Information distribution server and information distribution printing system

Abstract

After winning the bid, print the advertisement as soon as possible. [Solution] An advertising server 100 receives advertising images managed by an advertising management server 500 and distributes them to a printer 200. The control unit 110 sends a bidding request for advertising images to the advertising management server 500 in S5, determines the winning advertising image from among the advertising images received from the advertising management server 500 in S8 in response to the bidding request, acquires the determined advertising image in S20B, distributes print distribution information based on the acquired advertising image to the printer 200 in S30, and sends a preparation processing instruction to the printer 200 in S2, which instructs the printer 200 to perform preparation processing that is performed in advance of the start of printing of the print distribution information in the printer 200, and when the processing is performed, the time from when the print distribution information is distributed to the printer 200 until printing is completed is shorter than when the processing is not performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a distribution information providing server and an information distribution printing system that distribute distribution information to a printing device of a distribution destination for printing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 for example, a bid for an advertisement attached to an image of a printed matter printed by a printing device is solicited, a target advertisement is determined based on bid results from a plurality of advertisers, and charging corresponding to the bid amount of the advertisement is executed. A technique is known.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique disclosed in the above-cited Document 1, for example, after bidding, it takes a certain amount of time until the advertisement that has won the bid is actually printed by the printing device. In this case, there is a risk that the advertiser of the advertisement may have a reduced or lost opportunity to obtain the effect of the advertisement.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a distribution information providing server and an information distribution printing system that can print an advertisement as soon as possible after winning the bid in response to a bid solicitation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a distribution information providing server comprising a control unit that receives distribution information managed by a distribution information management server and distributes it to a printing device, wherein the control unit is configured to perform: a request transmission process that transmits a request for bidding on distribution information to the distribution information management server; an information determination process that determines specific distribution information to be awarded among the distribution information received from the distribution information management server in response to the request for bidding transmitted in the request transmission process; a specific distribution information acquisition process that acquires the specific distribution information determined in the information determination process; a distribution process that distributes print-ready distribution information based on the specific distribution information acquired in the specific distribution information acquisition process to the printing device; and a preparation instruction transmission process that transmits a preparation instruction to the printing device before the distribution of the print-ready distribution information in the distribution process, wherein if the preparation instruction is performed, the time from when the print-ready distribution information is distributed to the printing device until the printing of the print-ready distribution information is completed is shorter than when the preparation instruction is not performed.

[0007] In the present invention, the control unit performs a request transmission process, an information determination process, a specific distribution information acquisition process, and a distribution process. In the request transmission process, a request for bidding on distribution information is sent to the distribution information management server. In the information determination process, the specific distribution information to be awarded is determined from the distribution information received from the distribution information management server. In the specific distribution information acquisition process, the specific distribution information determined in the information determination process is acquired. In the distribution process, the print-ready distribution information based on the specific distribution information acquired in the specific distribution information acquisition process is distributed to the printing device. In a printing device, preparatory processing is performed before the start of printing of print-ready distribution information. Preparatory processing is defined as a process that, when performed in a printing device, shortens the time from when the print-ready distribution information is distributed to the printing device until the printing of that information is completed, compared to when preparatory processing is not performed.

[0008] In the present invention, the control unit sends a preparation instruction to the printing device in the preparation instruction transmission process, prior to the distribution of print distribution information in the distribution process. When the printing device receives the preparation instruction and starts executing the preparation process, the preparation process can be completed in advance by the time the print distribution information is distributed from the control unit of the distribution information provision server. As a result of the above, according to the present invention, after the advertiser has won the bid, the advertisement related to that bid can be printed as soon as possible. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to print advertisements as quickly as possible after winning a bid in response to a public tender. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information distribution and printing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This sequence flow illustrates an example of a processing flow executed through the collaboration of an advertising server, an advertising management server, terminal devices, and a printer. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting ad delivery times for each user. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a printer when a laser printer is used. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the preparation process in a laser printer. [Figure 6] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of a printer when an inkjet printer is used. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the preparation process in an inkjet printer. [Figure 8] This sequence flow shows an example of a processing flow executed collaboratively by an advertising server, advertising management server, terminal device, and printer in a modified case where the printer performs preparation processing on its own at a predetermined time. [Figure 9] This sequence flow illustrates an example of the processing flow executed collaboratively by the ad provider server, ad management server, terminal device, and printer in a modified case where preparation processing instructions are sent after the successful bid for an ad is decided and before the hold notification is issued. [Figure 10] This sequence flow shows an example of the processing flow executed collaboratively by the ad provider server, ad management server, terminal device, and printer in a modified version where a preparation processing instruction is sent when an image of a successful bid ad is acquired. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to an information distribution and printing system that distributes advertising information from a server to a printer for printing.

[0012] <Overall Configuration of the Information Distribution and Printing System> Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the information distribution and printing system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the information distribution and printing system 1 includes an advertising server (SSP: Supply Side Platform) 100, a printer 200, a terminal device 300, a user management server (DMP: Data Management Platform) 400, and an advertising management server (DSP: Demand Side Platform) 500. Servers 100, 400, 500, printer 200, and terminal device 300 are each equipped with a communication unit and can communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT includes at least one of the following: the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication unit may be configured to include multiple types of communication circuits for connecting to the network NT. In this case, devices connected to the network NT may communicate with multiple other devices using different communication circuits. In this embodiment, the collective term for multiple types of communication circuits is referred to as the communication unit.

[0013] <Terminal device> The terminal device 300 is a portable terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and in this example, it is connected to the network NT via wireless communication. The terminal device 300 may be any appropriate predetermined terminal other than the printer 200, and in addition to a smartphone, for example, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, etc. may also be used. Alternatively, the terminal device 300 may be a portable terminal, a stationary terminal, etc. provided for song selection, menu selection, product browsing, etc. in a karaoke box, various stores, etc. The terminal device 300 has a display unit, a control unit, an operation unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. not shown in the figure. Various programs are stored in the storage unit. The control unit executes various programs stored in the storage unit. The various programs include a program for executing the processes shown in the flow of FIG. 2 described later. The user can input various instructions to the terminal device 300 by operating the operation unit.

[0014] <User management server> The user management server 400 manages the information of the user via the terminal device 300. The user management server 400 has a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. not shown in the figure.

[0015] <Advertising server> The advertising server 100 is, for example, a server installed and managed by the manufacturer of the printer 200. The advertising server 100 receives an advertising image from the advertising management server 500 at a predetermined timing. The advertising server 100 distributes the acquired advertising image to the printer 200 to cause printing to be performed. The advertising server 100 is an example of a distribution information providing server, and the advertising image is an example of distribution information.

[0016] Specifically, the advertisement providing server 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 115, a communication unit 140, etc. The control unit 110, the storage unit 115, the communication unit 140, etc. are connected via a bus 105 so as to be able to transmit and receive information. The storage unit 115 is constituted by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a HDD, etc. Various programs 120 and various data 130 are stored in the storage unit 115. The various programs 120 include an information distribution program that executes the control content of the advertisement providing server 100 shown by the flow of FIG. 2 described later, and the various data 130 include a printer ID of the printer 200, a user ID, an advertisement image, etc. Further, in the present embodiment, the various data 130 also include a scheduled distribution time described later.

[0017] The control unit 110 is a device that performs data processing, and is a processor such as a CPU, for example. The control unit 110 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 115. The control unit 110 performs various processes including data communication with the printer 200, the terminal device 300, the user management server 400, and the advertisement management server 500 connected to the network NT. The communication unit 140 includes hardware such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to Ethernet, is connected to the network NT, and communicates with the printer 200, the terminal device 300, the user management server 400, and the advertisement management server 500.

[0018] <Advertisement Management Server> The advertising management server 500 transmits advertising images for printing on the printer 200 to the advertising provision server 100. The advertising management server 500 has a control unit (not shown), a storage unit, a communication unit, etc., and in this example, it receives bid requests from the advertising provision server 100 via the communication unit. Multiple advertiser terminal devices or servers (not shown) are connected to the network NT, and the control unit of the advertising management server 500 executes an auction corresponding to the bid request for advertising images submitted by these advertisers and acquires a suitable advertising image by bidding on the auction. When a successful bid that meets the predetermined conditions of the auction is made, the control unit of the advertising management server 500 acquires the corresponding advertising image from the terminal device, etc., of the successful bidder advertiser. The acquired advertising image is transmitted from the advertising management server 500 to the advertising provision server 100 via the communication unit, and the receiving advertising provision server 100 further transmits it to the printer 200 for printing. Alternatively, the ad provider server 100 may obtain the ad images from the ad management server 500, or the ad management server 500 may obtain ad images from another external server and send them to the ad provider server 100. The ad management server 500 is an example of a distribution information management server.

[0019] The servers 100, 400, and 500 described above may each consist of a single standalone "server," or each may be composed of multiple servers. Alternatively, at least two of the functions of these servers 100, 400, and 500 may be provided by a single standalone "server."

[0020] <Printer> The printer 200 is assigned the aforementioned printer ID. The printer 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 260, a printing unit 270, and the like. The control unit 210, storage unit 215, display unit 240, operation unit 250, communication unit 260, and printing unit 270 are connected via a bus 205 to enable information transmission and reception. The printer 200 is an example of a printing device.

[0021] The storage unit 215 is composed of, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, etc. The storage unit 215 stores various programs 220 and various data 230. The various programs 220 include, for example, a program that executes the control contents of the printer 200 according to the flow shown in Figure 2 below. The various data 230 include the aforementioned printer ID and advertising images received from the advertising server 100, which are acquired from the terminal device of the successful bidder among the advertisers and transmitted from the advertising server 100. At least a portion of the above various data may be stored in the storage unit 115 of the advertising server 100. Alternatively, at least a portion of the original data may be stored in either the storage unit 215 of the printer 200 or the storage unit 115 of the advertising server 100, and a copy of that original data may be stored in the other of the two.

[0022] The control unit 210 is a data processing device, such as a processor like a CPU. The control unit 210 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 215. The display unit 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, capable of displaying various information. The operation unit 250 is, for example, a keyboard or buttons, and accepts user input. The user can input various instructions to the printer 200 by operating the operation unit 250. The communication unit 260 is connected to the network NT and can communicate with the advertising server 100, advertising management server 500, user management server 400, and terminal device 300. The printing unit 270 includes a printing engine and, while transporting the printing paper from the paper tray using a transport mechanism, forms and prints an image on the printing paper using a laser method in this example (see Figures 4 and 5 below). The printing paper is an example of a sheet. Note that an inkjet printing engine may also be used (see Figure 6 below).

[0023] <Features of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, an auction is held for the advertisement to solicit bids, and if a successful bid is made by an advertiser who meets the conditions, the winning advertisement image is delivered to the printer 200 and the advertisement is printed. However, the printer 200 usually needs to perform predetermined preparation processes internally (details described later) before actually starting the printing operation, so for example, there may be a certain amount of time between the time of bidding and the time when the winning advertisement is actually printed by the printer 200. In that case, the advertiser of the advertisement may lose or miss out on the opportunity to obtain the effects of the advertisement.

[0024] The key feature of this embodiment is to address the above-mentioned inconveniences and avoid disadvantages for the successful bidder by enabling them to print the advertisement as quickly as possible after winning the bid in response to the bidding request. The details of this process will be explained below with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a sequence flow representing the control performed through the cooperation of the advertisement provision server 100, the advertisement management server 500, the printer 200, and the terminal device 300.

[0025] In Figure 2, first, in S1, it is determined whether a predetermined time has arrived before the sending of the bid request in S5, which will be described later. In this example, one example of a predetermined time before sending the bid request is whether it is X minutes before the scheduled delivery time of the advertisement. In other words, for example, in this embodiment, the user can set an advertising delivery schedule for themselves on a setting screen displayed on the display unit through appropriate operations on the terminal device 300. The results of the advertising delivery time settings for all users using the printer 200 are stored in the storage unit 115 of the advertising server 100 as a correlation associated with the user ID. An example of a correlation between each user ID and the advertising delivery time is shown in Figure 3.

[0026] In Figure 3, the illustrated example shows that for user ID "A11", the ad delivery time is associated with 9:00 every Monday and Thursday. For user ID "B22", the ad delivery time is associated with 12:00 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Based on this correlation, S1 determines whether the current time is X minutes before either user's ad delivery time. X is an appropriate positive value, for example, X=1. Alternatively, the value of X may be set variably for each printer 200 model by the control unit 110 of the ad provision server 100. In this case, this process executed by the control unit 110 is an example of a period setting process.

[0027] Returning to Figure 2, when it is X minutes before the scheduled delivery time, S1 is determined to be Yes, and the process moves to S2. In S2, a preparation instruction is sent to the printer 200 instructing it to perform the preparation process, and the printer 200 receives it. The preparation instruction is an example of a preparation instruction, and the process performed in S2 is an example of a preparation instruction transmission process. Upon receiving the preparation instruction, the printer 200 performs the preparation process in S50.

[0028] <Preparation Process> In this embodiment, the above-mentioned preparation process is a process performed in the printer 200 prior to the distribution of the print distribution image in S30 described later, in order to start printing the print distribution image. When the process is executed, the time from when the print distribution image is distributed to the printer 200 until the printing of the print distribution information is completed is shorter than when the process is not executed. Alternatively, for example, it is a process that takes a time longer than a predetermined threshold period to complete. The threshold period is, for example, 0.1 seconds. In other words, information transmission and reception processes between the printer 200 and other devices are not included in the preparation process, regardless of the content of the information. Specific examples of the preparation process will be explained below with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0029] <Preparation process for laser printers> First, the preparation process for printer 200 being a so-called laser printer will be explained using Figures 4 and 5. Hereafter, printer 200, which is a laser printer, will be referred to as "printer 200L" as appropriate.

[0030] <Overall printer configuration> Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the overall structure of the printer 200L. In Figure 4, the printer 200L comprises a paper feeding unit 203, an image forming unit 205 which constitutes the printing unit 270 shown in Figure 1, and a device body 202 which has an output tray 223.

[0031] The paper feeding unit 203 includes a sheet cassette (not shown), a transport roller 234, and a registration roller 235. The printing paper P (see Figure 5, described later) stored in the sheet cassette is fed out one sheet at a time by the paper feeding roller (not shown) and transported toward the image forming unit 205 by the transport roller 234 and the registration roller 235.

[0032] The image forming unit 205 includes a plurality of photoreceptor drums 251 and developing rollers (not shown) arranged in the front-to-back direction. In this example, there are a total of four photoreceptor drums 251, one for each of the black, yellow, magenta, and cyan colors. The image forming unit 205 also includes a scanner unit 252 and a fuser unit 206. Laser light based on the print data is output from the scanner unit 252, passing through polygon mirrors, lenses, reflectors, etc., and is irradiated onto the surface of each color-corresponding photoreceptor drum 251 at high speed. The fixing unit 206 is located further downstream than the photoreceptor drum 251, which is the furthest downstream in the transport direction of the printing paper P.

[0033] A transfer belt 241 is positioned below the image forming unit 205. The transfer belt 241 is stretched between the drive roller 241a and the driven roller 241b. Transfer rollers (not shown) are positioned opposite each photoreceptor drum 251, with the transfer belt 241 in between.

[0034] <Basic printer operation> In the printer 200L with the above configuration, in the image forming unit 205, the photoreceptor drums 251, uniformly charged by a charger (not shown), are selectively exposed by the scanner unit 252. This exposure selectively removes charge from the surface of the photoreceptor drums 251, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drums 251. At this time, a development bias is applied to the developing roller, and when the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drums 251 faces the developing roller, toner is supplied from the developing roller to the electrostatic latent image due to the potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing roller. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drums 251.

[0035] When the printing paper P, which has been transported toward the image forming unit 205, is transported onto the transfer belt 241, it sequentially passes between the transfer belt 241 and each photoreceptor drum 251. Then, when the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 251 faces the printing paper P, it is transferred to the printing paper P by a transfer bias applied to the transfer roller. The printing paper P on which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fuser unit 206. The fuser unit 206 includes a heating roller (not shown) for heating the printing paper P and a pressure roller (not shown) positioned opposite the heating roller. The toner image on the printing paper P transported to the fuser unit 206 is heat-fixed as it passes between the heating roller and the pressure roller, which are pressed against each other.

[0036] The printing paper P on which the toner image has been heat-fixed is transported downstream of the image forming unit 205 by the transport unit 207. The transport unit 207 has a transport path S1, an discharge path S2, and a re-transport path S3. Transport path S1 is the path through which the printing paper P transported from the image forming unit 205 is transported. Discharge path S2 is a path that branches off from transport path S1 and transports the printing paper P to the discharge tray 223. Re-transport path S3 has a first path S31 that branches off from transport path S1 and temporarily transports the printing paper P, and a second path S33 that branches off from discharge path S2 and the first path S31 and transports the printing paper P to the image forming unit 205.

[0037] <Details of preparation process> In the above configuration and basic operation of the printer 200L, the following are examples of preparatory processes that should be performed in advance of starting printing. A process to raise and stabilize the temperature in the heating section of the fixing unit 206 to a predetermined fixing temperature. Note that the heating section is an example of a heating section. A process to increase and stabilize the rotational speed of the motor that rotates the polygon mirror of the scanner unit 252 to a predetermined rotational speed. This process may also include stabilizing the rotational speed of motors used for rotation other than the polygon mirror. A motor is an example of a rotating part. This process involves raising and stabilizing the potential of the photoreceptor drum 251 when it is charged by a charger to a predetermined potential. The charger is an example of a voltage application unit. A transport position stabilization process is performed in which the transport roller 234 and registration roller 235 transport the printing paper P, which has been removed from the sheet cassette as shown in Figure 5(a), to just before the image forming unit 205 as shown in Figure 5(b). Note that the transport roller 234 and registration roller 235 are examples of transport units.

[0038] The aforementioned preparation instructions are instructions to perform at least one of the stabilization procedures described above for each part, and are an example of stabilization instructions.

[0039] <Preparation process for inkjet printers> Next, we will explain the preparation process for the case where printer 200 is a so-called inkjet printer, using Figure 6. Hereafter, printer 200, which is an inkjet printer, will be referred to as "printer 200I" as appropriate.

[0040] <Overall printer configuration> Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view illustrating the overall structure of printer 200I. In Figure 6, printer 200I includes a carriage 302, an inkjet head 303, a platen 304, transport rollers 305 and 306, a flushing foam 307, a purging unit 308, and the like. The carriage 302 and the inkjet head 303 constitute the printing unit 270 shown in Figure 1, which is an example of the image forming unit in this example.

[0041] The carriage 302 is connected to the carriage motor via a belt (not shown), and moves in the scanning direction when the carriage motor is driven. The inkjet head 303 is mounted on the carriage 302. The inkjet head 303 includes a flow path unit 313 and an actuator 314.

[0042] The flow path unit 313 has an ink flow path formed therein, which includes multiple nozzles 310. For example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected from the multiple nozzles 310.

[0043] The actuator 314, for example, has multiple electrodes, and by supplying a drive pulse signal to each electrode from the control unit 210, it has the function of individually supplying ejection energy to the ink in each nozzle 310.

[0044] The inkjet head 303 is connected to four tubes 331. Black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks stored in four ink cartridges 332 are supplied to the inkjet head 303 via the tubes 331.

[0045] The flushing foam 307 is made of a material that can absorb ink, such as a sponge. Accordingly, the printer 200I can move the carriage 302 to a flushing position where the nozzle surface faces the flushing foam 307, under the control of the control unit 210 described later. At the flushing position, the control unit 210 drives the actuator 314 to eject ink from multiple nozzles 310, thereby performing flushing to discharge the thickened ink inside the nozzles 310.

[0046] The purging unit 308 includes a cap 321, a switching unit 322, a suction pump 323, and a waste liquid tank 324. In the printer 200I, the carriage 302 can be moved to a maintenance position where the nozzle surface faces the cap 321. When the carriage 302 is in the maintenance position, multiple nozzles 310 face the cap 321. The cap 321 can also be raised and lowered by a cap lifting device (not shown). When the cap 321 is raised while the carriage 302 is in the maintenance position, the cap 321 comes into close contact with the nozzle surface, resulting in a so-called "capping state" where multiple nozzles 310 are covered by the cap 321. In printer 200I, in the capping state described above, the control unit 210 controls the switching unit 322 to connect the cap 321 and the suction pump 323, and drives the suction pump 323. This enables suction purging, which discharges ink from the flow path unit 313 through multiple nozzles 310 to the waste liquid tank 324.

[0047] <Basic printer operation> With the above configuration, the printer 200I prints on the printing paper P by transporting the paper P a predetermined distance using the transport rollers 305 and 306, while moving the carriage 302 in the scanning direction and ejecting ink from multiple nozzles 310 of the inkjet head 303.

[0048] <Details of preparation process> In the printer 200I, which has the above configuration and basic operation, the following processes can be listed as preparatory processes that should be performed in advance of starting printing, for example, in order to stabilize the print quality by the carriage 302 and the inkjet head 303. The suction purging process described above is performed by the purging unit 308. A process that performs the above flushing using flushing form 307. The process of removing cap 321 from the capped state described above. The process involves driving the transport rollers 305, 306 and the carriage 302 to pre-position the printing start position LI1 of the printing paper P shown in Figure 7(a) to the immediate vicinity of the nozzle 310 of the carriage 302, as shown in Figure 7(b). Calibration process for the ink ejection state at nozzle 310.

[0049] The aforementioned preparation instructions are instructions to stabilize print quality by performing at least one of the processes described above, and are an example of stabilization instructions.

[0050] Returning to Figure 2, after the printer 200 completes the preparation process in S50 as described above, in S55, an execution completion notification indicating that the preparation process is complete is sent to the advertising server 100. The process executed by the control unit 210 in S55 is an example of the notification transmission process. In S4, the advertising server 100 receives and acquires the completion notification sent from the printer 200. The process executed by the control unit 110 in S2 is an example of the notification acquisition process.

[0051] Subsequently, in S5, a bid request is sent from the ad provider server 100 to the printer 200, and then to the ad management server 500. The bid request includes a minimum bid price. The minimum bid price is uniquely determined in advance, for example, when soliciting bids for ad images, and is stored in the storage unit 115. In S5, the minimum bid price is determined based on the contents of the storage unit 115, and a bid request including this price is sent to the ad management server 500. This process performed in S5 is an example of a request transmission process.

[0052] In response to the submitted bidding request, the ad management server 500 conducts an auction for suitable ads and solicits bids. At that time, the bidding request requires ad images that meet predetermined conditions, including having a bid price equal to or higher than the minimum bid price.

[0053] In S7, the bidding results from the auction conducted in response to the bidding request sent in S5 are received from the ad management server 500. The received content includes the ad image submitted by any bidder that meets the specified conditions requested in the bidding request. If no bids meet the specified conditions requested in the bidding request, that fact is included in the received content.

[0054] In S8, based on the information received in S7, it is determined whether there are any bids that meet the winning bid conditions. If there are bids that meet the winning bid conditions, the advertisement is determined to be the winning bidder. Winning bid conditions include, for example, having the highest bid price. In addition, meeting the specified conditions requested in the bid request may also be considered winning bid conditions. An advertisement that is the winning bidder is an example of specific distribution information, and the processing performed in S8 is an example of information determination processing.

[0055] In S10, a "hold notification" is sent to the ad management server 500 to inform advertisers who have submitted bids that meet the bidding conditions, i.e., the successful bidders, that their bids have been accepted and will be stored without being deleted. This hold notification is then forwarded by the ad management server 500 to the successful bidder's terminal device, etc. If there are multiple bids that meet the bidding conditions, multiple hold notifications may be sent.

[0056] In S15, a "defeat notification" is sent to the advertising management server 500 to inform advertisers who have submitted bids that do not meet the bidding conditions, i.e., non-winning bidders, that their bids will not be accepted because there is another winning bidder. The advertising management server 500 then forwards this defeat notification to the terminal device of the non-winning bidder. If there are multiple bids that do not meet the bidding conditions, multiple defeat notifications may be sent.

[0057] In S17, an ad image request is sent to the ad management server 500 requesting the ad image of the successful bidder for whom a hold notification was sent in S10. If there are multiple successful bidders, multiple ad images may be requested. In response to the above ad image request, in S20A, the ad management server 500 sends the ad image from the successful bidder for each slot. In response to this, in S20B, the ad provision server 100 receives and acquires the above ad images sent from the ad management server 500. The acquired ad images are stored, for example, in the storage unit 115. The process executed in S20B is an example of a specific distribution information acquisition process.

[0058] In S30, a print-ready distribution image is created, containing information including the advertising image received from the advertising management server 500 in S20B. The print-ready distribution image is an example of print-ready distribution information. The print-ready distribution image may be the same advertisement image obtained through bidding, or it may have appropriate information added to it. Alternatively, instead of the advertisement provider server 100 creating the print-ready distribution image, the advertisement management server 500 may create the print-ready distribution image, the advertisement provider server 100 may obtain this print-ready distribution image, and send it to the printer 200 along with the print instruction. Alternatively, instead of creating the print-ready distribution image in S30, print data for printing the print-ready distribution image may be created using various page description languages. The print instruction, including the created print-ready distribution image, is distributed to the printer 200 in S30. The process executed in S30 is an example of the distribution process.

[0059] In S35, the print instruction transmitted in S30 is received by the printer 200 and stored in the storage unit 215. Subsequently, the print unit 270 prints the print distribution image included in the print instruction. In S30, the advertising server 100 may distribute the print-ready distribution image to the printer 200 via another relay device. Alternatively, instead of distributing the print-ready distribution image to the printer 200, the server may send the printer 200 a page description language for printing the print-ready distribution image or a link to the distribution image. If a link to the print-ready distribution image is sent, the printer 200 accesses the link to obtain the print-ready distribution image, and the printing unit 270 performs printing on the printing paper P. The process performed by the printer 200 in S35 is an example of the printing process. After that, the processing according to this sequence flow ends.

[0060] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, in S5 executed by the control unit 110, a bidding request for an advertising image is sent to the advertising management server 500. In S8, the advertising image to be successfully bid on is determined from among the advertising images received from the advertising management server 500. In S20B, the advertising image determined in S8 is acquired. In S30, a printable distribution image based on the advertising image acquired in S20B is distributed to the printer 200. At this time, the printer 200 performs preparatory processing in advance to begin printing the print-ready image. This preparatory processing takes a certain amount of time to complete once it is started in the printer 200. In this embodiment, the control unit 110 sends a preparation processing instruction to the printer 200 in S2, instructing it to execute the preparation process, before the bid request is sent in S5, and in this example, when a predetermined time has arrived. When the printer 200 receives the preparation processing instruction and starts executing the preparation process in S50, the preparation process can be completed in advance by the time the print-ready distribution image is distributed from the control unit 110 of the advertising provision server 100 in S30. As a result of the above, according to this embodiment, after the advertiser has won the bid, the advertisement related to that bid can be printed as soon as possible.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in particular, a stabilization instruction is sent to the printer 200 as a preparation instruction in S2. In the printer 200L that has received a stabilization instruction, the preparation process in S50 can stabilize the temperature by, for example, starting heating in the heating section such as the heating roller of the fuser unit 206; stabilizing the rotation speed by starting rotation in the rotating section such as the motor of the polygon mirror; stabilizing the potential by starting the application of voltage by the voltage application section such as the charger that charges the photoreceptor drum 251; and stabilizing the transport position by performing so-called pre-feeding, in which the printing paper P is taken out of the sheet cassette by the transport section such as the registration roller 235 and transported to just before the image forming section 205. Alternatively, in the printer 200I that has received a stabilization instruction, the preparation process in S50 can be initiated by, for example, suction purging, flushing, removal of the caps from the nozzles 310, positioning the carriage 302 to the nozzles 310 at the print start position LI1 of the print paper P, and appropriate calibration, thereby stabilizing the print quality.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predetermined time determined in S1 is predetermined. In S2, executed by the control unit 110, a preparation processing instruction is sent to the printer 200 at the timing when that predetermined time arrives before the bid request is sent. According to this embodiment, since the preparation processing is started in advance at the predetermined time before the request transmission processing in the printer 200, the preparation processing can be completed by the time the print-ready distribution image is distributed. The value of X may be sent from the ad provider server 100 to the printer 200, or it may be stored independently by the printer 200 (without being sent by the ad provider server 100). Furthermore, if the value of X is changed for each model of printer 200, fine-tuned settings can be made to match the preparation time required for each model, allowing for faster printing of advertisements related to successful bids.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, when the preparation process is completed in the printer 200, an execution completion notification is sent to the advertising server 100 in S55 and acquired by the control unit 110. According to this embodiment, the control unit 110 can identify that the preparation process has been completed before the print-ready image is distributed.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, when the preparation process is completed in the printer 200, an execution completion notification is sent to the advertisement provision server 100 in S55. According to this embodiment, the advertising server 100 can identify that the preparation process has been completed before the print-ready distribution image is distributed in S30.

[0065] However, the above is not limited to the above, and the printer 200 may not send a completion notification, and the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 may choose not to receive any completion notifications from the printer 200. In that case, the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 may consider the preparation process to be complete after a predetermined period has elapsed following the transmission of the preparation process instruction in S2. Alternatively, the printer 200 and the advertising server 100 may share a timetable, and the advertising server 100 may choose not to be concerned with the execution of the preparation process on the printer 200 side after the transmission of the preparation process instruction in S2 (the printer 200 may perform the preparation process on its own).

[0066] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit and technical idea. Such modifications will be described in order below. The same reference numerals are used for parts equivalent to those in the above embodiments, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0067] (1) When the printer performs preparation processing on its own at a predetermined time In this modified example, the sequence flow representing the control performed through the cooperation of the advertising server 100, advertising management server 500, printer 200, and terminal device 300 is shown in Figure 8, which corresponds to Figure 2 above.

[0068] In the flow shown in Figure 8, S1 and S2 from the flow shown in Figure 2 are omitted, and S101, S102, S103, S104, and S110 are newly added.

[0069] In other words, in printer 200, first in S101, an inquiry for a predetermined time before sending the bid request in S5, as described above, is sent to the ad provider server 100. In ad provider server 100, after receiving the inquiry in S102, the predetermined time is sent to printer 200 in S103. In this example, as an example of the predetermined time, as in the above embodiment, the time Y minutes before the scheduled delivery time of the user's ad is sent. Hereinafter, Y is an appropriate positive value, for example, Y=2. Alternatively, printer 200 may receive and acquire the value of Y from ad provider server 100 and calculate the predetermined time using Y based on the scheduled delivery time received from ad provider server 100, or printer 200 may store Y independently from the beginning (without acquiring it from ad provider server 100). Furthermore, this value of Y may be set variably for each model of printer 200 by the control unit 110 of ad provider server 100. In S104, the printer 200 receives and acquires the predetermined time that was transmitted. The process executed in S104 is an example of the process for acquiring the predetermined time.

[0070] In the printer 200, in S110, it is determined whether the current time has reached the predetermined time obtained in S104. When the predetermined time arrives, S110 is determined to be Yes, and the process moves to S50, where preparation processing is performed on the printer 200. The subsequent processing is the same as in Figure 2, and therefore the explanation is omitted.

[0071] In this modified example, a predetermined time is set before the sending of a bid request from the advertising server 100 in S5, at which time the printer 200 performs the preparation process. At that predetermined time, the printer 200 performs the preparation process in S50. According to this modified version, the printer 200 starts the preparation process in advance at an appropriate time before the bid request is sent in S5, so that the preparation process can be completed by the time the print-ready distribution image is delivered from the advertising server 100 in S30.

[0072] In this modified version, the printer 200 does not send a completion notification, and the control unit 110 of the advertising server 100 does not receive any completion notifications from the printer 200. In other words, in this modified version, the printer 200 and the advertising server 100 share a timetable, so the advertising server 100 may not be concerned with the execution of the preparation process on the printer 200 side (the printer 200 may perform the preparation process on its own).

[0073] (2) When sending preparation instructions after the decision on the successful bid advertisement but before the notice of hold. In this modified example, the sequence flow representing the control performed through the cooperation of the advertising server 100, advertising management server 500, printer 200, and terminal device 300 is shown in Figure 9, which corresponds to Figure 2 above.

[0074] In the flow shown in Figure 9, S1 is omitted compared to the flow shown in Figure 2, and the sending and receiving of the preparation processing instruction in S2, the preparation processing in S50, and the sending and receiving of the execution completion notifications in S55 and S4 are moved after S8.

[0075] In other words, after the advertising server 100 sends a bid request via S5, the bid results are sent via S7, and the winning advertisement is determined via S8. Then, in S2, the advertising server 100 sends a preparation processing instruction to the printer 200. As described above, upon receiving the preparation processing instruction, the printer 200 executes the preparation process in S50, and in S55, a completion notification is sent to the advertising server 100, which is received in S4. The subsequent processing from S10 onwards is the same as in Figure 2, and therefore the explanation is omitted.

[0076] In this modified example, after the advertising image is determined in S8, a preparation instruction is sent to the printer 200 in S2 at an earlier time than the pending notification, which is a notification that the advertising image has been decided to be delivered, is sent to the advertising management server 500 in S10. According to this modified version, after the winning bid for the advertising image is determined, the printer 200 starts the preparation process in S50 before the print-ready distribution image is distributed in S30, similar to the above embodiment. Therefore, the preparation process can be completed by the time the print-ready distribution image is distributed.

[0077] (3) When sending preparation instructions when obtaining the image of the successful bid advertisement. In this modified example, the sequence flow representing the control performed through the cooperation of the advertising server 100, advertising management server 500, printer 200, and terminal device 300 is shown in Figure 10, which corresponds to Figure 2 above.

[0078] In the flow shown in Figure 10, S1 is omitted from the flow shown in Figure 2, and the sending and receiving of the preparation processing instruction in S2, the preparation processing in S50, and the sending and receiving of the execution completion notifications in S55 and S4 are moved after S20B.

[0079] In other words, after the advertising server 100 sends an advertising image request related to the successful bid in S17, the corresponding advertising image is sent in S20A, and the advertising image is received in S20B. Then, in S2, the advertising server 100 sends a preparation processing instruction to the printer 200. As described above, upon receiving the preparation processing instruction, the printer 200 executes the preparation process in S50, and a completion notification is sent to the advertising server 100 in S55, which is received in S4. The subsequent processing from S30 onwards is the same as in Figure 2, and therefore the explanation is omitted.

[0080] In this modified example, after the advertising image is acquired by S20B, a preparation processing instruction is sent to the printer 200. According to this modified example, after acquiring the winning advertisement image, the printer 200 starts the preparation process in S50 before the print-ready distribution image is distributed in S30, similar to the above embodiment. Therefore, the preparation process can be completed by the time the print-ready distribution image is distributed.

[0081] (4) Others In the above scenario, the advertising server 100, terminal device 300, and printer 200 perform their respective processes to deliver the advertising images. However, the specific processes performed by each of these devices—that is, how their roles are divided—can be freely changed as needed. For example, it is possible for the printer 200 to perform all of these processes.

[0082] Furthermore, the sequence flows shown in Figures 2 and 8 to 10 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flows, and additional or deleted procedures or changes in order are permitted without departing from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0083] In addition to what has already been described above, the methods described in the above embodiments and their respective modifications may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0084] Furthermore, although not to be exemplified individually, the present invention may be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Information distribution and printing system 100 Ad delivery servers (an example of a delivery information delivery server) 110 Control Unit 115 Storage section 200 Printers (an example of a printing device) 200I Printer (Example of a printing device) 200L printer (an example of a printing device) 202 Main unit of the device 205 Image forming unit 210 Control Unit 234 Conveyor roller (an example of a conveying section) 235 Resist Roller (Example of a Conveyor Unit) 302 Carriage (an example of an image forming unit) 303 Inkjet head (an example of an image forming unit) 305 Conveyor Roller 306 Conveyor Roller 310 nozzles 321 Cap 500 Ad management server (an example of a delivery information management server) LI1 Print start position P Printing paper (example of a sheet)

Claims

1. A distribution information provider server equipped with a control unit, which receives distribution information managed by a distribution information management server and distributes it to a printing device, The control unit, A request transmission process that sends a request for bidding on distribution information to the aforementioned distribution information management server, An information determination process to determine the specific distribution information that will be awarded the bid from the distribution information management server received in response to the bid request transmitted in the request transmission process, A specific distribution information acquisition process that acquires the specific distribution information determined in the information determination process, A distribution process that distributes printable distribution information based on the specific distribution information obtained in the specific distribution information acquisition process to the printing device, A preparation instruction transmission process that transmits a preparation instruction to the printing device before the distribution of the print distribution information in the distribution process, instructing the printing device to perform a preparatory process that is performed in advance for the start of printing the print distribution information, wherein if the preparatory process is performed, the time from when the print distribution information is distributed to the printing device until the printing of the print distribution information is completed is shorter than when the preparatory process is not performed, A distribution information server configured to perform the following actions.

2. The control unit, The distribution information providing server according to claim 1, wherein the preparation instruction transmission process transmits a stabilization instruction to the printing apparatus as the preparation instruction, for performing at least one of the following: stabilization of the temperature in the heating section, stabilization of the rotation speed in the rotating section, stabilization of the potential in the voltage application section, stabilization of the print quality in the image forming section, and stabilization of the transport position in the transport section, which are provided in the printing apparatus.

3. The distribution information providing server according to claim 1, wherein the preparation instruction transmission process is performed before the request transmission process.

4. The control unit, The distribution information providing server according to claim 3, wherein the preparation instruction transmission process transmits the preparation instruction to the printing device at a predetermined time prior to the request transmission process.

5. The control unit further, A notification process that sends a notification of the decision to distribute the specified distribution information to the distribution information management server, It is configured to perform the following actions: The distribution information providing server according to claim 1, wherein in the preparation instruction transmission process, the preparation instruction is transmitted to the printing device after the determination of the specific distribution information in the information determination process and before the transmission of the distribution determination notification in the notification process.

6. The control unit, The distribution information providing server according to claim 1, wherein in the preparation instruction transmission process, after obtaining the specific distribution information in the specific distribution information acquisition process, the preparation instruction is transmitted to the printing device.

7. The control unit further, A notification acquisition process that obtains a notification from the printing device that the preparation process based on the preparation instructions has been completed, A distribution information provider server according to claim 1, configured to perform the following:

8. A printing device capable of printing images onto a sheet, A distribution information provider server receives distribution information managed by a distribution information management server and distributes it to the printing device, An information distribution and printing system having, The aforementioned distribution information providing server is A request transmission process that sends a request for bidding on distribution information to the aforementioned distribution information management server, An information determination process to determine the specific distribution information that will be awarded the bid from the distribution information management server received in response to the bid request transmitted in the request transmission process, A specific distribution information acquisition process that acquires the specific distribution information determined in the information determination process, A distribution process that distributes printable distribution information based on the specific distribution information obtained in the specific distribution information acquisition process to the printing device, A preparation instruction transmission process that transmits a preparation instruction to the printing device before the distribution of the print distribution information in the distribution process, instructing the printing device to perform a preparatory process that is performed in advance for the start of printing the print distribution information, wherein if the preparatory process is performed, the time from when the print distribution information is distributed to the printing device until the printing of the print distribution information is completed is shorter than when the preparatory process is not performed. An information distribution and printing system configured to perform the following actions.

9. A printing device capable of printing images onto a sheet, A distribution information provision server receives distribution information managed by a distribution information management server and distributes it to the printing device, An information distribution and printing system having, The aforementioned distribution information providing server is A request transmission process that sends a request for bidding on distribution information to the aforementioned distribution information management server, An information determination process to determine the specific distribution information that will be awarded the bid from the distribution information management server received in response to the bid request transmitted in the request transmission process, A specific distribution information acquisition process that acquires the specific distribution information determined in the information determination process, A distribution process that distributes printable distribution information based on the specific distribution information obtained in the specific distribution information acquisition process to the printing device, It is configured to perform, The printing apparatus further, A printing process for printing the printable distribution information distributed in the distribution process onto the sheet, Prior to the distribution of the print distribution information in the distribution process, A preparatory process performed in the printing apparatus prior to the start of printing of the print distribution information, wherein, if performed, the time from when the print distribution information is distributed to the printing apparatus until the printing of the print distribution information is completed is shorter than when the preparatory process is not performed. An information distribution and printing system configured to perform the following actions.

10. The printing apparatus further, A predetermined time acquisition process to acquire a predetermined time before the request transmission process, It is configured to perform the following actions: The information distribution and printing system according to claim 9, wherein the preparation process is executed at the predetermined time obtained in the predetermined time acquisition process.

11. The printing apparatus further, A notification transmission process that sends a notification of completion of the aforementioned preparation process to the aforementioned information distribution server, The information distribution and printing system according to claim 9, configured to perform the following:

Images