Information Processing Apparatus, Printing System, and Information Processing Method

Abstract

In email printing that can print based on a printed document attached to an email, it is possible to know in advance the amount to be paid for electronic settlement, improving user convenience. The data processing server (100) has an interface (190) capable of communicating with the multifunction printer (200). The processor (110) receives from the mobile terminal (300) an email with a printed document attached and the mailbox address assigned to the multifunction printer (200) as the recipient, determines the cost of forming an image of the printed document attached to the email, generates a reply email recording the amount of the cost and the payment URL of the payment page for paying that amount, and sends the reply email to the mobile terminal (300). After the above amount is settled by the user accessing the payment URL recorded in the reply email, it sends the print data based on the above printed document or the storage destination information of the print data to the multifunction printer (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and an information processing method for performing processing for printing an email with a print document attached thereto. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 for example, there is known a printing control apparatus that executes a so-called email printing function, which receives an email sent from a smartphone and outputs the attachment thereof to an image forming apparatus for printing.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-36239

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In recent years, there has been advocated an electronic settlement-based printing service in which a user is charged according to the content of an image to be printed and the image is printed after the settlement process of the charged amount is completed. When applying the above-mentioned electronic settlement to an email printing such as the prior art, it is convenient for the user if the amount to be paid according to the charge is known in advance, but there has been no technology that takes this into account. Summary of the Invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a printing system, and an information processing method that can know in advance the amount to be paid for electronic settlement in email printing based on a print document attached to an email and can improve the convenience for the user.

[0009] Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] To achieve the above object, the invention of the present application is an information processing apparatus having a communication I / F and a control unit capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that forms an image on a printing medium via a network. The control unit performs the following processes: a mail reception process of receiving a first e-mail from an external device, the first e-mail being attached with a print file and having the mailbox address for the printing apparatus assigned thereto as the recipient; a fee determination process of determining a fee to be charged when forming an image based on the print file attached to the first e-mail on the printing medium; a mail generation process of generating a second e-mail that records a first amount of the fee determined in the fee determination process and a first web address of a payment page for paying the first amount; a mail reply process of sending the second e-mail generated in the mail generation process as a reply to the first e-mail to the external device; and an information transmission process of, after settlement is made in the first amount by a user accessing the first web address recorded in the second e-mail, transmitting print data based on the print file or storage destination information of the print data to the printing apparatus via the communication I / F.

[0011] In the invention of the present application, so-called e-mail printing is performed. That is, when a first e-mail having the mailbox address for the printing apparatus as the recipient and attached with a print file as a printing object is sent from an external device to the information processing apparatus, the first e-mail is received in the mail reception process executed by the control unit. Thereafter, in the fee determination process, a fee to be charged when forming an image based on the print file attached to the first e-mail on the printing medium is determined. Then, in the mail generation process, a second e-mail that records the first amount of the fee determined above and the first web address of the payment page for paying the first amount is generated, and thereafter, in the mail reply process, the second e-mail is sent as a reply to the external device.

[0012] Thereby, the user can pay the first amount by electronic settlement by accessing the first web address recorded in the second e-mail received by the external device. Thus, when the settlement in the first amount is completed, in the information transmission process executed by the control unit, print data based on the print file or storage destination information of the print data is sent to the printing apparatus. Thereby, the printing apparatus can acquire the print data and print a corresponding image on the printing medium. In addition, the print data may be data of the print file itself or rasterized data for printing separately.

[0013] As described above, in the invention of the present application, when paying the fee charged in the email printing through electronic settlement, the amount to be paid can be known in advance by accessing the URL based on the email. As a result, the convenience for users can be improved.

[0014] Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, in the email printing based on the print file attached to the email, the amount to be paid for electronic settlement can be known in advance, which can improve the convenience for users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a functional block diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a sequence flow diagram showing the processes executed by the mobile terminal, the multifunction machine, the data processing server, and the transaction server.

[0018] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a web service page displayed on a mobile terminal or the like by accessing a specified URL described in the EWS file.

[0019] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an email address display page displayed on a mobile terminal or the like.

[0020] Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing setting portal page displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0021] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an email sending screen displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a sequence flow diagram showing the processes executed by the mobile terminal, the multifunction machine, the data processing server, and the transaction server.

[0023] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an email receiving screen displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0024] Figure 9 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment portal page displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0025] Figure 10 It is a sequence flow diagram showing the processes executed by the mobile terminal, the multifunction machine, the data processing server, and the transaction server in a modified example where the printing settings can be changed in the reply email.

[0026] Figure 11 It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an email receiving screen displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0027] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a payment portal page displayed on a mobile terminal and an example of a setting change portal page displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0028] Figure 13 This is a sequence flow of processes executed by a mobile terminal, a multifunction device, a data processing server, and a transaction server.

[0029] Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting change portal page displayed on a mobile terminal.

[0030] Figure 15 This is an example of a payment portal page displayed on a mobile terminal. Detailed implementation mode

[0031] In Figure 1 shows a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is an embodiment of the printing system 1, and the printing system 1 provides a printing service in which a customer, that is, a user, pays a fee to use the printing function of the multifunction device 200.

[0032] <Summary of the printing system>

[0033] In Figure 1 the printing system 1 includes a data processing server 100, a multifunction device 200, a mobile terminal 300, and a transaction server 400. In addition, the data processing server 100 is an example of an information processing device. These data processing server 100, multifunction device 200, mobile terminal 300, and transaction server 400 are connected to the network NT and can communicate with each other.

[0034] <Data processing server>

[0035] The data processing server 100 is, for example, a server set up and managed by the manufacturer of the multifunction device 200, and has a processor 110, a storage device 115, and an interface 190. The processor 110 is an example of a control unit and is also an example of a second control unit. In addition, the interface 190 is an example of a communication I / F. These processor 110, storage device 115, and interface 190 are connected to each other via a bus 105.

[0036] The storage device 115 includes a volatile storage device 120 and a non-volatile storage device 130.

[0037] The volatile storage device 120 is, for example, a DRAM, and has a transaction ID storage area 123, a printing setting storage area 124, and an image data storage area 125. The non-volatile storage device 130 is, for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive, and has a program storage area 131 for storing various programs and a charge table storage area 132. In addition, each stored content will be described in detail later.

[0038] Among the various programs stored in the program storage area 131, the information processing program of the present embodiment related to the execution of the sequential flow such as those described later Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 and so on is, for example, pre-stored in the non-volatile storage device 130.

[0039] The processor 110 is a device for performing data processing, for example, a CPU. The processor 110 executes the above-described information processing program stored in the program storage area 131, and cooperates with the processor 210 described later of the multifunction machine 200 to execute the information processing method of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment. Thereby, the execution includes the following Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 and so on shown in various processes.

[0040] The interface 190 is a wired LAN interface or a wireless interface for communicating with other devices, and this interface 190 is connected to the network NT.

[0041] <Transaction Server 400>

[0042] The transaction server 400 is, for example, set in a company that provides services for network settlement using an appropriate settlement application program described later, and has a processor, a storage device, and an interface (not shown) for connecting to the network NT.

[0043] <Multifunction Machine>

[0044] The multifunction machine 200 is, for example, held by an operator who provides the above-described printing service. In addition, the multifunction machine 200 is an example of a printing device. The multifunction machine 200 has a scanning unit 280, a printing unit 290, a processor 210, a storage device 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250 operable by a user, and a communication interface 270. These scanning unit 280, printing unit 290, processor 210, storage device 215, display unit 240, operation unit 250, and communication interface 270 are connected to each other via a bus 205.

[0045] The storage device 215 includes a volatile storage device 220 and a non-volatile storage device 230. The volatile storage device 220 is, for example, a DRAM and has a data storage area 222 capable of storing image data. The non-volatile storage device 230 is, for example, a flash memory. The non-volatile storage device 230 has a program storage area 232. Among the various programs stored in the program storage area 232, the printing program of the present embodiment related to the execution of the sequential flow such as the following Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 etc. is pre-stored in the non-volatile storage device 230 as firmware, for example.

[0046] The processor 210 is a device for data processing and is, for example, a CPU. The processor 210 executes the above-described printing processing program stored in the program storage area 232 and cooperates with the processor 210 to execute the printing method of the printing system 1 of the present embodiment. Thus, the processor 210 can form an image in the printing unit 290 based on the image data transmitted from the mobile terminal 300. In addition, the processor 210 is an example of a first control unit. In the present application specification, sometimes appropriately abbreviating forming an image on paper as "printing" or the like.

[0047] The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 250 is a device for receiving user operations. The user can input various instructions to the multifunction machine 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication interface 270 is a wired or wireless network interface for communicating with other devices, and this communication interface 270 is connected to the network NT.

[0048] The scanning unit 280 optically reads an original document as an object to be read by using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD or a CMOS and generates image data representing the read image.

[0049] The printing unit 290 takes out and conveys the paper in the paper tray through a conveyance mechanism (not shown) and prints an image on the conveyed paper in a prescribed manner. Hereinafter, the case of printing by an inkjet method will be described as an example. In addition, the paper is an example of a printing medium.

[0050] <Mobile Terminal>

[0051] In this example, the mobile terminal 300 is a mobile terminal such as a smart phone owned by the user, and this mobile terminal 300 is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. The mobile terminal 300 has a processor, a storage device, and an interface (not shown) for connecting to the network NT. The mobile terminal 300 is an example of an external device. In addition, as an external device, other information terminals such as a personal computer or a tablet computer can be used instead of the mobile terminal 300.

[0052] <Features of the Embodiment>

[0053] In the printing system 1 configured as described above, in the present embodiment, by attaching a print file including image data to an email from the mobile terminal 300 and sending it to the data processing server 100, the multifunction peripheral 200 prints the print file. In addition, the process related to the payment of the printing cost at this time is performed by so-called electronic settlement. Hereinafter, the details will be described in order.

[0054] <Process Flow>

[0055] In the present embodiment, Figure 2 、 Figure 7 The control steps of the processes executed by the processor 210 of the multifunction peripheral 200, the processor 110 of the data processing server 100, the processor of the transaction server 400, and the processor of the mobile terminal 300 are described. In addition, hereinafter, in Figure 2 、 Figure 7 and the following Figure 10 、 Figure 13 In the descriptions related to, the description of each processor is omitted, and “in the processor of the multifunction peripheral 200”, “by the processor of the multifunction peripheral 200”, etc. are simply described as “in the multifunction peripheral 200”, “by the multifunction peripheral 200”, etc.

[0056] <Transmission and Reception of Print Jobs>

[0057] In Figure 2 , first, the user connects the multifunction peripheral 200 to the data processing server 100 by appropriately operating, for example, the mobile terminal 300 or other appropriate terminals, and instructs to start the service (S11) based on the above information processing method of the present embodiment.

[0058] In Figure 3 , an example of the case where the above instruction is performed in a web page displayed based on display data in the form of a file for an EWS (Embedded Web Server). For example, the display data in the form of a file for the above EWS is output from the multifunction peripheral 200, and the mobile terminal 300 or the like accesses a predetermined website corresponding to the above EWS, whereby the Figure 3 shown network service page 550 is displayed.

[0059] The network service page 550 has an "Activate Network Service" button 551. The user displays the above-mentioned network service page 550 through appropriate operations in a mobile terminal 300 or the like, and sends an instruction to start the above-mentioned service from the mobile terminal 300 to the multifunction printer 200 by operating the "Activate Network Service" button 551 (S11). Correspondingly, a service start request is sent from the multifunction printer 200, and the data processing server 100 receives this service start request (S13). In addition, this service start request is an example of an email address request.

[0060] In response to the receipt of the above-mentioned service start request, the data processing server 100 issues a PIN code, and the multifunction printer 200 receives this PIN code (S15). The wireless communication connection between the multifunction printer 200 and the data processing server 100 is established by using this PIN code (S17). After the connection is established, the data processing server 100 allocates an email address to the multifunction printer 200, thereby starting the above-mentioned service (S19). In addition, the process executed by the data processing server 100 in this S19 is an example of an email address allocation process. In the multifunction printer 200, in response to the start of this service, the above-mentioned allocated email address is issued and sent to the mobile terminal 300 or the like (S21). In addition, hereinafter, the email address allocated to the multifunction printer 200 will be appropriately abbreviated as the "email address of the multifunction printer 200".

[0061] In Figure 4 it represents an email address display page 560 for displaying the above-mentioned issued email address. This email address display page 560 is transferred and displayed in the mobile terminal 300 or the like from the above-mentioned network service page 550 after the "Activate Network Service" button 551 in the above-mentioned Figure 3 is operated. In this network service page 550, in addition to the "Activate Network Service" button 551 described above, there is also an email address display column 552 and a portal site transfer button 553. In this example, the email address "machine01@mfp.co.jp" issued from the multifunction printer 200 by being allocated from the data processing server 100 as described above is displayed in the email address display column 552. In addition, the email address "machine01@mfp.co.jp" in this example is an example of an email address for a printing device.

[0062] After that, the user accesses the URL of the printing setting page of the portal site for performing printing settings when printing on the multifunction machine 200 by operating the above-mentioned portal site transfer button 553 via the mobile terminal 300 or the like, and issues a display instruction to request the display of this page (S23). In addition, this URL is an example of the second URL. Hereinafter, this URL will be appropriately abbreviated as the "second URL". Correspondingly, a portal page acquisition request is sent from the mobile terminal 300 or the like, and the data processing server 100 receives this portal page acquisition request (S25). The data processing server 100 outputs the display data of the portal page corresponding to this portal page acquisition request to the mobile terminal 300, so that the portal page for printing settings is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 (S27).

[0063] In Figure 5 shows an example of the above-mentioned portal page 650 for printing settings displayed on the mobile terminal 300. In this portal page 650 for printing settings, there are provided a number of copies setting column 651 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, a paper size setting column 652 for selecting the paper size, and a printing color setting column 653 for selecting the printing color of color or monochrome. In this example, "1" copy is set in the number of copies setting column 651, "A4" size is set in the paper size setting column 652, and "color" is set in the printing color setting column 653. In addition, these setting contents in each of the setting columns 651, 652, and 653 are examples of printing setting values.

[0064] In addition, in the portal page 650 for printing settings, in addition to the above-mentioned setting columns 651, 652, and 653, there is also provided a button 654 of "set with this content". After making the desired settings in each of the setting columns 651, 652, and 653, the user issues an instruction for this printing setting by operating the button 654 of "set with this content" (S31), and the request for reflecting this setting is sent to the mobile terminal 300 and received in the data processing server 100 (S33). Correspondingly, the data processing server 100 outputs the display data of the portal page reflecting the above-mentioned printing setting to the mobile terminal 300, so that the portal page for printing settings after reflection is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 (S35).

[0065] As described above, the printing settings at the time of printing execution of the multifunction machine 200 are completed. In this state, the user attaches a printing file to an email by appropriately operating the mobile terminal 300 and sends it to the email address received in the above S21. This printing file contains the desired image data to be printed by the multifunction machine 200. In Figure 6 shows an example of the mail sending screen displayed on the mobile terminal 300 by appropriate mail software at this time.

[0066] InFigure 6 In this case, the email sending screen 700 includes a destination display column 701, an email title column 702, an attachment display column 703, a body column 704, and a "send" button 705. In this example, as described above, the email address of the multifunction machine 200, that is, "machine01@mfp.co.jp", is input as the recipient in the destination display column 701. Additionally, the file name "Document01.pdf" of the print file containing image data attached to this email is displayed in the attachment display column 703. By an appropriate operation of the user on the mobile terminal 300, the "send" button 705 is pressed to instruct the sending of an email with the print file "Document01.pdf" attached (S37), and this email is sent from the mobile terminal 300 (S39). As described above, the email address at this time is the email address assigned by the data processing server 100 to the multifunction machine 200. However, the email sent to this email address is received by the data processing server 100 and is preconfigured to be stored in a specified area of this data processing server 100. That is, as described above, the email sent from the mobile terminal 300 is received in the data processing server 100 (S41). This email is an example of a first email, S41 is an example of an email receiving step, and the processing performed in S41 is an example of email receiving processing. Additionally, the form of the print file can be any form that can be printed by the multifunction machine 200, such as the "jpeg" form, "pdf" form, "tiff" form, "gif" form, etc.

[0067] Then, move to Figure 7 , in the data processing server 100, in S76, the print file attached to the email received in the above S41 is parsed, and the fee to be charged to the user is calculated in the case of printing the image data included in this print file. Additionally, this S76 is an example of a fee determination step, and the processing performed in S76 is an example of fee determination processing. In this calculation, for example, the fee is calculated based on a specified fee table stored in the above fee table storage area 132 of the volatile storage device 120. Additionally, at this time, the calculation is performed in consideration of the print setting values in each setting column 651, 652, 653, etc. of the above print setting portal page 650 received in the above S33.

[0068] After that, in S79, in the data processing server 100, a settlement reservation process is performed. Specifically, the following are sent to the transaction server 400: a product ID issued for the execution of the service for printing the image data of the above print file, the payment amount of the user as the calculation result in S76, authentication information for authentication in the transaction server 400, and a confirmation URL (in this embodiment, the URL of the data processing server 100) for settlement completion confirmation.

[0069] In addition, in the data processing server 100, a payment URL for the user to access and make a fee payment sent from the transaction server 400 in response to these transmissions and the transaction ID related to the fee payment procedure are received.

[0070] After that, in the data processing server 100, a reply email to the mobile terminal 300 is created (S81). The reply email records the payment amount as the calculation result in S76 and the above-mentioned payment URL obtained in S79. In addition, the above-mentioned payment URL is an example of a first URL, the above-mentioned payment amount is an example of a first amount, the reply email is an example of a second email, S81 is an example of an email generation step, and the process executed in S81 is an example of an email generation process.

[0071] After that, in the data processing server 100, the reply email generated in the above S81 is sent to the mobile terminal 300 as a reply to the email received in S41 (S83). In addition, this S83 is an example of an email reply step, and the process executed in S83 is an example of an email reply process. The sent reply email is received by the mobile terminal 300 (S85). In Figure 8 shows an example of an email reception screen displayed on the mobile terminal 300 by the above-mentioned email software when the received reply email is opened.

[0072] In Figure 8 this email reception screen 710 includes a sent email display column 711, a calculation result display column 712, and a settlement URL display column 713.

[0073] The sent email display column 711 is a column for displaying the summary of the email sent from the mobile terminal 300 described above, including a sender display column 711a, an email title column 711b, an attachment display column 711c, and a body column 711d. In this example, as described above, "machine01@mfp.co.jp", which is the email address of the multifunction printer 200, is displayed in the sender display column 711a, and the above-mentioned "Document01.pdf" is displayed in the attachment display column 711c.

[0074] In the calculation result display column 712, the content of the set values of the printing settings in the setting columns 651, 652, and 653 of the above-mentioned printing setting portal page 650 is displayed, that is, the number of copies "1", the paper size "A4", and the color setting "color". Moreover, in this example, the payment amount calculated in the above S76 is displayed as "180 yen".

[0075] In the settlement URL display column 713, as the content of the above payment URL, in this example, the URL "https: / / hogehoge.payment.html" and the text "Enter settlement" are displayed.

[0076] In addition, in Figure 8 the example shown, the payment amount calculated in the above S76 and the above payment URL are directly recorded in the body of the above reply email, but it is not limited to this. For example, although not shown in the figure, at least one of the above payment amount and payment URL may be recorded in the email title column of the reply email. Or, it may be that at least one of them is recorded in the "CC" or "BCC" column, or at least one of them is recorded on the web page of the access destination recorded in "CC" or "BCC".

[0077] When the user who has confirmed the email reception screen 710 clicks on "https: / / hogehoge.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 713 through an appropriate operation on the mobile terminal 300 (S87), a payment portal page is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 (S89). In Figure 9 shows an example of this payment portal page.

[0078] In Figure 9 this, the payment portal page 720 has a payment amount display column 721, a payment details display column 722, an application settlement button 724, and a browser settlement button 725. In addition, the payment portal page 720 is an example of a payment page.

[0079] According to the example described above, in this example, the payment amount display column 721 displays "180 yen".

[0080] The payment details display column 722 includes a unit price display column 722a, a file format / page number display column 722b, a quantity display column 722c, and a calculation formula display column 722d.

[0081] In the unit price display column 722a, in this example, corresponding to the unit price of 60 yen for A4 size color printing, "Unit price of one A4 color page is 60 yen" is displayed.

[0082] In the file format / page number display column 722b, corresponding to the content described above, "pdf file 3 pages" is displayed.

[0083] In the quantity display column 722c, corresponding to the quantity of 1 copy, "Quantity 1" is displayed.

[0084] In the calculation formula display column 722d, according to the above example, when calculating the cost corresponding to the display contents of the above unit price display column 722a, document format / page number display column 722b, and number of copies display column 722c, the calculation formula is displayed as "3 pages * 1 copy * 60 yen = 180 yen".

[0085] The application settlement button 724 is a button for performing network settlement on the settlement application related to the above transaction server 400.

[0086] The browser settlement button 725 is a button for performing network settlement not on the settlement application related to the above transaction server 400 but on a normal browser.

[0087] Based on the display contents of the above payment portal page 720, the user can know the fees that he / she should pay due to using this service. The user clicks the application settlement button 724 through an appropriate operation on the mobile terminal 300. As a result, the user understands the contents of the payment amount display column 721 and the payment details display column 722 and issues a settlement approval instruction (S91). As a result, a settlement approval notice is notified from the mobile terminal 300 to the transaction server 400 on the above-mentioned settlement application (S105). In addition, when the browser settlement button 725 is clicked, similarly, a settlement approval notice is notified from the mobile terminal 300 to the transaction server 400 on the browser (S105).

[0088] After that, the transaction server 400 that has received the above-mentioned approval notice sends a confirmation URL corresponding to the payment URL at the time of settlement reservation (S79) to the mobile terminal 300. Based on this confirmation URL, a settlement completion request is sent from the mobile terminal 300, and the data processing server 100 receives this settlement completion request (S109). As a result, in S111 of the data processing server 100, it is determined as "yes" and settlement completion confirmation processing (S113) is performed. That is, the above-mentioned authentication information, product ID, and transaction ID corresponding to the confirmation URL are sent to the transaction server 400. At the same time, a return code sent from the transaction server 400 is received correspondingly in the data processing server 100.

[0089] After the above-mentioned settlement completion confirmation process, a settlement completion notice is sent in the data processing server 100 (S115), and the settlement completion notice is received in the mobile terminal 300 (S117). Then, print data based on the print file received in S41 is sent from the data processing server 100 (S125), and the print data is received in the multifunction peripheral 200 (S126). As the above-mentioned print data, it can be the data itself of the print file or the data rasterized separately for printing. In addition, the above S125 is an example of an information sending step, and the process executed by the data processing server 100 in S125 is an example of an information sending process. In addition, the process executed by the multifunction peripheral 200 in S126 is an example of a data acquisition process.

[0090] In addition, as in the processes of S125 and S126 above, it is not limited to the method of directly sending print data from the data processing server 100 to the multifunction peripheral 200, and other methods can also be used.

[0091] That is, for example, in the data processing server 100, the above-mentioned print data can also be stored in an appropriate external device connected to the network NT in response to receiving a settlement completion confirmation notice from the transaction server 400. In this case, afterwards, a data acquisition instruction including access information such as the website URL of the above-mentioned external device is sent from the data processing server 100 to the multifunction peripheral 200. The above-mentioned sent data acquisition instruction is received in the multifunction peripheral 200. Then, taking the reception of the data acquisition instruction as an opportunity, the multifunction peripheral 200 accesses the above-mentioned external device via the network NT, and thus, the above-mentioned print data is acquired from the external device. In this case, the above-mentioned access information is an example of storage destination information. In addition, the step of the data processing server 100 sending the data acquisition instruction is an example of an information sending step, and the process of sending the data acquisition instruction is an example of an information sending process. In addition, the process of the multifunction peripheral 200 acquiring print data from an external device is an example of a data acquisition process.

[0092] Afterwards, in the multifunction peripheral 200, the print unit 290 prints image data corresponding to the print data received in S126 on paper (S127). In addition, at this time, printing is performed based on the print setting values in each setting column 651, 652, 653, etc. of the above-mentioned print setting portal page 650 received in S33 as described above. The process executed in this S127 is an example of a printing process. After that, this sequence flow ends.

[0093] <Effect of the Embodiment>

[0094] As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, so-called email printing is performed. That is, an email with the mailbox address assigned to the multifunction machine 200 as the recipient and a print file attached is sent from the mobile terminal 300 to the data processing server 100 (S39). After that, in the data processing server 100, the fee charged when printing based on the print file attached to this email is calculated (S76). Then, in the data processing server 100, a reply email is generated that records the amount of the calculated fee and the payment website URL linking to the payment portal page 720 for paying this amount, and is sent as a reply to the mobile terminal 300 (S83). Thereby, the user can access the above-mentioned payment website URL recorded in the reply email received on the mobile terminal 300 by using the mobile terminal 300, and thus can pay the above-mentioned charged amount through electronic settlement. In this way, when the settlement is completed, print data based on the above-mentioned print file is sent to the multifunction machine 200 (S125). As a result, the multifunction machine 200 acquires this print data and can print the corresponding image on paper (S127).

[0095] As described above, in the present embodiment, when paying the fee charged for email printing through electronic settlement, the amount to be paid can be known in advance by accessing the URL based on the email. As a result, the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0096] In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, the user can access the second URL of the print setting portal page 650 in S23 before receiving the email from the mobile terminal 300 in S41. The user opens the print setting portal page 650 by accessing the above-mentioned second URL on the mobile terminal 300 or the like, and in this portal page 650, the print setting value when printing the print file can be set to a desired value.

[0097] In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, when a service start request is sent from the multifunction machine 200 in response to a service start instruction from the user (S11) (S13), a mailbox address is assigned to the multifunction machine 200 accordingly (S19). Thereby, afterwards, email printing based on sending an email with this mailbox address as the recipient can be smoothly executed.

[0098] In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, as Figure 8As shown in the mail reception screen 710, the above payment URL is not recorded in the mail title or recipient of the above reply mail, but in the mail body. Thus, when the user receives and displays the reply mail on the mobile terminal 300 and reads the content of the body, by performing a single touch operation on the payment URL recorded in the body, the user can easily access the web page represented by these URLs, i.e., the payment portal page 720 (S87, S89).

[0099] <Variation Example>

[0100] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from its gist and technical idea. The following describes such variation examples. The same reference numerals are given to the parts equivalent to the above-described embodiments, and the description is appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0101] (1) Case where printing settings can be changed in the reply mail

[0102] In this variation example, in Figure 10 represents a control step, which represents the main part of the processing executed by the processor 210 of the multifunction machine 200, the processor 110 of the data processing server 100, the processor of the transaction server 400, and the processor of the mobile terminal 300.

[0103] That is, first, in this variation example, the same S11 to S41 as the above Figure 2 are also executed. That is, after the printing settings are made, a mail attached with a printing file is sent from the mobile terminal 300 to the mailbox address of the multifunction machine 200, and the data processing server 100 receives this mail (S41).

[0104] After the above S41, in this variation example, in the data processing server 100, in Figure 10 shown in S75, at least one variation example is generated by an appropriate method, and this variation example increases the change to the printing setting value of the mobile terminal 300 received in Figure 2 shown in S33. The detailed content of the variation example at this time will be described later.

[0105] Then, in the data processing server 100, in the same as the above Figure 7In S76' corresponding to S76, similar to S76, the amount of the cost for printing and attaching an image data included in a print document to the mail received in the above S41 is calculated based on the print setting value received in S33. Further, similar to the above-described embodiment, this amount is an example of the first amount, and in this modified example, hereinafter, this amount will be appropriately abbreviated as the "first amount". Moreover, in this S76', the amount of the cost in the case of applying a modified example of the print setting value generated in the above S75 during the printing of the above image data is further calculated together. This amount is an example of the second amount, and in this modified example, hereinafter, this amount will be appropriately abbreviated as the "second amount". Further, in this modified example, this S76' is an example of a cost determination step, and the process executed in S76' is an example of a cost determination process.

[0106] After that, in the data processing server 100, the same settlement reservation process as above is executed in S79' corresponding to the above Figure 7 S79. That is, the product ID described above, the authentication information described above, the above first amount and the above second amount calculated in S76', and a confirmation URL for settlement completion confirmation are sent to the transaction server 400. Correspondingly, in the data processing server 100, a payment URL for paying the first amount, a payment URL for paying the second amount, and a transaction ID sent from the transaction server 400 are received. Further, similar to the above-described embodiment, the above payment URL for paying the first amount is an example of the first URL, and in this modified example, hereinafter, this payment URL will be appropriately abbreviated as the "first payment URL". Further, the above payment URL for paying the second amount is an example of the fourth URL, and in this modified example, hereinafter, this payment URL will be appropriately abbreviated as the "fourth payment URL".

[0107] Then, in the data processing server 100, in S81' corresponding to the above Figure 7 S81, similar to the above, a reply mail to the mobile terminal 300 is generated, which records the first amount and the above first payment URL obtained in S79'. At this time, the content of the modified example of the print setting value generated in the above S75, the corresponding above second amount, and the corresponding above fourth payment URL obtained in S79' are recorded in the reply mail together. Further, in this S81', a URL for accessing a portal page for the user to change the print setting value received in S33 related to the above first amount to a desired value is also recorded in the reply mail. This URL is an example of the third URL, and in this modified example, hereinafter, this URL will be appropriately abbreviated as the "third URL".

[0108] After that, similar to the above Figure 7Similarly, in S83, the reply email generated in the above S81' is sent to the mobile terminal 300 as a reply to the email received in S41. In addition, in this modification example, this S83 is also an example of the email reply step, and the process executed in S83 is also an example of the email reply process. Similar to Figure 7 Similarly, the above-mentioned reply email sent is received by the mobile terminal 300 in S85.

[0109] In the corresponding part of the above-described embodiment Figure 8 corresponding Figure 11 shows an example of the email reception screen displayed by the above email software in the mobile terminal 300 when the received reply email is opened.

[0110] In Figure 11 firstly, this email reception screen 710' has the same sent email display column 711 and calculation result display column 712 as the above Figure 8 email reception screen 710. The contents of these sent email display column 711 and calculation result display column 712 are the same as those of the above Figure 8 email reception screen 710, and the description is omitted. In addition, hereinafter, when explaining the description content of the above reply email, the above display columns 711, 712, etc. included in the email reception screen 710' may be appropriately cited and simply referred to as "display columns of the reply email", etc.

[0111] <Case of settlement without changing printing settings>

[0112] In addition, similar to the above Figure 8 email reception screen 710, the email reception screen 710' has a settlement URL display column 713 for displaying the above first payment URL. In this modification example, a user who has confirmed the contents of the sent email display column 711 and the calculation result display column 712 clicks on "https: / / hogehoge.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 713 without changing the printing setting value as described later. After that, S92 after the above S85 in the mobile terminal 300 is determined to be "Yes", and accordingly, a settlement request is sent from the mobile terminal 300 and received by the data processing server 100 (S102). In the data processing server 100, accordingly, settlement re-reservation processing is executed in S99. That is, due to the user's approval of the above first amount, the process is carried out again similar to the above Figure 10In the above processing of S79′, the processing involving the first amount is the same. That is, the product ID described above, the authentication information described above, the above-mentioned first amount calculated in S76′, and the confirmation URL for settlement completion confirmation are sent to the transaction server 400, and the data processing server 100 receives the first payment URL and the transaction ID.

[0113] After the above S99, by outputting the display data of the payment portal page corresponding to the settlement request received in S102 in the data processing server 100, the payment portal page is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 (S103). In the corresponding Figure 9 corresponding Figure 12 of (a) shows an example of this payment portal page in this modification example.

[0114] As Figure 12 shown in (a) of, the content of this payment portal page 720A is the same as the above Figure 9 same. That is, according to the example described above, "180 yen" is displayed in the payment amount display column 721. In the payment details display column 722, "Unit price of one A4 color is 60 yen" is displayed in the unit price display column 722a, "pdf file, 3 pages" is displayed in the file format / page number display column 722b, and "Number of copies 1" is displayed in the number of copies display column 722c. In addition, "3 pages * 1 copy * 60 yen = 180 yen" is displayed in the calculation formula display column 722d. In addition, Figure 9 similarly, there are also an application settlement button 724 and a browser settlement button 725. In this modification example, this payment portal page 720A is an example of a payment page.

[0115] In this case, by the user clicking the application settlement button 724 or the browser settlement button 725, a Figure 13 settlement approval instruction in is formed (S91), and a settlement approval notice is notified from the mobile terminal 300 to the transaction server 400 (S105).

[0116] <Case of changing the printing settings to desired values>

[0117] Return Figure 11, on the other hand, the mail reception screen 710' further includes a printing setting change URL display column 714 on which the above-mentioned third URL is recorded. In this example, the URL is recorded as "https: / / hogehoge.setting.html". When a user who has confirmed the contents of the send mail display column 711 and the calculation result display column 712 wants to change the printing setting value, the user clicks on "https: / / hogehoge.setting.html" in the printing setting change URL display column 714. After that, S92 after the above S85 in the mobile terminal 300 is determined to be "No", and S93 after that is determined to be "Yes". Correspondingly, a setting change portal page acquisition request is sent from the mobile terminal 300 and received by the data processing server 100 (S94). By outputting the display data of the portal page corresponding to the setting change portal page acquisition request from the data processing server 100 to the mobile terminal 300, the setting change portal page is displayed in the mobile terminal 300 (S95).

[0118] In Figure 12 , (b) shows an example of the above-mentioned setting change portal page 850 displayed on the mobile terminal 300. Similar to the Figure 5 described above, in this setting change portal page 850, there are provided a number of copies setting column 851 for inputting the number of copies to be printed again, a paper size setting column 852 for selecting the paper size, and a printing color setting column 853 for selecting the printing color of color or monochrome. In Figure 12 , the example shown in (b) represents the state before the user makes changes. According to the example described above, "1" copy is set in the number of copies setting column 851, the paper size is set to "A4" size in the paper size setting column 852, and "color" is set in the printing color setting column 853. Also, similar to the above, these setting contents in each of the setting columns 851, 852, 853 are examples of printing setting values. In addition, the setting change portal page 850 is an example of a page for changing printing setting values.

[0119] In addition, in this setting change portal page 850, there is provided an amount display column 854 which displays the amount of the fee corresponding to the contents of the above-mentioned setting columns 851, 852, 853. In Figure 12 , the state before the change shown in (b), "180 yen" which was calculated in the above-mentioned S76' is displayed, corresponding to the settings of 1 copy, A4 size, and color.

[0120] In this state, when the user changes the content of at least one of the above setting columns 851, 852, and 853 through an appropriate operation on the mobile terminal 300, a change instruction (S96) for the printing setting value is formed, and a reflection request for the change of the setting value is sent from the mobile terminal 300. The data processing server 100 receives the sent reflection request (S97). In the data processing server 100, after recalculating the printing cost corresponding to the setting value change by the same method as in the above S79' (S98), the display data of the portal page reflecting the setting value change and the cost recalculation result is output to the mobile terminal 300. Thereby, in the mobile terminal 300, a portal page reflecting the change of the printing setting value is displayed (S100).

[0121] In Figure 14 (a) of, for example, when the content of the paper size setting column 852 is changed from Figure 12 the state shown in (b) of to the "A3" size, an example of the portal page 850 for the above setting change is shown. In this case, due to the change of the paper size, the display in the amount display column 854 changes from the previously mentioned "180 yen" to "360 yen".

[0122] In Figure 14 (b) of, for example, when the content of the printing color setting column 853 is changed from Figure 12 the state shown in (b) of to "monochrome", an example of the portal page 850 for the above setting change is shown. In this case, due to the change of the printing color setting, the display in the amount display column 854 changes from the previously mentioned "180 yen" to "90 yen".

[0123] In the above Figure 14 (a) or Figure 14 (b) of, the portal page 850 for setting change reflecting the changed content is provided with a "Proceed to Settlement" button 855. When the user operates the "Proceed to Settlement" button 855, thereby, S101 after the above S100 in the mobile terminal 300 is determined to be "Yes". Correspondingly, similarly to the above, the data processing server 100 receives a settlement request from the mobile terminal 300 (S102), and performs a settlement re-reservation process in S99. After that, in the data processing server 100, the display data of the payment portal page corresponding to the settlement request received in S102 is output to the mobile terminal 300, thereby, a payment portal page is displayed in the mobile terminal 300 (S103). This payment portal page is the same as the content shown in Figure 12 (a) of the above, and finally confirms the payment for the changed printing setting value as described above. Similarly to the above, by the user clicking the application settlement button 724 or the browser settlement button 725, aFigure 13 The settlement approval instruction (S91) in it, and notify the settlement approval notice (S105) from the mobile terminal 300 to the transaction server 400.

[0124] In the case where the "Enter Settlement" button 855 on the setting change portal page 850 is not operated, S101 determines "No", returns to S93, and repeats the processing described above.

[0125] <Record of examples of changes in printing settings>

[0126] Return Figure 11 , the mail reception screen 710' further includes change example display columns 715, 717, and the change example display columns 715, 717 record examples of changes to the above setting values of the printing settings.

[0127] In this example, in the change example display column 715, an example is shown where the paper size among the pre-change contents recorded in the calculation result display column 712, that is, the number of printed copies "1", paper size "A4", and color setting "color", is changed to "B5". In addition, it is shown that with this change, the payment amount of the above fee becomes "150" yen.

[0128] In addition, in the change example display column 717, an example is shown where the color setting is further changed to "monochrome", and it is shown that with this change, the payment amount of the above fee becomes "75" yen.

[0129] And, below each of the change example display columns 715, 717, there are settlement URL display columns 716, 718 respectively recording the above fourth payment URLs. In this example, in the settlement URL display column 716, the URL "https: / / XXXX.payment.html" and the text "Enter settlement with this setting" are recorded as the content of the above fourth payment URL. In the case where a user who has confirmed the content of the change example display column 715 wants to change the setting value to this change example and directly perform settlement, click on "https: / / XXXX.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 716. In addition, in the case where a user who has confirmed the content of the change example display column 717 wants to change the setting value to this change example and directly perform settlement, click on "https: / / YYYY.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 718.

[0130] Through the above click, similarly to the above, S92 after S85 in the mobile terminal 300 is determined to be "Yes", and accordingly, a settlement request is sent from the mobile terminal 300, and the data processing server 100 receives the settlement request (S102). In the data processing server 100, accordingly, settlement re-reservation processing is performed in S99. That is, in this case, due to the user's approval of the above second amount, the same processing as the processing involving the second amount in the above Figure 10 processing of S79' is performed again. That is, the product ID described above, the authentication information described above, the above second amount calculated in S76', and the confirmation URL for settlement completion confirmation are sent to the transaction server 400, and the data processing server 100 receives the fourth payment URL and the transaction ID.

[0131] After the above S99, by outputting, in the data processing server 100, the display data of the payment portal page corresponding to the settlement request received in S102 to the mobile terminal 300, the payment portal page is displayed on the mobile terminal 300 (S103).

[0132] In the case corresponding to the above Figure 12 (a) Figure 15 FIG. (a) shows an example of the payment portal page displayed in S103 when the "https: / / XXXX.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 716 is clicked.

[0133] In Figure 15 In this payment portal page 720B shown in (a) above, according to the content recorded in the change example display column 715, "150 yen" is displayed in the payment amount display column 721. In addition, in the payment details display column 722, "Unit price of one B5 color: 50 yen" is displayed in the unit price display column 722a, "pdf file, 3 pages" is displayed in the file format / page number display column 722b, and "Number of copies: 1" is displayed in the number of copies display column 722c. In addition, "3 pages * 1 copy * 50 yen = 150 yen" is displayed in the calculation formula display column 722d. In addition, similarly to the above, an application settlement button 724 and a browser settlement button 725 are also provided.

[0134] In the case corresponding to the above Figure 12 (a) Figure 15 FIG. (b) shows an example of the payment portal page displayed in S103 when the "https: / / YYYY.payment.html" in the settlement URL display column 718 is clicked.

[0135] In Figure 15In the payment portal page 720C shown in (b) thereof, according to the content recorded in the change example display column 717, "75 yen" is displayed in the payment amount display column 721. In addition, in the payment details display column 722, "Unit price of one B5 single-color sheet: 25 yen" is displayed in the unit price display column 722a, "pdf file, 3 pages" is displayed in the file format / page number display column 722b, and "Number of copies: 1" is displayed in the number of copies display column 722c. In addition, "3 pages * 1 copy * 25 yen = 75 yen" is displayed in the calculation formula display column 722d. In addition, similarly to the above, an application settlement button 724 and a browser settlement button 725 are also provided.

[0136] In addition, the above payment portal pages 720B and 720C are examples of settlement pages.

[0137] In the above Figure 15 payment portal page 720B in (a) and Figure 15 payment portal page 720C in (b), when the user clicks the application settlement button 724 or the browser settlement button 725, similarly to the above, a settlement approval instruction (S91) is formed, and a settlement approval notice (S105) is notified from the mobile terminal 300 to the transaction server 400. Figure 13

[0138] As described above, until Figure 13 S105 in Figure 13 is executed, and then each process after S107 in Figure 7 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, at the time of printing executed in S127, printing is performed based on the set value of the printing setting changed as described above.

[0139] <Effect of the modification example>

[0140] In the present modification example configured as described above, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are also obtained.

[0141] In addition, in addition to the above, in the present modification example, particularly, in the generated reply email, in addition to the first payment website in the settlement website display column 713, the third website for linking setting change for the portal page 850 is also recorded in the printing setting change website display column 714. Thus, by recording the first payment website and the third website together, when the user does not need to change while maintaining the current printing set value, the user can enter the settlement process by accessing the first payment website, and if the user wants to change the printing set value, the user can access the third website. That is, by a single touch operation on the first payment website or the third website in the mail reception screen 710' displayed by opening the reply email on the mobile terminal 300, either one can be simply selected. As a result, the convenience for the user can be reliably improved.​

[0142] In addition, in this modification example, particularly in the reply email, modification examples of at least one printing setting value are described in the modification example display columns 715 and 717. Thus, when the user wants to make a more or less setting change from the current printing setting value, the user can refer to this modification example to consider the change method.

[0143] In addition, in this modification example, particularly in the above-mentioned modification example display columns 715 and 717 of the reply email, together with the modification example of the above-mentioned printing setting value, the above-mentioned second amount of the fee charged when printing with this example is also described. Thus, the user can refer to this amount together to consider the change method of the printing setting value.

[0144] In addition, in this modification example, particularly in the settlement website display columns 716 and 718 of the reply email, together with the second amount of the fee related to the modification example of the above-mentioned printing setting value, the fourth website of the settlement page when settling with this amount is also described. Thus, when the user wants to change the printing setting value to this modification example and directly settle the account, by a single touch operation on this fourth website when the status of the second email is displayed on the external device, the user can simply perform the change of the printing setting value of this modification example and the corresponding fee settlement. As a result, the convenience for the user can be further reliably improved.

[0145] In addition, in this modification example, particularly, the above-mentioned first payment website, third website, and fourth payment website are not described in the email subject or recipient of the reply email, but are described in the email body. Thus, when the user receives and displays the reply email on the mobile terminal 300 and reads the content of the email body, by a single touch operation on each of the above-mentioned websites described in this email body, the user can easily access each web page represented by these websites (S95, S103).

[0146] (2) Others

[0147] That is, in the above, the example of calculating the fee related to printing by "calculation" using the above-mentioned calculation formula has been described, but the method of determining the fee is not limited to this. That is, in the above-mentioned fee table, for example, the fee amount can also be separately corresponded to multiple division ranges of various parameters including the number of pages of the paper for printing and printing setting values such as the above-mentioned number of printed copies, paper size setting, and printing color setting. In addition, it can also be that, referring to this table, the fee is determined without performing special operations.

[0148] For example, as an example of the above number of pages, in a table, it is recorded that, for example, when the number of printed pages is from 〇 pages to △ pages, it is ×× yen, and when the number of printed pages is from △ pages to □ pages, it is ×× yen,.... Then, after obtaining the number of pages in the print data of the print document, by referring to this table, the cost can be directly determined without performing calculations according to the calculations described above.

[0149] In addition, the above example has described the case where the present invention is applied to the multi-function peripheral 200 for printing in an inkjet manner, but it is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the multi-function peripheral 200 performs printing in a laser manner, and the same effects as described above can be obtained. Furthermore, it is not limited to the inkjet method and the laser method, and the present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus that performs printing in other known methods such as a thermal transfer method.

[0150] In addition, in the above text, Figure 2 , Figure 7 , Figure 10 , Figure 13 etc., the sequential flows shown do not limit the present invention to the steps shown in this process, and steps can also be added, deleted, or the order can be changed, etc. within the scope of not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention.

[0151] In addition, in addition to the above-described content, the methods based on the above-described embodiments and each modification example can also be appropriately combined and utilized.

[0152] In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within the scope of not departing from its gist.

[0153] Symbol Description

[0154] 1 Printing system

[0155] 100 Data processing server (an example of an information processing device)

[0156] 110 Processor (an example of a control unit and a second control unit)

[0157] 190 Interface (an example of a communication I / F)

[0158] 200 Multi-function peripheral (an example of a printing device)

[0159] 210 Processor (an example of a first control unit)

[0160] 300 Mobile terminal (an example of an external device)

[0161] 720 Payment portal page (an example of a payment page)

[0162] 720A Payment portal page (an example of a payment page)

[0163] 720B Payment portal page (an example of a settlement page)

[0164] 720C Payment portal page (an example of a settlement page)

[0165] 850 Portal page for setting change (an example of a page for changing print setting values)

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus having a communication I / F and a control unit capable of communicating with a printing apparatus that forms an image on a printed medium via a network, wherein, the control unit executes the following processes: A mail reception process of receiving a first e-mail from an external apparatus, the first e-mail being attached with a printing document and having the mailbox address for the printing apparatus assigned thereto as the recipient; A cost determination process of determining a cost to be charged when forming an image based on the printing document attached to the first e-mail on the printed medium; A mail generation process of generating a second e-mail that describes a first amount of the cost determined in the cost determination process and a first web address of a payment page for paying the first amount; A mail reply process of sending the second e-mail generated in the mail generation process as a reply to the first e-mail to the external apparatus; and An information transmission process of transmitting, after settlement is made in the first amount by a user accessing the first web address described in the second e-mail, printing data based on the printing document or storage destination information of the printing data to the printing apparatus via the communication I / F.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the mail reception process, the first e-mail is received, the first e-mail including printing setting values obtained by a user accessing a second web address of a printing setting page to perform printing setting of the printing document, and in the cost determination process, the cost is determined based on the printing document and the printing setting values.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the mail generation process, the second e-mail is generated, the second e-mail further describing a third web address of a printing setting value change page that can change the printing setting values of the printing document in the printing apparatus.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in the mail generation process, the second e-mail is generated, the second e-mail further describing at least one change example of the printing setting values of the printing document in the printing apparatus.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, in the mail generation process, the second e-mail is generated, the second e-mail further describing a second amount of the cost to be charged when forming the image on the printed medium based on the change example of the printing setting values.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, in the mail generation process, the second e-mail is generated, the second e-mail further describing a fourth web address of a settlement page for settling in the second amount.

7. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, the control unit further executes: Email address allocation processing, allocating a mailbox address for the printing device according to a mailbox address request received from the printing device.

8. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, the first website, or the third website, or the fourth website is recorded in the body of the corresponding second email.

9. A printing system, characterized in that, comprises: a printing device having a printing unit and a first control unit, the printing unit forming an image on a printing medium; and a data processing server having a communication I / F and a second control unit, the communication I / F being capable of communicating with the printing device via a network, the second control unit performing the following processing: mail receiving processing, receiving a first email from an external device, the first email being attached with a printing file and using the mailbox address for the printing device allocated to the printing device as the recipient; fee determination processing, determining a fee to be charged when forming an image based on the printing file attached to the first email on the printing medium; mail generation processing, generating a second email, the second email recording a first amount of the fee determined in the fee determination processing and a first website of a payment page for paying the first amount; mail reply processing, sending the second email generated in the mail generation processing as a reply to the first email to the external device; and information sending processing, after settlement is made in the first amount by a user accessing the first website recorded in the second email, sending printing data based on the printing file or storage destination information of the printing data via the communication I / F to the printing device, the first control unit performing the following processing: data acquisition processing, acquiring the printing data sent in the information sending processing, or acquiring the printing data from a storage destination that can be accessed through the storage destination information sent in the information sending processing; and printing processing, forming the image corresponding to the printing data acquired in the data acquisition processing on the printing medium by the printing unit.

10. The printing system according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the mail receiving processing, receiving the first email, the first email including printing setting values for printing setting of the printing file by a user accessing a second website of a printing setting page, in the printing processing, forming the image based on the printing setting values set by accessing the second website.

11. The printing system according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the mail generation processing, generating the second email, the second email further recording a third website of a printing setting value change page that can change the printing setting values of the printing file in the printing device, in the printing processing, Form the image based on the print setting value changed by accessing the third website address.

12. An information processing method, which is executed by an information processing device. The information processing device has a communication I / F and a control unit capable of communicating with a printing device that forms an image on a print medium via a network. It is characterized in that it has: A mail receiving step of receiving a first email from an external device. The first email is attached with a print file and uses the mailbox address for the printing device assigned to the printing device as the recipient. A fee determination step of determining the fee to be charged when forming an image based on the print file attached to the first email on the print medium. A mail generation step of generating a second email that records the first amount of the fee determined in the fee determination step and the first website address of the payment page for paying the first amount. A mail reply step of sending the second email generated in the mail generation step as a reply to the first email to the external device. And An information sending step of, after settlement is made in the first amount by a user accessing the first website address recorded in the second email, sending the print data based on the print file or the storage destination information of the print data to the printing device via the communication I / F.

Images