JP2003208294A - Charging method in printing system using portable information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print price charging method which is highly convenient and rational to a user in a printing system where a printing device acquires high resolution information for print, and prints out according to print request information from a portable terminal. <P>SOLUTION: In this printing system, a contents server 30 authenticates authentication information applied to a user who has previously made a contract with a portable telephone company to validate the reading of contents by a portable telephone 10 and the download of contents information for print to a printing device 20. The contents server 30 or the printing device 20 calculate the charging sum according to the print contents, and the printing device 20 transmits charging information directly or from the printing device 20 through the portable telephone 10 to the portable telephone company, and the portable telephone company collects the charging sum from the user instead, and pays the charging sum to the predetermined payment destination by subtracting a prescribed percentage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable information terminal.
The printing system used
In detail, a search using a mobile information terminal such as a mobile phone
Printing of image information such as content using a printing machine
About the billing method in the customized printing system
You. 2. Description of the Related Art A portable information terminal represented by a cellular phone is widely used.
It is remarkable. Recent trends in mobile information terminals
The response to the Internet is progressing. For example, a mobile phone
Real-time email communication with E-mail at
But it is possible to do it.
Direct search of information on the Internet with Uza
Data can be extracted. Also internet
Access, as well as gateway services
Also provide applications. For example, bank account balance
Banking service that can perform inquiry and transfer procedures
Tickets without having to go to a service or play guide
Ticket services, buy and sell stock and mutual fund products
There are services that can be used. [0003] Services using portable information devices such as cellular phones
For example, there is a content distribution service.
For example, from a mobile phone provided by NTT DOCOMO,
Services for connecting to networks such as Internet
There is i-mode, which is a mobile phone of NTT DoCoMo.
The telephone network provides the provider function. NTT
To browse the contents of docomo's official website
From NTT DoCoMo from a mobile phone with i-mode function
Content server operated by the company (gateway server)
To the official website after being authenticated.
Content can be viewed. As described above, the function of the portable information terminal is advanced.
As mobile devices become more diverse and diversified,
Viewed image information such as contents being displayed in a large display state
I always kept it as a printed matter
Or materials or advisors used for business presentations
Immediately print out materials to be provided to customers
Such demands are strong. [0005] Leading to convenience stores and general offices
The installed copiers are almost completely digitized now.
And make it an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)
Printers and printers that respond to print requests from PCs and other devices.
Most of them have a printing function
Connected and shared on intranet / internet
Often. Therefore, such a convenience
MFPs installed in tores and offices and mobile electronic devices
Print to connect and print image information such as contents
System has been proposed. In such a printing system,
The printing device is configured to print images such as contents selected by the user.
Enter the URL specifying the image information site from the mobile information terminal.
To connect to the content server using the URL
To obtain high-resolution image information and print the acquired information.
It can be printed and provided to the user. A printing system as described above
Is a highly convenient and sophisticated print system
Great potential for business as it can be used
It can be said that it has sex. Printing system
In this case, a print fee is collected from the user. [0008] The user uses the printing system
The cost to pay for
In addition to the fee for viewing paid content paid to the binder, printing
To the provider of the system (print function provider)
Pay function usage fees and pay to stores that manage printing devices
Charges such as performance charges
available. Of course, the form of cost paid by the user is
Of course, various models are conceivable. Fees to be paid to the above content providers
With regard to, for example, public
NTT docomo charges for paid content
Collected from the user on behalf of the communication fee,
Paying the content provider after deducting a few fees
You. [0010] However, as described above,
Usage fee and performance charge
Actually, no specific billing method has been established.
Emotion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention
It is made in consideration of the actual situation
The printing device can print at high resolution according to the print request information
Printing system that acquires information and prints out
Is convenient for the user in the method of charging
To provide a high and rational billing method
It is. [0012] The invention of claim 1 is a portable telephone.
Data communication is possible between the information terminal and the portable information terminal
And a printing device connected to a network,
Data communication with the printing device via a network
Printer realized by a content server
A charging method applied to the
The content referenced by the band information terminal from the content server
Print request information regarding the print information to the printing apparatus.
The printing device has received the print request information.
In this case, the printing apparatus can access the content via the Internet.
Server and request the corresponding print content
The content server sends the information
Depending on the information requesting the printing content, the printing content
Information for the printing, and the printing code received by the printing apparatus.
Printing system for printing contents
In the charging method according to the above, the printing device may include
Holding print consideration calculation data for calculating
The print content received from the content server;
When printing, refer to the print price calculation data and print
Calculate the printing price and print the calculated printing price
The information is displayed on display means provided in the apparatus, and the user
The amount corresponding to the display of
Or into a cash input device built into the printing device
In this way, printing fees are collected after printing is completed.
It is a sign. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A portable information terminal according to the present invention
One of the billing methods in the linting system is
Data communication between the mobile information terminal and the mobile information terminal.
And a printing device connected to the network.
Data communication with printing device via network
Printing with a Flexible Content Server
This is a billing method applied to the system. The method
First, as shown in FIG.
The content information is referred to from the server (step S1).
Print request information related to content information to the printing device
The printing device transmits the print data (step S2).
When receiving the request information, the printing device
To connect to the content server (step S
3), sending information requesting the corresponding print content
(Step S4), and the content server
Print content according to the information requesting print content
Information is transmitted (step S5) and received by the printing apparatus.
The printed content for printing is also printed (step S6).
It is. The printing device then calculates the printing consideration
Holding the print price calculation data of
When printing the print content received from the server,
Calculate the printing consideration by referring to the printing consideration calculation data.
(Step S7) and print out the calculated print consideration.
The information is displayed on the display means of the device (step S8),
The user sends the amount corresponding to the display on the display means to the printing device.
Money input equipment attached or built into the printing device
Into the printer (step S9), after printing is completed.
To collect the printing fee. A pudding using the portable information terminal of the present invention.
Of the billing method in the mobile information system
Data communication between the terminal and the portable information terminal.
A printing device connected to a network
A command that enables data communication with a printing device via a work
Printing system realized by content server
This is a billing method applied to the system. The method is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the portable information terminal
Referring to the content information (step S11), the content
Sends print request information related to
(Step S12), the printing apparatus transmits the print request information
When the printing device receives the
Connect to the content server (step S13)
Send the information requesting the print content to be
Step S14), the content server receives the received
Information of the print content according to the information requesting the content.
Information (step S15), and the printing device
Print the print content (step S16).
is there. The printing device then prints the print price.
Holds printing price calculation data, and
When printing the print content received from the
Calculate the print consideration by referring to the print consideration calculation data.
(Step S17), the information on the calculated printing consideration is
The data is transmitted to the portable information terminal (step S18).
The information terminal holds the received information on the print consideration amount,
At a predetermined timing, the information of the printing price is transferred to the portable information terminal.
(Step S19), and the portable information terminal
The operating company at the end adds the printing consideration together with the communication fee.
Collect on behalf of the user (step S20) and collect
Print fee paid to a specified payee
Deduct and pay (step S21). A pudding using the portable information terminal of the present invention.
3 of the billing method in the mobile information system
Data communication between the terminal and the portable information terminal.
A printing device connected to a network
A command that enables data communication with a printing device via a work
Printing system realized by content server
This is a billing method applied to the system. The method is shown in FIG.
As shown, the portable information terminal is
With reference to the content information (step S31),
Is transmitted to the printing apparatus (step S3).
2), the printing apparatus receives the print request information
When printing, the printing device
Connect to the server (step S33), and
Transmit the information requesting the content (step S3
4), the content server receives the received print content.
Send print content information according to the information requesting
And prints the print content received by the printing apparatus.
(Step S37). Here the content server
After the step S34, the print price is calculated.
Holds print price calculation data and sends the
For the print price calculation based on the information requesting the content
The print consideration is calculated with reference to the data (step S3).
5) The print price together with the print content information
The information of the amount is transmitted to the printing device (step S36).
After step S37, the printing apparatus operates the portable information terminal.
Send the print consideration information to the company (step
S38), the operating company of the portable information terminal performs the printing
Collect the consideration from the user on behalf of the user along with the communication charge
(Step S39), the collected print consideration is paid for a predetermined amount.
Deduct the prescribed fee to the payee (step
S40). A pudding using the portable information terminal of the present invention.
Of billing methods in the mobile information system
Data communication between the terminal and the portable information terminal.
A printing device connected to a network
A command that enables data communication with a printing device via a work
Printing system realized by content server
This is a billing method applied to the system. The method is shown in FIG.
As shown, the portable information terminal is
Referring to the content information (step S51), the content
Send print request information related to the content information to the printing device
(S52), and the printing apparatus receives the print request information.
Printing device, the printing device
Connect to the content server (step S53), and
The information requesting the printing content is transmitted (step S5).
4), the content server receives the received print content.
Information about the print content in accordance with the information
And prints the print content received by the printing apparatus.
Billing in printing system for printing
Is the way. Then, the content server,
Holds the print price calculation data for calculating the price
Based on the received information requesting the print content.
To calculate the printing consideration with reference to the printing consideration calculation data.
Out (Step S55), information of the print content
And transmits the information of the printing consideration to the printing apparatus.
(Step S56), the printing apparatus sets the printing content
Information is printed (step S57) and received.
Transmitting the information of the printing consideration to the portable information terminal.
(Step S58) The portable information terminal receives the received print
The information of the price is held and the printing is performed at a predetermined timing.
Send the information on the consideration to the mobile information terminal operating company (
Step S59), the operating company of the portable information terminal determines
Collect printing fees on behalf of users along with communication charges
(Step S60), and collects the collected printing consideration in a predetermined amount.
Deduct the prescribed fee from the payee and pay
Step S61). Also, a pudding using the portable information terminal of the present invention.
5 of the billing method in the mobile information system
Data communication between the terminal and the portable information terminal.
A printing device connected to a network
A command that enables data communication with a printing device via a work
Printing system realized by content server
The billing method applied to the system. The method is shown in FIG.
In the same way, the portable information terminal
With reference to the contents information (step S71), the content
Send print request information to the printing device
Step S72) The printing apparatus receives the print request information.
The printer sends content via the Internet
Connected to the server (step S73), and
Is transmitted (step S7).
4), the content server receives the received print content.
Information about the print content in accordance with the information
(Step S75), the printing device receives the
The content is printed (step S76).
Then, the printing apparatus prints the print price for calculating the print price.
Holds calculation data and receives from the content server
When the printing content is printed, the printing
The print consideration is calculated with reference to the price calculation data (step
S77), the operating company of the portable information terminal
The information of the printing consideration is transmitted (step S78).
The operating company of the portable information terminal communicates the printing consideration
Collected from the user on behalf of the user (step S7
9) The collected print consideration is paid to a predetermined payee.
The fixed fee is deducted and paid (step S80). A pudding using the portable information terminal of the present invention.
6 of the charging method in the
In 1 to 5, as shown in FIG.
Content information of content server using information terminal
When referencing, the information requesting acquisition of the desired content
Information, user ID information, and password information.
(Step S81), the container receiving the information
Content server authenticates the user based on the information received.
(Step S82), the user requests according to the authentication result
(Step S83), and
Transmitted to the portable information terminal (step S8).
4) The portable information terminal transmits the received content information to the portable information terminal.
Displayed on the screen of the band information terminal (step S85),
Check whether to print after checking the displayed screen.
Is determined (step S86), and printing is performed.
Before including the URL information of the target content.
The print request information is transmitted to the printing device (step S8).
7) The printing device responds to the received print request information.
The printing computer containing the user ID and the password.
Sends the content request information to the content server (
Step S88), the content server executes the printing
When the information requesting the content is received, the user is authenticated again.
Perform work (step S89) and print according to the authentication result.
Search for content information and send it to the printing device (step
(S90), and the printing apparatus prints according to the received information.
Is printed (step S91). An embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention will be described below.
The state will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 applies the present invention
Diagram for explaining a configuration example of a printing system
In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a portable information terminal as an example of the portable information terminal of the present invention.
Telephone, 20 is an MFP printer, 30 is a content server.
Server (or gateway server), 40
The provider 50 is the Internet. The MFP printer 20 connects to a network.
Interface that can communicate with connected other devices
, And can be connected to the Internet 50. Ma
Also, it can communicate with mobile information terminals such as mobile phones
Equipped with an interface, enabling connection with the mobile phone 10
It is. Note that the MFP printer 20 is connected to the Internet.
Connection with the MFP 50 and the mobile phone 1
The connection to 0 can be either wired or wireless.
And the means is not limited. First, a printing system to which the present invention is applied
The operation of the system will be described. The user can use the mobile phone 10
Predetermined content via a mobile phone communication network using
The server 30 is called and connected, and the content server 30
Browse retained content. At this time, the mobile phone 10
Refers to the content information from the content server 30.
Downloadable functions (for example, the above-mentioned i-mode
(R) function). For example, i-mode (R)
Content distributed by the content server 30
Is included in the official website certified by NTT DOCOMO
It is. Content held by the content server 30
The information is created, for example, by the content provider 40.
After receiving the official website certification from NTT DoCoMo,
The information is transferred to the content server 30. The user operates the mobile phone 10 as described above.
Visit the official website and try to browse the content
In general, users must subscribe to the official website beforehand.
It is necessary to make a contract. For example, if the user is i
-Where to access the official website using mode (R)
If the content server 30
Authentication. In other words, from the official website as above
When downloading information, be sure to use the content server
At 30, the ID and password transmitted from the mobile phone
You will be certified. [0023] The content provider is i-mode.
(R) process the image data of the content that can be viewed
Content images that can be viewed on the Web
Is created in advance. In fact, they are the same data
Is accessible, but the i-mode (R)
Display is limited or color display on black and white screen
Is impossible or the screen size is small.
Content providers have many limitations.
Basically, i-mode (R) content and Web content
And make them separately. A mobile phone referred to by the user on the mobile phone 10
If you want to print content for
Print on MFP printer 20 with system functions
Send request information. The MFP printer 20 is
Connect to the content server 30 via the net
Download web content information and print
Do. The printing system described above has a container
For example, functions such as i-mode (R) that can browse content
Mobile phone (mobile information terminal) 10 and network
Printer 20 connected to the server and a content server
30 can communicate with each other using public line or dedicated line
The MFP printer 20 includes:
Software to realize the functions of the printing system
Software is installed and the content provider is
40 converts the content image for the mobile phone into the web content.
It is necessary to be prepared to be able to distribute as one. Also content
The contents for mobile phones distributed by the provider 40
User can issue a print request using this system.
By creating a menu for
A print instruction can be easily given by a mobile phone. The printing system as described above will be described below.
An embodiment of a charging method applied to a system will be described. Printe
In the printing service business, users print
Each time the fee is charged as a print charge.
You. The print charge is charged by the MFP printer
Is paid for a store,
Part of this will be used for administrative expenses. Print charge charged
Stores collected are performance charge (P / C) examples
For example, pay the MFP printer sales company. P / C is an example
For example, 3.5 yen / sheet for monochrome and 25 yen / sheet for color
Then paid. Further, software is installed in the printing apparatus.
Provider that provides print function in (print function provider)
Can be printed using i-mode (R).
If you want to use the logging system,
By collecting a fixed basic fee from users,
Secure. Alternatively, without taking the form of a prescribed basic fee
In addition, there is a pay-as-you-go
Good, and relatively low basic and pay-as-you-go rates
A combination method of gold may be used. The charging method described below is based on the above charging system.
Applicable without being limited to any of the
In each embodiment, the printing function provider has a basic charge
If you use the system, the basic fee will be
And the telephone company's agency collection method, etc.
And the above method for billing only print charges
The print function provider
In case of adopting the fee, print charge + above
A method of charging a pay-as-you-go fee is realized. After
User, the fee collected for each print from the user
Needs to distribute to multiple payees,
Shall be reasonably determined in advance between the parties.
I do. In addition, in the embodiment described below,
For the parts that perform the same operations as the example,
Is omitted. FIG. 8 shows a billing method according to the present invention.
For explaining the operation of the first embodiment of FIG.
It is. When the user browses the desired content
First, the contents server 30
Of the mobile phone content site (step S
101) At this time, the ID and password are transmitted and
After receiving the certificate, the content server 30 performs the authentication.
The content is distributed (step S102). At this time
The distribution of the content of the mobile phone company's mobile phone network
Through the route a shown in FIG. In the mobile phone 10 receiving the content,
The content is displayed on the display screen. User shows
Browse contents while watching the screen. At this time, the seal
If there is a screen to be printed, connect the mobile phone 10 to the MFP
Make the printer communicable with the printer 20 (for example,
To a convenience store where the
To connect the mobile phone 10 and the MFP printer 20
Or, if wireless communication is possible,
Bring the mobile phone 10) (step S103),
Perform a predetermined operation using the input button of the telephone 10
Sends information indicating a lint request to MFP printer 20
(Step S104). Send from mobile phone 10 to MFP printer 20
The received print request information includes the mobile phone 10
URL information indicating the content that you want to search for and print
Information, and the M which has received the print request information.
The FP printer 20 is a communication device of the MFP printer.
A new connection to the Internet 50 using a step
The user held by the content server 30 can select a desired content.
Connect to the site of Tenz (step S105)
Web container according to print request information from story 10
Request content server 30 to download content images
I do. The download request as described above includes
Contains the mobile phone user ID and password,
The content server 30 requests the download as described above.
Authenticates again when you receive a
Perform (Step S106). MFP printer 20 is
Download the downloaded content image and print
(Step S107). Depending on the page being downloaded
Therefore, the number of printed sheets may be plural. Also you
If the user wants to print multiple pages,
Device for selecting content and print request information
Repeat the operation of sending to. Installed in the MFP printer 20
Software is used for printing information (print type, used
Memory of the MFP printer 20 based on the size of the paper, etc.)
Print by referring to the print price calculation data held by the column
A charge (print consideration amount) is calculated (step S108),
The calculated fee information is displayed on the display screen of the MFP printer 20.
(Step S109). Display of charge, print
It may be added and displayed for each horse.
After the printing is completed,
The total settlement amount may be displayed. The MFP printer 20 has coins and bills.
(Or coins only)
The user enters the settlement amount after printing is completed,
Payment is made (step S110). Conventionally, copy machines
And the user enters in advance the amount corresponding to the planned amount.
There is a form in which payment is made after the copy is completed.
In short, the user will be required to input the required amount after printing.
Billing method considering user's convenience
You can say that. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 9 shows a billing method according to the present invention.
For explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the method
It is. In the present embodiment, the software of the MFP printer 20 is used.
Until the ware calculates the printing fee (steps S121 to S121)
In S128), the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed. MF
The P printer 20 applies the printing fee calculated here to the MFP printer.
It is displayed on the display screen of the printer 20 (step S12).
9) Here, the fee display on the MFP printer 20 is displayed.
Not required. The MFP printer 20 finishes printing,
Or, every time printing is performed, the
The printing fee information is transmitted (step S130). mobile phone
10 holds the received print charge information and determines it in advance.
Under the specified conditions, for example, every predetermined time, or
Each time printing information is entered, the mobile phone company
The information is transmitted (step S131). The mobile phone company
Print charge information is maintained for each user, and added to the communication charge at a later date.
And collect the printing fee and collect the agent (step S1
32), the applicable payee after subtracting a predetermined fee
Is paid (step 133). Also, mobile phones
When story 10 receives the printing fee information, the table of the mobile phone is displayed.
By displaying the charge information on the display screen,
Highly convenient system that can notify usage fees
It becomes. (Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 shows a billing system according to the present invention.
Flow chart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the method
It is. In the present embodiment, the MPF printer 20
L until it is connected to the content server 30 using
Steps S141 to S145), the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed.
Done. The content server 30 calculates the charge amount for the print consideration.
Print type as basic charge data for calculating
And print unit price data.
Based on the information requesting the content from the
The relevant print unit price information is extracted and the print
Aggregate the number of prints, print price information and number of prints
Calculate the amount to be charged as print fee from the information
(Step S146). And the calculated billing amount is
And the requested content information for the requested fee information.
Is transmitted to the MFP printer 20 (step S14).
7). The MFP printer 20 downloads the
The content image is received and printed (step S14)
8) At this time, transmitted from the content server 30
Transfer the charge information to the mobile phone user ID information and password
Stores both the password information and the RAM in the MFP printer 20
(Step S149). And when printing is finished
Call the server of the mobile phone company and connect to it.
ID information and password stored in RAM for the server
Information and corresponding fee information (step
Step S150). The above billing information for the telephone company,
Using the communication means of the MFP printer 20, the MFP
The linter 20 calls the telephone company server and connects.
Is transmitted to the telephone company. [0038] The mobile phone company decides on the basis of the transmitted billing information.
On behalf of the billing amount together with the telephone charge
(Step S151), a predetermined fee is subtracted from the charged amount.
For example, a printer that should receive a print charge
The payment is made to the store or the like where the printer is installed (step S152). (Embodiment 4) FIG. 11 shows the accounting according to the present invention.
Flow chart for explaining the operation of the fourth embodiment of the method
It is. In the third embodiment, the MFP printer 20
Stores the billing information acquired from the content server
Send to the mobile phone company using the communication means of the linter 20
However, in the present embodiment, the billing information is
(Steps S161 to S17)
0), transmission from the MFP printer 20 to the mobile phone 10
(Step S171). Mobile phone 10 print information
Is held under predetermined conditions, for example,
Every time or print information is entered
Send the print fee information to the mobile phone company (step S1)
72). Mobile phone companies charge printing fees in addition to
A surrogate collection (step S173), and a predetermined fee
Subtract and pay the printing fee to the applicable payee (Step
S174). (Embodiment 5) FIG. 12 shows the accounting according to the present invention.
Flowchart for explaining operation of the fifth embodiment of the method
It is. In this embodiment, the charging base for calculating the charging amount is
The basic data is stored in the memory of the printing
Data installed in the data
By controlling the MFP printer 20, the billing amount can be
calculate. That is, when the user inputs the MF
Sends a print request to the P printer 20,
The printer 20 accesses the content server 30 anew.
Request to download the content image and send it.
After printing the selected content image (step S181)
To S187), the MFP printer 20 transmits
Is calculated with reference to (step S188).
Telephone company server using communication means of FP printer 20
And charging information indicating the calculated charging amount is
Sent to mobile phone company with D information and password information
(Step S189). Mobile phone companies charge
The amount is collected from the user along with the telephone charge (step
S190), deduct the commission and transfer it to a predetermined account
(Step S191). As is apparent from the above description, the present invention
According to the reference using a portable information device such as a mobile phone
MF of content information provided by content provider
A system that can print using a P printer
And pay the fee after clearing by software
More and more printing services
Talking on behalf of the company to collect
And very convenient, as well as printer and software
Providers or stores that have introduced printing equipment, or acting for them
Producing revenue for mobile phone operators collecting
Business can be built.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a configuration example of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a billing method in a billing method 1 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a billing method in a billing method 2 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a billing method in a billing method 3 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a charging method in a charging method 4 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a charging method in a charging method 5 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a charging method in a charging method 6 in the printing system using the portable information terminal of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a fourth embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a fifth embodiment of the charging method according to the present invention. [Description of Signs] 10: Mobile phone, 20: MFP printer (printing device),
30 ... Content server, 40 ... Content provider, 50 ... Internet.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 506 G06F 17/60 506 G07F 17/26 G07F 17/26

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A portable information terminal, a printing device capable of data communication with the portable information terminal and connected to a network, and a printing device connected to the printing device via the network. A charging method applied to a printing system realized by a content server capable of data communication between the portable information terminal and the portable information terminal transmits print request information related to content information referred to from the content server to the printing apparatus. When the printing apparatus receives the print request information, the printing apparatus connects to the content server via the Internet and transmits information for requesting the corresponding print content, and the content server receives the print request information. Transmitting the information of the print content according to the information requesting the print content, and In the charging method in a printing system configured to print the received print content, the printing apparatus holds print price calculation data for calculating a print price, and the print content received from the content server. When printing is performed, the printing consideration is calculated with reference to the printing consideration calculation data, and the calculated printing consideration is displayed on a display unit included in the printing apparatus. A charging method in a printing system, wherein a printing fee is collected after printing by inputting a corresponding amount to a money input device attached to or incorporated in the printing device.