JP2001306828A - Print service system, print service management server device, store service management device, and print service usage fee calculation method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] By setting a fee system according to a service form provided in a print service system,
Improve the convenience of the user for settlement. SOLUTION: Direct (print) when a user directly connects a terminal to a printer in a store and prints,
A charge system different from remote (print) when a user connects to a print service server via a network and prints from a printer at a store via the server is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print service system for providing a print service in response to a request from a user in a print service store provided with an output device such as a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a user (user) uses a printer in a print service store, for example, the user brings in electronic data in which documents and images are recorded to a print service store equipped with an output device such as a printer and prints the data. Alternatively, a terminal such as a personal computer (PC) is brought in and connected to an output device via a cable to print an electronic document stored in the terminal. Also,
There is also a form in which an electronic document is connected to a server via a network such as an ISDN line from an office or home terminal, and an electronic document is transmitted from the terminal to any print service store via the server.

Here, compared with a case where a user directly connects a terminal to a printer at a print service shop and prints, a user connects and prints via a server.
Since the electronic document data must be transmitted from the server to the print service store via a communication line, communication costs between the server and the print service store are separately required.

[0004]

However, in the case described above, regardless of the use form of the service, if the charge system is such that the charge for using the printer and the communication charge are separately built, the settlement time can be reduced. In addition, the user must separately pay the usage fee of the printer and the communication fee, which is troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to set a fee system in accordance with a service form provided in a print service system, thereby enabling a user to set a charge system. To improve the convenience at the time of settlement.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention accepts a print request including at least a designation of an electronic document to be printed, and provides a printer based on the request. A print service system that provides a service for printing the electronic document, wherein a print service request form determining unit that determines a form of the received print service request,
A print service usage fee calculation unit that calculates a print service usage fee based on the information on the print service request type determined by the request type determination unit.

[0007] In this way, the user only has to pay the usage fee calculated based on the form requested by the user regardless of the details of the cost generated by the form of request for the print service. The performance is improved.

The printer is not limited to an apparatus having only a function of recording an electronic document on a recording material such as paper, but may be any apparatus having a function of recording an electronic document on a recording material.
A device having both functions of a facsimile and a copying machine may be used.

[0009] The print service usage fee calculation means may have a function of selecting a print service usage fee system in accordance with the information on the print service request status determined by the print service request status determination means. Good.

[0010] Further, the print service system includes:
A server device having reception means for receiving the print service request, wherein the print service request form includes a form in which a client terminal is connected to the server apparatus via a network to request the print service. You may.

Further, the server device has a function of calculating a usage fee for a print service and managing the print service based on information on the print service request type determined by the print service request type determination means. It may be.

The print service request form includes a form in which a client terminal is directly connected to a printer to request a print service.

[0013] Further, there is provided a server device having a function of managing the print service, and the server device reduces a usage fee of the print service based on the information on the print service request type determined by the print service request type determination means. It may have a function of calculating.

Further, a notifying means for notifying a user of information on a print service fee system may be provided.

[0015] The notifying means may have a function of notifying a user of information on the print service fee system for each store where a printer is installed.

Further, the discount rate for the basic usage fee of the printer may be different for each use time of the print service.

Further, the discount rate for the basic usage fee of the printer may be different for each usage period of the print service.

The discount rate for the basic usage fee of the printer may be different depending on the use status of the print service.

[0019] The notifying means may further have a function of notifying a user of information on the operation status of the print service for each store where a printer is installed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a print service which receives a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, provides a printer based on the request, and provides a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. An apparatus for calculating a print service usage fee for a user who requests a print service, comprising a system, identification information for identifying a user who requests a print service, and a print service request of the user. Print service request form acquisition means for acquiring information relating form information, and use charge calculation table acquisition means for acquiring a use charge calculation table relating the print service request form information and print service use charge information And the said With reference to use charge calculation table, a usage fee calculation means for calculating the print service use fee, a printing service usage fee calculation device equipped with.

According to the present invention, a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed is received from a client terminal, a printer is provided based on the request, and a service for printing the electronic document by the printer is provided. A print service system
A print service management server device for managing the print service, wherein the print service manages identification information for identifying a user who requests the print service through the client terminal in association with information on a print service request form of the user. Service request form management means, use charge calculation table management means for managing a use charge calculation table in which information on the print service request form is associated with information on the print service use charge, and A print service management server device comprising: a print charge calculating unit for calculating a print service charge according to the print service request form.

According to the present invention, a print request including at least a designation of an electronic document to be printed is received from a client terminal, a printer is provided based on the request, and a service for printing the electronic document by the printer is provided. A print service system
A print service management server device that manages the print service, comprising: a print service request mode determination unit that determines a print service request mode received from the client terminal; and a print service request determined by the request mode determination unit. The print service management server device includes: a print service usage fee calculation unit configured to calculate a usage fee of the print service based on information on the form.

According to the present invention, there is provided a print service for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A system that configures a system, is provided in a store where the printer is installed, and is a store service management device that manages a printer in the store. A service that is connected to a print service management server device provided with a print service usage fee calculation means for calculating a usage fee of a print service via a network so that communication is possible, and a client terminal is directly connected to a printer in a store to request a service. Information identifying the user and the user The history information of services provided is a shop service management device including a history information notification unit that notifies the server device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a print service for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. In a system, a print service charge calculating method for calculating a print service charge for a user requesting a print service, the method comprising: obtaining information on a print service request form of the user; and a print service request form of the user. A print service usage fee for the user based on the information about the print service usage fee. .

In a print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer, A computer-executable program for calculating a print service usage fee for a user who requests a service, the method comprising: obtaining information on a print service request form of the user; and printing according to the print service request form of the user. A print service usage fee calculation program including: a step of acquiring information on a service usage fee; and a step of calculating a print service usage fee for the user based on the information on the print service usage fee.

According to the present invention, there is provided a print service for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A computer-executable program for calculating a print service charge for a user who requests a print service, the method comprising: acquiring information on a print service request form of the user; and a print service request form of the user. A print service usage charge calculation program including a step of acquiring information on a print service usage fee corresponding to the print service usage fee and a step of calculating a print service usage fee for the user based on the information on the print service usage fee. A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a beam.

As such a recording medium, an HD (Hard Disk) built in or external to the computer,
Portable FD (Flexible Disk), CD (Compact Dis
c), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto
Optical Disk) and the like, but are not limited to these as long as they can record a program.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Schematic Configuration of Print Service System)
1 to 3 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a print service system according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a print service server 1
Reference numeral 00 denotes a personal computer (PC) or a Web server, for example, which performs operation management and service management of the entire print service. The billing process for the user and the settlement process with the service store are also managed by the print service server 100 in principle.

The print service shop 101 includes a printer 101a and a PC connected to the printer 101a via a LAN, and is a base for providing a print service based on a user's instruction.

The user terminal 102 is composed of, for example, a PC installed in the user's office or home and is set to be connectable to the Internet via a telephone line or ISDN. It is desirable to have a Web browser displayed on top. The user accesses the print service system using the user terminal 102.

Here, the case where there is only one user terminal 102 and one print service store 101 will be described as an example. However, this system can be operated for a plurality of users and a plurality of stores.

Further, by providing a plurality of print service servers 100 and providing information communication means between the servers, the performance of the system can be improved and the system can be extended to a more reliable system.

The operation modes in each figure will be described below.

FIG. 1 shows an operation mode in which a user terminal 102, a print service shop 101, and a print service server 100 are arranged on the same network. More specifically, each of the systems is connected to the Internet so that a user can access the print service server 100 and print a predetermined document at a predetermined print shop 101. It is done in.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a case where the user terminal 102 is a portable telephone having a function as an information terminal which has recently been used. The basic service operation mode is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but here, the user connects to the gateway server of the mobile phone carrier from the user terminal 102 via the mobile phone network, and passes through the gateway server. And connect to the Internet. In the gateway server, processes such as user authentication and billing can be performed.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the user terminal 102 is a portable PC such as a notebook PC, and the user directly connects the user terminal 102 to the system of the print service shop 101 by a Centronics cable or the like. Is a form that processes the print request of
Even in this case, the charge management for each user can be managed collectively by the print service server.

The means for accessing the print service server 100 is implemented mainly using a general Internet protocol (HTTP or the like). As security measures, general means represented by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is used. The system is to be operated using it.

The print service store system 10
The connection means between the terminal 1 and the user terminal 102 is also implemented by a general parallel or serial connection means.

FIG. 4 shows functional blocks of the print service server 100 according to the present embodiment.

The print service server 100 mainly includes a communication control unit 401, an information providing unit 402, a job receiving unit 403, a job distribution unit 404, a data conversion unit 405,
Operation management unit 406, result reception unit 407, fee calculation unit 40
8, the settlement processing unit 409, the authentication information management device 451 constituting the data management device group, and the contract information management device 45.
2. Charge system management device 453, log information management device 45
4, job management device 455, document information management device 456,
It comprises a payment information management device 457 and a store information management device 458. Here, the print service server 100 constitutes a print service management server device.

The communication control unit 401 includes a user terminal 102,
A data communication process with the print service shop 101 or the like is performed. Here, processing such as user authentication is performed using data managed by the authentication information management device 451.

The information providing unit 402 retrieves requested data from various data managed by the server 100 and generates data to be returned to the request source. Here, the communication control main unit 401 and the information providing unit 402 constitute a notification unit.

The job receiving unit 403 receives job data (mainly a print request) from the user, and manages the job data in the job management device 455. The job receiving unit 403 also receives a document registration request from a user, and the data is managed by the document information management device 456.

The job distribution unit 404 includes the job management device 4
The unprocessed job data managed at 55 is sequentially transferred to the designated print service store 101.

The data conversion unit 405 converts the data format and the like of the job data according to the print processing capacity of the print service shop 101 to which the data is to be distributed, if necessary.

The operation management unit 406 performs user management, store management, registration and update of charge management data and the like necessary for providing and operating the service to various data management devices.

The result receiving unit 407 receives the result of the job executed at the print service store, updates the job management data of the job management device 455 according to the content,
The data is registered in the log information management device 454.

The charge calculation unit 408 calculates a charge amount to be charged for the job result based on various charge conditions, and manages the charge amount as payment target data in the payment information management device 457.

The settlement processing unit 409 performs settlement of a billing amount with respect to a user's use result, actual cost settlement for each print service store, royalty settlement processing, and the like.

Next, various data management devices operated and managed in the server will be supplementarily described. These management devices are composed of a recording medium such as an HD.

The authentication information management device 451 manages data such as a password, a settlement account number, etc., corresponding to each user ID, which should be managed with sufficient security. Also,
For a user whose access is to be denied, such as a user who has not been renewed for the contract period, a user who has not collected the fee over the delivery date, and the like, the attributes are similarly managed as a user who is not permitted to access. .

The contract information management device 452 includes attributes of each contracted user (user name, address, contact information, etc.), contract contents (contract period), settlement means (credit card, bank transfer, etc.), usage record Manages the applied discount rate, etc.

The charge system management device 453 includes a standard charge table applied to the service, a user charge management attribute reference table which is a calculation reference of various charge processing services applied according to the usage record, and a service operation record. And manages a contract store loyalty reference table, etc., which is a basis for calculating the loyalty for the contract store to be applied.

The log information management device 454 can sequentially record and manage, for each service, from whom, to what job, what kind of job is issued, and what the result is.

The job management device 455 manages jobs received from the user here first, and sequentially processes the jobs. It is also possible to provide a priority designation for a job, schedule job execution, accept a time-specified job, and store job data so that it can be re-executed later.

The document information management device 456 is capable of registering, managing, and retrieving documents upon request from a user.

The settlement information management device 457 manages all the data to be settled along with the execution of the service, including the settlement processing status.

The store information management device 458 manages various store information.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the print service shop system according to the present embodiment.

The print service store system 101
Mainly, a communication control unit 501, an information providing unit 502, a job receiving unit 503, a job processing unit 504, and a data converting unit 5
05, an operation management unit 506, a result notification unit 507, an expense collection device 508 and a printing device 509, and an authentication information management device 551, a contract information management device 552, a fee system management device 553, and log information management that constitute a data management device group An apparatus 554 includes a job management apparatus 555 and a document information management apparatus 556. Here, a management device such as a PC including each component except the printing device 509 constitutes a store service management device.

The communication control unit 501 includes a user terminal 102,
A data communication process with the print service server 100 or the like is performed.

Note that processing such as user authentication when a user terminal is directly connected is also performed here. For a specific user who is frequently used, the data can be transferred from the print service server to the authentication information management device 551 in the present system, managed, and directly authenticated. The authentication processing is performed via the print service server.

The information providing unit 502 retrieves requested data from various data managed by the present system and generates data to be returned to the request source.

The job accepting unit 503 accepts job data (mainly a print request) from a user directly or from a print service server, and
5 to manage.

Note that a document registration request from the user into the system is also accepted here, and the data is managed by the document information management device 556.

The job processing unit 504 includes the job management device 5
The unprocessed job data managed by the server 55 is sequentially transferred to the printing apparatus 509, the job is executed, the job management data of the job management apparatus 555 is updated according to the result, and the data is registered in the log information management apparatus 554. I do.

The data conversion unit 505 performs processing for converting the data format of the job data and the like according to the print processing capability of the present system as needed.

The operation management unit 506 registers and updates fee management data and the like necessary for providing and operating a service to various data management apparatus groups.

The result notifying unit 507 notifies the print service server of the result of the executed job. Here, the result notifying unit 507 constitutes a history information notifying unit.

The expense collection unit 508 directly collects the billing amount charged for the job result by the present system (cash, cash, etc.).
This is a device for performing a prepaid card or the like.

The printing apparatus 509 is a normal monochrome,
Equipped with equipment that can execute additional services such as bookbinding function as well as color and duplex recording function.

Next, various data management devices operated and managed in the system will be supplementarily described.

The authentication information management device 551 is functionally equivalent to that of the print service server, but is capable of managing only the data of the fixed user who has contracted in the store system.

The contract information management device 552 manages various contract contents, operation condition data, and the like for the fixed user.

The charge system management device 553 manages information such as a charge service condition specific to a store, and the data is registered as store information of the print service server.

The log information management device 554 sequentially records who received what kind of job, what the result was, etc., with respect to the service performed in the system.
Can be managed.

The job management device 555 manages jobs received from others first, and sequentially processes the jobs.

It is also possible to provide a priority designation for a job, schedule job execution, accept a time-specified job, and store job data so that it can be re-executed later. I have.

The document information management device 556 is capable of registering, managing, and retrieving documents upon request from a user.

(Basic Processing Flow of Print Service) FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a print service sequence according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence in the case where the user terminal 102 accesses the print service server 100 and requests the print service shop 101 to print, and the basic processing flow will be described below.

When a process of requesting login from the user terminal 102 to the print service server 100 is performed (S60)
1), an authentication process is performed in the server 100 (S60
2) The result of access permission and non-permission is notified.

Next, when a search request for a document registered in advance in the server 100 is made (S603), the server 1
The requested document search process is performed on the 00 side, and the result is notified (S604).

When a search request for available store information is made (S605), a store information search process is performed based on the requested search conditions from the store information managed by the server 100, and the result is A notification is given (S606).

When a document to be printed, a store, and printing conditions supported by the printing destination are designated as required, and a print request is made (S607), the server 1
00 first confirms whether there is no problem in the settlement status of the user (S608), and accepts the request (S609).

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen of the user terminal.
The user displays a search result list of documents registered in advance and requests selection of a document to be printed.

When the previously accepted job is distributed to a predetermined shop (S610), the shop 101 accepts the job (S611).

When the job is processed (S612), the result is notified to the server 101 (S613).

When the server 100 receives the job result (S614), a charge calculation process is performed (S615), a settlement process is performed (S616), and the data is registered in a log (S6).
17).

FIG. 8 shows a sequence for directly accessing the print service shop 101 from the user terminal 102 and processing the print request in cooperation with the print service server 100. The flow will be described.

When a login request process from the user terminal 102 to the print service shop 101 is performed (S801),
Authentication processing is performed in the print service shop system 101 (S802), and the result of the access permission or non-permission is notified. At this time, an authentication process is performed by inquiring of the print service server 100 as needed (S803).

From the user terminal 102, the store system 10
When a document print request is made by designating the print conditions supported in Step 1 as necessary (S804), the store system 101 checks whether there is no problem with the settlement status of the user (S805), and sends the request. Accepted (S807). At this time, if necessary, the settlement status is inquired to the server 102 side and a confirmation process is performed (S806).

The print service store 101 is prepared in advance.
If the document is registered in the document, it is possible to request a print by searching and specifying the document.

When the previously accepted job is processed (S808), the result is notified to the server 100 side (S80).
9) When the server 100 receives the job result (S
810), a charge calculation process is performed (S811), a settlement process is performed (S812), and the data is registered in a log (S813).

(Charge Management Attribute Update Process According to User's Usage Record) Here, as a mechanism for further promoting the use of the user, which is a feature of the present invention, a service for providing various services according to the user's use record is provided. The means will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a process of updating various attributes (such as a discount rate for a basic fee) for managing user billing according to a user's usage record.

First, the usage record of the user is obtained from the log data (S901). FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of log data managed by the log information management device 454. FIG.
In 0, the usage date of each user and the usage amount of the usage date are recorded, and the actual results for March 2000 are shown. Here, FIG. 11 shows a service usage record management table for each user before the log data managed by the contract information management device 452 is fetched. FIG.
In the example of 1, since the usage results for March are not taken in, the data recorded in the log data shown in FIG. 10 is the usage results for March. That is, Okuda's use amount for March is 2,450 yen, and Yamada's use amount for March is 12,100 yen.

Next, a discount rate for the usage fee is determined from the previously obtained data and the user charging management attribute reference table managed by the fee system management device 453 (S902).

As a result, a larger discount service is provided to a user who has a high use record.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a user charge management attribute reference table managed by the charge system management device 453. Here, an example of a table for determining the basic discount rate, the settlement period, the lump sum settlement amount, etc. with respect to the usage results of the previous month is shown.
It is only necessary to manage the results in a form that matches the actual situation, such as semi-annual units.

According to the example of the log data shown in FIG.
The basic discount rate based on the use results of Kuda for March is 1%, and the basic discount rate for Yamada is 5%.

Similarly, a settlement period is determined for each user (S903).

As a result, a service is provided to a user who has a high track record of use, in which it is determined that the credit is high, a longer settlement period is set, and the number of settlement processes is reduced.

Here, according to the example of the log data shown in FIG. 10, the settlement period based on the usage record of Okuda for three months is one day, and the settlement period of Yamada is seven days.

In the same manner, the collective settlement amount is determined for each user (S904).

As a result, a service is provided to a user who has a high track record of use, by judging that the credit is high, increasing the upper limit of the amount of payment that can be performed at one time, and reducing the number of payment processes.

Here, according to the example of the log data shown in FIG. 10, the lump sum settlement upper limit based on the usage record of Okuda for March is 1,000 yen, and the lump sum settlement upper limit for Yamada is 10,000 yen. .

Next, based on the data such as the charging and settlement conditions for each user determined in the above processing, the charging and settlement conditions for each user in the service use record management table managed by the contract information management device 452. Is updated (S905).

FIG. 13 shows an example of the service use result management table updated based on the use results for March.

When the data is changed for each user, a process for notifying each user of the change is performed (S90).
6). The notification means does not matter here. User terminal 10
FIG. 14 shows an example of the screen displayed in FIG.

Note that this series of processing is performed by the operation management unit 50.
According to the setting of 6, the processing may be performed periodically, or this processing may be automatically performed when the usage record reaches a certain amount.

(Royalty update process for contracted stores according to usage results) Next, as a mechanism to further promote membership as a print service store in expanding the print service base, reduction of royalties according to the usage results is performed. Means for providing a service for achieving the above will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing such a royalty update process for the contracted store.

First, the operation result in the print service shop 101 is obtained from the log data (S1501). FIG.
6 shows a configuration example of log data managed by the log information management device 454. FIG. 16 shows the store ID of the print service store and the operation (use) amount for each use date, and shows the results for March 2000.
Here, FIG. 17 shows a printer use result management table for each store managed by the store information management device 458. The example of FIG. 17 shows data before the log data is taken in. The total operation result of the store with the store ID “0001” is 158,000 yen, the royalty is 4.5%, and the store with the store ID “0002” is The cumulative operation result is 64,850 yen and the royalty is 10.0%.

The royalty for the contract store is determined from the previously acquired data and the contract store royalty standard table managed by the charge system management device (S1502).

As a result, a discount service of a larger royalty is provided to a store having a large number of operation results. FIG. 18 is an example of a contract store loyalty reference table.

Here, an example of a table for deciding royalties on the basis of the cumulative operation results from the start of the service is shown. However, apart from this table, royalties are determined based on yearly results for each year. It is desirable to revise the table at any time as appropriate.

According to the example of the log data shown in FIG. 16, the cumulative operation result of the store ID “0001” is 485,470
Cumulative operation results of yen and store ID "0002" are 136,9
Since it is 50 yen, the royalty is 4.5% each.

Next, based on the loyalty data for each store determined in the above processing, the store information management device 45
8 to update the loyalty data for each store managed by the store (S1503).

FIG. 19 shows an example of the printer use record management table updated based on the cumulative operation record. Store ID
Royalty of “0001” remains 4.5%, but royalty of store ID “0002” is 10.0%
To 4.5%.

When the printer usage record management table for each print service store is updated, a process for notifying the store of the update is performed (S1504). The notification means does not matter here. FIG. 20 shows an example of a screen displayed on a terminal such as a management PC provided in a store.

This series of processing is performed by the operation management unit 45.
According to the setting of 4, the processing may be performed periodically, or this processing may be automatically performed when the operation result in the store reaches a certain amount.

(User Store Selection Process) The means by which the user accesses the print service server 100 to search for and select the print service store 101 will be described.

FIG. 21 is a processing flowchart of the store selection service.

First, the conditions for store search are specified (S210).
1). For example, the location information of the store, the current operation status of the store, various types of discount information implemented for each store, and the like can be used as search conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is desirable to add advantageous conditions to the search conditions.

Next, from the store information registered in the print service server 100, a process of acquiring store information satisfying the specified search condition is performed (S2102). Here, the various store information is updated as needed.

FIG. 22 is an example of a store information table managed by the store information management device 458. The specified store information is extracted by searching the store information table created in accordance with the search condition as described above.

Here, an example is shown in which location information, hourly discount service information, and the like are managed as store information, but information that is more effective for the user can be added and operated. The status is dynamic information, and the server 100 can inquire the status of the store 101 to notify the user if necessary.

The store information thus obtained is notified to the user for provision (S2103). FIG. 23 shows an example of a screen displayed on the user terminal 102. In the user terminal 102,
As shown in FIG. 24, the location of the designated store can be displayed on a map.

(Service Usage Charge Calculation Processing for User) The means for calculating the service usage charge for the user in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing such a charge calculation process.

First, a service unit price according to the service mode used by the user is acquired from the service mode-specific standard unit price table managed by the fee structure management device 453 (S2501).

The service form used by the user is obtained from the log data. FIG. 26 shows a configuration example of log data managed by the log information management device 454. Since service use mode data used by the user such as direct or remote is recorded as log data, the service mode used by the user can be determined from this data. Here, the log information management device 45
Reference numeral 4 denotes a print service request form management unit.
Further, a fee calculation unit 408 that performs the following calculation processing constitutes a print service request mode determination unit and a print service usage fee calculation unit.

FIG. 27 shows an example of the standard unit price table for each service mode.

An example of the usage fee of Mr. Okuda shown on FIG. 26 on April 1, 2000 will be described. Mr. Okuda is performing A4 size monochrome printing in the direct service request mode. According to FIG. 26, the reference fee per A4 sheet in this case is 9 yen. Here, the service type standard unit price table corresponds to the usage fee calculation table, and the fee system management device 453 constitutes a usage fee calculation table management unit.

Next, a reference fee corresponding to the usage amount (the number of prints, etc.) is calculated based on the previously acquired unit price (S2).
502).

In the above example, since Okuda has printed out ten sheets, the price is 9 × 10 = 90 yen.

Next, the discount rate managed for each user by the contract information management device 452 is acquired, and the discounted fee is calculated from the previously obtained reference fee (S2503).

According to the service use record management table shown in FIG. 12, the discount rate applied to Mr. Okuda is 1%, so 90 × 0.99 = 89.
1 yen.

Next, when the discount service at the store in use is applied, a predetermined discount rate is obtained from the store information management device 458, and the charge is recalculated (S2504).

In the above example, Okuda has the store ID 0
It is assumed that a store 001 is used. Since Okuda's use time is midnight, the discount rate is 30% according to the store unit price discount service in FIG. Therefore, the recalculated fee is 89.1 yen × 0.7 = 62.37 yen, and the fraction is rounded up to 63 yen, which is the usage fee in this case.

The discount rate included in the store unit price discount service shown in the store information in FIG. 22 varies based on the operation status of the printer in each store, and also varies depending on the operation results in each store.

The discount amount for each store is automatically billed separately to the corresponding store.

The above calculation processing data is managed as payment data for each user, and is settled separately (S2505).

The processing result described above is stored in the log information management device 454.
Is registered in the log (S2506). Registered logs can be managed as service results.

In the above-described example, two types of service modes, a direct service request mode from the store system and a remote service request mode via the print service server, are prepared. Although an example in which a standard unit price and the like for each color print are set and managed is shown, a service unit price may be set and managed flexibly without being limited to this table example. Note that the remote print fee includes a communication fee, and is therefore higher than other services.

(Payment-Related Processing) Here, the payment processing section 40
9 will be described.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the settlement process.

When the payment status confirmation request is received (S2
801), information on the settlement status of a predetermined user managed by the settlement information management device 457, in particular, information on the presence or absence of delinquency, the status of the unsettled amount, etc. is obtained and notified to the request destination (S280)
2).

When the settlement processing request is received (S280
3) The data to be settled is received, and the settlement information management device 457 manages the data (S2804).

When the settlement processing request for each user is received (S2805), the settlement date, settlement upper limit, etc. for each user managed by the contract information management device 452 are confirmed, and the settlement means ( Processing corresponding to credit card or bank transfer is performed (S2806). This request is periodically called from the operation management unit 406.

When the settlement processing request for each store is received (S2807), the actual cost settlement based on the service results for each store and the settlement process based on royalties are performed using the information managed by the store information management device 458. , Perform settlement processing for the discount service for the user (S280)
8). This request is periodically sent to the operation management unit 406.
Has come to be called from.

The processing in the print service system according to the present invention has been described above. The processing for updating the charge management attribute for the user, the processing for updating the royalty of the contracted store, the processing for calculating the service charge, and the processing related to settlement are described below.
The processing is not necessarily performed by computer devices connected to each other via a network, and may be performed by a human based on management means such as a book.

[0155]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can collectively settle payments at the time of payment, thereby improving convenience.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first print service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a third print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a print service server.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing functions of a print service shop system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a sequence of a print service when a user terminal accesses a print service server.

FIG. 7 is a screen display example of a user terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a print service sequence when a user terminal directly accesses a print service shop.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a process of updating a charging management attribute of a user;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of log data including a user's usage record;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a service usage record management table before update;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user charge management attribute reference table.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an updated service use record management table.

FIG. 14 is a screen display example of a user terminal.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a royalty update process for a print service store.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of log data including operation results for each print service store.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer usage record management table for each store before updating.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a contract store loyalty reference table.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer usage record management table for each store after updating.

FIG. 20 is a screen display example of a terminal of a print service shop.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing of a print service store selection service.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a store information table.

FIG. 23 is a screen display example of a user terminal.

FIG. 24 is a screen display example of a user terminal for displaying a store on a map.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a fee calculation process.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of log data including a service usage form of a user.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard unit price table for each service mode.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of a settlement process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 print service server 101 print service store 101a printer 102 user terminal 401 communication control unit 402 information provision unit 403 job reception unit 404 job distribution unit 405 data conversion unit 406 operation management unit 407 result reception unit 408 fee calculation unit 409 payment processing unit 451 Authentication information management device 452 Contract information management device 453 Charge system management device 454 Log information management device 455 Job management device 456 Document information management device 457 Payment information management device 458 Store information management device 501 Communication control unit 502 Information providing unit 503 Job receiving unit 504 Job processing unit 505 Data conversion unit 506 Operation management unit 507 Result notification unit 508 Cost recovery device 509 Printing device 551 Authentication information management device 552 Contract information management device 553 Fee system Management apparatus 554 log information management device 555 job management apparatus 556 document information management system

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naoyuki Matsumoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 5B021 AA01 AA19 CC06 5B049 AA06 CC08 EE02 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB03 KA15 KB04 KB12 KC15

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A print service request form determining means for determining the received print service request form; and a print service use charge for calculating a print service usage fee based on information on the print service request form determined by the request form determining means. A print service system comprising: a charge calculating unit; 2. The print service usage fee calculation means according to claim 1, wherein said print service usage fee calculation means has a function of selecting a print service usage fee system in accordance with information on the print service request type determined by said print service request type determination means. Print service system as described. 3. The print service system includes a server device having a receiving unit that receives the print service request. In the print service request form, a client terminal is connected to the server device via a network, The print service system according to claim 1, further comprising a form for requesting a print service. 4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the server device has a function of calculating a usage fee for a print service and managing the print service based on information on the print service request mode determined by the print service request mode determination unit. Item 4. A print service system according to item 3. 5. The request form of the print service includes:
2. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein the print service system includes a form in which a client terminal is directly connected to a printer to request a print service. 6. A server device having a function of managing the print service, wherein the server device reduces a use fee of the print service based on information on the print service request form determined by the print service request form determining means. The print service system according to claim 5 having a function of calculating. 7. The print service system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user of information on a print service fee system. 8. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein said notifying means has a function of notifying a user of information relating to said print service fee system for each store where a printer is installed. 9. The discount rate for the basic usage fee of the printer differs for each use time of the print service.
The print service system according to 1. 10. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein a discount rate for a basic usage charge of the printer is different for each use period of the print service. 11. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein a discount rate for a basic usage charge of the printer is different depending on a use status of the print service. 12. The print service system according to claim 7, wherein said notifying unit further has a function of notifying a user of information on the print service operation status for each store where a printer is installed. 13. A print service system which receives a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, provides a printer based on the request, and provides a service of printing the electronic document by the printer. A print service usage fee calculation device for calculating a print service usage fee for a user requesting a print service, comprising: identification information for identifying a user requesting a print service; information on a print service request mode of the user; Print service request form obtaining means for obtaining information relating the print service request form; use charge calculation table obtaining means for obtaining a use charge calculation table relating the information on the print service request form and the information on the print service use charge; Fee calculation A print service usage fee calculation device, comprising: a usage fee calculation unit that calculates the print service usage fee by referring to a table. 14. A print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed from a client terminal, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A print service management server apparatus for managing the print service, wherein identification information for identifying a user who requests the print service through the client terminal is associated with information on a print service request form of the user. Print service request form management means for managing the use charge calculation table, and a use charge calculation table managing means for managing a use charge calculation table that associates information about the print service request form with information about the print service use charge; A print service management server device, comprising: a usage fee calculation unit configured to calculate a print service usage fee according to the print service request form. 15. A print service system which receives a print request including at least a designation of an electronic document to be printed from a client terminal, provides a printer based on the request, and provides a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. And a print service management server device that manages the print service, wherein the print service request mode determination unit determines a print service request mode received from the client terminal, and the print service request mode determination unit determines the print service request mode. A print service management server device comprising: a print service usage fee calculation unit configured to calculate a usage fee of a print service based on information on a print service request form. 16. A print service system that receives a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, provides a printer based on the request, and provides a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A store service management device provided in a store in which the printer is installed and managing the printer in the store. The store service management device manages the print service and uses the print service based on information on a print service request form. A print service management server device having a print service usage fee calculation means for calculating a fee is communicably connected via a network, and a client terminal is directly connected to a printer in a store to identify a user who requests a service. Identification information and the services provided to the user. Store service management device including a history information notification unit that notifies the history information of bis to the server device. 17. A print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A print service charge calculation method for calculating a print service charge for a user who requests a service, the method comprising: obtaining information on a print service request form of the user; and printing according to the print service request form of the user. A print service charge calculating method, comprising: obtaining information on a service charge; and calculating a print service charge for the user based on the information on the print service charge. 18. A print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A computer-executable program for calculating a print service usage fee for a user who requests a service, the method comprising: obtaining information on a print service request form of the user; and printing according to the print service request form of the user. A print service charge calculation program, comprising: obtaining information on a service charge; and calculating a print service charge for the user based on the information on the print service charge. 19. A print service system for receiving a print request including at least designation of an electronic document to be printed, providing a printer based on the request, and providing a service for printing the electronic document by the printer. A computer-executable program for calculating a print service usage fee for a user who requests a service, the method comprising: obtaining information on a print service request form of the user; and printing according to the print service request form of the user. Recording a print service charge calculation program, comprising: obtaining information on a service charge; and calculating a print service charge for the user based on the information on the print service charge. Readable recording medium a computer.