Title: Providing notification of printing based on valid dates of registered information
Abstract: Information to be distributed and a code representing the information are registered in correspondence with each other, and the valid dates of the registered information are set.
Patent Number: 6,981,024 Issued on 12/27/2005 to Satomi, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Satomi; Hiroshi (Kanagawa, JP);
Masukawa; Akihiro (Kanagawa, JP);
Fukunaga; Shinji (Kanagawa, JP);
Inoue; Atsushi (Tokyo, JP);
Ito; Kosuke (Tokyo, JP);
Matsuura; Kenichiro (Kanagawa, JP)
|
| Assignee:
|
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
862704 |
| Filed:
|
May 23, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| May 24, 2000[JP] | 2000-153705 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
709/207; 709/203 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
| Field of Search: |
709/217,219,203,207
705/37,51
370/390
713/200
707/104.1
358/115
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 6370143 | Apr., 2002 | Yamagishi.
| |
| 6446082 | Sep., 2002 | Arita.
| |
| 6631397 | Oct., 2003 | Satomi et al.
| |
| 6735699 | May., 2004 | Sasaki et al.
| |
| 6747755 | Jun., 2004 | Satomi et al.
| |
| 6751598 | Jun., 2004 | Yagawa et al.
| |
| 6810386 | Oct., 2004 | Yurino et al.
| |
| 2001/0052074 | Dec., 2001 | Pensak et al.
| |
| 2002/0007421 | Jan., 2002 | Dixon et al.
| |
Primary Examiner: Luu; Le Hien
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto
Claims
1. An information managing system comprising an information managing server for
distributing information, and a service terminal for receiving the distributed
information from said information managing server,
wherein said information managing server comprises:
registration means for registering information to be distributed; and
setting means for setting valid dates of the information registered by said registration
means at said service terminal,
and said service terminal comprises:
reception means for receiving the registered information from the information
managing server;
storage means for storing the registered information received by the reception means;
determination means for determining whether the information stored by said storage
means is printed or not at the service terminal; and
notification means for providing notification information to a communication
terminal of a user who uses said service terminal, wherein the notification information
is based on a result of said determination by said determination means and based
on the set valid dates.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said registration means registers
the information to be distributed and a code in correspondence with each other,
wherein the code includes identification information for identifying a user who
uses said service terminal as a distribution destination of the information to
be distributed.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said registration means registers
the information to be distributed and a code in correspondence with each other,
wherein the code includes identification information for identifying a user who
uses said service terminal as a distribution destination of the information to
be distributed.
4. A control method for an information managing system having an information
managing server for distributing information, and a service terminal for receiving
the distributed information from the information managing server, comprising:
a registration step of registering information to be distributed in the information
managing server;
a setting step of setting valid dates at the service terminal of the information
registered in the information managing server in the registration step;
a reception step of receiving the registered information by the service terminal
from the information managing server;
a storing step of storing the registered information received in the reception
step in the service terminal;
a determination step of determining whether the information stored in the storing
step is printed or not at the service terminal; and
a notification step of providing notification information to a communication
terminal of a user who uses the service terminal, wherein the notification information
is based on a result of the determination step and the set valid dates.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the registration step registers the
information to be distributed and a code in correspondence with each other, wherein
the code includes identification information for identifying a user who uses the
service terminal as a distribution destination of the information to be distributed.
6. A computer-readable memory which stores program codes for control of an information
managing system having an information managing server for distributing information,
and a service terminal for receiving the distributed information from the information
managing server, comprising:
a program code of a registration step of registering information to be distributed
in the information managing server;
a program code of a setting step of setting in the service terminal valid dates
of the information registered in the information managing server in the registration step;
a program code of a reception step of receiving by the service terminal the registered
information form the information managing server;
a program code of a storing step of storing in the service terminal the registered
information received in the reception step;
a program code of a determination step of determining whether the information
stored in the storing step is printed or not at the service terminal; and
a program code of a notification step of providing notification information to
a communication terminal of a user who uses the service terminal, wherein the notification
information is based on a result of the determination step and the set valid dates.
7. An information managing apparatus for distributing information, comprising:
registration means for registering information to be distributed;
setting means for setting valid dates of the information registered by said registration means;
distribution means for distributing the registered information to a service terminal
to be stored in a storage means of said service terminal;
determination means for determining whether the information stored by said storage
means is printed or not at said service terminal; and
notification means for providing notification information to a communication
terminal of a user who uses said service terminal, wherein the notification information
is based on a result of the determination by the determination means and the set
valid dates.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said registration means registers
the information to be distributed and a code in correspondence with each other,
wherein the code includes identification information for identifying a user who
uses said service terminal as a distribution destination of the information to
be distributed.
9. A control method for an information managing apparatus for distributing information, comprising:
a registration step of registering information to be distributed;
a setting step of setting valid dates of the information registered in the registration step;
a distribution step of distributing the registered information to a service terminal
to be stored in a storage means of the service terminal;
a determination step of determining whether the information stored by the storage
means is printed or not at the service terminal; and
a notification step of providing notification information to a communication
terminal of a user who uses the service terminal, wherein the notification information
is based on a result of the determination step and the set valid dates.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the registration step registers
the information to be distributed and a code in correspondence with each other,
wherein the code includes identification information for identifying a user who
uses the service terminal as a distribution destination of the information to be distributed.
11. A computer-readable memory which stores program codes of a control program
of an information managing apparatus for distributing information, comprising:
a program code of a registration step of registering information to be distributed;
a program code of a setting step of setting valid dates of the information registered
in the registration step;
a program code of a distribution step of distributing the registered information
to a service terminal to be stored in a storage means of the service terminal;
a program code of a determination step of determining whether the information
stored by the storage means is printed or not at the service terminal; and
a program code of a notification step of providing notification information to
a communication terminal of a user who uses the service terminal, wherein the notification
information is based on a result of the determination step and the set valid dates.
12. An information managing system comprising an information managing server
for distributing information, and a service terminal for receiving the distributed
information from said information managing server,
wherein said information managing server comprises:
registration means for registering information to be distributed;
setting means for setting valid dates of the information registered by said registration
means at said service terminal;
determination means for determining whether the information stored by storage
means is printed or not at the service terminal; and
notification means for providing notification information to a communication
terminal of a user who uses said service terminal, wherein the notification information
is based on the set valid dates and a determination result of said determination means,
and wherein said service terminal comprises:
reception means for receiving the registered information from the information
managing server; and
storage means for storing the registered information received by reception means.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information managing system and information
managing apparatus for distributing provided information, a control method therefor,
and a computer-readable memory.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Information to be acquired by the user is generally provided by a provider.
In many cases, the user does not know the period during which the provider has
provided the information. With any of the above-described services, the user cannot
know whether the information is valid, i.e., whether he/she can correctly acquire
the information or cannot acquire it due to expiration unless he/she tries to acquire it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been proposed to solve the problem of the above prior art.
The present invention has been made to overcome the above drawbacks, and has
as its object to provide an information managing system and information managing
apparatus capable of reliably notifying the user that information will expire soon
before the information to be acquired expires, a control method therefor, and a
computer-readable memory.
An information managing system according to the present invention for achieving
the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, an information managing system comprises
an information managing server for distributing provided information, and
a terminal for exchanging information with the information managing server,
the information managing server having
registration means for registering information to be distributed and
a code representing the information in correspondence with each other, and
setting means for setting valid dates of the information registered by the
registration means,
the terminal having
communication means for communicating with the terminal, and
display means for displaying the information distributed by the information
managing server.
The code preferably includes identification information for identifying the terminal
serving as a distribution destination of the information to be distributed.
The information managing system preferably further comprises
inspection means for inspecting the valid dates of the information registered
by the registration means, and
notification means for notifying, of predetermined information, the
terminal serving as the distribution destination of information obtained from the
identification information on the basis of an inspection result of the inspection means.
The information managing system preferably further comprises
inspection means for inspecting the valid dates of the information registered
by the registration means and presence/absence of printing of the information, and
notification means for notifying, of predetermined information, the
terminal serving as the distribution destination of information obtained from the
identification information on the basis of an inspection result of the inspection means.
The predetermined information preferably includes information which prompts the
terminal serving as the distribution destination to execute processing for the information.
A control method for an information managing system according to the present
invention
for achieving the above object has the following steps.
That is, a control method for an information managing system having an information
managing server for distributing provided information, and a terminal for exchanging
information with the information managing server comprises
a registration step of registering information to be distributed and a code representing
the information in the information managing server in correspondence with each other,
a setting step of setting valid dates of the information registered in the information
managing server in the registration step,
a communication step of communicating between the information managing server
and
the terminal, and
a display step of displaying the information distributed by the information managing
server on the terminal.
A computer-readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the
above object has the following program codes.
That is, a computer-readable memory which stores program codes of control of
an information managing system having an information managing server for distributing
provided information, and a terminal for exchanging information with the information
managing server comprises
a program code of the registration step of registering information to be distributed
and a code representing the information in the information managing server in correspondence
with each other,
a program code of the setting step of setting valid dates of the information
registered
in the information managing server in the registration step,
a program code of the communication step of communicating between the information
managing server and the terminal, and
a program code of the display step of displaying the information distributed
by
the information managing server on the terminal.
An information managing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving
the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, an information managing apparatus for distributing provided information comprises
registration means for registering information to be distributed and
a code representing the information in correspondence with each other, and
setting means for setting valid dates of the information registered by the
registration means.
A control method for an information managing apparatus according to the present
invention for achieving the above object has the following steps.
That is, a control method for an information managing apparatus for distributing
provided information comprises
a registration step of registering information to be distributed and a code representing
the information in a storage medium in correspondence with each other, and
a setting step of setting valid dates of the information registered in the storage
medium in the registration step.
A computer-readable memory according to the present invention for achieving the
above object has the following program codes.
That is, a computer-readable memory which stores program codes of control of
an information managing apparatus for distributing provided information comprises
a program code of a registration step of registering information to be distributed
and a code representing the information in a storage medium in correspondence with
each other, and
a program code of a setting step of setting valid dates of the information registered
in the storage medium in the registration step.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from
the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout
the figures thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of
the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the schematic arrangement of a P service system
according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic appearance of a P service terminal 100
according to this embodiment;
FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the P service
terminal 100;
FIG. 3B is a view showing a data structure example of a local information table
on the P service terminal;
FIG. 4 is a view showing the schematic appearance of a portable terminal 400
capable of transmitting a P-code to the P service terminal;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of the portable
terminal 400;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a P service server 200;
FIG. 7 is a view showing a data structure example of an IP information registration table;
FIG. 8 is a view showing a data structure example of an advertisement information table;
FIG. 9 is a view showing a data structure example of a user information table;
FIG. 10 is a view showing a data structure example of a mail service P-code table;
FIG. 11A is a view showing a data structure example of a distribution service
P-code table;
FIG. 11B is a view showing a data structure example of a reception service P-code table;
FIG. 12 is a view showing a data structure example of a personal information
service P-code table;
FIG. 13 is a view showing a data structure example of a personal information table;
FIG. 14 is a view showing a data structure example of an owner information table;
FIG. 15 is a view showing a data structure example of a terminal information table;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the typical arrangement of an IP server 300;
FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the data structure of a P-code used in the
P service system according to this embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code;
FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the outline of processing by the P service
server of this embodiment;
FIG. 20A is a flow chart for explaining the outline of processing by the P service
server of this embodiment;
FIG. 20B is a flow chart for explaining distribution information registration processing;
FIG. 21 is a flow chart of user registration processing;
FIG. 22 is a dialog box for new registration processing;
FIG. 23 is a dialog box corresponding to a "name/address" button 1000;
FIG. 24 is a dialog box corresponding to a "password" button 1010;
FIG. 25 is a dialog box corresponding to a "place of employment" button 1020;
FIG. 26 is a dialog box corresponding to a "credit card" button 1030;
FIG. 27 is a dialog box corresponding to a "service" button 1040;
FIG. 28 is a dialog box corresponding to a "personal information" button 1050;
FIG. 29 is a dialog box corresponding to a "personal information 2" button
1060 ;
FIG. 30 is a dialog box corresponding to a "desired information" button 1070;
FIG. 31A is a dialog box corresponding to a "printing paper" button 1080;
FIG. 31B is a dialog box corresponding to a "reception service setting" button 1091;
FIG. 31C is a dialog box corresponding to a "printing destination designation"
button 1092;
FIG. 32 is a dialog box for registration change processing;
FIG. 33 is a dialog box for password change;
FIG. 34 is a flow chart of IP information registration processing;
FIG. 35 is a dialog box for confirming a member;
FIG. 36 is a dialog box for inputting member's password;
FIG. 37 is a dialog box for specifying a nonmember;
FIG. 38 is a dialog box for inviting registration of a member;
FIG. 39 is a dialog box for setting charging;
FIG. 40 is a dialog box for designating IP information;
FIG. 41 is a dialog box for designating IP information;
FIG. 42 is a dialog box showing a preview window;
FIG. 43 is a dialog box when file transfer progresses;
FIG. 44 is a dialog box for setting a property;
FIG. 45 is a dialog box for setting another property;
FIG. 46 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 47 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 48 is a dialog box for confirming a password;
FIG. 49 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 50 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 51 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 52A is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 52B is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 52C is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 53 is a dialog box for displaying the list of input items;
FIG. 54 is a flow chart of advertisement information registration processing;
FIG. 55 is a dialog box for confirming a member;
FIG. 56 is a dialog box for inputting a member's password;
FIG. 57 is a dialog box for specifying a nonmember;
FIG. 58 is a dialog box for designating advertisement information;
FIG. 59 is as dialog box showing a preview window;
FIG. 60 is a dialog box when file transfer progresses;
FIG. 61 is a dialog box for setting a property;
FIG. 62 is a dialog box for setting another property;
FIG. 63 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 64 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 65 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 66 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 67 is a dialog box for setting still another property;
FIG. 68 is a dialog box showing the list of input items;
FIG. 69 is a dialog box for printing registered items;
FIG. 70 is a flow chart for explaining the personal P-code issue procedure in
step S111;
FIG. 71 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure in which the P service server
assigns the external code of a P-code to anther site;
FIG. 72 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code use registration table
used in this embodiment;
FIG. 73 is a view showing the data structure of a P-code use table;
FIG. 74 is a flow chart for explaining IP-code issue processing;
FIG. 75 is a view showing an example of the display window displayed on a touch
panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 76 is a view showing another example of the display window displayed on
the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 77 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 78 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 79 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 80 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 81 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 82 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 83 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 84A is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 84B is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 85 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 86 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 87 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 88 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 89A is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 89B is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 90 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 91A is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 91B is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 92 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 93 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 94A is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 94B is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 94C is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 95 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 96A is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 96B is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 97 is a view showing still another example of the display window displayed
on the touch panel 104 of the P service terminal 100 of this embodiment;
FIG. 98A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing the information
service of this embodiment;
FIG. 98B is a view showing the processing sequence in a service system for executing
the information service of this embodiment;
FIG. 99A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing the mail service
of this embodiment;
FIG. 99B is a view showing the processing sequence in the service system for
executing the mail service of this embodiment;
FIG. 100A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing the distribution
service (reception of registered information) of this embodiment;
FIG. 100B is a view showing the processing sequence in the service system for
executing the distribution service (reception of registered information) of this embodiment;
FIG. 101A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing the personal
information service of this embodiment;
FIG. 101B is a view showing the processing sequence in the service system for
executing the personal information service of this embodiment;
FIG. 102A is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing data transmission
(registration) of this embodiment;
FIG. 102B is a flow chart showing the processing flow for executing the distribution
service (registration of information) of this embodiment;
FIG. 102C is a view showing the processing sequence in the service system for
executing the distribution service and reception service (registration of information)
of this embodiment;
FIG. 102D is a flow chart showing a processing flow for executing the reception
service (registration of information) of this embodiment;
FIG. 103A is a flow chart for explaining another form of P-code transmission
processing by the portable terminal of this embodiment;
FIG. 103B is a flow chart for explaining a procedure of acquiring IP information,
mail data, and distribution data in the P service server 200 of this embodiment;
FIG. 104 is a flow chart of advertisement search processing;
FIG. 105A is a view showing an example of a keyword list of IP information;
FIG. 105B is a view showing an example of a keyword list of user registration;
FIG. 105C is a view showing an example of a keyword list of the P service terminal;
FIG. 105D is a view showing an example of a highest priority keyword list;
FIG. 105E is a view showing an example of a lowest priority keyword list;
FIG. 106A is a view showing an example of the search result list of an IP information list;
FIG. 106B is a view showing an example of the search result list of a user registration list;
FIG. 106C is a view showing an example of the search result list of a P service
terminal list;
FIG. 106D is a view showing an example of the search result list of a highest
priority list;
FIG. 106E is a view showing an example of the search result list of a lowest
priority list;
FIG. 107A is a view showing an example of the search result list of the rearranged
IP information list;
FIG. 107B is a view showing an example of the search result list of the rearranged
user registration list;
FIG. 107C is a view showing an example of the search result list of the rearranged
P service terminal list;
FIG. 107D is a view showing an example of the search result list of the rearranged
highest priority list;
FIG. 107E is a view showing an example of the search result list of the rearranged
lowest priority list;
FIG. 108 is a flow chart for explaining P-code extraction processing of the
portable terminal of this embodiment;
FIG. 109 is a flow chart for explaining automatic P-code extraction processing
in step S3113;
FIG. 110 is a flow chart for explaining P-code transmission processing by the
portable terminal of this embodiment;
FIG. 111 is a flow chart for explaining another form of P-code transmission
processing by the portable terminal of this embodiment;
FIG. 112 is a flow chart for explaining processing of acquiring print information
of this embodiment;
FIG. 113 is a view showing an example of a reception notification window on
a portable terminal in the reception notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 114 is a view showing an example of selection display of a terminal search
method as the initial window of printing destination terminal designation on the
portable terminal in the reception notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 115 is a view showing an example of search result list display of the terminal
as a window of printing destination terminal designation on the portable terminal
in the reception notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 116 is a view showing an example of terminal designation window display
as a window of printing destination terminal designation on the portable terminal
in the reception notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 117 is a view showing an example of terminal designation confirmation display
as a window of printing destination terminal designation on the portable terminal
in the reception notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 118 is a view showing an example of a receipt notification window on the
portable terminal in the receipt notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 119 is a view showing an example of an expiration date notification window
on the portable terminal in the expiration date notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 120 is a view showing an example of a P-code information display window
on the portable terminal in the expiration date notification service of this embodiment;
FIG. 121 is a flow chart for explaining notification processing in data registration
of this embodiment;
FIG. 122 is a flow chart for explaining notification processing when the data
expires on the terminal of this embodiment;
FIG. 123 is a flow chart for explaining notification processing when the data
expires on the server of this embodiment; and
FIG. 124 is a flow chart for explaining processing of changing the printing
destination terminal of this embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.
<System Arrangement>
A service system (to be referred to as a P service system hereinafter) to be
described
in this embodiment has a plurality of service terminals (to be referred to as P
service terminals hereinafter) installed in shops or stations and a dedicated service
server (to be referred to as a P service server hereinafter) connected to the P
service terminals. When a code (to be referred to as a P-code hereinafter) in a
predetermined form is input from a P service terminal, corresponding information
is acquired from the P service server, and the print of necessary information is
obtained. Note that designation of a P-code to a P service terminal can be done
by unspecified users.
FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of the P service system according
to this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral
100 denotes a
P service terminal; and
200, a P service server. The P service terminal
100 communicates with the P service server, acquires information corresponding
to a P-code input by a user, and prints the information. Alternatively, image information
input in the P service terminal
100 can be uploaded to the P service server.
When the P service server
200 transfers information in advance, the P service
terminal
100 automatically notifies the user of the transfer of the information.
The P service terminal
100 can be a terminal installed for public use
in a shop, street, or public facility. In this case, the P service terminal
100
does not include a terminal used by only a specific person, e.g., a so-called personal
computer used by a person at home.
The P service server
200 issues P-codes corresponding to provided information,
registers the P-codes in a P-code database, and manages them. The P service server
200 acquires information corresponding to a P-code input from the P service
terminal
100, generates print data, and outputs it to the P service terminal
100. As for print information whose printing terminal is designated, the
P service server
200 transfers print data to the P service terminal
100
in advance before a P-code is input from the P service terminal
100.
An information provider server
300 (to be referred to as an IP server
hereinafter)
is, e.g., a general Internet provider. In response to an information request from
the P service server
200, the IP server
300 transmits information
(contents) corresponding to the P-code attached to the information request to the
P service server
200. Additionally, as will be described later, the P service
server
200 sets a plurality of usable P-codes in the IP server
300,
and the IP server
300 can uniquely issues a P-code in correspondence with
information provided from a user terminal within the range of the usable P-codes.
FIG. 1 shows a system in which the P service server
200 and IP server
300 independently function, and information can be transmitted/received
through a communication network. However, a system in which the P service server
200 incorporates the IP server
300, and the function of the IP server
is realized by the P service server may be constructed.
When the P-code of information managed on the IP server
300 side is input
from the P service terminal
100, the P service server
200 finds a
corresponding IP server from the P-code and transmits the P-code to this IP server
to request information.
A portable terminal
400 is, e.g., a portable telephone. The IP server
300
notifies a P service terminal user (to be simply referred to as a user hereinafter)
of a P-code informed from the P service server
200 by inserting the P-code
on media
610 such as newspapers and magazines or describing the P-code in
mail information transmitted to the user's portable terminal
400 using a
portable telephone mail service
600. When the user inputs the P-code attached
to information of interest from the P service terminal
100, he/she can obtain
the print of information corresponding to the P-code. The portable terminal
400
of this embodiment can extract a P-code described in mail information, hold it
in an internal memory, and input the held P-code to the P service terminal
100
by infrared communication or the like.
A service such as a mail service becomes available when personal registration
is
done in the P service server
200. This registration can be done from, e.g.,
a terminal of a user (user terminal
700) through a Web. Instead, the user
may fill a registration form with predetermined items, and the operator of the
P service server may perform registration processing in accordance with the described contents.
In this embodiment, two kinds of information are provided by the IP server
300
and registered/managed by the P service server
200. One is information (to
be referred to as IP information hereinafter) provided to a user with or without
charge on the basis of P-code designation by the user from the P service terminal
100 or the like. The other is information (to be referred to as advertisement
information hereinafter) automatically selected by the P service server and attached
to information (e.g., IP information) acquired in accordance with P-code input
by the user.
As examples of services realized in the above-described P service system, the
following services will be mainly described in this embodiment. (1) User registration:
a personal P-code is given in accordance with registration application from the
user terminal
700 to the P service server. (2) IP information registration:
in accordance with IP information registration application from the IP server
300,
IP information is registered in the P service server
200, and a P-code for
the IP is given. (3) Advertisement information registration: in accordance with
an advertisement information registration application, advertisement information
is registered in the P service server
200. (4) Information service: by inputting
the P-code (P-code for the IP) of desired information from the P service terminal
100, a print output of the desired information is obtained. (5) Mail service:
by inputting the user's P-code (personal P-code) from the P service terminal
100,
mail addressed to the user is printed. (6) Personal information service: by inputting
the user's P-code from the P service terminal
100, a print output of information
set/registered for the user in advance is obtained. (7) Distribution service: desired
information is uploaded from the P service terminal
100 to the P service
server
200 in advance and printed from the P service terminal
100
as needed. (8) Reception service: information uploaded by a third party from the
P service terminal
100 is saved in the P service server
200, and
printed out from the P service terminal
100, as needed.
Each of these services will be described later in detail. The services and functions
realized by the P service system of this embodiment are not limited to the above-described
services and functions.
<Arrangement of P Service Terminal>
FIG. 2 is a view showing the schematic appearance of the P service terminal
100 of this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, a printer
101 forms
a visible color image by, e.g., a laser beam scheme. A scanner
102 optically
reads an original image and converts it into digital image data. The printing scheme
of the printer
101 is not limited to the laser beam scheme, and any other
scheme such as a thermal transfer scheme or ink-jet printing scheme can be used.
Using the printer
101 and scanner
102, the service terminal
100
can also be made to function as a copying machine. A main unit
103 controls
communication with the P service server
200 or communication with the portable
terminal
400 and performs various operation inputs and display corresponding
to various operations.
In the main unit
103, a touch panel
104 receives an operation input
by a user and presents various information to the user. An infrared communication
section
105 is used to receive a P-code from a portable terminal having
an infrared communication function by infrared communication. When a portable terminal
is connected to a portable terminal connector
106, data (P-code) stored
in the memory of the portable terminal is read out by the P service terminal
100.
When a P-code is provided in a form of a bar code, a bar code reader
107
is used to read the bar code to acquire the P-code.
A disk unit
108 reads/writes data from/in a medium such as a floppy disk
or MO. The disk unit
108 also includes a hard disk for saving print data
sent from the P service server
200 in advance and a table for managing information
about the print data. A settlement unit
110 performs settlement for the
above-described various services. As a settlement method, various methods including
settlement using cash or a credit card are available.
FIG. 3A is a block diagram showing the control arrangement of the P service
terminal
100. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 denote the same parts
in FIG. 3A. A communication section
124 is connected to the P service server
200 through, e.g., a telephone line to perform communication.
A control section
120 controls each construction described with reference
to FIG. 2. In the control section
120, a CPU
121 realizes various
control operations in the P service terminal
100 in accordance with control
programs stored in a memory
122. User I/F control
122a controls
execution of each of the following programs in accordance with a user's operation
instruction input through the touch panel
104. Information service processing
122b, mail service processing
122c, personal information
service processing
122d, distribution service processing
122e,
and reception service processing
122g realize various services such
as the above-described information service, mail service, personal information
service, distribution service, and reception service. Settlement processing
122f
realizes settlement processing using the settlement unit
110. The disk
unit
108 includes a pre-read print data registration unit
108a
(hard disk) for temporarily saving print data sent in advance from the P service
server
200 or saving a table (FIG. 3B) for managing print data currently
saved in the P service terminal
100.
<Arrangement of Portable Terminal>
FIG. 4 is a view showing the schematic appearance of the portable terminal
400
capable of transmitting a P-code to the P service terminal
100. Like a general
portable telephone, the portable terminal
400 has a liquid crystal display
410 and dial buttons and functions as a portable telephone. The portable
terminal
400 can receive mail and displays its contents on the liquid crystal
display
410. The cursor in the liquid crystal display can be moved using
a left cursor
401 and right cursor
402 and can select a desired block
in mail in cooperation with a block designation key
404. When a P-code key
403 is pressed while a certain block in mail is kept selected, data in the
selected block is stored in the internal memory as a P-code. Instead, the P-code
may be automatically searched for, extracted, and stored in the memory by pressing
the P-code key
403 in a mail displayed state. Details of these operations
will be described later with reference to FIGS. 108 to 111.
An infrared communication section
405 outputs a P-code stored in the internal
memory by infrared rays. The infrared rays output from the infrared communication
section
405 are received by the infrared communication section
105
of the P service terminal
100 and recognized as a P-code. The portable terminal
400 also has a communication connector on its button surface so as to exchange
telephone number information between the terminal and a personal computer.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of the portable
terminal
400. Referring to FIG. 5, a telephone function section
423
has functions necessary for communication processing as a portable telephone, including
a loudspeaker, microphone, and radio communication functions. A communication connector
424 is generally used to connect the portable terminal to a personal computer
and upload or download a telephone number or the like. In this embodiment, when
the communication connector
424 is connected to the portable terminal connector
106 of the P service terminal
100, a P-code can be transferred to
the P service terminal
100. A button group
425 corresponds to the
group of various operation buttons described with reference to FIG. 4 (including
the dial button group).
A control section
420 realizes control of the constructions described
with
reference to FIG. 4 or various control operations in the portable terminal
400
in accordance with control programs stored in a memory
422. Of the programs
stored in the memory
422, portable terminal control
422a is
a program unit for realizing a function as a normal portable telephone. P-code
extraction processing
422b is a program unit for processing of extracting
a P-code from received mail and storing the P-code in a P-code storage area
422c.
As described above, to extract a P-code, data in a manually selected block is extracted
as a P-code, or a P-code is automatically identified and extracted from mail data.
P-code transmission processing
422d is a program unit for transmitting
a P-code stored in the P-code storage area
422c to the P service
terminal through the infrared communication section
405 or communication
connector
424.
<Arrangement of P Service Server>
The P service server
200 will be described next. FIG. 6 is a block diagram
showing the schematic arrangement of the P service server
200. A control
section
201 has a CPU
202 and memory
203. The CPU
202
realizes various services in the P service server
200 in accordance with
control programs stored in the memory
203. The memory
203 stores
the control programs to be executed by the CPU
202. Information registration
processing
203a is a program module for registering, e.g., IP information,
advertisement information, user information (personal information), or distribution
data for a distribution or reception service. P-code issue processing
203b
is a program module for assigning a P-code for specifying each registered information.
Service processing
203c acquires IP information, advertisement information,
mail data, or distribution data or registers distribution data in accordance with
a P-code transmitted from the P service terminal
100. Advertisement search
processing
203d searches for advertisement information to be attached
to a print output in the P service terminal. By attaching advertisement information,
the information output charge is cancelled by advertisement charges to reduce the
cost for the user to bear in outputting information (printing). Data output processing
203e attaches advertisement information obtained by advertisement
search processing to information obtained on the basis of a P-code input from the
P service terminal
100, lays out the pieces of information on a printing
paper sheet, and generates and outputs print data.
A communication section
204 is connected to the P service terminal through
a line or to each IP server
300 through a Web.
A P-code database
205 stores a table group
205a associated
with P-codes and entity
205b of contents. The table group
205a
includes an IP information registration table (FIG. 7), advertisement information
table (FIG. 8), user information table (FIG. 9), P-code table for the mail service
(FIG. 10), P-code table for the distribution service (FIG. 11A), P-code table for
the reception service (FIG. 11B), P-code table for the personal information service
(FIG. 12), personal information table (FIG. 13), owner information table (FIG.
14), and terminal information table (FIG. 15).
FIG. 7 is a view showing a data structure example of the IP information registration
table. An IP information registration table
220 is generated and recorded
when IP information is registered. In the IP information registration table
220,
an identification section, basic properties, and entity information are registered
in correspondence with an assigned P-code. The identification section stores information
representing the structure of the P-code (whether a subcode is present, and when
the P-code is linked to another P-code, information representing the linked P-code).
For a P-code having subcodes, a plurality of types of P-codes with subcodes can
be registered for the P-code. Each subcode table has the same identification section,
basic properties, and entity information as those of the IP information registration
table. The basic properties store information representing the owner of the IP
information and article insertion condition. The basic properties include a "keyword
list" and "keyword weight list" which are used by the advertisement search processing
203d (details will be described later). The entity information specifies
the entity data of the IP information and includes the path and file name of an
entity file.
In the P service system of this embodiment, the IP server
300 can issue
a P-code within an allowable range. Hence, IP information is registered by the
P service server
200 or IP server
300. A server which has registered
IP information holds the contents and IP information registration table. That is,
the entity of IP information and IP information registration table are present
in the P service server
200 or IP server
300.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a data structure example of the advertisement information
table. The advertisement information table is generated and recorded when an advertiser
registers advertisement information. The advertisement properties, link, and entity
file information of the advertisement information are stored in correspondence
with an assigned P-code. The advertisement properties store information representing
the owner of the advertisement information and insertion conditions of the advertisement
information. The "link information to IP information" of the advertisement properties
stores a target keyword list and target keyword weight list used in the advertisement
search processing
203d.
The "link" stores the P-code of advertisement information to be linked. In the
"entity file information", the path name and file name for specifying the file
of the advertisement information are registered. The entity of the advertisement
information can be present in either the P service server or IP service server.
However, the advertisement information table is always stored in the P-code database
205 of the P service server
200. When the entity of advertisement
information is present in the IP service server, information for specifying the
IP service server is included in the entity file information of the advertisement
information table (in this embodiment, the IP server is specified by the P-code,
and this will be described later).
FIG. 9 is a view showing a data structure example of a user information table.
The user information table is generated and recorded when the user registers himself/herself
as a member of the P service system and includes a user profile, personal information,
mail service information, distribution service information, and personal information
service information. In the user profile, information representing the address
and objects of interest of the user. The "personal information table" in the user
profile stores pointers to the personal information table in which the personal
secret matters including the address, name, telephone number, and credit card number
of the user are registered, as shown in FIG. 13. In the mail service information,
distribution service information, and personal information service information,
information necessary for the mail print service, distribution service, and personal
information service are registered, respectively.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table for the
mail service. As shown in FIG. 10, in correspondence with the P-code for the mail
service, a "mail properties" representing the subject (title) and sender of mail
and entity file information representing the file of mail data are registered.
FIG. 11A is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table for the
distribution service. As shown in FIG. 11A, in correspondence with the P-code for
the distribution service, the "distribution information properties" representing
the title, valid dates of the distribution information, and the password given
to the distribution information, and entity file information representing the distribution
information file are registered.
FIG. 11B is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table for the
reception service. As shown in FIG. 11B, in correspondence with the P-code for
the reception service, the "reception information property" representing the P-code/telephone
number of the data registrant, title, information registration date, valid dates
of the information, and the password necessary for registration, and entity file
information representing the reception information file are registered.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a data structure example of a P-code table for the
personal information service. As shown in FIG. 12, in correspondence with the P-code
for the personal information service, the "personal information properties" representing
the title and final print date and "registered P-code information" representing
the list of registered P-codes are registered.
FIG. 13 is a view showing a data structure example of a personal information
table. The personal information table is contained in the user information table,
as described above with reference to FIG. 9.
FIG. 14 is a view showing a data structure example of an owner information table.
This table is linked to the IP information registration table shown in FIG. 7 and
is linked to
