NL2001614C2 - Database printing system for use in e.g. library, has link provided between short messaging service server and print server for receiving text message from telephone, where database is printed after receiving text message - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has an electronic device (10) for creating a database, where the electronic device is connected to Internet (20) for sending the database. The Internet is connected to a print server (12) for receiving the database, and a telephone (16) sends a text message (28) to a short messaging service (SMS) server (18). A link is provided between the SMS server and the print server for receiving the text message, where the database is printed after receiving the text message. An independent claim is also included for a method for printing a database.

Description

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Title: Payment system and method

The present invention relates to a system and method for printing and paying a data file.

In practice, there are numerous situations in which data files, such as documents or photos, have to be printed outside the range of your own printer at home or at work. Examples include business meetings in hotels or students who want to print their course sheets, excerpts and syllabi. For example commercial 10 print shops, hotels such as public and university libraries provide the possibility to print documents against payment. The prints are for example paid in cash or with a credit card. Payment is made in cash to a person or through a payment column. A payment column is, for example, a column provided with a terminal connected to a central payment device. The terminal comprises, for example, a computer, a clock, a slot 15 for coins, a slot for a credit card and / or a sender-receiver for communicating with the central payment device.

The disadvantage of this is that the user must have either cash or a credit card. Often the payment column is only suitable for coins, so that the user must have appropriate money with him, or the user has too few coins so that printing is not possible. When using a credit card, extra costs are often charged. In addition, due to the deployment of staff or the installation and maintenance of equipment, this is a relatively expensive and cumbersome process.

From EP-0812448-B1 a system is known for parking using a telephone. The user calls a service number and provides a personal code, as well as a code for a parking space and a vehicle code. A parking fee will be charged as soon as the codes are provided. Moreover, no immediate payment is made with this system. The settlement takes place afterwards per month. The known system has the disadvantage that the user has to pass all codes again to end the parking. In addition, if the user forgets to end the parking, many extra costs will be charged.

The invention has for its object to provide a cheaper and more user-friendly system for printing and payment.

The object is achieved by a system and a method as described in the appended claims. The invention provides the possibility to print documents in the aforementioned situations and to settle the payment thereof by sending a text message. Since today most users own a mobile phone and almost always carry it with them, thanks to the invention a user can print a file without carrying appropriate money or a credit card. The latter is favorable when used in public spaces (such as hotels and libraries) since fraud is prevented. The system also offers operators of the print facilities a considerable cost saving on the management and maintenance of equipment.

Further advantages and features of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the system.

Figure 1 shows a system 1 according to the invention, comprising an electronic device 10, a print server 12, a printer 14, a telephone 16, an SMS server 18, a network 20, a service provider 22, an instruction 24 , a user 26, a data message 28 and a telephony provider 30.

The electronic device 10 comprises, for example, a computer, laptop, PDA, or another device which is provided with a processor for processing data. Another device comprises, for example, a (digital) camera which is provided with means for sending images.

The print server 12 comprises, for example, a print server, host server and / or a website.

The printer 14 comprises, for example, a stand-alone printer, or a printing column comprising a printer and a PC function.

The telephone 16 comprises, for example, a landline telephone, a mobile telephone, a GSM telephone. The GSM telephone is optionally provided with two so-called SIM cards, i.e. a dual SIM telephone.

The SMS server 18 comprises, for example, an SMS-C server.

The network 20 comprises, for example, the internet and / or a local data network (1AN, WAN).

The service provider 22 comprises, for example, a service provider for internet services or a service provider for mobile telephony. The mobile telephone service provider includes, for example, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The MVNO is a service provider that, under payment, uses an (part of an) existing telephone network that is owned by another service provider 30. In one embodiment, the MVNO can only use the network for sending data. In the latter case, it is a data-only MVNO.

The user has, for example, a subscription with the service provider, whereby either 35 costs are charged afterwards per month or are paid in advance. If costs are paid in advance, the user purchases a bundle to the value of a certain amount, the costs of which are deducted as long as a sufficient budget is available.

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The instruction 24 from the user comprises, for example, the data file, photo or document to be printed, a desired printing location, and / or a desired printer.

The data message 28 comprises, for example, an SMS (Short Message Service, a text message). SMS is a service for sending or receiving short messages using a mobile phone. SMS is available for a large number of types of mobile networks, including GSM, UMTS, ANSI CDMA, and Digital AMPS networks, as well as fixed telephone lines. The text message can be a maximum of 140 bytes. 140 8-bit characters, 160 7-bit characters or 70 16-bit characters fit here. Text messages are sent from the mobile phone to a message center (English: Short Message Service Center (SMSC)). The data-10 message can, however, also be sent via other systems in addition to SMS, such as SkyMail® from J-Phone, Short Mail from NTT Docomo (both from Japan), or via email via, for example, i-mode from NTT Docomo or via a BlackBerry ® telephone from RIM.

The system according to the present invention works as follows.

In one embodiment, the user 26 registers with personal data including telephone number at the print server 12.

The user 26 creates the document to be printed on the computer 10. The computer 10 then sends the document via the network 20 to the print server 12, together with the instruction 24.

The print server 12 stores the document upon receipt. The document to be printed is now ready for printing at the print server 12.

The user 26 goes to the desired printer 14.

Subsequently, for payment of the print order, the user sends the data message 28 from the telephone 16 to the SMS server 18. The SMS server forwards the data message 25 to the print server 12.

After receipt of the data message by the print server 12, payment of the print order is complete. The print server 12 then sends the document to be printed provided with a unique print code via the network 20 to the printer 14.

In one embodiment, the user indicates in the data message 28 the desired printer with an identification code of the printer. For example, the identification code is a number that distinguishes the printer from other printers. The print server will then control the desired printer to print the document.

In another embodiment, the print server 12 also sends the unique print code to the mobile phone 16 of the user 26. The user then uses the print code to activate the printer. The print code comprises, for example, a number that can be entered via a printer keyboard and / or a barcode that can be read by the printer.

In one embodiment, the user pays for the print by sending a (premium -4-µm) sms via the sms server 18 to the printer 14. From a data bundle provided by the MVNO 22, the user can thus selectively send both sms text messages are sent when prints are made. The data bundle is, for example, a bundle purchased by the user per month and comprising a predetermined amount of data. The predetermined amount is, for example, 100 or 200 text messages per month.

A premium sms is a text message that is charged at a higher rate than a regular text message that is sent to a telephone. The higher rate may, for example, be set (for example, approximately EUR 1.50 per message). The determined amount is calculated to be on average cost effective for the service to be provided.

Optionally, the above embodiment is suitable for a maximum size of the data file. To print a larger data file, the user will have to send two or more text messages to be able to print the entire file. If, for example, the costs for the SMS are suitable for printing a maximum of, for example, 10 pages, the user will have to send a second text message to be able to print a file comprising 15 pages. The costs of the two text messages on the subscription or bundle will be charged.

In another embodiment, the payment depends on the file to be printed. For example, based on the size of the file, the number of pages, color or black and white, etc., the print server 12 determines the costs for printing. The costs are, for example, determined from a pre-stored table or database, or calculated, for example, on the basis of the price for printing a single page. The print server then passes on the costs to the MVNO 22. The MVNO 22 then links a rate that is equal to or higher than the cost to the SMS to be sent 28. The rate is passed on to the user, for example via the computer 10, by SMS to the telephone 16, or by e-mail to the user. By subsequently sending the text message 28, the user 26 indicates that he agrees with the rate.

Other applications of the system described above include: - Photo printing. At events such as dance parties or amusement parks, photos are often taken of the visitors, which can then be purchased for a fee. The photos taken are, for example, transmitted from a camera 110 via a network connection to a server 112. The camera is, for example, a digital camera provided with a wireless transmitter 111. The transmitter 111 uses, for example, technologies such as WiFi, NFC (Near Field Communication) ). The photos are then shown to visitors on a terminal 113. One or more of the photos can be paid for by the visitors through the system described above. The visitor selects one or more photos for this. The visitor then presses a "agree" button, for example on a screen of the terminal 113. The terminal 113 then sends an instruction 124 to the server 112. The terminal shows the costs charged for the selected photos. to print. If approved, the user then sends a text message 128 from the telephone 16 to the service provider 22. In the text message, for example, the printer and / or the selected photos are indicated with a specific code, which is displayed by the terminal. The code comprises, for example, a number of digits and / or letters. By feedback 5 between the service provider 22 and the photo server 112 via network 20, the service provider knows the costs for printing the selected photos. The service provider then allocates the costs to the relevant text message. I.e. that the relevant text message is charged to the visitor's subscription for an amount that at least covers the costs. After receiving the text message, the service provider 22 instructs the print server 112 via network 20 to print the photos. The paid photos are then printed on a (photo) printer 114 connected to the terminal.

- Printing three-dimensional (3D) objects. 3D objects can be printed directly from a data file on a 3D printer, such as a Spectrum Z510 color or a Dimension 3D printer. The system for paying for a print is essentially the same as described with reference to Figs. 1. However, the cost for the print is considerably higher in practice than for printing on a few sheets of paper. The costs depend, for example, on the material to be used, the size of the object to be printed, and / or the time that will be required to print the object. The costs to be calculated are calculated by means of feedback between the server 12 and the computer 10 and shown to the user. By subsequently sending a text message 28, the user indicates that he agrees with the costs to be calculated. The service provider 22 calculates the text message for the displayed costs at the expense of the user's subscription 26.

- Printing a parking ticket. The printer is thereby located in a parking meter, which is also coupled to the server 12. The user 26 sends an SMS 28, in which the instruction 24 is included, to the service provider 22. The instruction 24 comprises, for example, the desired amount, or the desired parking time. The service provider links the received message back to the server 12, and calculates the required amount. The service provider charges the amount, and passes a chord to the server 12. The server 12 then lets the printer print a parking ticket for the desired amount or time.

The parking card can be used by the user to park a vehicle.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment thereof described above, in which many modifications are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

A system for printing a data file, comprising: - an electronic device (10) for formatting the data file; 5. a network (20) coupled to the electronic device for transmitting the data file; - a print server (12) coupled to the network (20) for receiving the data file; - a telephone (16) for sending a text message (28) to an SMS server 10 (18); - a link between the SMS server (18) and the print server (12) for feedback on receipt of the text message; - a printer (14) coupled to the network (20) for printing the data file after the feedback between the print server (12) and the sms server (18). 15 The system of claim 1, wherein the SMS server is part of a telecommunications service provider (22). The system of claim 2, wherein the service provider (22) is a Mobile Vitual 20 Network Operator (MVNO) that uses the network of another service provider (30). A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the text message (28) comprises a printer identification code for indicating a desired printer (14). 25 A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the print server (12) is adapted to send a print code to the telephone (16) and / or to the printer (14) to activate the printer. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic device (10) comprises a camera. The system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the printer comprises a photo printer. 35 The system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the printer comprises a 3D printer. -7- A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the print server (12) is adapted to determine printing costs on the basis of the data file, and wherein the SMS server (18) is adapted to the print server to determine a rate for the text message. 5 A method for printing a data file, comprising: - formatting the data file with an electronic device (10); - sending the data file with the electronic device via a network (20) coupled thereto to a print server (12) coupled to the network (20); 10. sending a text message (28) to an SMS server (18) with a telephone (16); - feedback of the received text message from the sms server (18) to the print server (12); and - printing the data file with a printer (14) coupled to the network (20) after receiving the text message (28) by the print server (12).