Distribution system, distribution server, and distribution method

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel configuration that makes it possible to provide an advertisement at a timing convenient for a user. A distribution system 1 comprises a printer 200 and an advertisement provision server 100. The advertisement provision server 100 executes steps S15, S115, S227, S309, S406, and S512 for receiving a notification from the printer 200 or receiving an advertisement printing instruction together with user identification information from a terminal device 300, steps S18, S118, S229, S312, S409, and S515 for recognizing the received information as trigger information, steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530 for requesting bidding of advertisement images, steps S57, S157, S255, S357, S451, and S557 for receiving an advertisement image related to a bid that has succeeded, and steps S60, S160, S257, S360, S454, and S560 for outputting, to the printer 200, an advertisement printing instruction based on the received advertisement image.

Description

Distribution system, distribution server, and distribution method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a distribution system, a distribution server, and a distribution method for distributing advertising information to a destination printer and printing the information.

[0002] For example, as described in Patent Document 1, a technology for providing advertising information customized to a media purchaser is known. This patent document discloses that a service provider that has received a media purchase request from a media purchaser, upon receiving an electronic copy of the media from a content provider, determines the number and size of advertising information according to the layout of the electronic copy and solicits bids from advertising information providers. In response to bids from advertising information providers, the service provider determines the advertising information to be inserted into the media and transmits the media with the inserted advertising information to the purchaser.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-058632

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned patent document, the media is printed with the advertisement inserted, and the user can only read the media and the advertisement at the same time. For example, it is not possible to meet the needs of users to appropriately distribute advertisements at various times that are convenient for them, such as when they want to read the advertisement at a time separate from the media.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new configuration that can provide advertisements at a time that is convenient for the user.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure relates to the following technology: A distribution system having a printer that prints an image on a sheet and a distribution server that distributes advertising information to the printer, the distribution system including: a first receiving unit that receives first information from the printer or receives second information together with first identification information from a terminal, a recognition unit that recognizes the first information or the second information received by the first receiving unit as trigger information, a request unit that requests bids for the advertising information in response to the recognition unit recognizing the trigger information, a second receiving unit that receives advertising information associated with a successful bid among the bids requested by the request unit, a printing unit that prints an image corresponding to a print instruction on the sheet, and a first instruction unit that outputs the print instruction based on the advertising information received by the second receiving unit to the printing unit provided in the printer that is the sender of the first information received by the first receiving unit or the printer associated with the first identification information received by the first receiving unit together with the second information.

[0007] In the distribution system disclosed herein, a request unit requests bids for advertising information, and a second receiving unit receives advertising information related to successful bids from among the bids that responded to the request. A first instructing unit outputs a print instruction based on the received advertising information, and a printing unit prints an image corresponding to the print instruction. When printing an advertisement through this process, the distribution system disclosed herein includes a first receiving unit and a recognition unit as components related to a trigger for the request unit to request a bid. When the first receiving unit receives first information from a printer or second information from a terminal, the recognition unit recognizes the received first information or second information as trigger information. The request unit requests a bid when the recognition unit recognizes that the information is trigger information. As a result, according to the present application, bids for advertising information can be requested in accordance with the behavior of a printer or a terminal capable of operating a printer, making it possible to print advertisements at a time convenient for the printer user.

[0008] The distribution server of the present disclosure is a distribution server equipped with a processor that distributes advertising information to a printer that prints images on sheets, and executes the following processes: a first receiving process that receives first information from the printer or receives second information together with first identification information from a terminal; a recognition process that recognizes the first information or the second information received in the first receiving process as trigger information; a request process that requests bids for the advertising information in response to the recognition of the trigger information in the recognition process; a second receiving process that receives advertising information related to a successful bid among the bids requested in the request process; and a first instruction process that outputs a print instruction based on the advertising information received in the second receiving process to the printer that is the sender of the first information received in the first receiving process or to the printer associated with the first identification information received together with the second information in the first receiving process.

[0009] A distribution method for distributing advertising information to a printer that prints an image on a sheet of the present disclosure, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from the printer or receiving second information together with first identification information from a terminal; a recognition step of recognizing the first information or the second information received in the first receiving step as trigger information; a request step of requesting bids for the advertising information in response to recognizing the trigger information in the recognition step; a second receiving step of receiving advertising information related to a successful bid among the bids requested in the request step; a printing step of printing an image corresponding to a print instruction on the sheet; and a first instruction step of outputting the print instruction based on the advertising information received in the second receiving step to the printer that is the sender of the first information received in the first receiving step or the printer associated with the first identification information received together with the second information in the first receiving step.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, advertisements can be provided at a time that is convenient for the user.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a distribution system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed before private printing when a user performs private printing. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed after private printing when a user performs private printing. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed during private printing when a user performs private printing. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed in response to a user performing a specific operation on a printer. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed in response to a user performing an operation on a specific application installed on a terminal device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing, as an example of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system, a case where advertisement printing is performed in response to a user receiving an external service from an external server. FIG. 7 is a sequence flow showing an example of control executed in cooperation by a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server when advertisement printing is performed before private printing. 1 is a sequence flow showing an example of control carried out in cooperation between a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server when performing advertisement printing after private printing. FIG. 1 is a sequence flow showing an example of control carried out in cooperation between a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server when performing advertisement printing during private printing. FIG. 2 is a sequence flow showing an example of control carried out in cooperation between a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server when performing advertisement printing during private printing. FIG. 3 is a sequence flow showing an example of control carried out in cooperation between a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server when performing advertisement printing in response to a user performing a specific operation on the printer. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reception unit provided in a printer that receives user operations. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of print lock processing carried out by a printer. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of print lock processing carried out by a printer. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of restriction on operation of the advertisement print button. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of restriction on operation of the advertisement print button.1 is a sequence flow showing an example of control executed by a terminal device, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server in cooperation when an advertisement is printed in response to a user's operation on a specific application installed on the terminal device. 2 is a sequence flow showing an example of control executed by an external server, a printer, an advertisement providing server, and an advertisement management server in cooperation when an advertisement is printed in response to a user's receipt of an external service from an external server.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure relates to a distribution system that distributes advertisements from a server to a printer and performs printing.

[0013] <Overall Configuration of Distribution System> Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the distribution system 1 includes an advertisement providing server (SSP: Supply Side Platform) 100, a printer 200, a terminal device 300, a user management server (DMP: Data Management Platform) 400, and an advertisement management server (DSP: Demand Side Platform) 500. Each of the servers 100, 400, 500, the printer 200, and the terminal device 300 includes a communication unit and can communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT includes at least one of the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and 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, a device connected to the network NT may communicate with multiple other devices using different communication circuits. In this embodiment, the multiple types of communication circuits are collectively referred to as the communication unit.

[0014] <Advertisement Providing Server> The advertisement providing server 100 receives an advertisement image from the advertisement management server 500 at a predetermined timing. The advertisement providing server 100 distributes the acquired advertisement image to the printer 200 and causes it to be printed. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and the advertisement providing server 100 is an example of a distribution server.

[0015] In detail, the advertisement providing server 100 has a control unit 110, a storage unit 115, a communication unit 140, etc. The bus 105 connects the control unit 110, the storage unit 115, the communication unit 140, etc. so that they can send and receive information. The storage unit 115 is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, or a HDD. The storage unit 115 stores various programs 120 and various data 130. The various programs 120 include a distribution service program executed by the advertisement providing server 100 shown in the flows in Figures 8 to 12 and 18 to 19 described below. The various data 130 includes the printer ID of the printer 200, an external user ID, an advertisement image, etc.

[0016] The control unit 110 is a device that performs data processing, and is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. 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, terminal device 300, user management server 400, and advertisement management server 500, which are connected to the network NT. The communication unit 140 includes hardware such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to the Ethernet. The communication unit 140 is connected to the network NT, and communicates with the printer 200, terminal device 300, user management server 400, and advertisement management server 500.

[0017] <Advertising Management Server> The advertising management server 500 is a server managed and operated by, for example, an advertising business. The advertising management server 500 transmits advertising images to be printed by the printer 200 to the advertising providing server 100. The advertising management server 500 has a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. (not shown), and receives a bid request from the advertising providing server 100 via the communication unit. The network NT connects the advertising management server 500 to terminal devices or servers of multiple advertisers (not shown). The advertising management server 500 acquires in advance advertising images, desired purchase prices for advertising space, targets to which advertising images are to be distributed, etc. from the terminal devices of multiple advertisers, and stores and manages the acquired information in the storage unit 115. The control unit of the advertising management server 500 holds an auction in response to the bid request for users of the printers 200 to which the advertising images are to be distributed, and acquires suitable advertising images through bids in the auction. When a successful bid that meets predetermined conditions of the auction is made, the control unit of the advertisement management server 500 acquires an advertisement image of the successful bidder from among a plurality of managed advertisement images. The advertisement management server 500 transmits the acquired advertisement image via the communication unit to the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement providing server 100 transmits the received advertisement image to the printer 200 for printing.

[0018] <Printer> The printer 200 prints an image on printing paper. The printer 200 has a control unit 210, a memory unit 215, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a communication unit 260, a printing unit 270, etc. A bus 205 connects the control unit 210, the memory unit 215, the display unit 240, the operation unit 250, the communication unit 260, and the printing unit 270 so that information can be transmitted and received. Printing paper is an example of a sheet.

[0019] The storage unit 215 is, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, or a HDD. The storage unit 215 stores various programs 220 and various data 230. The various programs 220 include, for example, programs for executing the control of the printer 200 according to the flows shown in FIGS. 8 to 12 and 18 to 19 described below. The various data 230 includes the above-mentioned printer ID, advertising images received from the advertisement providing server 100, and the like. The advertisement providing server 100 may store at least a portion of the various data in the storage unit 115. Alternatively, one of the printer 200 and the advertisement providing server 100 may store original data of at least a portion of the various data, and the other of the printer 200 and the advertisement providing server 100 may store copy data of the original data.

[0020] The control unit 210 is a device that processes data and is, for example, a processor such as a CPU. The control unit 210 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 215. The display unit 240 is, for example, an LCD display, a touch panel, etc., and is capable of displaying various information. The operation unit 250 is, for example, a keyboard, buttons, etc., and accepts input operations by the user. 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 is capable of communication with the servers 100, 400, 500, and the terminal device 300. The printing unit 270 includes a print engine and forms and prints an image on the printing paper, for example, by inkjet printing, while removing and transporting printing paper from a paper tray using a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0021] A plurality of cartridge holders 280 are provided, each housing one cartridge 285. The cartridges 285 are cartridges of a plurality of ink colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The cartridge holder 280 is equipped with an ink amount sensor (not shown) that can detect the remaining amount or consumed amount of the cartridge housed therein using a known method.

[0022] The printing unit 270 is composed of, for example, an inkjet head, a carriage, and a motor and belt that drive the carriage. The printing unit 270 performs printing processing while consuming ink from the cartridges 285. The cartridge holder 280 is equipped with a reader / writer 290. The reader / writer 290 reads and writes cartridge information from an IC chip provided in the cartridges 285 housed in the cartridge holder 280. For example, the reader / writer 290 detects the type of cartridge 285 housed in the cartridge holder 280 by reading the cartridge information from the IC chip. Note that the printer 200 may obtain the amount of ink used or remaining stored in the IC chip in the cartridge 285 by the above reading by the reader / writer 290.

[0023] <Terminal Device> The terminal device 300 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a user, and in this example, connects to the network NT via wireless communication. The terminal device 300 may be any appropriate terminal other than the printer 200, and may be, in addition to a smartphone, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, a desktop PC, or the like. Alternatively, the terminal device 300 may be a portable terminal or a stationary terminal provided in karaoke booths, various stores, and the like for selecting songs, selecting menus, browsing products, and the like. The terminal device 300 includes a display unit, a control unit, an operation unit, a memory unit, a communication unit, and the like (not shown). The memory unit stores various programs. The control unit executes the various programs stored in the memory unit. The user can input various instructions to the terminal device 300 by operating the operation unit.

[0024] <User Management Server> The user management server 400 manages information about users via the terminal device 300. The user management server 400 includes a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, and the like, all of which are not shown.

[0025] Note that one single "server" may constitute each of the above-mentioned servers 100, 400, and 500, or a plurality of "servers" may constitute each of the above-mentioned servers 100, 400, and 500. Alternatively, one single "server" may have the functions of at least two of the servers 100, 400, and 500.

[0026] <Features of the embodiment> The distribution system 1 holds an auction for an advertisement distribution target and solicits bids. If a successful bidder among the bids satisfies the conditions, the distribution system 1 distributes the advertisement image acquired from the successful bidder to the printer 200 to which the advertisement is to be distributed, and prints the advertisement. In this case, there may be a need for the advertisement to be distributed appropriately at various timings that are convenient for the user. A feature of the present embodiment is that the advertisement is printed at a timing that is convenient for the user of the printer 200 by requesting a bid for the advertisement information in accordance with the behavior of the printer 200 or a terminal device 300 that can operate the printer 200. The details of this are described below.

[0027] <Advertisement Printing Timing> FIGS. 2 to 7 show examples of advertisement printing timing in the distribution system 1. FIG. 2 illustrates a case where a user performs private printing and advertisement printing is performed before the private printing begins. Note that "private printing" is different from advertisement printing and refers to printing a specific image specified by the user for personal purposes, etc. As shown in FIG. 2 , the user first uses the terminal device 300 to send a print instruction for the private printing to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 puts the private printing on hold. In this case, the printer 200 does not put the private printing on hold midway after starting the private printing, but puts the private printing on hold before starting the private printing. Next, the printer 200 sends a print hold notice to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify the advertisement providing server 100 that the private printing is on hold. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 targeting the printer 200 that has the private printing on hold. Next, the advertisement management server 500 holds an auction in response to the received bid request and sends the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, in response to a successful bid for one of the bidding results, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500 and transmits an advertisement print instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints the advertisement image. Next, the printer 200 resumes the private printing that has been put on hold. At this time, the printer 200 resumes the private printing after finishing the advertisement printing. Therefore, the printer 200 prints so that the printed area for the private printing and the printed area for the advertisement printing are separated on the printing paper. For example, the printer 200 prints so that the printed area for the private printing and the printed area for the advertisement printing are on different printing paper.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a case in which a user performs private printing and then performs advertisement printing after the private printing is completed. As shown in FIG. 3 , first, the user uses the terminal device 300 to send a print instruction for private printing to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes the private printing. At this time, the printer 200 executes the private printing until it is completed. Next, the printer 200 sends a print completion notification to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify the printer 200 that the private printing has been completed. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 targeting the printer 200 that has completed the private printing. Next, the advertisement management server 500 conducts an auction in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, when one of the bids in the bidding results is successful, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500 and transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, printing the advertisement image. In this way, printer 200 performs advertisement printing after completing private printing, so that the private printing area and the advertisement printing area are separated on the printing paper. For example, printer 200 prints so that the private printing area and the advertisement printing area are printed on different printing paper.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a case in which a user performs private printing and then performs advertisement printing in the middle of the private printing. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , first, the user uses the terminal device 300 to send a print instruction for private printing to the printer 200. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , one print job includes, for example, three pages of print content. Next, the printer 200 sends a print confirmation to the advertisement providing server 100 to confirm whether the first page of private printing is permitted. The advertisement providing server 100 responds to the printer 200 based on settings previously determined by the user as to which page of the print job advertisement printing should be inserted. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4 , it is assumed that the advertisement printing is set to be inserted between the first and second private printing pages. Therefore, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a print instruction to the printer 200 to execute the first private printing. Next, the printer 200 executes the first private printing in response to the print instruction from the advertisement providing server 100. Next, the printer 200 sends a print confirmation to the advertisement providing server 100 to confirm whether the second private printing is permitted. The advertisement providing server 100 transmits a hold instruction to the printer 200 to hold the private printing of the second sheet. Next, the printer 200 holds the private printing of the second sheet in response to the hold instruction from the advertisement providing server 100. At this time, the printer 200 does not hold the private printing of the second sheet midway after the private printing of the second sheet has started, but holds the private printing of the second sheet before the private printing of the second sheet starts.

[0030] Next, the printer 200 transmits a print reservation notice to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the private printing of the second sheet is on hold. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 targeting the printer 200 for which the private printing of the second sheet is on hold. Next, the advertisement management server 500 conducts an auction in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500 in response to the success of one of the bid results, and transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints the advertisement image. Next, the printer 200 resumes the on-hold private printing of the second sheet. At this time, the printer 200 resumes the private printing of the second sheet after completing the advertisement printing. Next, the printer 200 transmits a print confirmation to the advertisement providing server 100 to confirm whether the private printing of the third sheet is permitted. The advertisement providing server 100 transmits a print instruction to the printer 200 to execute private printing on the third sheet. Next, the printer 200 executes private printing on the third sheet in response to the print instruction from the advertisement providing server 100. In this case, too, the printer 200 prints so that the area printed for private printing and the area printed for advertisement printing are separated on the printing paper. For example, the printer 200 prints so that the area printed for private printing and the area printed for advertisement printing are on different sheets.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a case in which advertisement printing is triggered by a user performing a specific operation on the printer 200. The specific operation is an operation that is presumed to be performed by the user being near the printer 200. The specific operation may be, for example, a button operation for requesting printing of an advertisement image, another button operation, a touch operation on the LCD screen, a power-on operation, an operation to start scanning, an operation to display a menu, etc. Other examples of specific operations include setting a paper feed tray, removing paper from an output tray, etc. As shown in FIG. 5 , the user first performs a specific operation on the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 transmits a specific operation notification to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify the advertisement providing server 100 that the specific operation has been performed. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 targeting the printer 200 on which the specific operation has been performed. Next, the advertisement management server 500 conducts an auction in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, when any bid in the bidding results is successful, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500, and transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing to print the advertisement image.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which advertisement printing is triggered by a user performing a specific operation in an application installed on the terminal device 300. The application may be, for example, a company's own printing application. The company may be, for example, the vendor of the printer 200 or a company that manages and operates the advertisement providing server 100. The specific operation may be, for example, an operation to instruct advertisement printing in the company's own printing application. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , first, the user performs an operation to instruct advertisement printing on the terminal device 300, and the terminal device 300 transmits an advertisement printing instruction to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 for the printer 200 associated with the user who performed the operation to instruct advertisement printing. Next, the advertisement management server 500 conducts an auction in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, when one of the bids in the bidding results is successful, the advertisement providing server 100 obtains an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500 and transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing to print an advertisement image.

[0033] FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which a user prints an advertisement after receiving an external service from the external server 600. The external service is a service provided by a business operator other than the vendor that provides the advertisement providing server 100 or the printer 200, such as video viewing, electronic payment on an EC (Electronic Commerce) site, web search, or display of web advertisements. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the user first requests the external service from the external server 600 using the terminal device 300. The external server 600 then executes the external service in response to the request from the terminal device 300. The external server 600 then transmits an advertisement printing instruction to the advertisement providing server 100. The advertisement providing server 100 then transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500 targeting the printer 200 associated with the user who received the external service. The advertisement management server 500 then conducts an auction in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, when any bid in the bidding results is successful, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500, and transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image to the printer 200. Next, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing to print the advertisement image.

[0034] 8 to 12 and 18 to 19 show an example of control performed by the terminal device 300, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 in cooperation with each other. Note that in the following, when we say "terminal device," "server," or "printer," it means "the control unit of the terminal device," "the control unit of the server," or "the control unit of the printer," respectively.

[0035] 8 shows the control procedure for printing advertisements before starting private printing, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 8, in step S3, terminal device 300 sends a private printing instruction to printer 200 in response to a user's operation related to private printing. The private printing instruction includes an image related to the private printing. The private printing instruction may also include user identification information, such as a user name.

[0036] In step S6, the printer 200 receives the private print instruction sent from the terminal device 300.

[0037] In step S9, printer 200 puts the private printing on hold. As described above, printer 200 puts the private printing on hold before starting it, rather than putting the private printing on hold midway after starting it.

[0038] In step S12, the printer 200 transmits a print reservation notice to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the private printing is on hold. The print reservation notice includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0039] In step S15, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print hold notification sent from the printer 200. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates the printer ID with the external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and obtains the external user ID associated with the printer ID included in the print hold notification from the storage unit 115. The external user ID is unique identification information assigned to the user and used when the user receives various external services. The external service is a service that the user can use using a specified terminal other than the printer 200, and includes, for example, an auction run by the advertisement management server 500. The print hold notification is an example of first information, and step S15 is an example of a first receiving process and a first receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S15 is an example of a first receiving unit.

[0040] In step S18, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the print hold notification received in step S15 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the print hold notification is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S21.

[0041] In step S21, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification, which is executed when the print reservation notification is not trigger information.

[0042] On the other hand, in step S18, if the print hold notification is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to step S24. The Yes determination in step S18 is an example of a recognition process and recognition step that recognizes the first information as trigger information. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes the Yes determination in step S18 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0043] In step S24, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the print reservation notification is trigger information.

[0044] In step S25, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S66, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, i.e., if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and proceeds to step S78, which will be described later.

[0045] In step S27, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are compatible with the print hold notification, which is the trigger information. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are compatible with the advertisement printing before the start of private printing on the printer 200.

[0046] In step S30, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for advertisement images, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S27. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertisement images whose content matches the print hold notification, which is the trigger information. Specifically, the content that matches the print hold notification refers to a request for bids that require the advertisement image to be printed at the timing of the print hold notification. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S30 is an example of a request process and a request step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S30 is an example of a request unit.

[0047] In step S33 , the advertisement management server 500 receives the bid request sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0048] In step S36, the advertisement management server 500 executes an auction process in response to the bid request received in step S33, in which bids are solicited from users corresponding to the external user ID as distribution targets.

[0049] In step S39, the advertisement management server 500 transmits the bidding results of the auction to the advertisement providing server 100. The bidding results include the bid details for the auction in step S36.

[0050] In step S42 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the bidding results transmitted from the advertisement management server 500 .

[0051] In step S45, the advertisement providing server 100 executes a winning bid process. As the winning bid process, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether any bids satisfy the winning bid conditions among the bidding results received in step S42. If any bids satisfy the winning bid conditions, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a reservation notice to the advertisement management server 500 to notify the advertiser who submitted the bid, i.e., the successful bidder, that the bid contents will be accepted and stored without being deleted. The advertisement management server 500 transmits this reservation notice to the terminal device, etc., of the successful bidder. As the winning bid process, the advertisement providing server 100 also transmits a defeat notice to the advertisement management server 500 to notify, for example, advertisers who submitted bids that do not satisfy the winning bid conditions, i.e., non-successful bidders, that the bid contents will not be accepted because there is another successful bidder. The advertisement management server 500 transmits this defeat notice to the terminal device, etc., of the non-successful bidder. After transmitting the defeat notice, the advertisement providing server 100 may end this process, or may return to step S30 and retransmit a bid request with bidding conditions different from the previous bid request.

[0052] In step S48, if there is a bid that satisfies the bidding conditions, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement image request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting an advertisement image from the successful bidder. If there are multiple successful bidders, the advertisement providing server 100 may request multiple advertisement images.

[0053] In step S51 , the advertisement management server 500 receives the advertisement image request transmitted from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0054] In step S54, the advertisement management server 500 acquires the advertisement image of the successful bidder from the storage unit 115 in response to the advertisement image request received in step S51, and transmits the acquired advertisement image to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0055] In step S57, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image related to the successful bid among the bids in response to the bid request. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S57 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S57 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0056] In step S60, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S57 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of the printer that sent the print pending notice. Step S60 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. The part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S60 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0057] In step S60, the advertisement providing server 100 outputs an advertisement print instruction based on the advertisement image to the printing unit 270 in response to the state of private printing, in which a non-advertising image different from the advertisement image received in step S57 is printed on printing paper before printing has started. Private printing is an example of a non-advertising printing process, and the state before printing has started is an example of a specific state. In addition, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S60 is an example of a second instruction unit.

[0058] In step S66, the printer 200 receives the advertisement printing instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100.

[0059] In step S69, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S66. At this time, the printing unit 270 of the printer 200 prints the advertisement image corresponding to the advertisement printing instruction on printing paper. Step S69 is an example of a printing step.

[0060] In step S72, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S69 was successful.

[0061] In step S75 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200 .

[0062] In step S78, the printer 200 resumes the private printing that was put on hold in step S9. With the above, the terminal device 300, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0063] In step S12, the printer 200 may determine whether to send trigger information in response to the private printing being put on hold, and may send a print hold notification if it determines to send the trigger information. In this case, the printer 200 may proceed to step S78 if it determines not to send the trigger information.

[0064] Fig. 9 shows the control content when advertising printing is performed after private printing has been completed, as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 9, the same procedures as in Fig. 8 will not be described as appropriate.

[0065] 9, first, in step S103, terminal device 300 transmits a private print instruction to printer 200 in response to a user's operation related to private printing. The private print instruction includes an image related to the private print. The private print instruction may also include user identification information such as a user name.

[0066] In step S106, the printer 200 receives the private print instruction sent from the terminal device 300.

[0067] In step S109, printer 200 executes private printing, printing an image related to private printing based on the private printing instruction received in step S106.

[0068] In step S112, the printer 200 transmits a print completion notification to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the private printing has been completed. The print completion notification includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0069] In step S115, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print completion notification transmitted from the printer 200. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates the printer ID with the external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and acquires the external user ID associated with the printer ID included in the print completion notification from the storage unit 115. The print completion notification is an example of first information, and step S115 is an example of a first receiving process and a first receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S115 is an example of a first receiving unit.

[0070] In step S118, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the print completion notification received in step S115 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the print completion notification is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S121.

[0071] In step S121, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification that is executed when the print completion notification is not trigger information.

[0072] On the other hand, in step S118, if the print completion notification is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to step S124. The Yes determination in step S118 is an example of a recognition process and recognition step that recognizes the first information as trigger information. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes the Yes determination in step S118 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0073] In step S124, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the print completion notification is trigger information.

[0074] In step S125, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S166, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, i.e., if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and ends the process.

[0075] In step S127, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are compatible with the print completion notification, which is the trigger information. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are compatible with the advertisement printing after the private printing on the printer 200 is completed.

[0076] In step S130, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for advertisement images, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S127. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertisement images whose content matches the print completion notification, which is the trigger information. Specifically, the content that matches the print completion notification refers to a request for bids that require the advertisement image to be printed at the timing of the print completion notification. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S130 is an example of a request process and a request step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S130 is an example of a request unit.

[0077] Steps S133 to S154 are the same as steps S33 to S54 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] In step S157, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S157 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S157 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0079] In step S160, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S157 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of the printer that sent the print completion notification. Step S160 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S160 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0080] In step S160, the advertisement providing server 100 outputs an advertisement print instruction based on the advertisement image to the printing unit 270 in response to the state of private printing, in which a non-advertising image different from the advertisement image received in step S157 is printed on printing paper, being printing completed. Private printing is an example of a non-advertising printing process, and the state after printing is completed is an example of a specific state. In addition, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S160 is an example of a second instruction unit.

[0081] In step S166 , the printer 200 receives the advertisement printing instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0082] In step S169, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S166. Step S169 is an example of a printing step.

[0083] In step S172, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S169 was successful.

[0084] In step S175, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200. With the above, the terminal device 300, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0085] In step S112, the printer 200 may determine whether to send trigger information in response to the completion of private printing, and may send a print hold notification if it determines to send trigger information. In this case, the printer 200 may end this process if it determines not to send trigger information.

[0086] Figures 10 and 11 show the control content when advertising printing is performed during private printing as shown in Figure 4. In Figures 10 and 11, the same procedures as those in Figure 8 etc. will not be described as appropriate.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 10, first, in step S201, terminal device 300 sends a private print instruction to printer 200 in response to a user's operation related to private printing. The private print instruction includes images related to the private print. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the private print instruction is a print instruction to print one copy of three images, for example. The private print instruction may also include user identification information such as a user name.

[0088] In step S 203 , the printer 200 receives the private print instruction sent from the terminal device 300 .

[0089] In step S205, the printer 200 transmits a first-page printing confirmation for confirming whether or not private printing of the first page is permitted to the advertisement providing server 100. The first-page printing confirmation includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0090] In step S207, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the confirmation of printing the first page sent from the printer 200. The advertisement providing server 100 stores, in the storage unit 115, a setting content that has been previously determined with the user as to which page advertisement printing will be inserted for each printer ID. In the example shown in Fig. 10, it is assumed that the setting is such that advertisement printing is inserted between the first and second private printing pages.

[0091] In step S209, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether or not private printing of the first sheet is permitted based on the above setting contents, and transmits a first-sheet printing instruction to the printer 200 to execute private printing of the first sheet.

[0092] In step S211 , the printer 200 receives the first page printing instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0093] In step S213, printer 200 executes private printing of the first sheet based on the first sheet printing instruction received in step S211.

[0094] In step S215, the printer 200 transmits a second-sheet printing confirmation for confirming whether or not private printing of the second sheet is permitted to the advertisement providing server 100. The second-sheet printing confirmation includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0095] In step S217 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the confirmation of printing the second sheet sent from the printer 200 .

[0096] In step S219, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the private printing of the second sheet is permitted based on the above setting contents, and transmits a second sheet reservation instruction to the printer 200 to reserve the private printing of the second sheet.

[0097] In step S221 , the printer 200 receives the second sheet reservation instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0098] In step S223, printer 200 reserves the private printing of the second sheet based on the second sheet reserve instruction received in step S221. As described above, printer 200 reserves the private printing of the second sheet before starting the private printing of the second sheet, rather than midway through printing after starting the private printing of the second sheet.

[0099] In step S225, the printer 200 transmits a print reservation notice to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the private printing of the second sheet is on hold. The print reservation notice includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0100] In step S227, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print hold notification sent from the printer 200. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates the printer ID with the external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and acquires the external user ID associated with the printer ID included in the print hold notification from the storage unit 115. The print hold notification is an example of first information, and step S227 is an example of a first receiving process and a first receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S227 is an example of a first receiving unit.

[0101] In step S229, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the print hold notification received in step S227 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the print hold notification is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S231.

[0102] In step S231, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification, which is executed when the print reservation notification is not trigger information.

[0103] On the other hand, in step S229, if the print hold notification is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to step S233. The Yes determination in step S229 is an example of a recognition process and recognition step that recognizes the first information as trigger information. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes the Yes determination in step S229 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0104] In step S233, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the print reservation notification is trigger information.

[0105] In step S234, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S261, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, that is, if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and proceeds to step S269, which will be described later.

[0106] In step S235, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that match the print hold notification, which is the trigger information. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that match the advertisement printing during private printing on the printer 200.

[0107] In step S237, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for the advertisement image, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S235. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for the advertisement image whose content matches the print hold notice, which is the trigger information. Specifically, the content that matches the print hold notice is a request for bids that are conditioned on printing the advertisement image at the timing of the print hold notice. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S237 is an example of a request process and a request step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S237 is an example of a request unit.

[0108] Steps S239 to S253 are similar to steps S33 to S54 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] In step S255, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image related to the successful bid among the bids in response to the bid request. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S255 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S255 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 11 , in step S257, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S255 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of the printer that sent the print pending notice. Step S257 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S257 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0111] In step S257, the advertisement providing server 100 outputs an advertisement print instruction based on the advertisement image to the printing unit 270 in response to the fact that the private printing, which prints a non-advertising image different from the advertisement image received in step S255 on a printing sheet, is in the middle of printing. Private printing is an example of a non-advertising printing process, and the middle of printing state is an example of a specific state. In addition, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S257 is an example of a second instruction unit.

[0112] In step S261 , the printer 200 receives the advertisement print instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0113] In step S263, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S261. Step S263 is an example of a printing step.

[0114] In step S265, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S263 was successful.

[0115] In step S267 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200 .

[0116] In step S269, printer 200 resumes the private printing of the second sheet that was put on hold in step S223.

[0117] In step S271, the printer 200 transmits a third-sheet printing confirmation for confirming whether or not private printing of the third sheet is permitted to the advertisement providing server 100. The third-sheet printing confirmation includes the printer ID of the printer 200.

[0118] In step S273 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the confirmation of printing the third sheet sent from the printer 200 .

[0119] In step S275, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether or not private printing of the third sheet is permitted based on the above setting contents, and transmits a third sheet printing instruction to the printer 200 to execute private printing of the third sheet.

[0120] In step S277 , the printer 200 receives the instruction to print the third sheet sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0121] In step S279, the printer 200 executes private printing of the third sheet based on the instruction to print the third sheet received in step S277. With this, the terminal device 300, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0122] Instead of step S215, the printer 200 may determine whether to send trigger information in response to the completion of private printing of the first sheet, and may send a print hold notification if it determines that the trigger information should be sent. In this case, steps S215 to S221 may be omitted. Also, if the printer 200 determines that the trigger information should not be sent, it may proceed to S269. In this case, steps S225 to S267 may be omitted.

[0123] Fig. 12 shows the control content when advertisement printing is triggered by a specific operation performed by the user on the printer 200, as shown in Fig. 5 above. In Fig. 12, the same procedures as those in Fig. 8 etc. will not be described as appropriate.

[0124] In step S303, printer 200 determines whether a user operation has been received. If a specific operation has not been received, printer 200 determines No and repeats step S303 until a specific operation is received. If a specific operation has been received, printer 200 determines Yes and proceeds to step S306.

[0125] In step S306, the printer 200 transmits a user operation notification to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the printer 200 has accepted the user operation. The user operation notification includes user identification information that identifies the user of the printer 200, such as a login user name. The user identification information included in the user operation notification is an example of second identification information. The part of the printer 200 that executes step S306 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0126] In step S309, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the user operation notification transmitted from the printer 200. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates user identification information with an external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and acquires the external user ID associated with the user identification information included in the user operation notification from the storage unit 115. The user operation notification is an example of first information and an operation signal corresponding to a user operation, and step S309 is an example of a first receiving process and a first receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S309 is an example of a first receiving unit.

[0127] In step S312, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the user operation notification received in step S309 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the user operation notification is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S315.

[0128] In step S315, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification that is executed when the user operation notification is not trigger information.

[0129] On the other hand, in step S312, if the user operation notification is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the user operation notification is a specific operation notification corresponding to a specific operation by the user, and proceeds to step S318. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the user operation notification is a specific operation notification corresponding to a specific operation by the user, and if the specific operation notification is a specific operation notification, recognizes the user operation notification as trigger information. As described above, specific operations include, for example, pressing a button to request printing of an advertisement image, pressing another button, touching the LCD screen, turning on the power, instructing the start of scanning, displaying a menu, setting a paper feed tray, removing paper from an output tray, etc. The specific operation notification is an example of a first specific operation signal, and the determination of Yes in step S312 is an example of a recognition process and a recognition step that recognizes the first information as trigger information. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes the determination of Yes in step S312 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0130] In step S318, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the user operation notification is trigger information.

[0131] In step S321, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S324. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, i.e., if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and ends the process.

[0132] In step S324, the printer 200 performs a print lock process to prohibit the printing unit 270 from printing non-advertising images that are different from advertising images. Non-advertising images are, for example, images related to the user's private printing. The part of the printer 200 that executes step S324 is an example of a prohibition processing unit.

[0133] In step S327, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for the user associated with the user identification information included in the user operation notification. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for printing an advertisement when a specific operation is performed by the user on the printer 200.

[0134] In step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for advertisement images, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S327. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertisement images whose content matches the user associated with the user identification information. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S330 is an example of a request process and a request step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S330 is an example of a request unit.

[0135] Steps S333 to S354 are similar to steps S33 to S54 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0136] In step S357, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image related to the successful bid among the bids in response to the bid request. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S357 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S357 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0137] In step S360, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S357 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of a printer that is the sender of the user operation notification. Step S360 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S360 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0138] In step S363 , the printer 200 receives the advertisement printing instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0139] In step S366, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S363. Step S366 is an example of a printing step.

[0140] In step S369, the printer 200 releases the print lock process carried out in step S324, thereby enabling printing of non-advertising images.

[0141] In step S372, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S366 was successful.

[0142] In step S375, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200. With the above, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0143] 13 shows an example of a reception unit provided in printer 200 that receives user operations. As described above, specific operations performed by the user include, for example, pressing a button to request printing of an advertising image, pressing other buttons, touching the LCD screen, turning on the power, issuing a command to start scanning, and displaying a menu. In these cases, the reception unit is a button, switch, touch panel, or the like for performing each operation. Other examples of specific user operations include setting a paper feed tray and removing paper from an output tray. In these cases, the reception unit is a sensor or the like that detects the setting and removing operations.

[0144] In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the display unit 240, which is an example of a reception unit, is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel and also functions as the operation unit 250. The display unit 240 displays an advertisement print button 251, which displays, for example, "Today's Print," a copy button 252, a scan button 253, and the like, in an operable manner. By operating the advertisement print button 251, the user can cause the printer 200 to execute advertisement printing, for example, once a day. In step S303 described above, if the printer 200 receives a touch operation of the advertisement print button 251, it determines "Yes" and proceeds to step S306. The buttons 251, 252, and 253 are examples of operation buttons operably provided on the display unit of the printer. Furthermore, the user's touch operation of the advertisement print button 251 is an example of a specific user operation. Note that the advertisement print button 251 may be a hardware button.

[0145] 13 , the printer 200 is a printer that a user logs in to use, and a login user name 254 is displayed on the display unit 240. In step S306 described above, the printer 200 transmits a user operation notification including the login user name to the advertisement providing server 100. The login user name is an example of second identification information.

[0146] 14 and 15 show an example of the print lock process performed by the printer 200 in step S324. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the printer 200 prohibits printing by copying or scanning, for example, by graying out the copy button 252 and the scan button 253 so that they are inoperable. In the example shown in Fig. 15, the printer 200 prohibits printing by copying or scanning, for example, by erasing the display of the copy button 252 and the scan button 253.

[0147] Incidentally, allowing the advertisement print button 251 to be operated without limit would reduce the value of the advertisement and, for example, could result in the exploitation of a reward if a predetermined reward is awarded to a user who prints an advertisement. For this reason, the printer 200 limits the number of times the advertisement print button 251 is operated. In this example, the number of times the button is operated is once per day. FIGS. 16 and 17 show an example of limiting the operation of the advertisement print button 251. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the printer 200 limits the number of times the advertisement print button 251 is operated, for example, by graying out the advertisement print button 251 to make it inoperable for a predetermined period of time after the advertisement print button 251 is operated. In the example shown in FIG. 17 , the printer 200 limits the number of times the advertisement print button 251 is operated, for example, by hiding the display of the advertisement print button 251 for a predetermined period of time after the advertisement print button 251 is operated.

[0148] Fig. 18 shows the control content when advertisement printing is triggered by a user performing a specific operation in an application installed on the terminal device 300, as shown in Fig. 6 above. In Fig. 18, explanations of procedures similar to those in Fig. 8 etc. will be omitted where appropriate.

[0149] 18 , first, in step S403, the terminal device 300 transmits a user operation instruction to the printer 200 in response to a user operation in the installed application. The user operation instruction includes user identification information stored in the terminal device 300. The user identification information included in the user operation instruction is an example of first identification information.

[0150] In step S406, the advertisement providing server 100 receives a user operation instruction transmitted from the terminal device 300. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates user identification information with an external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and acquires the external user ID associated with the user identification information included in the user operation instruction from the storage unit 115. The user operation instruction is an example of an operation signal corresponding to an operation accepted by the terminal and an example of second information, and step S406 is an example of a first receiving process and a first receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S406 is an example of a first receiving unit.

[0151] In step S409, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the user operation instruction received in step S406 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the user operation instruction is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S412.

[0152] In step S412, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification that is executed when the user operation instruction is not trigger information.

[0153] On the other hand, in step S409, if the user operation instruction is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 makes a Yes determination and proceeds to step S415. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the user operation instruction is an advertisement printing instruction corresponding to an operation on the terminal device 300 to instruct advertisement printing, and if it is, recognizes it as trigger information. The operation to instruct advertisement printing is an example of a specific user operation, and the advertisement printing instruction is an example of a second specific operation signal. The Yes determination in step S409 is an example of a recognition process and recognition step that recognizes the second information as trigger information. The part of the advertisement providing server 100 that makes the Yes determination in step S409 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0154] In step S415, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the user operation instruction is trigger information.

[0155] In step S418, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S457, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, that is, if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and ends the process.

[0156] In step S421, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for the user's operation instruction, which is the trigger information. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for the user associated with the user identification information received together with the user's operation instruction.

[0157] In step S424, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for advertisement images, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S421. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertisement images whose content is suitable for the user associated with the user identification information received together with the user operation instruction. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S424 is an example of a request process and a request step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S424 is an example of a request unit.

[0158] Steps S427 to S448 are similar to steps S33 to S54 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0159] In step S451, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S451 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S451 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0160] In step S454, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S451 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of a printer associated with the user identification information received together with the user operation instruction in step S406. Step S454 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S454 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0161] In step S457 , the printer 200 receives the advertisement print instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0162] In step S460, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S457. Step S460 is an example of a printing step.

[0163] In step S463, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S460 was successful.

[0164] In step S466, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200. With the above, the terminal device 300, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0165] Fig. 19 shows the control content when advertisement printing is performed when the user receives an external service from the external server 600, as shown in Fig. 7 above. In Fig. 19, the same procedures as those in Fig. 8 etc. will not be described as appropriate.

[0166] 19 , although not shown, the terminal device 300 first transmits an external service request to the external server 600 in response to a user's operation requesting an external service in an installed application for the external service. The external service request operation is, for example, an operation to perform a web search, an operation to click on a web advertisement, an operation to view a video, an operation to view an e-commerce site, an operation to make an electronic payment, etc. These external service request operations are examples of operations accepted by the terminal.

[0167] In step S503, the external server 600 determines whether or not an external service request has been received from the terminal device 300. If the external server 600 has not received an external service request, the external server 600 determines No and repeats step S503 until an external service request is received. If the external server 600 has received an external service request, the external server 600 determines Yes and proceeds to step S506.

[0168] In step S506, the external server 600 executes an external service in response to the external service request from the terminal device 300. As described above, the external service is, for example, viewing of a video, electronic payment on an EC (Electronic Commerce) site, web search, display of web advertisements, etc.

[0169] In step S509, the external server 600 transmits a service execution notification to the advertisement providing server 100 to notify that the external service has been executed. The service execution notification includes the user identification information acquired from the terminal device 300. The user identification information included in the service execution notification is an example of first identification information.

[0170] In step S512, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the service execution notification transmitted from the external server 600. At this time, the advertisement providing server 100 associates user identification information with an external user ID and stores them in the storage unit 115, and acquires the external user ID associated with the user identification information included in the service execution notification from the storage unit 115. The service execution notification is an example of an operation signal corresponding to an operation accepted by the terminal and an example of second information, and step S512 is an example of a first reception process and a first reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S512 is an example of a first reception unit.

[0171] In step S515, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the service execution notification received in step S512 is trigger information that triggers advertisement printing. If the service execution notification is not trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S518.

[0172] In step S518, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits to the printer 200 a non-trigger notification for making a predetermined notification that is executed when the service execution notification is not trigger information.

[0173] On the other hand, in step S515, if the service execution notification is trigger information, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the notification is a service execution notification corresponding to an external service request operation on the terminal device 300, and proceeds to step S521. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the service execution notification is a service execution notification corresponding to an external service request operation on the terminal device 300, and if the notification is the notification, recognizes the notification as trigger information. The external service request operation is an example of a specific user operation, and the service execution notification corresponding to the external service request operation is an example of a second specific operation signal. The determination of Yes in step S515 is an example of a recognition process and a recognition step that recognizes the second information as trigger information. The part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes the determination of Yes in step S515 is an example of a recognition unit.

[0174] In step S521, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a trigger notification to the printer 200 to notify that the service execution notification is trigger information.

[0175] In step S524, the printer 200 determines whether or not the trigger notification has been received from the advertisement providing server 100. If the printer 200 has received a trigger notification, it determines Yes, and proceeds to step S563, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the printer 200 has not received a trigger notification, that is, if the printer 200 has received a non-trigger notification, it determines No, and ends the process.

[0176] In step S527, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for the service execution notification, which is the trigger information. For example, the advertisement providing server 100 determines bidding conditions that are suitable for the user associated with the user identification information received together with the service execution notification.

[0177] In step S530, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500, requesting bids for advertisement images, based on the bidding conditions determined in step S527. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertisement images whose content is suitable for the user associated with the user identification information received together with the service execution notification. The bid request includes an external user ID. Step S530 is an example of a request process and a request step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S530 is an example of a request unit.

[0178] Steps S533 to S554 are similar to steps S33 to S54 in FIG. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0179] In step S557, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of advertisement information, and step S557 is an example of a second reception process and a second reception step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S557 is an example of a second reception unit.

[0180] In step S560, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertisement image received in step S557 to the printing unit 270 provided in the printer 200. The advertisement printing instruction includes the advertisement image. The destination printer 200 is an example of a printer associated with the user identification information received together with the service execution notification in step S512. Step S560 is an example of a first instruction process and a first instruction step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S560 is an example of a first instruction unit.

[0181] In step S563 , the printer 200 receives the advertisement printing instruction sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0182] In step S566, the printer 200 executes advertisement printing, which prints an advertisement image based on the advertisement printing instruction received in step S563. Step S566 is an example of a printing step.

[0183] In step S569, the printer 200 transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 a print result notification indicating whether or not the advertisement printing in step S566 was successful.

[0184] In step S572, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print result notification sent from the printer 200. With the above, the external server 600, the printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100, and the advertisement management server 500 end the processing.

[0185] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, in the distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bidding for advertisement images in steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530, and receives advertisement images related to successful bids from among the bids that responded to the requests in steps S57, S157, S255, S357, S451, and S557. The advertisement providing server 100 outputs advertisement printing instructions based on the received advertisement information in steps S60, S160, S257, S360, S454, and S560, and the printing unit 270 prints the advertisement images corresponding to the advertisement printing instructions. When printing an advertisement through such processing, in the distribution system 1 of this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 executes steps S15, S115, S227, S309, S406, S512 and steps S18, S118, S229, S312, S409, and S515 as a configuration related to triggers for requesting a bid in steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530. When the advertisement providing server 100 receives a print hold notification, a print completion notification, or a user operation notification from the printer 200, receives a user operation instruction from the terminal device 300, or receives a service execution notification from the external server 600 in steps S15, S115, S227, S309, S406, and S512, the advertisement providing server 100 recognizes the received print hold notification, print completion notification, user operation notification, user operation instruction, or service execution notification as trigger information in steps S18, S118, S229, S312, S409, and S515. Upon recognizing that the information is trigger information as described above, the advertisement providing server 100 requests a bid in steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530. As a result of the above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to request bidding for advertising images depending on the behavior of the printer 200 or the terminal device 300 that can operate the printer 200, making it possible to print advertisements at a time that is convenient for the user of the printer 200.

[0186] In particular, in this embodiment, the printer 200 is provided with a display unit 240 or an operation unit 250. When the display unit 240 or the operation unit 250 accepts a user operation, an operation signal corresponding to the user operation becomes a user operation notification. When the advertisement providing server 100 receives the user operation notification in step S309, it determines in step S312 whether the user operation notification is a specific operation notification corresponding to a specific user operation. If the advertisement providing server 100 determines that the user operation notification is a specific operation notification, it recognizes the user operation notification as trigger information and, in response to this, requests a bid in step S330. According to this embodiment, bidding for an advertisement image is made in response to a specific user operation on the printer 200, so that the advertisement can be printed at a time convenient for the user who performed the operation on the display unit 240 or the operation unit 250 of the printer 200.

[0187] In this embodiment, the printer 200 prohibits printing of non-advertising images in step S324, so that other printing cannot be performed until the advertisement printing is completed. This allows the printing of non-advertising images to be postponed, and the printing of advertisements to be given top priority.

[0188] In this embodiment in particular, in step S324, the printer 200 grays out operation buttons such as the copy button 252 and the scan button 253, making them inoperable, or removes the display of the operation buttons altogether, thereby preventing the user from performing printing operations.

[0189] In this embodiment in particular, in step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 requests a bid that matches the user identification information of the user whose operation has been accepted by the printer 200. This allows the printer 200 to print an advertisement that is of great interest to the user.

[0190] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, when the terminal device 300 capable of operating the printer 200 accepts a user operation, an operation signal corresponding to the user operation becomes a user operation instruction or a service execution notification via the external server 600. When the advertisement providing server 100 receives the user operation instruction or service execution notification in steps S406 and S512, it determines in steps S409 and S515 whether the user operation instruction or service execution notification is an operation signal corresponding to a specific user operation. If the advertisement providing server 100 determines in steps S409 and S515 that the user operation instruction or service execution notification is an operation signal corresponding to a specific user operation, it recognizes the user operation instruction or service execution notification as trigger information. Upon this recognition, the advertisement providing server 100 requests a bid for content that matches the user identification information received together with the user operation instruction or service execution notification in steps S424 and S530. According to this embodiment, bidding for advertising images is carried out in response to user operations on the terminal device 300, so that the advertisement can be printed at a time convenient for the user who operates the terminal device 300.

[0191] In particular, in this embodiment, the user can print a non-advertising image, different from the advertising image, for example, a print image for personal use, on the printing paper. The advertisement printing is performed at a timing related to the status of this private printing. When the status of the private printing reaches a specific state in steps S60, S160, S257, and S360, the advertisement providing server 100 outputs an advertisement printing instruction based on the advertising image to the printing unit 270 of the printer 200. According to this embodiment, when the user is performing private printing, the advertisement can be printed at a timing convenient for the user related to the status of the private printing.

[0192] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 requests bids for advertising images whose content matches the trigger information in steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530. Examples of content that matches the trigger information include, for example, an advertisement related to office automation equipment that is effective when printed at the timing of an operation of the reception unit of the printer 200, and an advertisement for goods or services related to each display that is effective when printed at the timing of a web search, a click on a web advertisement, a video viewing, an electronic payment, or the like on the terminal device 300. According to this embodiment, since the content of the advertisement matches the trigger information, more effective advertisements can be printed.

[0193] <Modifications> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the spirit and technical concept thereof.

[0194] For example, in the above embodiment, the printer 200 is a printer that a user logs in to use, and a login user name is transmitted as user identification information. However, this is not limited to this. For example, if the printer 200 does not have a login function or if the login setting is disabled, a default user name that is preset in the printer 200 may be transmitted as user identification information. The default user name is an example of specific second identification information related to multiple users of the printer.

[0195] In this modification, the printer 200 transmits a default user name along with a user operation notification to the advertisement providing server 100 in step S306 shown in FIG. 12 described above. The advertisement providing server 100 receives the user operation notification and the default user name transmitted from the printer 200 in step S309. The advertisement providing server 100 requests bidding for an advertisement image with content suitable for one user sequentially determined according to a predetermined regularity in step S330. The predetermined regularity may be, for example, rotating among a plurality of users who use the printer 200. Note that if the advertisement providing server 100 does not receive user identification information in step S309, it may request bidding for an advertisement image with content suitable for one user sequentially determined according to a predetermined regularity in step S330.

[0196] In this modified example, if there are multiple users who can operate the printer 200, default user names associated with those users are used. The default user name is, for example, identification information that collectively refers to the multiple users and does not identify each user individually. In step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 designates one of the multiple users corresponding to the default user name and requests bids for content that suits the designated user. In this case, the user designation is performed by designating each user from the multiple users in order according to a predetermined regularity. This allows advertisements that are of greatest interest to each of the multiple users operating the printer 200 to be printed in order.

[0197] Printer 200 may also have a reception unit corresponding to each of multiple users. In this case, printer 200 transmits the user operation notification along with the user identification information of the user corresponding to the reception unit that received the user operation, among the multiple reception units, in step S306 shown in Figure 12. Specifically, for example, if printer 200 is used by a family, printer 200 may have an advertisement print button 251 for the mother and an advertisement print button 251 for the children.

[0198] According to this modified example, a reception unit is provided for each of the multiple users of the printer 200, and by requesting a bid that matches the user identification information of the user corresponding to the reception unit that accepts the operation, advertisements that are of great interest to the user can be reliably printed.

[0199] Furthermore, when the printer 200 includes a first receiving unit and a second receiving unit corresponding to a first user and a second user, respectively, included in the plurality of users, the printer 200 and the advertisement providing server 100 may be controlled as follows. That is, in step S306 shown in FIG. 12 , if the printer 200 receives an operation via the first receiving unit, the printer 200 transmits user identification information related to the second user, and if the printer 200 receives an operation via the second receiving unit, the printer 200 transmits user identification information related to the first user. In step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 requests a bid for an advertisement image having content suitable for the user associated with the user identification information received together with the user operation notification. Specifically, for example, when the printer 200 includes a receiving unit for the mother and a receiving unit for the child, the printer 200 transmits user identification information for the child when the printer 200 receives an operation via the receiving unit for the mother, and transmits user identification information for the mother when the printer 200 receives an operation via the receiving unit for the child.

[0200] In this modification, in step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 requests a bid with content suitable for a second user, different from the first user whose operation is accepted by the first accepting unit. The first user and the second user are close users who share the printer 200, and it is possible to show the first user who operated the accepting unit the content of an advertisement that will be of great interest to the second user. As an example, if the first user is a mother and the second user is a child, an advertisement related to goods that the child likes can be printed and shown to the mother in response to the mother's operation.

[0201] In the above embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 executes steps S15, S115, S227, S309, S406, and S512 as the first receiving unit, steps S18, S118, S229, S312, S409, and S515 as the recognizing unit, steps S30, S130, S237, S330, S424, and S530 as the requesting unit, steps S57, S157, S255, S357, S451, and S557 as the second receiving unit, and steps S60, S160, S257, S360, S454, and S560 as the first instructing unit, but this is not limiting. The printer 200 may be configured to execute all or part of these processes.

[0202] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 8 to 12 and Figures 18 to 19 do not limit the present disclosure to the procedures shown in the above flows, and procedures may be added or deleted or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the disclosure.

[0203] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0204] Although not specifically illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof.

[0205] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Distribution system 100 Advertisement providing server (an example of a distribution server) 200 Printer 240 Display unit (an example of a reception unit) 250 Operation unit 251 Advertisement print button (an example of an operation button) 252 Copy button (an example of an operation button) 253 Scan button (an example of an operation button) 254 Login user name (an example of second identification information) 270 Print unit 300 Terminal device 500 Advertisement management server 600 External server

Claims

1. A distribution system having a printer that prints an image on a sheet and a distribution server that distributes advertising information to the printer, comprising: a first receiving unit that receives first information from the printer or receives second information together with first identification information from a terminal; a recognition unit that recognizes the first information or the second information received by the first receiving unit as trigger information; a requesting unit that requests bids for the advertising information in response to the recognition unit recognizing the trigger information; a second receiving unit that receives advertising information related to successful bids among the bids in response to the request from the requesting unit; a printing unit that prints an image corresponding to a printing instruction on the sheet; and a first instruction unit that outputs the printing instruction based on the advertising information received by the second receiving unit to the printing unit provided in the printer that is the sender of the first information received by the first receiving unit or the printer associated with the first identification information received by the first receiving unit together with the second information.

2. A distribution system as described in claim 1, further comprising a reception unit provided in the printer for receiving user operations, wherein the first receiving unit receives an operation signal corresponding to the user operation received by the reception unit of the printer as the first information, and the recognition unit determines whether the operation signal is a first specific operation signal corresponding to a specific user operation, and recognizes it as the trigger information if it is the first specific operation signal.

3. A distribution system as described in claim 2, further comprising a prohibition processing unit that, after the recognition unit recognizes the trigger information, performs processing to prohibit the printing unit from printing a non-advertising image different from the image corresponding to the printing instruction based on the advertising information.

4. A distribution system as described in claim 3, wherein the reception unit is an operation button provided in an operable manner on the display unit of the printer, and the prohibition processing unit displays the operation button as inoperable or causes the display of the operation button to disappear.

5. A distribution system as described in claim 2, further comprising a transmitting unit provided in the printer for transmitting second identification information that identifies a user of the printer, wherein the first receiving unit receives the operation signal as the first information and the second identification information, and the requesting unit requests a bid for the advertising information having content that suits the user related to the second identification information received by the first receiving unit together with the operation signal.

6. A distribution system as described in claim 5, wherein the transmitting unit transmits specific second identification information related to the multiple users of the printer, the first receiving unit receives the operation signal as the first information and the specific second identification information, and the requesting unit requests a bid for the advertising information whose content is suitable for one user that is determined sequentially according to a predetermined regularity when the first receiving unit receives the specific second identification information together with the operation signal or when the first receiving unit does not receive information related to the multiple users together with the operation signal.

7. A distribution system as described in claim 5, wherein the reception unit is provided in multiple units corresponding to each of the multiple users of the printer, and the transmission unit transmits the second identification information of the user corresponding to the reception unit that received the user operation among the multiple reception units.

8. The distribution system of claim 5, wherein the reception unit is provided in plural, including a first reception unit and a second reception unit corresponding respectively to a first user and a second user included in the plural users of the printer, the transmission unit transmits the second identification information related to the second user when the first reception unit receives an operation, and the request unit requests a bid for the advertising information having content suitable for the second user related to the second identification information received by the first reception unit together with the operation signal.

9. The distribution system described in claim 1, wherein the first receiving unit receives an operation signal corresponding to an operation accepted by the terminal as the second information and also receives the first identification information stored in the terminal; the recognition unit determines whether the operation signal is a second specific operation signal corresponding to a specific user operation on the terminal, and recognizes it as the trigger information if it is the second specific operation signal; and the request unit requests a bid for the advertising information having content suitable for a user associated with the first identification information received by the first receiving unit together with the operation signal.

10. A distribution system as described in claim 1, further comprising a second instruction unit that outputs the printing instruction based on the advertising information to the printing unit in response to the state of the non-advertising printing process by the printing unit, in which a non-advertising image different from an image based on the advertising information received by the second receiving unit is printed on a sheet, reaching a specific state.

11. The distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the request unit requests a bid for the advertising information whose content matches the trigger information.

12. The distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving unit, the recognition unit, the request unit, the second receiving unit, and the first instruction unit are provided in the distribution server.

13. The distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving unit, the recognition unit, the request unit, the second receiving unit, and the first instruction unit are provided in the printer.

14. A distribution server equipped with a processor that distributes advertising information to a printer that prints images on sheets, the distribution server executing the following steps: a first reception process that receives first information from the printer or receives second information together with first identification information from a terminal; a recognition process that recognizes the first information or the second information received in the first reception process as trigger information; a request process that requests bids for the advertising information in response to the recognition of the trigger information in the recognition process; a second reception process that receives advertising information related to a successful bid among the bids requested in the request process; and a first instruction process that outputs a print instruction based on the advertising information received in the second reception process to the printer that is the sender of the first information received in the first reception process or to the printer associated with the first identification information received together with the second information in the first reception process.

15. A distribution method for distributing advertising information to a printer that prints an image on a sheet, comprising: a first receiving step of receiving first information from the printer or receiving second information together with first identification information from a terminal; a recognition step of recognizing the first information or the second information received in the first receiving step as trigger information; a request step of requesting bids for the advertising information in response to recognizing the trigger information in the recognition step; a second receiving step of receiving advertising information related to a successful bid among the bids requested in the request step; a printing step of printing an image corresponding to a print instruction on the sheet; and a first instruction step of outputting the print instruction based on the advertising information received in the second receiving step to the printer that is the sender of the first information received in the first receiving step or the printer associated with the first identification information received together with the second information in the first receiving step.

Images