JP2006146388A - Web service server, web service server program, recording medium, web service method, user registration method, and billing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily obtain printed matter of a web page viewed using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.
An e-mail for receiving, via e-mail, information for acquiring a corresponding web page data by browsing a web page with a mobile phone or the like, or web page data acquired by browsing a specific web page A management unit 31; a data format conversion unit 34 that accepts web page data and converts it into print format data; a storage device 20 that stores and stores the converted web page data in print format; Data output control means 37 is provided that reads data from the storage device 20 and outputs the data to the request source.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a web service server, a web service server program, a recording medium, a web service method, a user registration method, and a billing method for the convenience of users who actively use the Internet.

The information provided through the Internet is becoming more substantial. Using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as well as a desktop computer, it is possible to access the Internet from anywhere and obtain various information. Further, in order to use the contents of the homepage being browsed later, a method for providing an information transfer service to a user who wants to save or print the contents has been developed (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-156936

Here, the conventional technique has the following problems to be solved.
Some content that can be viewed through the Internet is rewritten one after another in a very short time. Therefore, you may want to save the data as soon as you browse and print it if possible. However, when using a mobile phone, it is not easy to save or print a web page. Further, in order to use the information transfer service method as shown in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to incorporate a special application program in the mobile phone. A desktop computer can print a web page by simply clicking the print button, but it is not easy to print in an appropriate print format.
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and a web service server and a web service server program which can easily secure print format data of a web page being browsed without requiring a special function on the terminal device side. And a recording medium, a web service method, a user registration method, and a billing method.

In each embodiment of the present invention, the above-described problems are solved by the following configurations.
<Configuration 1> An e-mail that receives information for browsing a specific web page and acquiring the corresponding web page data, or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through an e-mail Management means, data format conversion means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data, a storage device for storing and storing the converted web page data in the print format, and data in the print format according to the request And a data output control means for reading out the data from the storage device and outputting the data to the request source.

The server accepts a request to save a web page browsed using the Internet on an arbitrary terminal device side through electronic mail. The storage format is print format data. If there is an e-mail transmission function, a storage request can be freely made from a general mobile phone, mobile terminal, personal computer or the like. In addition, since the print format data can be generated by using the advanced data conversion function of the server, it can be downloaded at a predetermined timing and a good printed matter can be obtained.

<Configuration 2> In the web service server according to Configuration 1, the web page data is a data file obtained by browsing a specific web page and acquiring a part or all of the data, and is attached to the e-mail. The web service server received, wherein the data format conversion means executes processing for opening the data file and converting the corresponding web page data into print format data that can be printed on paper as it is.

A web page browsed on a terminal device that is desired to be printed may be converted into a data file on the spot, and directly attached to an e-mail and transferred to a server. The server opens the data file and saves the data converted to print format. Therefore, a site whose contents are frequently updated can be saved as viewed and then printed.

<Configuration 3> In the web service server according to Configuration 1, the information for acquiring the web page data is an address on the Internet of the web page included in the e-mail, and uses the address And browse through the internet,
A web service server comprising web page browsing means for acquiring web page data of a corresponding web page and supplying the web page data to the data format conversion means.

If the URL or the like of the site being browsed on the terminal device is transmitted to the server by e-mail, a request for storing the web page in print format data can be easily made.

<Configuration 4> In the web service server according to Configuration 1, the electronic mail management unit stores information indicating a storage area in which the web page data in a print format is stored and stored with respect to a source of the electronic mail. A web service server that is notified by a reply e-mail.

When the server receives a web page save request, the server stores and saves print-format web page data. At the same time, if the information indicating the stored storage area is notified by a reply e-mail, the user can always specify the corresponding print format data and easily obtain it via the network.

<Configuration 5> In the web service server according to Configuration 1, in the storage device, a storage area for storing the data in the print format is provided for each source of the email, and the data format conversion unit includes When the web page data is accepted after receiving the e-mail, the storage area is selected from information indicating the sender of the e-mail, and the data in the corresponding print format is stored in the storage area. A web service server characterized by the above.

The user who is the sender of the e-mail registers the user in advance and specifies the storage area of the print format data requested to be stored in the storage device. As a result, the user can freely download the saved print format data from the corresponding storage area at any time. The server side also
There is no need to notify the data storage location each time.

<Configuration 6> In the web service server according to Configuration 1, when the data output control unit accepts output of print data by electronic mail, the data output control unit reads the corresponding print format data from the storage device, and A web service server characterized in that a reply mail to a sender is sent with the print format data attached thereto.

A system for requesting storage of web page data by e-mail and requesting transfer of print format data by e-mail has been realized for the convenience of the user.

<Configuration 7> A computer receives information for acquiring a corresponding web page data by browsing a specific web page or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through an e-mail. E-mail management means, data format converting means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data, a storage device for storing and storing the converted print format web page data, and printing according to the request A web service server program that functions as data output control means that reads out data in a format from the storage device and outputs the data to a request source.

<Configuration 8> A computer receives information for browsing a specific web page and acquiring corresponding web page data, or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through an e-mail. E-mail management means, data format converting means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data, a storage device for storing and storing the converted print format web page data, and printing according to the request A computer-readable recording medium storing a web service server program that functions as data output control means that reads out data in a format from the storage device and outputs the data to a request source.

<Configuration 9> An electronic mail management unit converts information for acquiring a corresponding web page data by browsing a specific web page, or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page, A step of executing a process of receiving through mail; a step of executing a process in which the data format converting means accepts the web page data and converting it into print format data; and a storage device converts the converted web page of the print format A step of storing and storing data, and a step of executing a process in which the data output control means reads out the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and outputs the data to the request source. Web service method.
<Configuration 10> An e-mail management unit uses information for acquiring a corresponding web page data by browsing a specific web page, or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page. Executing the process of receiving via email;
The data format conversion means includes a step of executing processing for accepting the web page data and converting it to print format data, and a storage device storing and storing the converted print format web page data. A method of executing a web service, in which a user authentication processing unit registers a user's e-mail address, and records a storage area for storing and storing print format web page data on a storage device; A step of registering information used when the user logs in to obtain print format data, a step of registering an area for recording accounting information for each user, and a step of recording an expiration date of the user registration A user registration method characterized by being executed.

With this user registration process, it becomes possible for a user to request web page data conversion by e-mail, and then to obtain print format data via a network such as the Internet.
<Configuration 11> An electronic mail management unit uses information for acquiring a corresponding web page data by browsing a specific web page, or web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page, Executing the process of receiving via email;
A step in which the data format conversion means accepts the web page data and converts it into print format data; a storage device stores and stores the converted print format web page data; and data The output control means reads out the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and executes a process of outputting the data to the request source. In addition, the data format conversion means accepts the web page data and prints the print format. When the print format data is stored in the storage device, the billing processing means calculates the billing fee according to the data amount of the print format data, and sends the e-mail. The step of updating the billing information of the original user or the data output control means records the data in the print format according to the request. When executing the process of reading from the device and outputting to the request source, the accounting processing means calculates the accounting fee according to the data amount of the output print format data, and the user who sent the e-mail One of the steps of updating the billing information is executed.

Service fees may be collected according to the user's usage, or the user may be charged according to the amount of data in print format so that the user can use this system easily without being aware of the cost. it can.

According to the present invention, when browsing content on the Internet using a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, the user can always request to save a desired web page and print it later. it can. Even when using a desktop computer, it is possible to request the storage of a web page in the same way, and to easily print without losing layout. In addition, the terminal device that requests to save the web page only needs to have a mail transmission function, and no special application is required. In addition, when requesting to save a web page, login processing or the like is unnecessary, so that this method can be easily used. Less than,
The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail for each example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network using a web service server according to the present invention.
A mobile phone 11, a PDA (personal personal digital assistant) 12, a desktop computer 13, and a mail server 14 are connected to the network 10 in FIG. In this system, a user who uses the mobile phone 11, the PDA 12, or the desktop computer 13 requests the mail server 14 to save a web page. The cellular phone 11 is generally widely used, and is a terminal that can browse web pages of various sites through the Internet. The PDA 12 is an example of a mobile terminal, and other than this, a notebook personal computer can be handled in the same manner. The desktop computer 13 is the most commonly used and is a fixed terminal. The user may use any terminal. A printer 17 is connected to the desktop computer 13.

The mail server 14 has a function of receiving and processing mail transmitted from the mobile phone 11, the PDA 12, or the desktop computer 13. A web service server 15 is connected to the mail server 14. The storage device provided in the web service server 15 and the functional blocks of the computer program are shown. This hardware configuration will be described later with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the web service server 15 includes a printer 16, a storage device 20, and an arithmetic processing device 30. Arithmetic processing device 3
0 has a function of controlling a computer program executed by the web service server of the present invention. The storage device 20 stores registration data 21 and a user authentication database 22. The printer 16 is for printing out data stored in the storage device 20.

The arithmetic processing unit 30 includes an e-mail management unit 31, a user authentication processing unit 32, a file analysis unit 33, a data format conversion unit 34, a web page browsing unit 35, a data registration management unit 36, a data output control unit 37, and a billing process. Means 38 are provided. The e-mail management unit 31 has a function of performing transmission / reception control of e-mail received by the mail server 14. The user authentication processing unit 32 has a function of executing an authentication process for determining whether or not a user who uses the web service server 15 is a registered person. The file analysis means 33 has a function of analyzing the content and format of a file attached to the mail when a web page save request is received from the user. It also has a function to analyze data written in mail.

The data format conversion unit 34 has a function of converting web page data into print format data. The web page browsing means 35 has a function of browsing a corresponding web page through the Internet using a given URL and acquiring the web data. The data registration management unit 36 has a function of generating registration data 21 according to a user's storage request, storing it in the storage device 20 and registering it. The data output control means 37 has a function of reading out the print format data 27 from the storage device 20 and outputting it in accordance with a user request. The billing processing means 38
It has a function to calculate the value of user service for each user. The above means is a computer program, and specific operations will be described later with reference to flowcharts.

The registration data 21 stored in the storage device 20 includes user identification information 24, a URL 25, web page data 26, and print format data 27. The user identification information 24 is, for example, the user's email address. URL 25 is the address on the Internet of the web page that the user requested to save. When the user directly transmits web page data, it is unnecessary data. The web page data 26 is data for displaying a corresponding web page. When the user notifies the URL, the web page browsing means 3
5 gets. The print format data 27 is data converted so that the web page data 26 can be printed as it is on standard printing paper. It is generated by the data format conversion means 34.

The user authentication database 22 is data used by the user authentication processing means 32 to perform user authentication processing. It is generated by the data registration management means 36. When there is a web page saving request from the user, it is referred to by the user confirmation processing means 32. It suffices if the sender of the e-mail is registered. It is also referred to later when there is a print format data transfer request from the user. At this time, a user code, a password, and the like are referred to. In addition to the data for authentication, past billing data and the like may be included collectively as so-called user management information.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the web service server.
The hardware of the web service server can be realized by a system having the following configuration.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the web service server includes a mail server 101, a web service server 102, and a printer 104. FIG. 2B is an internal block diagram of the apparatus. The mail server 101 includes an external network interface 111 connected to a network 100 such as the Internet, and a bus line 110. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, and an HDD (Hard Disk) 115 are connected to the bus line 110.

The CPU 112 reads a computer program stored in the ROM 113 or the RAM 114 and executes a predetermined process. It functions as the arithmetic processing unit 30 shown in FIG. R
The OM 113, RAM 114, and HDD 115 store computer programs, parameters and data necessary for the operation, and further store the processing results. These function as the storage device 20 shown in FIG. The hardware configuration of the web service server 102 is the same as that of the mail server 101. Mail server 101 and web service server 10
2 and the printer 104 are connected to each other via internal network interfaces 116 and 120. This internal network is a local area network or the like.

The mail server 101 executes processing for transferring e-mail data received through the network 100 to the web service server 102. The web service server 102 transfers the generated electronic mail to the mail server 101 and requests transmission. The printer 104 includes an internal network interface 120 and a print engine 121. The mail server 101 and the web service server 102 can request the printer 104 to print. For example, the web service server 102 supplies print format data to the printer 104 and requests printing. The print engine 121 has a function of printing the supplied print format data or the like on printing paper. The printed web page is mailed to the user.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a data configuration handled by the system shown in FIG.
FIG. 3A is a specific example of the user authentication database 22. User authentication database 2
2 includes, for example, a transmission source address 41, a user code 42, user information 43, and an expiration date 44.
A user folder 45, a login code 46, a login password 47, and billing information 48. The source address 41 is an e-mail address and is data for specifying a user. The user code 42 is a serial number when user registration is accepted, or an appropriate number or symbol for distinguishing the user on the system.

The user information 43 is data used to perform various services for the user, such as the user's name and address. The expiration date 44 is a user registration expiration date.
If this time limit has passed, the service is prohibited. The user folder 45 includes information for accessing the area when the registration data 21 requested by the user is stored in the storage device 20 for each user. The login code 46 is a code used when the user logs in to the web service server 15 in order to acquire the print format data 27. Note that the source code 41 and the user code 42 may be used as they are for the login code. The login password 47 is a password used for user authentication. The billing information 48 is data that is calculated and stored by the billing processing means 38. This is a usage fee for each user.

As described above, for user registration, for example, a step of registering a user's e-mail address, a step of recording a storage area for storing and storing print-format web page data on a storage device, Executes the steps of registering information used when a user logs in to obtain print format data, registering an area for recording accounting information for each user, and recording the expiration date of user registration To do.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an e-mail from the user and an operation screen of the user's terminal.
The schematic operation will be described with reference to FIGS. When the user browses a web page desired to be printed, in the example of FIG. 4A, a mail sentence 70 is transmitted. The web service server recognizes from the title 71 that it is an e-mail for a service request. The URL 72 written in the e-mail is used for web page acquisition. When the sender mail address 73 is acquired, it is checked against the sender address 41 shown in FIG. At this time, the expiration date as a member is also confirmed. If the source address 41 is found, processing for storing the registration data 2 in the storage device is started. This is the registration-time authentication process A.

Various email formats are possible. As shown in FIG. 3B, the user can also send an e-mail 50 with web page data 26 to be printed attached. In this way, it is possible to request that the web page that the user has just browsed is converted into print format data as it is and stored. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, an e-mail 50 attached with a bookmark 52 can be transmitted. The example of FIG. 3D is as shown in FIG. Both have the function of notifying the server of the URL of the web page. The web service server 15 browses the corresponding site using the URL,
After obtaining the web data, the web data is converted into print format data.

When the content of a web page changes in a very short time, it is preferable to attach the browsed web page as it is to an e-mail. On the other hand, if the same web page can be browsed even after a little time has passed, it is easier for the user to notify the URL. In addition, there is an effect that a web page with a large amount of data can be easily requested to be saved. Of course, this service can be realized with almost no trouble by the web service server 15 automatically browsing the corresponding web page immediately after receiving the e-mail.

FIG. 4B is a login screen 75 that is first used when the user uses the print format data stored in the storage device 20 of the web service server 15. For example, the user's desktop computer 13 and the web service server 15 are connected via the network 10. Then, the login screen 75 is displayed on the display, and the user inputs the user code 42 and the login password 47. Here, the data output request time authentication process B shown in FIG. 3A is executed. In this process, the expiration date 44 and the login code 4
6 and the login password 47 are read and collated.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, an operation screen 80 for providing a service is displayed.
This includes a list box 81 for displaying the title of the web page being saved and operation buttons 82-85. When the operation button 82 with “Thumbnail Display” is clicked, a screen displaying all the print format data being saved as thumbnails is displayed. When any data in the list box 81 is designated and the operation button 83 with “download” is clicked, the corresponding print format data can be downloaded to the user terminal. When an operation button 84 "Print and mail" is clicked, the print format data is printed on the server side by the printer 16, and the printed data is mailed to the user. This method is preferred when the user does not have a suitable printing device. The mailing address is included in the user information 43. When the operation is finished, the operation button 85 having “End” is clicked.

When there is a large amount of print format data, the download process is preferably performed by FTP (file automatic transfer program). However, for example, in the case of only a few sheets, transmission by electronic mail is also possible. An example is shown in FIG. When the operation button 83 “download” is clicked, the source address 41 is acquired,
A reply mail 60 is generated. The print format data 27 designated by the user is attached to this. The reply mail 60 may be generated for replying to the electronic mail shown in FIG. 4A, and the print format data 27 may be automatically transmitted to the user.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a specific operation of each part of the system.
FIG. 5A is an operation flowchart of the mail server 14 and the web service server 15. FIG. 5B is an operation flowchart of the mobile phone 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a user (not shown) browses an arbitrary web page using the mobile phone 11 in step S31. And a user memorize | stores the bookmark of an applicable web page in the memory of the mobile telephone 11 by step S32. Thereafter, in step S33, the bookmark is attached to the e-mail and transmitted to the mail server 14. If a template prepared in advance for an e-mail is used, an e-mail with a bookmark attached can be easily transmitted. Therefore, there is an effect that no special application software is required to implement the present invention.

On the other hand, the mail server 14 that has received the electronic mail operates as shown in FIG. First, the e-mail management means 31 that has received the e-mail in step S11 receives the step S11.
12, the user authentication processing unit 32 is requested to perform authentication processing. The user authentication processing means 32
By comparing the source address 41 of the user authentication database 22 shown in FIG. 3 with the source address of the e-mail, it is determined whether or not the user is a user. Furthermore, expiration date 44
To recognize the user's expiration date. In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the request is a regular user data registration request.

If the determination result in step S13 is yes, the process proceeds to step S14.
The process ends. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a bookmark 52 or web page data 26 is attached to the electronic mail 50. File analysis means 33
In step S14, the file attached to the e-mail is analyzed. In step S15, it is determined whether the attached file is the web page data 26 or the bookmark 52.
If the result of this determination is that the attached file is a bookmark 52 (yes), step S
Proceed to 16. If it is not the bookmark 52, the process jumps to step S18.

In step S16, the web page of the corresponding site is browsed using the bookmark 52 attached to the e-mail. This process is executed by the web page browsing means 35 shown in FIG. And the web page browsing means 35 acquires applicable web page data by step S17. In the next step S18, the data format conversion means 34 acquires web page data from the e-mail management means 31 or the web page browsing means 35, and converts it into print format data that can be printed on, for example, A4 size paper. Process.

In step S <b> 19, the data registration management unit 36 generates registration data 21. The source address of the received e-mail is the user identification information 24, and the registration data 2 is obtained from the URL included in the bookmark 52, the web page data before conversion, and the print format data after conversion.
1 is generated. Further, the data registration management unit 36 registers the generated registration data 21 in the storage device 20 in step S20. The registration data 21 stores the URL 25 and the web page data 26 for the sake of convenience. However, the registration data 21 only needs to include at least the print format data 27.

In step S <b> 21, the data registration management unit 36 requests the electronic mail management unit 31 and returns a processing completion report to the mobile phone 11. That is, the completion of processing may be notified by a reply by e-mail. Finally, the billing processing means 38 calculates a fee corresponding to the above processing in step S22. The calculation result may be recorded in the user authentication database 22. For example, the print format data 27 generated by the data format conversion unit 34 may be transferred to the data output control unit 37 and returned with the print format data attached to the reply mail. Further, the charge calculation result by the billing processing means 38 may be returned as a reply mail.

Any of the following embodiments is practical for the accounting process. In the first method, the data format conversion unit executes a process of receiving web page data and converting it into print format data.
When the data in the print format is stored in the storage device, the billing processing unit calculates the billing fee according to the data amount of the data in the print format and updates the billing information of the user who sent the e-mail Execute. In the second method, when the data output control means executes the process of reading out the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and outputting the data to the request source, the charge processing means outputs the print format output. The billing fee is calculated according to the data amount of the data, and the billing information of the user who sent the e-mail is updated.

In the first method, when the user requests data registration in the print format, the user is automatically charged according to the requested amount. On the server administrator side, there is an effect that a service fee can be collected according to the usage of the user. On the other hand, in the second method, charging is performed according to the amount of data in the output print format, so that the user can request registration of data for the time being without being aware of the cost. The user then checks the print format data with thumbnails and pays for the download request. Therefore, there is an effect that the user can use this system more easily.

FIG. 6 is an authentication operation flowchart of the user authentication processing means.
First, in step S41, the e-mail management means 31 receives an e-mail and obtains its source address. The user authentication processing unit 32 refers to the user authentication database 22 in step S42. In step S43, the source address of the database is searched. In step S44, it is determined whether there is a matching address. If there is a matching address,
A regular user. If there is no address, you are not a user. If this determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step S45. If no, the process ends. In step S45, the expiration date 44 is read. In the next step S46, it is determined whether it is within the expiration date. If it is within the expiration date, the process proceeds to step S47, and it is determined that the data registration request is for a legitimate user. Otherwise, the process ends.

FIG. 7 is an operation flowchart of the file analysis means.
First, in step S <b> 51, the file analysis unit 33 analyzes the e-mail passed to the e-mail management unit 31. In step S52, it is determined whether there is an attached file. If there is no attached file, the process proceeds to step S58, and a reply mail of an error message is transmitted to the user. If there is an attached file, the process proceeds to step S53.
Read file format. For example, if the extension is html, it is web page data. A shortcut icon file is a bookmark. In step S54, the contents of the file are analyzed. Based on the above results, it is determined in step S55 whether the file format is normal. If normal, the process proceeds to step S56. If not normal, the process jumps to step S58, an error message is returned, and the process is terminated.

In step S56, it is determined whether the attached file is a bookmark. If it is a bookmark file, the process proceeds to step S57. In other cases, it is web page data, so the process proceeds to data conversion processing. In step S57, the web page browsing means 35 accesses the URL displayed by the bookmark. Then, it is determined whether there is a corresponding URL. If not, the process proceeds to step S58, an error message is returned to the e-mail sender, and the process is terminated. If the corresponding URL exists, the process proceeds to the web page data acquisition process.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart for a print format data transfer request.
A print format data transfer request is made at an arbitrary timing from the user terminal. On the other hand, the user verification processing means 32 of the web service server 15 executes a login process in step S61 and performs a user authentication process in step S62. This authentication process is as already described. Next, in step S63, it is determined whether the request is related to a data transfer request. If it is a data transfer request, the process proceeds to step S64. If there is any other request, the process is terminated. In step S64, the data output control means 37 refers to the storage device 20. In step S65, the requested registration data 21 is read from the storage device 20.

After that, in step S66, when there are a plurality of registered data, the image is automatically edited at the request of the user or automatically, and the thumbnail of the registered data is displayed on the user terminal. In step S67, selection information is accepted for any of the print format data displayed as thumbnails. When any print format data is selected, step S6 is performed.
In step 8, a reply mail message is generated. In step S69, the selected print format data 27 is attached to the reply mail. In step S70, the e-mail management means 31 is requested to perform processing, and e-mail is transmitted.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart in the terminal on the user side.
First, in step S71, the user, for example, the desktop computer 1 shown in FIG.
3 is used to execute a login process for the web service server 15. Next, user authentication processing is executed in step S72. In step S73, transfer request data is selected using the thumbnail display displayed on the user's terminal, and the transfer information is sent to the web service server 15. Thereafter, in step S74, an e-mail attached with print format data is received. In step S75, the print format data file is opened, and printing is performed using the printer 17 connected to the user terminal device 13 in step S76.

According to the present invention, the terminal device that requests to save a web page only needs to have a mail transmission function, and no special application is required. For example, a web page viewed using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone can be downloaded to a personal computer and printed after returning home. A plurality of users can collaborate to search Internet contents, collect data, and create printed matter. Furthermore, in order to promote the use of printers by users, a manufacturer that sells printers can operate a user site that provides a conversion service to print format data that enables easy and beautiful printing of web pages.

In addition, even a user who uses a desktop computer connected to a printer has an advantage of using this system. In general, even if an image displayed by a browser of a terminal device is printed as it is, a part of the image may be missing or the layout may be corrupted. Depending on the design of the web page, it may not be easy to print well on a single sheet of paper. On the other hand, it is possible to design the data format conversion means so as to execute a process of setting a margin and a print area on a print sheet and fitting the print area without destroying the layout of the web page. A general user does not have such a high-function print control program. Also, printer capabilities are often not sufficient. Therefore, the service by the web service server 15 functions effectively.

Note that the computer program executed by the arithmetic processing unit may be modularized in units illustrated in functional blocks, or may be integrated by combining a plurality of functional blocks. Further, the above computer program may be used by being incorporated into an existing application program. The computer program for realizing the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and installed in any information processing apparatus for use.

The block diagram of the network using the web service server by this invention. The hardware block diagram of a web service server. Explanatory drawing of the data structure which the system shown in FIG. 1 handles. Explanatory drawing of the operation screen of the email from a user or a user's terminal. The flowchart explaining the specific operation | movement of each part of a system. The authentication operation | movement flowchart of a user authentication process means. The operation | movement flowchart of a file analysis means. 6 is an operation flowchart for a transfer request for print format data. The operation | movement flowchart in the terminal of a user side.

Explanation of symbols

11 Mobile phone, 12 PDA, 13 Desktop computer, 14 Mail server, 15 Web service server, 16 Printer, 20 Storage device, 21 Registration data,
22 User verification database, 24 User identification information, 25 URL, 26 Web page data, 27 Print format data, 31 E-mail management means, 32 User verification processing means, 33 File analysis means, 34 Data format conversion means, 35 Web page browsing Means, 36 data registration management means, 37 data output control means, 38 billing processing means

Claims (11)

Information for browsing a specific web page and acquiring corresponding web page data, or email management means for receiving the web page data obtained by browsing the specific web page via email,
Data format conversion means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data;
A storage device for storing and storing the converted web page data in print format;
A web service server comprising: data output control means for reading out data in the print format from the storage device according to a request and outputting the data to a request source. The web service server according to claim 1,
The web page data is a data file obtained from a part or whole of a specific web page, and is received by being attached to the email.
The web service server characterized in that the data format conversion means executes processing for opening the data file and converting the corresponding web page data into print format data that can be printed on paper as it is. The web service server according to claim 1,
The information for acquiring the web page data is an address on the Internet of the web page included in the email,
A web service server comprising web page browsing means for browsing through the Internet using the address, obtaining web page data of a corresponding web page, and supplying the web page data to the data format conversion means. The web service server according to claim 1,
The e-mail management means is configured to notify the sender of the e-mail of information indicating a storage area in which print-format web page data is stored and saved by a return e-mail. Web service server. The web service server according to claim 1,
The storage device is provided with a storage area for storing the data in the print format for each source of the email.
The data format conversion means, when receiving the web page data after receiving the e-mail, selects the storage area from information indicating a source of the e-mail, and converts the data in the corresponding print format into the data A web service server that is stored in a storage area. The web service server according to claim 1,
The data output control means, when receiving output of print data by e-mail, reads out the corresponding print format data from the storage device, and attaches the print format data to a reply mail to the sender of the e-mail A web service server characterized by being a reply. Computer
Information for browsing a specific web page and acquiring corresponding web page data, or email management means for receiving the web page data obtained by browsing the specific web page via email,
Data format conversion means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data;
A storage device for storing and storing the converted web page data in print format;
Data output control means for reading the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and outputting the data to the request source,
Web service server program to function as. Computer
Information for browsing a specific web page and acquiring corresponding web page data, or email management means for receiving the web page data obtained by browsing the specific web page via email,
Data format conversion means for accepting the web page data and converting it into print format data;
A storage device for storing and storing the converted web page data in print format;
Data output control means for reading the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and outputting the data to the request source,
A computer-readable recording medium on which a web service server program that functions as a computer is recorded. The e-mail management means receives information for browsing the specific web page and acquiring the corresponding web page data, or the web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through the e-mail. Executing the process;
A step of executing a process in which the data format conversion means accepts the web page data and converts it into print format data;
A storage device storing and storing the web page data in the converted print format;
A web service method comprising: a step of executing a process in which data output control means reads out data in the print format from the storage device according to a request and outputs the data to a request source. The e-mail management means receives information for browsing the specific web page and acquiring the corresponding web page data, or the web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through the e-mail. Executing the process;
A step of executing a process in which the data format conversion means accepts the web page data and converts it into print format data;
A storage device for storing and storing the converted web page data in a print format, comprising:
A step of registering a user's e-mail address, a step of recording a storage area for storing and storing print format web page data on a storage device;
Executes the steps of registering information used when a user logs in to obtain print format data, registering an area for recording accounting information for each user, and recording the expiration date of user registration A user registration method characterized by: The e-mail management means receives information for browsing the specific web page and acquiring the corresponding web page data, or the web page data acquired by browsing the specific web page through the e-mail. Executing the process;
A step of executing a process in which the data format conversion means accepts the web page data and converts it into print format data;
A storage device storing and storing the web page data in the converted print format;
In addition to the step of executing a process in which the data output control means reads the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request and outputs the data to the request source,
When the data format conversion means executes processing for accepting web page data and converting it to print format data, and when the print format data is stored in the storage device, the billing processing means determines the data amount of the print format data. Calculating the charging fee according to the request and updating the charging information of the user who sent the e-mail, or the data output control means reads the data in the print format from the storage device according to the request, and requests When executing the process to output to the original, the charging processing means calculates the charging fee according to the data amount of the output print format data, and updates the charging information of the user who sent the e-mail One of the steps is executed.

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