shown in FIG. A selection key 62a to be transferred to, a selection key 62b that is described as “cancel” and is canceled when pressed, and a selection key that is displayed as “paid” and that is confirmed to be paid by pressing. 62c.

  After paying the fee, the user presses the selection key 62c. Here, the determination unit 45 determines whether or not a fee has been collected for the charging performed by the charging unit 44. In this case, for example, a password, a keyword, or the like given to the user by the payment of the fee may be input to authenticate the payment of the fee. When the selection key 62b is pressed, all settings are cancelled. When the selection key 62a is pressed, the display screen 21b is returned to the previous one.

  If it is determined by the determining unit 45 that the fee has been collected, the printing control unit 46 operates the printing unit to control printing based on the article data to be printed. In this case, if the pressing of the selection key 62c is detected, it is determined that the fee collection has been completed (YES in S24), the printing unit is operated, and printing is executed (S25).

  According to such a newspaper article printing system 24, it is possible to reduce the labor and cost of transporting newspapers, and it is possible to improve the efficiency when selling newspapers for newspaper sellers. In addition, since the subscriber can print the desired article and read the newspaper, the cost can be reduced. In this case, the subscriber can read the printed newspaper by hand and can be in line with the potential subscriber's needs. Therefore, according to such a newspaper article printing system 24, both subscribers and newspaper sellers can be made more efficient.

  In this case, the billing unit 44 performs billing according to the number of printed sheets, so that billing can be performed more appropriately.

  Further, in this case, since the preview display unit 47 that displays the preview of the data of the article to be printed is provided before the operation of the printing unit, the printing desired by the subscriber can be performed.

  Note that, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration further includes a related article extraction unit that extracts articles related to the data of the articles to be printed, and the print control unit 46 is configured to store the articles extracted by the related article extraction unit. You may make it control to print data. By doing so, it is possible to perform printing desired by the user.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the selection of a plurality of newspapers is received by the newspaper selection receiving unit 41, an article common to the articles received by the article selection receiving unit 43 is selected from the data of the plurality of newspapers. The print control unit 46 may further control not to print the common articles extracted by the common article extraction unit. By doing so, it is possible to omit printing of duplicate contents of common articles, and it is possible to perform printing desired by the user more efficiently. As common articles, for example, articles about TV columns and specific cases are applicable.

  In the above embodiment, the billing unit 44 performs billing according to the number of sheets printed by the print control unit 46. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the billing unit 44 is based on a contract with the user. Billing may be performed. The contract in this case is, for example, a contract that charges according to the content of an article, or a uniform charge within a certain period. Further, when there is a request for printing more than a certain number of sheets, printing frequency, a combination of specific articles, or for each article, etc., charging may be performed at a discount according to a predetermined condition.

  In the above embodiment, a user registration unit may be provided that registers a user who requests printing and an article selected by the user in association with each other. In this way, when an article selected by the user registered by the user registration unit is published in a newspaper, it is possible to print the article without making a selection.

  Note that, in the above embodiment, a predetermined field article registration unit for registering articles in a predetermined field is further provided, and the print control unit 46 is registered in the newspaper stored in the server 26 by the predetermined field article registration unit. If an article in a predetermined field is published, control may be performed so that printing is performed. By doing so, when an article in a predetermined field is published in a newspaper, the article is controlled to be printed, so that the article desired by the user can be printed more simply.

  In the above embodiment, the print control unit 46 may include a print condition setting unit that sets the print condition of an article to be printed. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently print the article requested by the user. For example, a color article may be printed in monochrome, or an article may be printed on the back side of paper.

  In the above embodiment, the MFP control unit 12 includes the newspaper selection receiving unit 41 and the like. However, the configuration is not limited thereto, and the server control unit 27 includes the newspaper selection receiving unit 41 and the like. It is good. Further, the preview display unit 47 may not be provided.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any aspect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  The newspaper article printing system according to the present invention is particularly effectively used when the efficiency of both subscribers and newspaper sellers is required.

  11 MFP, 12 MFP control unit, 13 operation unit, 14 image reading unit, 15 image forming unit, 16 MFP hard disk, 17 charging unit, 18 network interface unit, 21, 21a, 21b, 21c display screen, 22 ADF , 24 Newspaper article printing system, 25 network, 26 server, 27 server control unit, 28 server hard disk, 31 numeric keypad, 32 start key, 33 power key, 34 menu key, 35 registration key, 36 reset key, 41 newspaper selection acceptance unit 42, newspaper data download section, 43 article selection receiving section, 44 billing section, 45 judgment section, 46 print control section, 47 preview display section, 51a, 51b, 56, 61 message, 52a, 52b, 52c, 58a, 58b, 58c , 58d, 58e, 58f, 62a, 62b, 62c selection key, 53a, 53b input section, 57 image, 59a, 59b frame.

Claims (7)

A newspaper article printing system comprising: a server storing data of a plurality of newspapers; and a printing apparatus connected to the server via a network and having a printing unit that performs printing based on the data,
A newspaper selection receiving unit that receives a selection of the newspaper to be printed from a plurality of newspaper data stored in the server;
A newspaper data download unit that downloads data of the newspaper to be printed received by the newspaper selection receiving unit to the printing device;
An article selection receiving unit that receives selection of an article to be printed from the newspaper data downloaded by the newspaper data downloading unit;
A billing unit that charges when the printing unit prints the article data received by the article selection receiving unit;
A determination unit for determining whether or not a fee has been collected for the charging performed by the charging unit;
If it is determined that the fee has been collected by the determination unit, a print control unit that operates the printing unit to control printing based on the data of the article to be printed ;
A common article extraction unit that extracts articles common to the articles received by the article selection receiving unit from a plurality of newspaper data when selection of the plurality of newspapers is received by the newspaper selection receiving unit. And comprising
The newspaper control system, wherein the print control unit controls the common article extracted by the common article extraction unit not to print.   The newspaper article printing system according to claim 1, wherein the billing unit charges according to the number of sheets printed by the print control unit.   The newspaper article printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a preview display unit that displays a preview of data of the article to be printed before the operation of the printing unit. A related article extraction unit that extracts articles related to the article data to be printed;
4. The newspaper article printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit controls the printing of the article data extracted by the related article extracting unit. 5.   5. The newspaper article printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing control unit includes a printing condition setting unit configured to set a printing condition of an article to be printed. The newspaper article printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a user registration unit that links and registers a user who requests printing and an article selected by the user. The charging unit performs charging at a discount according to a predetermined condition, newspaper printing system according to any one of claims 1-6.

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