JP5481849B2 - Output control device, output control system, output control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an output control apparatus that manages content.

  Conventionally, when bringing a person in charge of sales to a customer with a document (for example, a product brochure), a necessary brochure is selected from pre-printed product brochures.

  In this way, in the form of printing a brochure in advance, when a new catalog is created, the previous brochure must be discarded, so now document data (contents) that will be a brochure is registered in the server, A user accesses a server from a terminal and searches for necessary content. Then, necessary contents are selected from the searched contents, and the contents are printed and then brought to the customer.

  In this way, if the person in charge prints content as needed and takes it as a brochure, it means that you will have a brochure of products that are not currently sold without managing the content Will occur.

Therefore, there is a mechanism for setting a printable period for the content and preventing the user from accidentally printing. An example of a mechanism for setting a printable period for content and controlling printing is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707.
JP 2008-134934 A

  However, for example, if the insurance industry introduces a mechanism for managing the content to be printed as described above, a product brochure that cannot be handled from a specific date due to a legal revision will remain at hand, In some cases, wrong products were considered.

  In addition, even though the terms and conditions were important documents, the customer had to see the old terms and conditions, leading to incorrect information.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that can reduce content that has no time limit by setting a time limit for content of a version prior to the content to be maintained when content is maintained .

The present invention is an output control device for storing management information including content, identification information of the content, and expiration date information, which is communicably connected to an information processing device that requests output of the content via a network. An identification information receiving means for receiving the identification information of the content to be determined, and determining whether or not a content of a version prior to the content is stored according to the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means When the first determination unit and the first determination unit determine that the previous version of the content is stored , the identification information received by the identification information reception unit based on the version of the content The corresponding content is a major version upgrade from the previous version content. When it is determined whether a second determination means for determining whether, as a major release of content in the second judging means include, contents corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means Maintenance screen transmission means for transmitting management information and a maintenance screen in which the expiration date information can be input to the information processing apparatus in order to maintain the management information and input the expiration date information corresponding to the content of the previous version, Management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing device, registration means for receiving and registering expiration date information, output request receiving means for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing device, Content specified according to the identification information received by the output request receiving means, and the content registered by the registration means. Content acquisition means for acquiring the expiration date information of the content, output data generation means for generating the output data by combining the content acquired by the content acquisition means and the content expiration date information, and generated by the output data generation means And output means for outputting the output data.

According to this configuration, when the content is maintained, it is possible to reduce the content for which the time limit is not set by setting the time limit to the version of the content before the content to be maintained .

Further, the present invention provides a content type acquisition unit that acquires a content type of content corresponding to the identification information received by the output request reception unit, and an output including expiration date information according to the content type acquired by the content type acquisition unit. anda generation determining means for determining whether to generate the data, the content obtaining unit, when it is determined that the major release of the content by the second judging means, wherein the use time limit information It is characterized by acquiring.

Further, the expiration date information, the previous version content is characterized by comprising a first date information and the previous version date information content a second possible use of treated as old.

According to the present invention, when content is maintained, by setting a time limit for a version of content prior to the content to be maintained, it is possible to reduce content for which no time limit is set .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the print control system of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a server 100, a client terminal (user) 101, a client terminal (administrator) 102, and a multifunction machine 105 are connected via a local area network (LAN) 103. In addition, a host computer 106 that holds content data to be imported into the server 100 and transmits the content data at a predetermined timing is configured.

  The server 100 stores a content data table (shown in 8 to be described later), and in response to a search request from the client terminal (user) 101 or a search request from the client terminal (administrator) 102, the content data table Use this to search for content. Further, the server 100 transmits the retrieved content data to the client terminal 101, and the client terminal 101 transmits print data to the multi-function peripheral 105 via a printer driver that is held in advance. The multi-function peripheral 105 prints the received print data.

Hereinafter, a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the server 100, the client terminal (user) 101, the client terminal (administrator) 102, and the host computer 106 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the server 100, the client terminal (user) 101, the client terminal (administrator) 102, and the host computer 106 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display 210 such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is provided in an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory connected via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 400 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multi-function peripheral 105 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 400 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). By connecting to (for example, PSTN or ISDN), input / output of image data and device information is performed.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. An external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, RS-232C, etc. In this embodiment, an IC card (storage medium) required for authentication ) Is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

An image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320 connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed, and is a bus bridge that converts a data structure. The image bus 315 is a PCI bus. Or it is comprised by IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified. Note that the controller unit 316, the printer 312, the scanner 314, the operation unit 308, and the card reader 319 are provided in the same housing in the multifunction machine 105.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, processing used for importing, maintaining, searching, and displaying content data in the system of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 explains content data import processing in the server 100 of the present system. This process is performed by the CPU 201 of the server 100.

In step S <b> 101, it is determined whether or not to execute content data import processing stored in the host computer 106.
The import process is executed periodically at a specified time. In the import process, a data file including content data automatically (batch) transmitted from the host computer 106 is stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100.

  In step S102, a data file including content data to be subjected to import processing transmitted from the host computer 106 is acquired.

  In step S103, the CPU 201 acquires one piece of content data to be imported from the data file acquired in step S102.

  In step S104, the content identification number and version number of the content data acquired in step S103 are compared with the content identification number 801 and version number 802 of the content data table of FIG. 8 stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100. Check whether content data with the same identification number and the same version exists. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S105, and if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S105, the content data stored in the content data table of FIG. 8 determined to have the same identification number and the same version is updated with the content data acquired in step S103.

  In step S106, the content data acquired in step S103 is newly registered in the content data table of FIG. Of the items in FIG. 8, items 801 to 806 and 808 are items that are registered at the time of new registration. As will be described later, the items of the old version display start date 806, the expiration date 807, and the PDF (content file) 809 are items registered in step S219 when input in step S217. Furthermore, items 801 to 804 are items registered by being transmitted from the host computer 106. The items registered by being transmitted from the host computer 106 are arbitrary and can be changed as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the content data table shown in FIG. 8 may be an image configured to register PDF (Portable Document Format) and various file formats.

  In step S107, it is determined whether the content data to be imported remains from the data file acquired in step S102. If it remains, the process returns to step S103, and if it does not remain, the import process ends.

  FIG. 5 illustrates content data maintenance processing in this system. This process is executed by the CPU 201 of the server 100 client terminal (administrator) 102.

  In step S201, a user (administrator) operation logs in to the server 100 from a browser provided in the client terminal (administrator) 102, acquires a search screen, and displays the search screen (FIG. 11) on the browser.

  In step S202, the search condition input from the user is accepted from the search screen (FIG. 11) displayed in step S201.

  In step S203, the accepted search conditions (for example, content identification number and content name) are transmitted to the server.

  In step S204, the search condition transmitted from the client terminal (administrator) is received.

  In step S205, the content data table (FIG. 8) stored in the external memory 211 is searched based on the search conditions received by the server 100, and it is confirmed whether the corresponding data exists.

  In this embodiment, the content identification number and the content name are transmitted as search conditions to the server 100 to search the content data table. However, the search can be performed using various search conditions. It is. The printed material number 1101 in FIG. 11 corresponds to the content identification number in FIG. 8, and the printed material name 1102 corresponds to the content name 803 in FIG.

  In step S206, if content data exists in step S205, a list of the corresponding content data is transmitted to the client terminal (administrator). If the corresponding content data does not exist in step S205, the fact that it did not exist is transmitted to the client terminal (administrator).

  In step S207, the information transmitted from the server is received, and the result list is displayed on the browser screen as indicated by 1201 in FIG.

  In step S208, the printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number) of the content data selected according to the user's operation from the result list displayed in step S207 are transmitted to the server. When the edit request button 1202 in FIG. 12 is pressed, the printed matter number (content identification number) and the version (version number) are transmitted to the server.

  In step S209, the printed matter number (content identification number) and the version (version number) transmitted from the client terminal (administrator) are received.

  In step S210, the content data table of FIG. 8 is searched based on the received printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number), and detailed information (801 to 809) of the corresponding data is acquired.

  In step S211, it is determined according to the version number 802 whether there is a previous version in the content data corresponding to the searched printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number). More specifically, whether there is a version number before the version number of the searched content data among the other content data that matches the printed matter number (content identification number) of the content data searched in step 210. (Version judgment). If it exists, the information of the previous version is acquired and the process proceeds to step S212. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S214.

  As will be described later, in the present embodiment, a plurality of version numbers are assigned to one content identification number, and a plurality of pieces of content data are managed. That is, unique content data is acquired by combining the content identification number and the version number. In other words, a plurality of pieces of content data are searched when searching with the content identification number in step S205 described above. In this embodiment, the content data is specified by the combination of the content identification number and the version number. However, in addition to the content identification number and the version number, the data identification number that can uniquely identify the content data is stored, and this data is stored. The determination in step S211 may be performed based on the identification number.

  In step S212, it is confirmed whether the version of the content data is a major version upgrade of the previous version acquired in step S211 (major version upgrade determination). If applicable, the process proceeds to step S213, and if not, the process proceeds to step S214. The determination as to whether or not a major upgrade has been made is made by comparing the latest version number with the version number of the content data searched in step S210 among the content data whose content identification number matches the content data searched in step S210. Judgment by. This version upgrade will be described with reference to FIG. 9. When the version number of the content data 901 and the version number 902 are compared, they are Ver 1.0 and Ver 1.1, and therefore it is determined that the version is a minor version upgrade. Further, when the version number of the content data 902 and the version number 903 are compared with each other, they are Ver 1.1 and Ver 2.0. The content data 901 to the content data 903 are also major version upgrades.

  In step S213, attribute information (“old version display start date 806”, “expiration date 807”) is acquired from the previous version acquired in step S211 (expiration date information acquisition). In this embodiment, the old version display start date and the expiration date acquired here are NULL values. Note that the old version display start date and the expiration date are items that cannot be grasped in advance, and thus are configured not to exist in the input items of FIG. The old version display start date is date information for handling the content as an old version, and the expiration date is date information on which the content can be used.

  In step S214, a maintenance screen is generated from the content data information acquired in step S210 or in steps 210 and S213. If the previous version is a major version upgrade, a screen including the previous version display start date and expiration date field is generated. If there is no previous version or a minor version upgrade, the previous version of the previous version Generate a screen that does not include display start date and expiration date.

  The maintenance screen in the case of a major version upgrade is configured to allow the user to input the old version display start date and expiration date of the previous version content.

  In particular, by setting an expiration date, the user cannot use content that has exceeded the expiration date, so that the user does not accidentally use the previous version of the content.

  In particular, pamphlets and the like in the insurance industry are changed to insurance products in accordance with the legal revision when the law is revised, so that major upgrades are made for the products. At that time, the product of the previous version cannot be sold if the revised law is enforced, so it is necessary to set an expiration date. In addition, it is necessary to set this expiration date because it is common to sell the product of the new version and the product of the new version in parallel to recruit the product of the new product version before the law revision. It becomes. Therefore, in a form where the product is changed due to a legal revision in the insurance industry, etc., the product of the previous version is sold by setting an expiration date when registering and maintaining a new version of the content. Sales (users) can be prevented from selling by mistake.

  In the insurance industry, there are many agents and dealers, and it is difficult to educate sales staff who handle products. In order to improve the efficiency of business using IT, if a salesperson himself / herself prints a pamphlet and takes it to the customer, the mechanism for discriminating between the previous version product and the new version product is It becomes important.

  Note that, in the case of a minor version upgrade, the version upgrade is performed by correcting an error, and therefore, in this embodiment, the old version display start date 1501 and the expiration date 1502 are not displayed.

  In step S215, the maintenance screen information generated in step S214 is transmitted to the client terminal (manager) 102 (registration screen transmission).

  In step S216, a maintenance screen is displayed on the browser screen (FIGS. 14 and 15) from the information transmitted from the server.

  In step S217, the attribute information of the content data (bibliographic information including print bookbinding information 310 in FIG. 8, various function setting information 811) retrieved in step S210 on the maintenance screen displayed in step S216, and the previous version The old version display start date 1501 and the expiration date 1502 are entered. In the case of FIG. 14, only the attribute information of the content data searched in step S210 is input.

  In addition, when a reference button 1401 is pressed, a PDF (content file) to be registered is registered. As a result, data for printing is registered, and data for searching and printing can be acquired in accordance with a search request from the client terminal (user) 101.

  In step S218, the attribute information and PDF (content file) input in step S217 are transmitted to the server 100.

  In step S219, the attribute information and PDF (content file) transmitted from the client terminal (administrator) 101 are received, registered in the content data table stored in the external memory 211, and the maintenance process ends.

  FIG. 6 illustrates content data search and display (printing) processing in this system. This process is executed by the CPU 100 of the server 100 and the client terminal (user) 101.

  In step S301, the server 100 is logged in by a user (user) operation, and a search screen (FIG. 16) is displayed using a browser provided in the client terminal (user) 101.

  In step S302, an input of search conditions is accepted on the search screen displayed in step S301. Note that the detailed search 1601, direct search 1602, and keyword search 1603 methods can be selected on the screen of FIG. 16, and the content data registered in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be searched.

  In step S303, the search conditions accepted in step S302 (for example, content identification number (printed material number), content name (printed material name), etc.) are transmitted to the server.

  In step S304, the search condition transmitted from the client terminal (user) 101 is received.

  In step S305, the content data table (FIG. 8) stored in the external memory 211 is searched based on the received search condition, and it is confirmed whether the corresponding data exists. In this embodiment, the content identification number is transmitted to the server 100 as a search condition, and the content data table is searched. However, the search can be performed using various search conditions.

  In step S 306, if content data exists in step S 305, the corresponding content data list is transmitted to the client terminal (user) 101. If the corresponding content data does not exist in step S305, the fact that it does not exist is transmitted to the client terminal (user).

  In step S307, the information transmitted from the server is received, and the result list is displayed on the browser screen. FIG. 17 shows a display example in the case where content data exists in step S306, in which a search is made with a printed matter number (content identification number) “P00001”. As shown in the description of FIG. 5, since the content data “P00001” is managed in a plurality of versions, if there is content data “P00001” within the expiration date at the time of search, the latest data In addition to the version content data, the previous version content data may also be displayed in FIG.

  In this embodiment, taking the example of FIG. 12 as an example, the latest version is Ver4.0, but Ver3.0 is displayed, for example, when it is officially sold when the revised law is enforced. This is because the version currently sold to the main is displayed.

  In step S308, arbitrary content data is selected from the result list (FIG. 17) displayed in step S307, and selection information (content identification number (printed material number)) is transmitted to the server 100. Note that the content data is selected by pressing 1701 in FIG. 17, and a content identification number (printed material number) is transmitted. Taking FIG. 17 as an example, “P00001” is transmitted.

  In step S309, the selection information transmitted from the client terminal (user) 101 is received.

  In step S310, the content data table (FIG. 8) stored in the external memory 211 is searched based on the received selection information (for example, P00001), and the detailed information of the searched content data (801 to 811 in FIG. 8). ) To get.

  In step S311, a detailed information display screen is generated according to the detailed information of the content data acquired in step S310, and is transmitted to the client terminal (user) 101.

  In step S312, the detailed screen (FIG. 18) transmitted from the server 100 is displayed on the browser. In this embodiment, since the latest version is Ver4.0, the 1801 button in FIG. 18 is displayed to indicate that there is the latest content data. When the new version information button 1801 is pressed, the detailed information of Ver4.0 is displayed.

  In step S313, it is determined whether or not to execute a PDF data (content file) acquisition process. Whether or not to acquire PDF data is determined by pressing the print request button 1802 in FIG. 18 by the user. It should be noted that a link is also set for the thumbnail displayed as “insurance A”, and PDF data may be acquired by clicking the thumbnail.

  In step S314, a PDF data acquisition request including the printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number) of the detailed screen displayed in step S312 is transmitted to the server 100. In the example of FIG. 18, the printed matter number “P00001” and the version “Ver3.0” are transmitted (output request transmission).

  In step S315, a PDF data acquisition request including a printed matter number (content identification number) and a version (version number) transmitted from the client terminal (user) 101 is received, and PDF data acquisition / superposition processing is performed. The PDF data is transmitted to the client terminal (user). Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S316, the PDF data transmitted from the server 100 is received (output data reception).

  In step S317, the PDF data received in step S316 is displayed, and printing is performed on a predetermined printer 105 via the printer driver stored in the external memory 211. In this embodiment, the printing is performed by the client terminal (user) 101. However, when the print request button 1802 in FIG. 18 is pressed, the PDF data generated by the server 100 is stored in the server 100. You may comprise so that it prints from a predetermined printer via the provided printer driver. Further, it may be configured such that a printing request is made to a center that collectively performs printing.

  Next, detailed processing in step S315 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is performed by the CPU 201 of the server 100.

  In step S400, a PDF data acquisition request including a printed matter number (content identification number) and a version (version number) is received from the client terminal (user) 101 in step S314 (output request reception). The printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number) can be rephrased as an identification number for uniquely specifying the content.

  In step S401, the content data table of FIG. 8 in which the target content data is stored in the external memory 211 is searched from the received printed matter number (content identification number) and version (version number), and the specified content data is searched. Information on the content category 804 is acquired. The content classification can be rephrased as a content type.

  In step S402, the content classification acquired in step S401 is determined. Based on this determination, it is determined whether or not to generate PDF data (output data including time limit information) including “old version display start date” and “expiration date”.

  If the content category is “agreement”, the process proceeds to step S403. If the content category is other than the “agreement”, the process proceeds to step S406. In addition, there are application forms as content categories other than the terms and conditions.

  In step S403, the form file 1901 is acquired from the external memory of the server 100. The form file is a file in which a field into which an object such as a character string generated by a form creation application can be inserted in advance is defined.

  In step S404, the “old version display start date” and “expiration date” of the content data identified in step S401 are acquired (content acquisition).

  In step S405, the old version display start date and the expiration date are inserted into the fields 1902 and 1903 of the acquired form file, and a merge insertion file 1904 is generated. In the present embodiment, an overlay file (data for overlay) is created and combined in step S414, which will be described later. However, the old version display start date, expiration date, etc. are entered. Alternatively, the stamp data may be generated and a stamp may be pasted when combining.

  Further, when combining, it may be configured to generate and print print data by combining stamp images including the old version display start date and the expiration date on the printer driver in cooperation with the printer driver.

  In step S <b> 406, the content classification acquired in step S <b> 401 is searched for the overlay table of FIG. 20 stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100.

  In step S407, it is determined whether or not the content classification acquired in step S401 is in the overlay table of FIG. 20 stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100 by executing the search in step S406. If there is a content category in the superposition table of FIG. 20, it is determined as content data to be superposed, and the process proceeds to step S408. Further, if there is no content classification in the superposition table of FIG. 20, it is determined that the content data is not a superposition target, and the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S408, the insertion file 1905 is acquired from the external memory 211 so that the content data determined to be YES in step S407 (requested for acquisition) can be identified from the sample data. Note that the content that becomes the sample data includes an application form, for example, an application form in which an entry example is described, or an application form in which a formal application form is a copy type. That is, the printed matter printed by this system indicates data that cannot be used as a submitted document.

  In step S409, the old version display start date of the content data requested for acquisition in step S400 is acquired from the content data table.

  In step S410, the old version display start date acquired in step S409 is compared with the date and time information held by the server to determine whether the old version display start date has passed. If the old version display start date has passed, the process proceeds to step S411. If the old version display start date has not passed, the process proceeds to step S412.

  In step S411, the insertion file 1906 is acquired from the external memory 211 so that the content data requested to be acquired in step S400 can be identified as the old version data.

  In step S412, the PDF file (content file) of the content data requested for acquisition in step S400 is acquired from 809 of the content data table (FIG. 8) (content acquisition).

  In step S413, it is determined whether there is the insertion file 1904 generated in step S405, the insertion file 1905 acquired in step S408, and the insertion file 1906 acquired in step S410. If there is an insertion file, the process proceeds to step S414, and if there is no insertion file, the process proceeds to step S415.

  In step S414, the PDF data acquired in step S412 is combined with the insertion file 1904 generated in step S405, the insertion file 1905 acquired in step S408, and the insertion file 1906 acquired in step S410. Print or display PDF data (output data) is generated (output data generation). This superimposing process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S415, the PDF data generated in step S414 or the PDF data acquired in step S412 is transmitted (output) to the client terminal (user) 101.

According to the processing of FIGS. 4 to 7 of the present embodiment, when registering new content, the time limit of the content is set, and a paper document to which information according to the time limit is added is output, so that the user can use paper. Handling related to the use of documents can be easily identified.
This is particularly effective when printing content (covenants and pamphlets) that cannot be used due to legal revisions such as insurance.

  Further, in the insurance industry, the old version is sold as the current version, and the new version newly added in FIGS. 4 to 5 is handed over to the customer as a new version as a brochure of products to be sold in the future. In this way, content with the same content identification number (current version and new version) may be printed and handed over to the customer, so the due date for handling the content is properly displayed (printed) on the paper document and handled incorrectly. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a content data table stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100.

  The content data table holds content data 800 for each content file to be registered, and is identified and managed by a combination of a content identification number 801 and a version number 802. That is, a plurality of version numbers exist for the same content identification number.

  A content name 803 is a name of content that is arbitrarily given, and a content category 804 is information for determining whether or not to superimpose at the time of printing. 1904, 1905, and 1906 can be acquired.

  The old version display start date 806 is an item input when maintaining new content data. In addition, when the old version display start date input when maintaining new content data is exceeded, this content data becomes the old version. That is, the date and time information indicating from when the old version is displayed is stored in the old version display start date 806. The old version of the content is displayed on the browser of the client terminal (user) 101 by pressing the old version request button 1803 in FIG.

  The expiration date 807 is an item for storing the expiration date when the content can be used, for example, the expiration date (date and time) that can be printed and sold to the customer, and stores the available date and time.

  PDF data (content file) 809 is an item in which files serving as print data such as pamphlets, application forms, and agreements are stored. This item stores a file path in which the file is stored, and PDF data (content file) can be acquired according to the file path. Other items 805 and 808 are items input according to the operation of the administrator on the screen of FIG. 14 or transmitted from the host computer 106 and stored.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating version upgrade. The version upgrade of this embodiment includes a minor version upgrade and a major version upgrade.

  The minor version upgrade represents a case where new content data 902 is registered (maintenance) when content data 901 exists. The major version upgrade represents a case where new content data 903 is registered (maintenance) when content data 902 exists. Note that minor version upgrade or major version upgrade is determined by the version number of each content data (Ver1.0, Ver1.1, Ver2.0 in the example of FIG. 9).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a data transition diagram of content data.

  Reference numeral 1001 denotes a data image when the data is taken in by the host computer in FIG. 4, and reference numeral 1002 denotes a data image when the newly registered content data is maintained in FIG. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a data image when the old version display start date 806 and the expiration date 807 are input when content data to be majorly upgraded is registered and maintained after the content data 1002 is registered. The hatched portion is the input data.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a search top screen displayed on the browser of the client terminal (administrator) 102. FIG. 12 shows a client terminal (client terminal (P00001) when direct search is performed on the search screen of FIG. It is an example of a search result list screen displayed on the browser of the administrator.

  FIG. 13 is an example of a maintenance screen for inputting various pieces of content data information displayed by pressing the edit / request button 1202 on the search result list screen of FIG. Various information can be input in 1303.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing details of a screen for inputting various types of information 1303 in FIG. 13, and is an example of a screen for performing maintenance of content data in which a minor version upgrade is performed or no previous version exists. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing details of a screen for inputting various types of information 1303 in FIG. 13, and is an example of a screen used when performing maintenance of content data that is upgraded to a major version. In the case of a major version upgrade, items 1501 and 1502 are added.

  FIG. 16 is an example of a top screen for searching for a printed matter (content data) displayed on the browser of the client terminal (user) 101. FIG. 17 is an example of a search result list screen displayed on the browser of the client terminal (user) 101 when the printed material number “P00001” is directly searched on the search screen of FIG.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a screen that displays detailed information on the content data of P00001 displayed by pressing 1701 in FIG. If a new version of content exists for the content data, a new version information button 1801 is displayed. If an old version of content exists for the content data, an old version request button 1803 is displayed. Furthermore, a print request button 1802 to be pressed by the user when printing the content data displayed in FIG. 18 is provided. When the user presses the print request button 1802, the PDF file (content file) is acquired. Can do.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an outline when the content file and the insertion file in FIG. 7 are overlapped. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the overlay processing in the case of YES in step S402 in FIG. Reference numeral 1910 is a diagram for explaining the superposition process when YES is determined in step S407 in FIG. 7 and it is determined in step S410 that the previous version display has not started.
1900 inserts the old version display start date and usage restrictions acquired from the content data table into the fields 1902 and 1903 of the form file 1901 to generate a merge file 1904 (corresponding to step S405).

  Further, it is an image in which the insertion file 1904 and the content file 1907 are synthesized and the content file 1908 to be transmitted in step S415 is generated (corresponding to step S414).

  1910 is an image for synthesizing the content file 1909, the insertion file 1905, and the insertion file 1906, and generating the content file 1911 to be transmitted in step S415 (corresponding to step S414).

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a superposition table stored in the external memory 211 of the server 100, in which content categories of content to be superposed are stored.

  In the present embodiment, the client terminal (user) 101 and the client terminal (administrator) 102 are configured in separate casings. However, the client terminal (administrator) 102 uses the client terminal (user) 101. You may comprise so that the process of this may be performed.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

Further, the program in the present invention is a program capable of executing the processing methods of FIGS. 5 to 8, and the storage medium of the present invention stores the program capable of executing the processing method in FIGS. 5 to 8. ing. The program in the present invention may be a program for each processing method of each apparatus in FIGS.
As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing the reading.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print control system of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to a server 100, a client terminal (user) 101, a client terminal (administrator) 102, and a host computer 106. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 105 illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of import processing of the print control system according to the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of content data maintenance processing of the print control system according to the present invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of content data search and display (printing) processing of the print control system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detailed process of step S315 of the printing control system in this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a content data table of the print control system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conceptual diagram for explaining an upgrade of a print control system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the data transition diagram of the content data of the printing control system in this invention. It is a screen example of the top screen of the search displayed with the browser of the client terminal (administrator) 102 of the print control system in this invention. It is a screen example of a search result list screen displayed on the browser of the client terminal (administrator) 102 of the print control system in the present invention. It is a screen example of the maintenance screen which inputs the various information of the content data of the printing control system in this invention. 6 is a screen example of a screen at the time of a minor version upgrade for inputting various information of the print control system in the present invention. 6 is a screen example of a screen at the time of major version upgrade for inputting various information of the print control system in the present invention. It is a screen example of a top screen for searching for a printed matter (content data) displayed on the browser of the client terminal (user) 101 of the print control system in the present invention. It is a screen example of a top screen for searching for a printed matter (content data) displayed on the browser of the client terminal (user) 101 of the print control system in the present invention. It is a screen example of a screen for displaying detailed information of content data of the print control system in the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic at the time of superimposing the content file and insertion file of the printing control system in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the superimposition table of the printing control system in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Server 101 Client terminal (user)
102 Client terminal (administrator)
103 LAN
105 MFP

Claims (8)

An output control device for storing management information including content and identification information of the content and expiration date information, which is communicably connected to the information processing device that requests output of the content via a network.
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
First determination means for determining whether content that is a version prior to the content is stored according to the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
If the first determination unit determines that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information reception unit is based on the content version. Second determination means for determining whether or not a major version upgrade from content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content by the second determination means, it maintains the management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, corresponding to the contents of the previous version Maintenance screen transmission means for transmitting a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input to the information processing device in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus, registration means for receiving and registering expiration date information,
Output request receiving means for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
Content specified according to the identification information received by the output request receiving means, content acquisition means for acquiring expiration date information of the content registered by the registration means,
Output data generation means for generating output data by combining the content acquired by the content acquisition means and the expiration date information of the content;
An output control apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the output data generated by the output data generation means. Content type acquisition means for acquiring the content type of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the output request reception means;
A generation determination unit that determines whether to generate output data including expiration date information according to the content type acquired by the content type acquisition unit;
The content obtaining unit, the output control device according to claim 1, when it is determined that the major release of the content by the second judging means, and obtains the expiration date information. The expiration date information, according to claim 1 or 2 previous version content is characterized in that it comprises a first date information and the previous version date information content a second possible use of treated as old The output control device described in 1. An output control system in which an information processing device that requests output of content and an output control device that stores content and management information including identification information and expiration date information of the content are communicably connected via a network,
The output control device includes:
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
First determination means for determining whether content that is a version prior to the content is stored according to the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
If the first determination unit determines that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information reception unit is based on the content version. Second determination means for determining whether or not a major version upgrade from content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content by the second determination means, it maintains the management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, corresponding to the contents of the previous version Maintenance screen transmission means for transmitting a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input to the information processing device in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus, registration means for receiving and registering expiration date information,
Output request receiving means for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
Content specified according to the identification information received by the output request receiving means, content acquisition means for acquiring expiration date information of the content registered by the registration means,
Output data generation means for generating output data by combining the content acquired by the content acquisition means and the expiration date information of the content;
Output means for outputting the output data generated by the output data generation means,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting identification information of content to be maintained;
Maintenance screen receiving means for receiving a maintenance screen from the output control device;
Management information input on the maintenance screen, maintenance information transmitting means for transmitting expiration date information,
An output request transmitting means for transmitting an output request including content identification information for output;
An output control system comprising: output data receiving means for receiving the output data output by the output means in accordance with the output request transmitting means. An output control method of an output control device that stores content, management information including identification information and expiration date information of the content, which is communicably connected via an information processing device that requests output of the content,
An identification information receiving step for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
A first determination step of determining whether or not content that is a version prior to the content is stored in accordance with the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received in the identification information reception step;
When it is determined in the first determination step that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means is based on the version of the content. A second determination step of determining whether or not a major version upgrade from the content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content in the second determination step, and maintenance management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving step, corresponding to the contents of the previous version A maintenance screen transmission step for transmitting to the information processing apparatus a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Registration information for receiving and registering management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus and expiration date information;
An output request receiving step for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
A content specified in accordance with the identification information received in the output request receiving step, and a content acquisition step of acquiring expiration date information of the content registered in the registration step;
An output data generation step of generating output data by combining the content acquired in the content acquisition step and the expiration date information of the content;
An output step of outputting the output data generated in the output data generation step. An output control device for storing management information including content and identification information of the content and deadline information, which is communicably connected to an information processing device that requests output of the content via a network,
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
First determination means for determining whether content that is a version prior to the content is stored according to the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
If the first determination unit determines that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information reception unit is based on the content version. Second determination means for determining whether or not a major version upgrade from content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content by the second determination means, it maintains the management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, corresponding to the contents of the previous version Maintenance screen transmission means for transmitting a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input to the information processing device in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus, registration means for receiving and registering expiration date information,
Output request receiving means for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
Content specified according to the identification information received by the output request receiving means, content acquisition means for acquiring expiration date information of the content registered by the registration means,
Output data generation means for generating output data by combining the content acquired by the content acquisition means and the expiration date information of the content;
A computer-readable program that functions as an output unit that outputs the output data generated by the output data generation unit. An output control method for an output control system in which an information processing device that requests output of content and an output control device that stores content and management information including identification information and expiration date information of the content are communicably connected via a network Because
The output control device includes:
An identification information receiving step for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
A first determination step of determining whether or not content that is a version prior to the content is stored in accordance with the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received in the identification information reception step;
When it is determined in the first determination step that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means is based on the version of the content. A second determination step of determining whether or not a major version upgrade from the content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content in the second determination step, and maintenance management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving step, corresponding to the contents of the previous version A maintenance screen transmission step for transmitting to the information processing apparatus a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Registration information for receiving and registering management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus and expiration date information;
An output request receiving step for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
A content specified in accordance with the identification information received in the output request receiving step, and a content acquisition step of acquiring expiration date information of the content registered in the registration step;
An output data generation step of generating output data by combining the content acquired in the content acquisition step and the expiration date information of the content;
An output step for outputting the output data generated in the output data generation step,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An identification information transmission step for transmitting identification information of content to be maintained;
A maintenance screen receiving step for receiving a maintenance screen from the output control device;
Management information input on the maintenance screen, maintenance information transmission step for transmitting expiration date information,
An output request transmission step of transmitting an output request including content identification information for output;
An output control method comprising: an output data reception step of receiving the output data output in the output step according to the output request transmission step. A program for an output control system in which an information processing device that requests output of content and an output control device that stores content and management information including identification information and time limit information of the content are communicably connected via a network. ,
The output control device;
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information of content to be maintained;
First determination means for determining whether content that is a version prior to the content is stored according to the version of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
If the first determination unit determines that the previous version of the content is stored, the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information reception unit is based on the content version. Second determination means for determining whether or not a major version upgrade from content;
If it is determined that the major release of the content by the second determination means, it maintains the management information of the content corresponding to the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, corresponding to the contents of the previous version Maintenance screen transmission means for transmitting a maintenance screen in which management information and expiration date information can be input to the information processing device in order to input expiration date information to be performed;
Management information input on the maintenance screen from the information processing apparatus, registration means for receiving and registering expiration date information,
Output request receiving means for receiving an output request including content identification information from the information processing apparatus;
Content specified according to the identification information received by the output request receiving means, content acquisition means for acquiring expiration date information of the content registered by the registration means,
Output data generation means for generating output data by combining the content acquired by the content acquisition means and the expiration date information of the content;
Function as output means for outputting the output data generated by the output data generation means,
The information processing apparatus;
Identification information transmitting means for transmitting identification information of content to be maintained;
Maintenance screen receiving means for receiving a maintenance screen from the output control device;
Management information input on the maintenance screen, maintenance information transmitting means for transmitting expiration date information,
An output request transmitting means for transmitting an output request including content identification information for output;
A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as output data receiving means for receiving output data output from the output means in accordance with the output request transmitting means.

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