Profile printing system

Abstract

The aim is to provide a system that allows users to print business cards, etc., even if they run out of them or forget to bring them with them while out and about, without having to create the business card data themselves. [Solution] The profile print management server of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a profile receiving unit that receives a contact profile from a first terminal; a user identification information receiving unit that receives user identification information from a second terminal; a code transmitting unit that transmits an authentication code corresponding to the user identification information to the second terminal; a code receiving unit that receives the authentication code from a printer; and a profile transmitting unit that transmits the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the printer based on the authentication code.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to profile printing system and is concerned with it.

Background Art

[0002] FIG. 11 is an example of a configuration diagram of a system including a conventional profile printing management server. This system includes a user terminal 30, a profile printing management server 31, and a merchant terminal 32. The user terminal 30 is a terminal of a user of the profile printing management service. The profile printing management server 31 is a server of a merchant that provides the profile printing management service. The merchant terminal 32 is a terminal of a merchant that prints business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc. The profile printing management server 31 generates print data based on contact profiles such as company name, department / assignment, name, email address, phone number, address, etc. input on the user terminal 30, and when receiving an order instruction from the user terminal 30, transmits the print data to the merchant terminal 32. Patent Document 1 discloses a business card management server system using this prior art.

[0003] Figure 12 shows another example of a system configuration diagram including a conventional profile print management server. This system comprises a user terminal 40, a profile print management server 41, and a printer 42. The user terminal 40 is the terminal of a user of the profile print management service, and is, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone. The profile print management server 41 is the server of the provider of the profile print management service. The printer 42 is a multifunction printer installed in a convenience store or the like. The profile print management server 41 generates print data and an authentication code linked to the print data based on an image of a printout showing contact information or a contact profile entered in the user terminal 40, and transmits the authentication code to the user terminal 40. When the operator of the user terminal 40 inputs the authentication code into the printer 42 and transmits the authentication code to the profile print management server 41, the profile print management server 41 transmits the print data linked to the authentication code to the printer 42. Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses a printing service using this prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-150755 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "My Business Card," [online], October 15, 2019, 10:00 AM, ValuePress Co., Ltd., [Retrieved December 12, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / www.value-press.com / pressrelease / 229399> [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in the business card management server system described in Patent Document 1, the user terminal 30 places a printing order with the profile print management server 31, and the printing company, upon receiving the printing instruction from the profile print management server 31, prints the business cards and sends them to the user. Therefore, it was not possible to quickly print business cards in cases such as when a user runs out of business cards while out of the office.

[0007] Furthermore, in the printing service described in Non-Patent Document 1, users input contact profiles and other information into their mobile devices and print business cards based on those profiles using a printer 42 installed in convenience stores, etc. Although this allows users to print business cards while on the go, it is time-consuming as users must input the business card information into their mobile devices.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a system that allows users to print business cards, etc., even if they run out of their business cards, etc., or forget to bring them with them while out and about, without having to create the business card data themselves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides a profile printing system comprising: a first terminal; a second terminal different from the first terminal; a first server; a second server; a third server; and a printer, wherein the first terminal is a terminal that transmits a contact profile associated with user identification information to the first server; the second terminal is a terminal that transmits the user identification information to the first server and receives an authentication code from the first server for printing the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information; the first server is a server that receives the contact profile from the first terminal, receives the user identification information from the second terminal, transmits the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the second server, receives the authentication code from the second server for printing the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information and transmits the authentication code to the second terminal; and the second server receives the contact profile from the first server. The first server is a server that receives a request for authentication code generation from the second server, generates the authentication code, sends the authentication code from the third server, associates the contact profile with the authentication code, sends the authentication code associated with the contact profile to the first server, receives the authentication code again from the third server, and sends the contact profile associated with the authentication code to the third server. The third server is a server that receives a request for authentication code generation from the second server, generates the authentication code, sends the authentication code to the second server, receives the authentication code entered into the printer by the user from the printer, sends the authentication code again to the second server, receives the contact profile associated with the authentication code from the second server, and sends the contact profile associated with the authentication code to the printer. The printer is a printer that sends the authentication code to the third server and receives the contact profile corresponding to the authentication code from the third server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention , the user from a second device 1 When user identification information is sent to the server, an authentication code is displayed on the second terminal. When the user enters this authentication code into the printer, the printer can print business cards and other documents based on the contact profile previously entered on the first terminal. Therefore, even if a user runs out of or forgets to bring their own business cards while out and about, they can still print business cards and other documents without having to create the data themselves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram of a system comprising a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional configuration diagram of the profile print management server in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a hardware configuration diagram common to each device of the system in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram showing the process up to business card printing in a system equipped with a profile print management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an example of a contact profile input screen for a first terminal in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an example of the authentication code display screen of the second terminal in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the print history of a system equipped with a profile print management server in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system comprising a server in a modified example of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a sequence diagram showing the process from when a second terminal of a system equipped with a profile print management server in a modified version of the present invention receives an authentication code. [Figure 10] This is a sequence diagram showing the process up to business card printing in a system equipped with a profile print management server in a modified version of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an example of a system configuration diagram for a conventional profile print management server. [Figure 12] This is another example of a system configuration diagram that includes a conventional profile print management server. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, each component, the arrangement position and connection form of each component, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples and do not limit the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0013] Also, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. In each figure, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0014] First, an overview of a system including a profile printing management server according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0015] A system including a profile management server includes a first terminal 1 owned by a first user such as a company which is a system user, a second terminal 2 owned by a second user such as an employee of the company, a profile printing management server 3 managed by an operator of the system, a printing machine 4 installed in a convenience store or the like, and a vendor terminal 5 owned by a printer, which are connected via a network 6 such as the Internet. The first user and the second user may be the same person.

[0016] The first terminal 1 is a terminal owned by the first user of the profile printing service, and is, for example, a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, or the like. The first user inputs contact profiles such as company name, organization name, department, position, name, email address, phone number, address, etc. from the first terminal 1. The first terminal 1 can create and manage an organizational chart of the company and create and manage contact profiles of employees based on the organizational chart. In addition, the first user can send an order instruction for business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc. for each employee from the first terminal 1 to the profile printing management server 3. There may be a plurality of first terminals 1.

[0017] The second terminal 2 is a device owned by a second user of the profile printing service, and can be a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile phone. The second user can send user identification information, such as their user ID, from the second terminal 2 to the profile printing management server 3 to request printing of their business cards, etc. The second user can also send order instructions for their business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc., from the second terminal 2 to the profile printing management server 3. There may be multiple second terminals 2, one for each of the multiple second users.

[0018] The profile print management server 3 is a server device managed by the operator providing the profile print service. The profile print management server 3 may receive and store contact profiles from the first terminal 1. The profile print management server 3 may also create a print layout based on the received contact profiles. The profile print management server 3 also receives user identification information from the second terminal 2 and sends an authentication code to the second terminal 2 for printing the contact profile based on the user identification information. The profile print management server 3 then receives the authentication code entered by the second user into the printer 4 from the printer 4 and sends the corresponding contact profile to the printer 4 based on the authentication code.

[0019] Furthermore, the profile print management server 3 may be composed of multiple terminals that perform the functions of the profile print management server 3. Specifically, each terminal may perform a specific task, thereby achieving the functionality of the profile print management server 3 as a whole.

[0020] Furthermore, the profile print management server 3 can receive order instructions for business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc., including contact profiles, from the first terminal 1 and / or the second terminal 2, and transmit the order information and contact profiles to the vendor terminal 5.

[0021] Printer 4 is, for example, a multifunction printer installed in a convenience store, and receives an authentication code from the second user and sends it to the profile print management server 3. Printer 4 then receives a contact profile corresponding to the authentication code from the profile print management server 3. After receiving the type and number of sheets of paper to be printed from the second user, Printer 4 prints business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, and other printed materials based on the contact profile.

[0022] Vendor terminal 5 is a terminal owned by a printing company that prints business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc. Vendor terminal 5 receives order information and contact profiles from the profile print management server 3 and prints business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers, etc. using a printing press (not shown). There may be multiple printing companies, for example, depending on the type of printed material, and there may be multiple vendor terminals 5 for each printing company.

[0023] Next, the functional configuration of the profile print management server 3 in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 2.

[0024] The profile print management server 3 comprises a profile receiving unit 10, a user identification information receiving unit 11, a code transmission unit 12, a code receiving unit 13, a profile transmission unit 14, a print history receiving unit 15, and a print history transmission unit 16. Each functional unit named "○○ unit" corresponds to the function performed by the processor 20 of the profile print management server 3, which will be described later.

[0025] The profile receiving unit 10 receives a contact profile from the first terminal 1. The contact profile includes company name, department, organization, name, email address, telephone number, address, etc. The contact profile may also include information such as the layout of the printed material (arrangement, orientation, size, color, font, spacing of each piece of information, etc.), the type of paper on which the printed material is printed, the layout per sheet of paper (number of printed pages, arrangement, cut lines, etc.), and user ID.

[0026] The user identification information receiving unit 11 receives user identification information from the second terminal 2. The type of user identification information is not particularly limited and may include, for example, a name, email address, telephone number, user ID, etc. Based on the user identification information, the unit identifies which user's contact profile to print.

[0027] The code transmission unit 12 transmits an authentication code to the second terminal 2 necessary to print the contact profile of the second user corresponding to the user identification information. The authentication code may be generated for each employee (second user) when the contact profile is entered and generated at the first terminal 1, or it may be generated when the user identification information is received. The authentication code may also be changed periodically to ensure security. The format of the authentication code is not limited and may be a code combining letters, numbers and symbols, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc.

[0028] The code receiving unit 13 receives the authentication code entered into the printer 4 by the second user who received the authentication code from the printer 4.

[0029] The profile transmission unit 14 transmits the contact profile corresponding to the authentication code received by the code reception unit 13 to the printer 4. The contact profile is data to be printed by the printer 4, and may be transmitted as image data, for example, in JPEG format.

[0030] The print history receiving unit 15 receives the print history of the contact profile that the profile transmitting unit 14 has sent to the printer 4 from the printer 4. The print history may include information such as a unique identifier for each printer 4, the date and time of printing, the type of paper used, the number of copies printed, an authentication code, and printing charges.

[0031] The print history transmission unit 16 may classify the print history received by the print history reception unit 15 according to user identification information corresponding to the contact profile and send it to the first terminal 1. If there are multiple printers 4, the print history may be collected for each printer 4 and sent to the first terminal 1.

[0032] Next, the hardware configuration of each device in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 3.

[0033] The control devices for the first terminal 1, the second terminal 2, the profile print management server 3, and the printer 4 each include a processor 20, a storage device 21, a memory device 22, a communication device 23, and a user interface 24, respectively.

[0034] The processor 20 is a processing unit composed of a CPU and other components, and it executes programs and processes data.

[0035] The storage device 21 is a storage device composed of HDDs, SSDs, etc., and is used for long-term storage of data and programs.

[0036] The memory device 22 is a storage device composed of RAM and the like, and it temporarily stores data and programs. The memory device 22 is used by the device to quickly access data and programs.

[0037] The communication device 23 is a device that allows a device to connect to a network and communicate with other devices, and it connects to the network to send and receive data.

[0038] The user interface 24 is a device for the user to input information to the device and to receive output from the device, and includes input devices (keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.) and output devices (display, etc.).

[0039] Next, a series of operations up to business card printing performed by the processors of each device in the system equipped with the profile print management server 3 in the embodiment of the present invention will be explained using Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the process up to business card printing in the system equipped with the profile print management server 3 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 5 is an example of the contact profile input screen of the first terminal 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 is an example of the authentication code display screen of the second terminal 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0040] In step S1 of Figure 4, the contact profile is entered into the processor of the first terminal 1 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "first terminal 1"). As shown in Figure 5, for example, the contact profile may include company name, department, organization, name, email address, telephone number, address, etc. The contact profile may be entered manually by the first user, or it may be done automatically in batches by inputting a CSV file containing the contact profiles of multiple employees.

[0041] When entering contact profile information, for example, "Name," "Name (Katakana)," "Email," and "Mobile Number" may be entered directly by the first user. Alternatively, for example, "Job Title," "Department," and "Organization" may be selected from pre-entered and set company information (company name, representative address, representative phone number, closing date, payment invoice date, etc.), department / assignment information (office, factory, branch, etc.), job title information (representative director, department head, deputy department head, chief, etc.), organizational chart, etc. Furthermore, "Company Name," "Postal Code," and "Address" may be automatically entered using pre-entered and set company information. Once the input is complete, the information may be saved by pressing the "Create / Modify" button.

[0042] In step S2 of Figure 4, the first terminal 1 sends the contact profile entered in step S1 to the profile print management server 3. Specifically, this may be done by the first user pressing the "Create / Modify" button shown in Figure 5, or it may be done all at once after all employees have finished entering their information. Alternatively, when the second user requests printing from the profile print management server 3, the profile print management server 3 may request the first terminal 1 to send the contact profile.

[0043] In step S3 of Figure 4, the profile receiving unit 10 of the profile print management server 3 receives the contact profile sent from the first terminal 1 in step S2. Note that the timing of sending and receiving the contact profile may also be when the user identification information is received in step S5, which will be described later, or when the authentication code is received in step S11, which will be described later.

[0044] In step S4, the processor of the second terminal 2 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "second terminal 2") transmits user identification information to the profile print management server 3 based on the operation of the second user. The method of transmitting user identification information is not limited; for example, the second user may access the profile print management server 3 via a web browser or application on the second terminal 2, enter the user identification information, and log in.

[0045] In step S5, the user identification information receiving unit 11 of the profile print management server 3 receives the user identification information transmitted from the second terminal 2 in step S4.

[0046] In step S6, the processor of the profile print management server 3 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "profile print management server 3") generates an authentication code corresponding to the user identification information received in step S5. The authentication code is generated when a second user accessing the profile print management server 3 makes a print request, such as by pressing the print request button. The authentication code may also be generated in association with a contact profile when a contact profile is entered, for example.

[0047] In step S7, the code transmission unit 12 of the profile print management server 3 transmits the authentication code generated in step S6 to the second terminal 2.

[0048] In step S8, the second terminal 2 receives an authentication code from the profile print management server 3. As shown in Figure 6, the authentication code may be represented as a string of characters including letters, numbers, and symbols, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc., and any or all of these may be displayed on the second terminal 2.

[0049] In step S9 of Figure 4, the processor of the control device of the printer 4 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "printer 4") receives the authentication code received by the second terminal 2 in step S8. Specifically, if the authentication code is a string of letters, numbers, and symbols, the second user may input this string by operating the touch panel (not shown) of the printer 4. Alternatively, if the authentication code is a two-dimensional code or barcode, the second user may hold the two-dimensional code or barcode displayed on the second terminal 2 over the code reader (not shown) of the printer 4 for reading.

[0050] In step S10, the printer 4 transmits the authentication code received in step S9 to the profile print management server 3, and in step S11, the code receiving unit 13 of the profile print management server 3 receives the authentication code transmitted from the printer 4 in step S10.

[0051] In step S12, the profile transmission unit 14 of the profile print management server 3 selects and transmits to the printer 4 a contact profile corresponding to the authentication code received in step S11. The method for determining which contact profile to transmit based on the authentication code is not particularly limited. For example, the profile print management server 3 may determine user identification information such as an email address corresponding to the authentication code when it receives the authentication code and determine a contact profile that includes that user identification information, or it may search for the same authentication code from the authentication codes generated in relation to the contact profiles.

[0052] In step S13, the printer 4 receives the contact profile sent in step S12 from the profile print management server 3.

[0053] In step S14, the printer 4 prints business cards or other printed materials based on the contact profile received in step S13. The printing method is not particularly limited, but for example, the printer 4 may read the information on the type of paper and the layout per sheet (number of business cards or other printed materials, arrangement, cut lines, etc.) included in the contact profile, and when a second user inputs the number of sheets to be printed on a touch panel (not shown) of the printer 4, the printer 4 may print the number of sheets entered.

[0054] As described above, when a user sends user identification information to the profile print management server from the second terminal, an authentication code is displayed on the second terminal. When the user enters this authentication code into the printer, the printer can print business cards and other printed materials based on the contact profile previously entered in the first terminal. Therefore, even if a user runs out of or forgets to bring their business cards, they can use their terminal to send the data for printing business cards to a printer installed in a convenience store or similar location and print them without having to create the business card data themselves.

[0055] Next, a series of operations relating to the processing of the print history of a system equipped with a profile print management server 3 in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 7. Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the processing of the print history of a system equipped with a profile print management server 3 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] In step S30 of Figure 7, the printer 4 sends a print history to the profile print management server 3. This print history records information about the business cards and other printed materials that the printer 4 printed on paper based on the contact profiles received in step S13 of Figure 4 during a predetermined period. The print history may include information such as the date and time of printing, location, contact profile, number of sheets printed, and cost. If there are multiple printers 4, a print history may be sent to the profile print management server 3 for each printer 4.

[0057] In step S31, the print history receiving unit 15 of the profile print management server 3 receives the print history from the printer 4.

[0058] In step S32, the print history transmission unit 16 of the profile print management server 3 classifies the print history received in step S31 according to user identification information corresponding to the contact profile and transmits it to the first terminal 1. At this time, billing data based on the print history may also be transmitted simultaneously.

[0059] In step S33, the first terminal 1 receives the print history sent in step S32 from the profile print management server 3. At this time, it may also receive billing data based on the print history. The first user pays the printing fee to the system operator based on this billing data.

[0060] Furthermore, by including information such as the date and time of printing, location, contact profile, number of pages printed, and cost in the print history, the operator of the profile printing service can possess big data on how much a user company's employees printed, and at what time and minute they printed business cards at which convenience store, etc., and perform statistical analysis. This analyzed data can then be provided to the user company in the form of graphs and other visualizations. This allows the user company to understand the frequency and patterns of employees forgetting to bring business cards and take appropriate measures. It also enables the management and optimization of printing costs, contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost reduction. Additionally, by analyzing the date and time of printing, location, and contact profiles, it is possible to analyze which areas sales representatives frequently print business cards in, helping to redesign sales routes around frequently printing locations, reduce travel time, and achieve more efficient visits.

[0061] As described above, the first terminal 1 can obtain the printing history of employee contact profiles from the printer 4 at predetermined intervals via the profile printing management server 3. Therefore, the first user of the profile printing service can pay the operator of the profile printing service (on a post-billing basis) the cost of printing by the user company's employees at predetermined intervals based on the printing history. Consequently, the user company's employees do not need to make payments and expense reimbursements each time, and the user company is also saved the trouble of expense processing. Furthermore, the printing history includes information such as the date, time, and location of printing, allowing the user company to understand the frequency and patterns of employees forgetting to bring their business cards and take appropriate measures. In addition, it becomes possible to manage and optimize printing costs, contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost reduction. Moreover, based on the date, time, location, and contact profiles of printing, it is possible to analyze which areas sales representatives frequently print business cards in, and it is helpful to redesign sales routes focusing on areas where printing is frequent, shorten travel time, and achieve more efficient visits.

[0062] (modified version) Next, a modified example of the profile print management server 3 in this embodiment will be described using Figures 5, 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a configuration diagram of a system equipped with a server in a modified example of the present invention. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the process up to the second terminal receiving an authentication code in a system equipped with a profile print management server in a modified example of the present invention. Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the process up to business card printing in a system equipped with a profile print management server in a modified example of the present invention. As in this modified example, the profile print management server 3 may be composed of multiple servers, with each server sharing a role.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8, the system equipped with a profile print management server consists of a first server 301 managed by the system operator, a second server 302 managed by the service provider that compresses and processes data and sends it to the printing press manufacturer's server, and a third server 303 managed by the printing press manufacturer, all connected via a network 6 such as the Internet.

[0064] The first server 301 is a server that receives a contact profile from the first terminal 1, receives user identification information from the second terminal 2, sends the contact profile to the second server 302, receives an authentication code from the second server for printing the contact profile, and sends an authentication code to the second terminal 2 for printing the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information.

[0065] The second server 302 is a server that receives contact profiles from the first server 301, sends a request to the third server 303 to generate an authentication code, receives an authentication code from the third server 303, associates the contact profiles with the authentication code, sends the authentication code associated with the contact profiles to the first server 301, receives the authentication code again from the third server 303, and sends the contact profiles associated with the authentication code to the third server 303.

[0066] The third server 303 is a server that receives a request from the second server 302 to generate an authentication code, generates an authentication code, sends the authentication code to the second server 302, receives the authentication code from the printer 4, sends the authentication code to the second server 302 again, receives the contact profile associated with the authentication code from the second server 302, and sends the contact profile associated with the authentication code to the printer 4.

[0067] In step S40 of Figure 9, the contact profile is entered into the first terminal 1. As shown in Figure 5, for example, the contact profile includes company name, department, organization, name, email address, phone number, address, etc. The contact profile may be entered manually by the first user, or it may be done automatically by inputting a CSV file containing the contact profiles of multiple employees.

[0068] In step S41 of Figure 9, the first terminal 1 sends the contact profile to the first server 301. Specifically, the profile may be sent when the first user presses the "Create / Modify" button shown in Figure 5, or it may be sent all at once after all employees have finished entering their information. Alternatively, when the second user requests printing from the first server 301 (sending user identification information), the first server 301 may request the first terminal 1 to send the contact profile.

[0069] In step S42 of Figure 9, the first server 301 receives the contact profile from the first terminal 1. Note that the timing of sending and receiving the contact profile may also occur at the time of receiving the user identification information in step S44, which will be described later.

[0070] In step S43, the second terminal 2 transmits user identification information to the first server 301 based on the operation of the second user. The method of transmitting user identification information is not limited; for example, the second user may access the first server 301 via a web browser or application on the second terminal 2, enter user identification information such as an email address, and log in.

[0071] In step S44, the first server 301 receives user identification information from the second terminal 2.

[0072] In step S45, the first server 301 sends a contact profile corresponding to the user identification information received in step S44 to the second server 302. For example, if the user identification information is an email address, the first server 301 selects and sends a contact profile that includes that email address. At this time, the first server 301 may also process the contact profile as a JPEG or PDF data format before sending it.

[0073] In step S46, the second server 302 receives the contact profile from the first server 301.

[0074] In step S47, the second server 302 sends a request to the third server 303 for authentication code generation. In step S48, the third server 303 receives the request to generate an authentication code from the second server 302.

[0075] In step S49, the third server 303 generates an authentication code. The authentication code may be represented as a string of characters including letters, numbers, and symbols, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), a barcode, etc.

[0076] In step S50, the third server 303 sends an authentication code to the second server 302. In step S51, the second server 302 receives an authentication code from the third server 303.

[0077] In step S52, the second server 302 associates the authentication code received in step S51 with the contact profile received in step S46.

[0078] In step S53, the second server 302 sends the authentication code associated with the contact profile in step S52 to the first server 301. In step S54, the first server 301 receives the authentication code from the second server 302.

[0079] In step S55, the first server 301 sends an authentication code associated with the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the second terminal 2, which sent the user identification information in step S43. In step S56, the second terminal 2 receives the authentication code from the first server 301.

[0080] In step S57 of Figure 10, the printer 4 receives the authentication code received by the second terminal 2 in step S56. Specifically, if the authentication code is a string of letters, numbers, and symbols, the second user may input this string by operating the touch panel (not shown) of the printer 4. Alternatively, if the authentication code is a two-dimensional code or barcode, the second user may hold the two-dimensional code or barcode displayed on the second terminal 2 over the code reader (not shown) of the printer 4 for reading.

[0081] In step S58, the printer 4 transmits the authentication code received in step S57 to the third server 303, and in step S59, the third server 303 receives the authentication code transmitted from the printer 4 in step S58.

[0082] In step S60, the third server 303 transmits the authentication code received in step S59 to the second server, and in step S61, the second server 302 receives the authentication code transmitted from the third server 303 in step S60.

[0083] In step S62, the second server 302 selects a contact profile associated with the authentication code received in step S61 and sends it to the third server 303. The method for determining which contact profile to send based on the authentication code is not particularly limited; for example, the second server 302 may store the authentication code and contact profile as a set and search for the same authentication code received in step S61 within the second server 302.

[0084] In step S63, the third server 303 receives the contact profile sent from the second server 302 in step S62.

[0085] In step S64, the third server 303 sends the contact profile received in step S63 to the printer 4 that sent the authentication code in step S58, and in step S65, the printer 4 receives the contact profile sent from the third server 303 in step S64.

[0086] In step S66, the printer 4 prints business cards or other printed materials based on the contact profile received in step S65. The printing method is not particularly limited, but for example, the printer 4 may read the information on the type of paper and the layout per sheet (number of business cards or other printed materials, arrangement, cut lines, etc.) included in the contact profile, and when a second user inputs the number of sheets to be printed on a touch panel (not shown) of the printer 4, the printer 4 may print the number of sheets entered.

[0087] As described above, the operator managing the first server 301 can provide users with a service that allows them to send data for printing business cards, etc., to a printing machine installed in a convenience store, etc., using their terminal, even if they run out of business cards or forget to bring them, without having to create the data themselves. This service enables the operator to utilize the second server 302 managed by the service provider that compresses and processes data and sends it to the printing machine manufacturer's server, and the third server 303 managed by the printing machine manufacturer.

[0088] (summary) In summary, the profile print management server 3 of the present invention comprises a profile receiving unit 10 that receives a contact profile from a first terminal 1, a user identification information receiving unit 11 that receives user identification information from a second terminal 2, a code transmission unit 12 that transmits an authentication code corresponding to the user identification information to the second terminal 2, a code receiving unit 13 that receives the authentication code from a printer 4, and a profile transmission unit 14 that transmits the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the printer 4 based on the authentication code. Therefore, when a user transmits user identification information to the profile print management server from the second terminal, an authentication code is displayed on the second terminal, and when the user enters that authentication code into the printer, the printer can print business cards and other printed materials based on the contact profile previously entered in the first terminal. Thus, even if a user runs out of their business cards or forgets to bring them, they can send the data for printing business cards to the printer using their terminal and print them without having to create the business card data themselves.

[0089] Furthermore, the profile print management server 3 of the present invention further includes a print history receiving unit 15 that receives the print history of print data from the printer 4, and a print history transmitting unit 16 that transmits the print history, classified according to the user identification information corresponding to the contact profile, to the first terminal 1. As a result, the first user of the profile print service can pay the operator of the profile print service (on a post-billing basis) the cost of printing by the user company's employees at the printer at predetermined intervals based on the print history. Consequently, the user company's employees are not required to make payments and expense reimbursements each time, and the user company is also saved the trouble of processing expenses. In addition, the print history includes information such as the date and time and location where printing took place, allowing the user company to understand the frequency and patterns of employees forgetting to bring their business cards and take appropriate measures. Furthermore, it becomes possible to manage and optimize printing costs, contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost reduction. Moreover, based on the date and time, location and contact profiles where printing took place, it is possible to analyze which areas sales representatives frequently print business cards in, and it is helpful to redesign sales routes focusing on areas where printing is frequent, thereby shortening travel time and achieving efficient visits. [Industrial applicability]

[0090] The profile print management server of the present invention can be suitably used for creating printed materials such as business cards, flyers, postcards, and stickers for individuals and companies to display contact information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Terminal 1 2. Second Terminal 3. Profile Print Management Server 4 Printing machine 5. Vendor terminals 6 Network 10 Profile receiving unit 11. User identification information receiving unit 12 Code transmission unit 13 Code receiving unit 14. Profile transmission unit 15 Print history receiving unit 16 Print history transmission unit 20 processors 21 Storage devices 22 Memory devices 23 Communication equipment 24 User Interface 301 Server 1 302 Server 2 303 Third Server

Claims

[Claim 1] A system comprising a first terminal, a second terminal different from the first terminal, a first server, a second server, a third server, and a printing press, The first terminal is a terminal that transmits a contact profile associated with user identification information to the first server, The second terminal is a terminal that transmits the user identification information to the first server and receives an authentication code from the first server for printing the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information. The first server is a server that receives the contact profile from the first terminal, receives the user identification information from the second terminal, transmits the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the second server, receives the authentication code for printing the contact profile from the second server, and transmits the authentication code for printing the contact profile corresponding to the user identification information to the second terminal. The second server is a server that receives the contact profile from the first server, sends a request for authentication code generation to the third server, receives the authentication code from the third server, associates the contact profile with the authentication code, sends the authentication code associated with the contact profile to the first server, receives the authentication code again from the third server, and sends the contact profile associated with the authentication code to the third server. The third server is a server that receives a request for authentication code generation from the second server, generates the authentication code, transmits the authentication code to the second server, receives the authentication code entered into the printer by the user from the printer, transmits the authentication code again to the second server, receives the contact profile associated with the authentication code from the second server, and transmits the contact profile associated with the authentication code to the printer. The printing press is a printing press that transmits the authentication code to the third server and receives the contact profile corresponding to the authentication code from the third server. Profile printing system.

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