Server, distribution service program, distribution service system, and distribution service provision method

Abstract

Provided are a server, a distribution service program, a distribution service system, and a distribution service provision method which, in relation to distribution of distribution information, are capable of performing appropriate billing in accordance with a service format. An advertisement provision server 100 comprises a control unit 110 and provides a service for distributing an advertisement image to a printer 200. The control unit 110 of the advertisement provision server 100 performs: a step (S39, S139, S239) for acquiring an advertisement image; a step (S48, S49, S145, S242) for transmitting, to the printer 200, a printing instruction for a layout image based on the acquired advertisement image; and a step (S93, S196) for, when the printer 200 related to the printing instruction is a company B printer 200B that is managed by a company B server 400B, charging the company B server 400B for a company A system usage fee related to the service.

Description

Server, distribution service program, distribution service system, and distribution service providing method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server that distributes distribution information to a destination printer and performs printing, a distribution service program, a distribution service system, and a distribution service providing method.

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for providing advertising information customized to a media purchaser has been known, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1. The patent document discloses that a service provider, upon receiving a media purchase request from a media purchaser, solicits bids from advertising information providers for advertisements to be inserted into the media. In response to bids from the advertising information providers, the service provider determines advertising information to be inserted into the media and transmits the media with the advertising information inserted to the purchaser.

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

[0004] In the technology described in the above patent document, the service provider collects the necessary fees from purchasers of the media. However, depending on the type of service, it is conceivable that fees may also be collected from people other than purchasers. The above patent document does not particularly take into consideration fee collection in such cases.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a server, a distribution service program, a distribution service system, and a distribution service providing method that are capable of charging an appropriate fee according to the type of service for distribution of distribution information.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure relates to the following technology: A server including a processor that provides a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, wherein the processor executes an acquisition process to acquire the distribution information, a transmission process to transmit to the printer a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information, and a first billing process to bill the management system for a first fee for the service if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is a specific printer managed by the specific management system.

[0007] In the present disclosure, a processor acquires distribution information in an acquisition process and sends a print instruction to a printer of a distribution image in a transmission process. As a process related to billing for this process flow, the processor executes a first billing process when the printer related to the print instruction is a specific printer managed by a specific management system. The specific printer is, for example, a Company B printer that is not managed when a Company A server is operated, and the specific management system is, for example, a Company B server operated by Company B. In the first billing process, the processor bills the management system that manages the specific printer for a first fee related to the provision of the service. The first fee is, for example, a usage fee for the Company A system including the Company A server. According to the present disclosure, in a configuration in which a distribution service is provided to a configuration in which a management system manages a specific printer, an appropriate fee can be billed according to the configuration.

[0008] The distribution service program disclosed herein causes a computer provided on a server that provides a service of distributing distribution information to a printer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring the distribution information, a transmission process for sending a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information to the printer, and a first billing process for billing the management system for a first fee related to the service if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is a specific printer that is managed by a specific management system.

[0009] The distribution service system disclosed herein is a distribution service system that provides a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires the distribution information, a transmission unit that sends a print instruction for a distribution image based on the distribution information acquired by the acquisition unit to the printer, and a first billing unit that bills the management system for a first fee related to the service if the printer related to the print instruction from the transmission unit is a specific printer managed by a specific management system.

[0010] The distribution service providing method disclosed herein is a distribution service providing method for providing a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring the distribution information, a transmission step of sending a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information to the printer, and a first billing step of billing the management system for a first fee related to the service if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission step is a specific printer managed by a specific management system.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to charge an appropriate fee for the distribution of distribution information according to the type of service.

[0012] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a distribution service system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a first payment method for fees in the distribution service system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a second payment method for fees in the distribution service system. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first role pattern of each server in the distribution service system. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a second role pattern of each server in the distribution service system. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a third role pattern of each server in the distribution service system. FIG. 7 is a sequence flow showing an example of a process flow performed by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, a company B server, and a company B printer in cooperation with each other in the case of the first role pattern and the second payment method. FIG. 8 is a sequence flow showing an example of a process flow performed by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, a company B server, and a company B printer in cooperation with each other in the case of the first role pattern and the second payment method. FIG. 9 is a sequence flow showing an example of a process flow performed by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, a company A server, and a company A printer in cooperation with each other in the case of the first role pattern and the second payment method. FIG. 10 is a sequence flow showing an example of a process flow performed by an advertisement providing server, an advertisement management server, a company A server, and a company A printer in cooperation with each other in the case of the second role pattern and the first payment method. 1 is a sequence flow showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the advertisement providing server, the advertisement management server, the company B server, and the company B printer in cooperation in the case of the second role pattern and the first payment method. FIG. 2 is a sequence flow showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the advertisement providing server, the advertisement management server, the company B server, and the company B printer in cooperation in the case of the third role pattern and the first payment method. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the control content of the company A system usage fee aggregation processing executed by the advertisement providing server. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of company A system usage details aggregated for each successful bid image. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of company A system usage details aggregated for each layout image.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure relates to a distribution service system that distributes advertisements from a server to a printer and performs printing.

[0014] <Overall Configuration of Distribution Service System> Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a distribution service system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the distribution service system 1 includes an advertisement providing server (SSP: Supply Side Platform) 100, a company A printer 200A, a company B printer 200B, a terminal device 300, a company A server 400A, a company B server 400B, and an advertisement management server (DSP: Demand Side Platform) 500. Each of the servers 100, 400A, 400B, 500 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 local area network (LAN), and a wide area network (WAN). 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.

[0015] Company A is the manufacturer of Company A's printer 200A and the company that manages and operates Company A's server 400A, and Company B is the manufacturer of Company B's printer 200B and the company that manages and operates Company B's server 400B. In this embodiment, Company A manages and operates the advertisement providing server 100. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between Company A's printer 200A and Company B's printer 200B, they will be referred to as "printer 200," and when there is no need to distinguish between Company A's server 400A and Company B's server 400B, they will be referred to as "server 400."

[0016] <Advertisement Providing Server> The advertisement providing server 100 is a server managed and operated by company A. The advertisement providing server 100 receives an advertisement image from the advertisement management server 500 at a predetermined timing. The advertisement providing server 100 delivers the acquired advertisement image or a layout image based on the advertisement image to the printer 200, causing it to print. The advertisement providing server 100 is an example of a server, the advertisement image is an example of distribution information, and the advertisement image and the layout image are examples of distribution images based on the distribution information.

[0017] 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, a HDD, etc. 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 of Figures 7 to 13 described below. The various data 130 includes a printer ID of the printer 200, an external user ID, an advertisement image, etc.

[0018] 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 terminal device 300, the server 400, and the 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 terminal device 300, the server 400, and the advertisement management server 500.

[0019] <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 the plurality of managed advertisement images. The advertisement management server 500 transmits the acquired advertisement image to the advertisement providing server 100 via the communication unit, and the advertisement providing server 100 transmits the received advertisement image or a layout image generated based on the advertisement image to the server 400. The server 400 transmits the received advertisement image or layout image to the printer 200 for printing. The advertisement management server 500, together with the advertisement providing server 100, constitutes an example of a server.

[0020] <Company B Server> Company B server 400B is a server operated by Company B, and manages printing by Company B printer 200B. Company B server 400B has a control unit (not shown), a memory unit 415 (see Figures 5 and 6 described below), a communication unit (not shown), etc. The control unit is, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and executes various programs stored in the memory unit. The memory unit 415 is, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, etc., and stores various programs and various data. Company B server 400B is an example of a specific management system.

[0021] <Company B Printer> The company B printer 200B 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 they can send and receive information. The company B printer 200B is managed by the company B server 400B, and is an example of a specific printer.

[0022] 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, a program for executing the control of the company B printer 200B according to the flows shown in FIGS. 7 to 8 and 10 to 12 described below. The various data 230 includes the aforementioned printer ID, an advertisement image or layout image received from the company B server 400B, 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 company B printer 200B and the advertisement providing server 100 may store original data of at least a portion of the various data, and the other of the company B printer 200B and the advertisement providing server 100 may store copy data of the original data.

[0023] 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, a liquid crystal display 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 company B printer 200B by operating the operation unit 250. The communication unit 260 is connected to the company B server 400B and is capable of communicating with the company B server 400B. The printing unit 270 includes a print engine and forms and prints an image on the printing paper using, for example, an inkjet method while removing and transporting printing paper from a paper tray using a transport mechanism (not shown).

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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 company B's printer 200B 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.

[0026] <Company A's Server> Company A's server 400A is a server operated by Company A, and manages printing by Company A's printer 200A. Company A's server 400A has a control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc., which are not shown. The control unit is, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and executes various programs stored in the storage unit. The storage unit is, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, HDD, etc., and stores various programs and various data.

[0027] <Company A's Printer> Company A's printer 200A is a printer managed by company A's server 400A. Although not shown in the drawings, company A's printer 200A has the same configuration as company B's printer 200B.

[0028] <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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] <Features of the embodiment> The distribution service system 1 holds an auction for advertisement distribution targets and solicits bids. If a successful bidder among the bidders satisfies the conditions, the distribution service 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, company A, which manages and operates the advertisement providing server 100, collects advertising fees from the advertising business. However, depending on the form of the distribution service, it is conceivable that fees will also be collected from parties other than the advertising business. A feature of this embodiment is that, for advertisement printing, an appropriate fee is charged according to the form of the distribution service. The details of this are described below.

[0031] <Payment Method> FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of payment methods in the distribution service system 1 when an advertisement is distributed to the company B's printer 200B. The payment method in the distribution service system 1 may be either payment method 1 or payment method 2, which will be described later, or both payment methods may be used depending on the situation. FIG. 2 shows the first payment method. As shown in FIG. 2 , the advertisement providing server 100 first transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500. 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, if the advertisement providing server 100 wins at least one of the bid results, it acquires an advertisement image corresponding to the successful bid from the advertisement management server 500 and transmits a print request based on the advertisement image to the company B's server 400B. The company B's server 400B then transmits a print request to the company B's printer 200B to print the advertisement. The company B's server 400B then transmits a print result indicating whether the printing was successful to the advertisement providing server 100. If printing is successful, the advertisement management server 500 pays the advertisement fee to the advertisement providing server 100. The advertisement providing server 100 tallies up the system usage fee of company A and pays the remaining fee, which is obtained by deducting the system usage fee of company A from the advertisement fee, to company B's server 400B.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows the second payment method. As shown in Fig. 3, the process is the same as Fig. 2 above until the company B's server 400B transmits a print result indicating whether printing was successful to the advertisement providing server 100. If printing is successful, the advertisement management server 500 pays the advertisement fee to the company B's server 400B. The advertisement providing server 100 tallies up the company A's system usage fees and bills the company B's server 400B for the tallied company A's system usage fees.

[0033] 2 and 3 may be replaced with the company A's server 400A and the company B's printer 200B, respectively, and the same process may be performed up to the time the advertising fee is paid by the advertisement management server 500. In other words, with regard to the payment method for fees in the distribution service system 1 when an advertisement is distributed to the company A's printer 200A, the process in which the advertisement providing server 100 pays the deduction fee in FIG. 2 and the process in which the advertisement providing server 100 charges the system usage fee in FIG. 3 are not performed.

[0034] 4 to 6 show examples of the role of each server in distribution service system 1 when an advertisement is distributed to company B's printer 200B. The role of each server in distribution service system 1 may be any one of the first to third role patterns described below, or at least two role patterns may be used depending on the situation.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a first role pattern. In the first role pattern, the advertisement providing server 100 associates an external user ID with a printer ID and stores them in the storage unit 115. The printer ID is identification information assigned to the printer 200. The external user ID is unique identification information assigned to the user and is used when the user receives various external services. The storage unit 115 stores the external user ID in association with the printer ID of the printer 200 specified by the user, for example, the printer ID of the printer 200 used by the user. The external service is a service that the user can use using a specified terminal other than the printer 200 and is provided by a company other than Company A. The external service includes, for example, an email service, a video viewing service, or an auction run by the advertisement management server 500.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4 , first, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a bid request to the advertisement management server 500. The bid request includes an external user ID associated with the printer ID of the printer 200 to be distributed. Next, the advertisement management server 500 holds an auction for users corresponding to the external user ID in response to the received bid request, and sends the bid results to the advertisement providing server 100. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires from the advertisement management server 500 advertisement images corresponding to successful bids among the bidding results, and creates a layout image for printing on a single sheet of printing paper of a predetermined size, in which the acquired advertisement images are arranged. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a print request based on the layout image to the company B's server 400B. Next, the company B's server 400B sends a print request to the company B's printer 200B to print the advertisement. Next, the company B's server 400B sends a print result indicating whether the printing was successful to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a second role pattern. In the second role pattern, the company B's server 400B associates an external user ID with a printer ID and stores them in the storage unit 415. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the company B's server 400B first transmits an image acquisition request to the advertisement providing server 100 to request a layout image. The image acquisition request includes an external user ID associated with the printer ID of the printer 200B to be distributed. The advertisement providing server 100 then transmits a bid request including the external user ID to the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement management server 500 then executes an auction targeting users corresponding to the external user IDs in response to the received bid request and transmits the bidding results to the advertisement providing server 100. The advertisement providing server 100 then obtains, from the advertisement management server 500, advertising images corresponding to successful bids among the bidding results, and creates the layout image. The advertisement providing server 100 then transmits a print request based on the created layout image to the company B's server 400B. Next, the company B's server 400B sends a print request to the company B's printer 200B to print the advertisement. Next, the company B's server 400B sends a print result indicating whether the printing was successful to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows the third role pattern. Similar to the second role pattern, in the third role pattern, the company B's server 400B associates an external user ID with a printer ID and stores them in the storage unit 415. As shown in FIG. 6 , the company B's server 400B first transmits an image acquisition request to the advertisement providing server 100 to request an advertisement image. The image acquisition request includes an external user ID associated with the printer ID of the printer 200B to be distributed. Next, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request including the external user ID to the advertisement management server 500. Next, the advertisement management server 500 executes an auction targeting users corresponding to the external user IDs 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 from the advertisement management server 500 advertisement images corresponding to successful bids from the bidding results and transmits the images to the company B's server 400B. Next, the company B's server 400B creates the layout image. Next, the company B server 400B sends a print request based on the created layout image to the company B printer 200B to print the advertisement. Next, the company B server 400B sends a print result indicating whether the printing was successful or not to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0039] As for the role pattern in the distribution service system 1 when an advertisement is distributed to the A company printer 200A, the B company server 400B and the B company printer 200B in Figures 4 to 6 can be replaced with the A company server 400A and the A company printer 200A, respectively, and the same processing can be performed.

[0040] 7 to 13 show an example of control performed by the advertisement providing server 100, the advertisement management server 500, the company B server 400B or the company A server 400A, and the company B printer 200B or the company A printer 200A in cooperation with each other. Note that in the following, when we say "the server" or "the printer," we mean "the control unit of the server" and "the control unit of the printer," respectively.

[0041] 7 to 9 show the control contents for the first role pattern and the second payment method described above. As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S3, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived. The advertisement distribution time is predetermined for each printer 200 and is stored in the storage unit 115 in association with, for example, the printer ID. The advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived based on the advertisement distribution time information stored in the storage unit 115. If the distribution time has not arrived, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No, and repeats step S3 until the distribution time arrives. If the distribution time has arrived, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes, and proceeds to step S6.

[0042] In step S6, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires from the storage unit 115 the printer ID corresponding to the printer 200 to which the distribution time has come.

[0043] In step S9, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires from the storage unit 115 the external user ID associated with the printer ID acquired in step S6.

[0044] In step S12, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request to the advertisement management server 500. The bid request includes the external user ID acquired in step S9, vendor type information of the printer 200 to be distributed, bidding conditions, and the like.

[0045] In step S15, the advertisement management server 500 receives the bid request sent from the advertisement providing server 100. The advertisement management server 500 needs to identify the vendor in order to aggregate advertising fees for each vendor in step S84, which will be described later. The advertisement management server 500 can identify the vendor based on vendor type information included in the bid request. Note that the method of identifying the vendor is not limited to the above. For example, if the advertisement providing server 100 has a separate communication unit for each vendor, the advertisement management server 500 may identify the vendor based on the communication unit that is the sender of the bid request.

[0046] In step S18, the advertisement management server 500 executes an auction process in response to the bid request received in step S15, in which bids are solicited from users corresponding to the external user ID as distribution targets.

[0047] In step S21, 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 S18.

[0048] In step S24 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the bidding results transmitted from the advertisement management server 500 .

[0049] In step S27, 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 S24. 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 S12 and resend a bid request with bidding conditions different from the previous bid request.

[0050] In step S30, 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.

[0051] In step S33 , the advertisement management server 500 receives the advertisement image request sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0052] In step S36, 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 S33, and transmits the acquired advertisement image to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0053] In step S39, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of distribution information, and step S39 is an example of an acquisition process and an example of an acquisition step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S39 is an example of an acquisition unit.

[0054] In step S42, the advertisement providing server 100 creates a layout image in which the advertisement image acquired in step S39 is arranged on a single sheet of printing paper of a predetermined size. The printing paper is an example of a printed material, and step S42 is an example of a layout creation process and a generation process.

[0055] In step S45, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the printer 200 to be distributed is the company B printer 200B or the company A printer 200A. The advertisement providing server 100 makes this determination based on vendor type information included in the device registration details in the company A server 400A, for example. If the printer to be distributed is the company B printer 200B, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to step S48. On the other hand, if the printer to be distributed is the company A printer 200A, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S49, which will be described later. The vendor type information is an example of first type information, and step S45 is an example of a determination process.

[0056] In step S48, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a print request for the layout image created in step S42 to the company B's server 400B. The print request includes the layout image. The layout image is an example of a delivery image based on the delivery information, the print request is an example of a print instruction, and transmitting the print request to the company B's server 400B is an example of transmitting a print instruction to the company B's printer 200B. Step S48 is an example of a transmission process and an example of a transmission step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S48 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0057] In step S51, the company B server 400B receives the print request sent from the advertisement providing server 100.

[0058] In step S54, the company B server 400B transmits a print request corresponding to the print request received in step S51 to the company B printer 200B.

[0059] In step S57, the company B printer 200B receives the print request sent from the company B server 400B.

[0060] In step S60, the printer 200B of company B executes printing of the layout image based on the print request received in step S57.

[0061] In step S63, the printer 200B of company B transmits print success / failure information indicating whether printing of the layout image in step S60 was successful or not to the server 400B of company B. The print success / failure information is an example of the print result.

[0062] In step S66, the company B server 400B receives the print success / failure information sent from the company B printer 200B.

[0063] In step S69, the company B's server 400B transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 print success / failure information corresponding to the print success / failure information received in step S66.

[0064] In step S72, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print success / failure information transmitted from the company B's server 400B. Step S72 is an example of a receiving process and an example of a receiving step. The part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S72 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0065] In step S75, if the advertisement providing server 100 determines that the printing was successful based on the print success / failure information received in step S72, it sends a billing notice to the advertisement management server 500. The billing notice is a notice to bill the advertiser who is the successful bidder and provided the advertisement image for the advertising fee. Note that successful printing is an example of a specific condition.

[0066] In step S78, the advertisement management server 500 receives the billing notice sent from the advertisement providing server 100, sends the billing notice to the terminal device or the like of the advertiser who is the successful bidder, and bills the advertiser for the advertising fee. The advertising fee is an example of a third fee related to the service of providing distribution information, and step S78 is an example of a third billing process.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 8 , in step S81, the advertising management server 500 determines whether the time for collecting fees has arrived. The time for collecting fees is a time set for each unit period, such as the end or beginning of the month. If the time for collecting fees has not arrived, the advertising management server 500 determines No and repeats step S81 until the time for collecting fees arrives. If the time for collecting fees has arrived, the advertising management server 500 determines Yes and proceeds to step S84.

[0068] In step S84, the advertisement management server 500 totals the advertisement fees for each vendor based on a predetermined allocation rate for each vendor. The allocation rate is a value determined according to, for example, the market share of each vendor.

[0069] In step S87, the advertisement management server 500 transfers the corresponding portion of the advertisement fee paid by the advertiser to the company B's server 400B based on the counting result in step S81.

[0070] In step S90, the company B server 400B deposits the advertising fee sent from the advertisement management server 500.

[0071] In step S300, the advertisement providing server 100 executes a system usage fee aggregation process for aggregating the system usage fee for Company A. The advertisement providing server 100 determines the amount of the system usage fee for Company A based on the memory usage amount when processing data required for at least one of steps S39, S42, and S48. In other words, the system usage fee for Company A can also be considered a usage fee for Company A's infrastructure, such as the control unit 110, memory unit 115, communication unit 140, and Company A server 400A of the advertisement providing server 100. The advertisement providing server 100 aggregates the system usage fee for Company A in both cases of successful printing and unsuccessful printing, based on the print success / failure information received in step S72. In this embodiment, the system usage fee for Company A in the case of successful printing will be referred to as the "system usage fee for Company A in the case of successful printing," and the system usage fee for Company A in the case of unsuccessful printing will be referred to as the "system usage fee for Company A in the case of unsuccessful printing." The system usage fee for Company A in the case of success is an example of the first fee, and the system usage fee for Company A in the case of failure is an example of the second fee. Details of the system usage fee aggregation process for Company A will be described later.

[0072] In step S93, the advertisement providing server 100 sends a bill for the Company A system usage fee calculated in step S300 to the Company B server 400B. That is, if the printer related to the print request in step S48 is the Company B printer 200B and printing is successful, the advertisement providing server 100 bills the Company B server 400B for the Company A system usage fee in the case of success. Also, if the printer related to the print request in step S48 is the Company B printer 200B and printing fails, the advertisement providing server 100 bills the Company B server 400B for the Company A system usage fee in the case of failure, which is part of the Company A system usage fee in the case of success. Step S93 is an example of both a first billing process and a second billing process. Also, step S93 is an example of a first billing step. The portion of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S93 is an example of a first billing unit.

[0073] In step S96, the company B's server 400B receives the invoice for the system usage fee of the company A sent from the advertisement providing server 100.

[0074] In step S98, the company B's server 400B remits the company A's system usage fee in response to the invoice for the company A's system usage fee to the advertisement providing server 100.

[0075] In step S99, the advertisement providing server 100 deposits the system usage fee of company A transferred from company B's server 400B. With the above, the advertisement providing server 100, the advertisement management server 500, company B's server 400B, and company B's printer 200B end the processing.

[0076] On the other hand, in step S45 described above, if the printer to be distributed is the printer 200A of company A, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No, and proceeds to step S49 shown in FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9 , in step S49, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a print request for the layout image created in step S42 to the company A's server 400A. The print request includes the layout image. The layout image is an example of a delivery image based on delivery information, the print request is an example of a print instruction, and transmitting the print request to the company A's server 400A is an example of transmitting a print instruction to the company A's printer 200A. Step S49 is an example of a transmission process and an example of a transmission step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S49 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0078] In step S52, the company A's server 400A receives the print request sent from the advertisement providing server 100.

[0079] In step S55, the server 400A of company A sends a print request corresponding to the print request received in step S52 to the printer 200A of company A.

[0080] In step S58, the printer 200A of the company A receives the print request sent from the server 400A of the company A.

[0081] In step S61, the printer 200A of company A executes printing of the layout image based on the print request received in step S58.

[0082] In step S64, the printer 200A of company A sends print success / failure information indicating whether printing of the layout image in step S61 was successful or not to the server 400A of company A. The print success / failure information is an example of the print result.

[0083] In step S67, the company A's server 400A receives the print success / failure information sent from the company A's printer 200A.

[0084] In step S70, the company A's server 400A transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 print success / failure information corresponding to the print success / failure information received in step S67.

[0085] In step S73, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print success / failure information transmitted from the company A's server 400A. Step S73 is an example of a receiving process and an example of a receiving step. The part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S73 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0086] In step S76, if the advertisement providing server 100 determines that the printing was successful based on the print success / failure information received in step S73, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a billing notice to the advertisement management server 500.

[0087] In step S79, the advertisement management server 500 receives the billing notice sent from the advertisement providing server 100, sends the billing notice to the terminal device of the advertiser who is the successful bidder, and bills the advertiser for the advertising fee.

[0088] In step S82, the advertising management server 500 determines whether the time for collecting fees has arrived. If the time for collecting fees has not arrived, the advertising management server 500 determines No and repeats step S82 until the time for collecting fees arrives. If the time for collecting fees has arrived, the advertising management server 500 determines Yes and proceeds to step S85.

[0089] In step S85, the advertisement management server 500 totals the advertisement fees for each vendor based on the distribution rate determined in advance for each vendor.

[0090] In step S88, the advertisement management server 500 transfers the corresponding portion of the advertising fee paid by the advertiser to the advertisement providing server 100 based on the counting result in step S85.

[0091] In step S91, the advertisement providing server 100 deposits the advertisement fee transferred from the advertisement management server 500. With the above, the advertisement providing server 100, the advertisement management server 500, the company A's server 400A, and the company A's printer 200A end the processing.

[0092] As described above, when the printer 200 related to the print request in step S48, i.e., the printer 200 to be distributed, is the company A printer 200A, the advertisement providing server 100 does not charge the company B server 400B for the company A system usage fee. Note that although the above has described the control content for the second payment method shown in steps S81 to S99 in Fig. 8, the first payment method shown in steps S181 to S199 in Fig. 11, which will be described later, may be used instead.

[0093] 10 and 11 show the control content for the second role pattern and the first payment method described above. As shown in FIG. 10, first, in step S103, the company B server 400B determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived. The advertisement distribution time is predetermined for each printer 200 and is stored in the memory of the company B server 400B in association with, for example, the printer ID. The company B server 400B determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived based on the advertisement distribution time information stored in the memory. If the distribution time has not arrived, the company B server 400B determines No and repeats step S103 until the distribution time arrives. If the distribution time has arrived, the company B server 400B determines Yes and proceeds to step S106.

[0094] In step S106, the company B server 400B transmits an image acquisition request for acquiring a layout image to the advertisement providing server 100. The image acquisition request includes the printer ID of the printer 200 to be distributed, the external user ID, the bidding conditions, and the like.

[0095] In step S109, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the image acquisition request transmitted from the company B's server 400B.

[0096] In step S112, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits a bid request corresponding to the image acquisition request received in step S109 to the advertisement management server 500. The bid request includes the printer ID, the external user ID, the bidding conditions, and the like.

[0097] In step S115 , the advertisement management server 500 receives the bid request sent from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0098] In step S118, the advertisement management server 500 executes an auction process in response to the bid request received in step S115, in which bids are solicited from users corresponding to the external user IDs as distribution targets.

[0099] In step S121, 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 S118.

[0100] In step S124 , the advertisement providing server 100 receives the bidding results transmitted from the advertisement management server 500 .

[0101] In step S127, the advertisement providing server 100 executes the successful bid process.

[0102] In step S130, 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.

[0103] In step S133 , the advertisement management server 500 receives the advertisement image request transmitted from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0104] In step S136 , 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 S133 , and transmits the acquired advertisement image to the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0105] In step S139, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of distribution information, and step S139 is an example of an acquisition process and an example of an acquisition step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S139 is an example of an acquisition unit.

[0106] In step S142, the advertisement providing server 100 creates a layout image in which the advertisement image acquired in step S139 is arranged on a single sheet of printing paper of a predetermined size. The printing paper is an example of a printed material, and step S142 is an example of a layout creation process and a generation process.

[0107] In step S145, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits the layout image created in step S142 to the company B's server 400B. The layout image transmitted in step S145 is an example of a distribution image based on distribution information and an example of a print instruction, and transmitting the layout image to the company B's server 400B is an example of transmitting a print instruction to the company B's printer 200B. Step S145 is an example of a transmission process and an example of a transmission step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S145 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0108] In step S148 , the company B server 400B receives the layout image transmitted from the advertisement providing server 100 .

[0109] In step S151, the company B server 400B transmits a print request for the layout image received in step S148 to the company B printer 200B. The print request includes the layout image.

[0110] In step S154, the company B printer 200B receives the print request sent from the company B server 400B.

[0111] In step S157, the printer 200B of company B executes printing of the layout image based on the print request received in step S154.

[0112] In step S160, the printer 200B of company B transmits print success / failure information indicating whether printing of the layout image was successful or not in step S157 to the server 400B of company B. The print success / failure information is an example of the print result.

[0113] In step S163, the company B server 400B receives the print success / failure information sent from the company B printer 200B.

[0114] In step S166, the company B's server 400B transmits to the advertisement providing server 100 print success / failure information corresponding to the print success / failure information received in step S163.

[0115] In step S169, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the print success / failure information transmitted from the company B's server 400B. Step S169 is an example of a receiving process and an example of a receiving step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S169 is an example of a receiving unit.

[0116] In step S172 , if the advertisement providing server 100 determines that the printing was successful based on the print success / failure information received in step S169 , it sends a billing notice to the advertisement management server 500 .

[0117] In step S175, the advertisement management server 500 receives the billing notice sent from the advertisement providing server 100, sends the billing notice to the terminal device or the like of the advertiser who is the successful bidder, and bills the advertiser for the advertising fee. The advertising fee is an example of a third fee related to the service of providing distribution information, and step S175 is an example of a third billing process.

[0118] In step S178, the advertisement providing server 100 associates the successful bid information with the vendor type information and records them in the storage unit 115, for example.

[0119] 11 , in step S181, the advertisement management server 500 determines whether the time for collecting fees has arrived. If the time for collecting fees has not arrived, the advertisement management server 500 determines No, and repeats step S181 until the time for collecting fees arrives. If the time for collecting fees has arrived, the advertisement management server 500 determines Yes, and proceeds to step S184.

[0120] In step S184, the advertisement management server 500 totals the advertisement fees for each vendor based on the distribution rate determined in advance for each vendor.

[0121] In step S187, the advertisement management server 500 transfers the corresponding portion of the advertising fee paid by the advertiser to the advertisement providing server 100 based on the counting result in step S181.

[0122] In step S190 , the advertisement providing server 100 deposits the advertisement fee transferred from the advertisement management server 500 .

[0123] In step S300, the advertisement providing server 100 executes a system usage fee aggregation process for tallying up the system usage fee of company A. The system usage fee aggregation process of company A will be described in detail later.

[0124] In step S193, the advertisement providing server 100 calculates a net fee by subtracting the system usage fee of company A totaled in step S300 from the advertising fee in step S190.

[0125] In step S196, the advertisement providing server 100 transfers the net fee calculated in step S193 to the company B's server 400B. That is, in step S196, the amount obtained by deducting the company A's system usage fee from the advertising fee is transferred to the company B's server 400B, thereby billing the company A's system usage fee to the company B's server 400B. Step S196 is an example of a first billing process and an example of a first billing step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S196 is an example of a first billing unit.

[0126] In step S199, the company B server 400B deposits the deducted fee transferred from the advertisement providing server 100. With the above, the advertisement providing server 100, the advertisement management server 500, the company B server 400B, and the company B printer 200B end the processing. Note that although the above describes the control content in the case of the first payment method, the second payment method may also be used.

[0127] Fig. 12 shows the control content in the case of the third role pattern and the first payment method described above. Note that in Fig. 12, explanations and illustrations of procedures similar to those in Figs. 10 and 11 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0128] As shown in Fig. 12, first, in step S203, company B's server 400B determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived. The advertisement distribution time is predetermined for each printer 200 and is stored in the memory of company B's server 400B in association with the printer ID, for example. company B's server 400B determines whether the advertisement distribution time has arrived based on the advertisement distribution time information stored in the memory. company B's server 400B determines No if the distribution time has not arrived, and repeats step S203 until the distribution time arrives. company B's server 400B determines Yes if the distribution time has arrived, and proceeds to step S206.

[0129] In step S206, the company B server 400B transmits an image acquisition request for acquiring an advertisement image to the advertisement providing server 100. The image acquisition request includes the printer ID of the printer 200 to be distributed, the external user ID, the bidding conditions, and the like.

[0130] In step S209, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the image acquisition request transmitted from the company B's server 400B.

[0131] Steps S212 to S236 are similar to steps S112 to S136 in FIG. 10, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] In step S239, the advertisement providing server 100 receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement management server 500. The advertisement image is an example of distribution information, and step S239 is an example of an acquisition process and an example of an acquisition step. Also, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S239 is an example of an acquisition unit.

[0133] In step S242, the advertisement providing server 100 transmits the advertisement image received in step S239 to the company B's server 400B. The advertisement image transmitted in step S242 is an example of a distribution image based on distribution information and an example of a print instruction, and transmitting the advertisement image to the company B's server 400B is an example of transmitting a print instruction to the company B's printer 200B. Step S242 is an example of a transmission process and an example of a transmission step. Furthermore, the part of the advertisement providing server 100 that executes step S242 is an example of a transmission unit.

[0134] In step S245, the company B server 400B receives the advertisement image transmitted from the advertisement providing server 100.

[0135] In step S248, the company B server 400B creates a layout image in which the advertisement image received in step S245 is arranged on a single sheet of printing paper of a predetermined size. A printing paper is an example of a printed matter, and step S248 is an example of a layout creation process and a generation process.

[0136] In step S251, the company B server 400B sends a print request for the layout image created in step S248 to the company B printer 200B. The print request includes the layout image.

[0137] Steps S254 to S278 are similar to steps S154 to S178 in Fig. 10, and therefore will not be described here. Furthermore, the processing after step S278 is similar to steps S181 to S199 in Fig. 11, and therefore will not be shown or described here.

[0138] FIG. 13 shows the control content of the system usage fee aggregation process for company A in step S300 executed by the advertisement providing server 100.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 13 , in step S310, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires vendor type information of the printer 200 to be processed. The advertisement providing server 100 acquires the vendor type information from, for example, device registration information for the company A's server 400A. The vendor type information is an example of first type information. Note that when the advertisement providing server 100 receives an image acquisition request from the company B's server 400B, as in the second role pattern or the third role pattern, the advertisement providing server 100 may acquire the vendor type information from the image acquisition request. The vendor type information in this case is an example of second type information.

[0140] In step S320, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether the printer 200 to be processed is the company B printer 200B or the company A printer 200A based on the vendor type information acquired in step S310. If the printer is the company B printer 200B, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and proceeds to step S330. On the other hand, if the printer is the company A printer 200A, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S350, which will be described later. Step S320 is an example of a determination process.

[0141] In step S330, the advertisement providing server 100 creates a company A system usage statement relating to the company B printer 200B to be processed.

[0142] In step S340, the advertisement providing server 100 adds the details of the company B printer 200B created in step S330 to the company A system usage details of the vendor corresponding to the company B printer 200B.

[0143] In step S350, the advertisement providing server 100 determines whether or not there is an unprocessed printer 200. If there is an unprocessed printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100 determines Yes and returns the process to step S310. On the other hand, if there is no unprocessed printer 200, the advertisement providing server 100 determines No and proceeds to step S360.

[0144] In step S360, the advertisement providing server 100 displays the Company A system usage details created in steps S330 and S340 on the display unit of the terminal device 300. The Company A system usage details are an example of information including the first fee, and step S360 is an example of a display process. The terminal device 300 is an example of an external terminal.

[0145] With the above, the advertisement providing server 100 ends the system usage fee aggregation process for company A in step S300. Note that step S360 does not necessarily have to be executed.

[0146] <Specific example of Company A's system usage details> Figures 14 and 15 show specific examples of Company A's system usage details. Figure 14 shows Company A's system usage details compiled by successful bid image ID, and Figure 15 shows Company A's system usage details compiled by layout image ID. Note that the successful bid image corresponds to the advertising image in the above explanation.

[0147] 14, the system usage details for Company A record, for each winning image ID, the vendor ID, bid request time, winning bid price, allocated price, image capacity, image transfer fee, layout image ID, and total price in association with each other. In the example shown in Figure 14, eight winning images corresponding to winning image IDs 1 to 8 make up one layout image corresponding to layout image ID 1, and eight winning images corresponding to winning image IDs 9 to 16 make up one layout image corresponding to layout image ID 2.

[0148] The allocation amount is the amount obtained by multiplying the successful bid amount by a predetermined ratio. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the allocation amount is, for example, 10% of the successful bid amount. In other words, the allocation amount varies depending on the successful bid amount for each image. The image transfer fee is the amount obtained by multiplying the image capacity of the advertising image identified by the successful bid image ID by a predetermined transfer fee per unit image capacity. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the transfer fee per unit image capacity is, for example, 1 yen / 1000 KB. The total amount is the sum of the allocation amount and the image transfer fee.

[0149] As shown in Figure 15, the system usage details for Company A record, for each layout image ID, the vendor ID, delivery date and time, conversion time (ms), conversion time fee, number of times 2D barcodes are generated, 2D barcode generation fee, total allocated amount, print success / failure, variable fee for successful printing, fixed fee for successful printing, number of 2D barcode scans, 2D barcode link redirect fee, and total amount, in association with each other.

[0150] The conversion time is the time required to create and convert a layout image based on an advertising image. The conversion time fee is the amount obtained by multiplying the conversion time by a predetermined conversion fee per unit conversion time. In the example shown in Figure 15, the conversion fee per unit conversion time is, for example, 0.01 yen / 10 ms. The number of two-dimensional barcode generations is the number of times a two-dimensional barcode is generated when it is generated as an option for creating a layout image. The two-dimensional barcode generation fee is the amount obtained by multiplying the number of two-dimensional barcodes generated by a predetermined generation fee per unit number of times. In the example shown in Figure 15, the generation fee per unit number of times is, for example, 1 yen per time. The total allocated amount is the sum of the allocated amounts of each successful bid image ID that makes up the layout image ID.

[0151] The print success variable fee is a success fee charged when printing is successful, and varies depending on the allocated amount. The print success variable fee is the total allocated amount multiplied by a predetermined ratio. In the example shown in Figure 15, the print success variable fee is, for example, 10% of the total allocated amount. In other words, the print success variable fee varies depending on the successful bid amount for each image. The print success fixed fee is a fixed amount of success fee charged when printing is successful. In the example shown in Figure 15, the print success fixed fee is a flat rate of 5 yen. The print success variable fee and print success fixed fee are 0 yen if printing fails.

[0152] The number of two-dimensional barcode scans is the number of times that a two-dimensional barcode was actually scanned and processing was performed via Company A's system when the layout image contains a two-dimensional barcode. The two-dimensional barcode link redirect fee is the amount obtained by multiplying the number of two-dimensional barcode scans by a predetermined fee per unit number of scans. In the example shown in Figure 15, the fee per unit number of scans is, for example, 0.001 yen per scan. The total amount is the sum of the conversion time fee, two-dimensional barcode generation fee, variable fee for successful printing, and fixed fee for successful printing.

[0153] The final system usage fee for Company A is the sum of the total amount shown in Figure 14 and the total amount shown in Figure 15. In other words, the system usage fee for Company A related to the printing of the layout image corresponding to layout image ID 1 is the sum of the total amount for each of the successful bid image IDs 1 to 8 shown in Figure 14 and the total amount for layout image ID 1 shown in Figure 15. Because the printing of layout image ID 1 was successful, this amount is an example of a first fee. On the other hand, the system usage fee for Company A related to the printing of the layout image corresponding to layout image ID 2 is the sum of the total amount for each of the successful bid image IDs 9 to 16 shown in Figure 14 and the total amount for layout image ID 2 shown in Figure 15. Because the printing of layout image ID 2 was unsuccessful, this amount is an example of a second fee.

[0154] As described above, the system usage fee for Company A varies depending on the successful bid price of the advertising image. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 variably sets the amount of the system usage fee for Company A depending on the successful bid price at the time of soliciting bids for the advertising image. The system usage fee for Company A also includes a fee for creating a layout image. That is, the advertisement providing server 100 bills the server 400B for the system usage fee for Company A, which includes a fee for creating a layout of multiple advertising images on a printing sheet to be printed by the printer 200B for Company B.

[0155] Effect of the Embodiment As described above, in the present embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image in steps S39, S139, and S239, and transmits a print instruction for the advertisement image to the printer 200 in steps S48, S49, S145, and S242. As a process related to billing for this processing flow, the advertisement providing server 100 executes steps S93 and S196 when the printer 200 related to the print instruction is the company B printer 200B managed by the company B server 400B. In steps S93 and S196, the advertisement providing server 100 bills the company B server 400B, which manages the company B printer 200B, for the company A system usage fee for providing the distribution service. According to the present embodiment, in a configuration in which a distribution service is provided to a configuration in which the company B printer 200B is managed by the company B server 400B, it is possible to bill an appropriate fee according to the configuration.

[0156] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 acquires an advertisement image in steps S39, S139, and S239, transmits a print instruction to the printer 200 of the advertisement image in steps S48, S49, S145, and S242, and receives the print result of the advertisement image printed by the printer 200 in steps S72, S73, S169, and S269. As a process related to the billing for this processing flow, the advertisement providing server 100 executes steps S93 and S196 if the printer 200 related to the print instruction is the company B printer 200B managed by the company B server 400B and the print result is successful. According to this embodiment, in a configuration in which a distribution service is provided to a configuration in which the company B printer 200B is managed by the company B server 400B, an appropriate fee can be billed according to the print result.

[0157] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 does not charge a fee for using Company A's system if the printer 200 related to the print instruction is not Company B's printer 200B. A printer that is not Company B's printer 200B is, for example, Company A's printer 200A managed by Company A's server 400A. Since Company A's printer 200A operates within Company A's system under the management of Company A's server 400A, there is no need to charge Company B's server 400B if Company B is not involved. According to this embodiment, when a distribution service is provided to a printer other than Company B's printer 200B, a fee charging mode suited to that mode can be adopted.

[0158] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 executes step S93 when the printer 200 related to the print instruction is the company B printer 200B and the print result is a failure. In step S93, the advertisement providing server 100 bills the company B server 400B for the company A system usage fee in the event of failure, which is part of the company A system usage fee in the event of success. According to this embodiment, in a configuration in which the company B server 400B manages the company B printer 200B and a distribution service is provided, it is possible to bill an appropriate fee according to the content of the print result of the company B printer 200B.

[0159] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement management server 500 bills the advertiser for an advertising fee that is different from the system usage fee of company A in steps S78 and S175. In step S196, the advertisement providing server 100 remits to company B's server 400B the amount remaining after deducting the system usage fee of company A from the advertising fee paid by the advertisement management server 500. According to this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 performs monetary transactions in a lump sum by integrating the process of remitting the advertising fee to company B's server 400B and the process of receiving the system usage fee of company A from company B's server 400B, thereby simplifying the process.

[0160] Furthermore, the present embodiment particularly provides the following effect. For example, when the advertisement providing server 100 or the company A's server 400A is used to send a layout image to the company B's printer 200B, the control unit 110 of the advertisement providing server 100 consumes memory capacity for data processing such as acquiring an advertisement image in steps S39, S139, and S239, generating a layout image in steps S42 and S142, and sending the advertisement image or layout image in steps S48, S145, and S242. According to the present embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 determines the amount of the company A's system usage fee based on the memory usage amount in these data processing operations, and therefore the cost associated with printing the layout image can be appropriately determined.

[0161] In particular, in this embodiment, the advertisement management server 500 solicits bids for the delivery of an advertisement image, and the successful bidder is obligated to pay the winning bid price for the delivery of the advertisement image. The winning bid price is determined by the results of the bidding, and therefore represents the high or low delivery value of the advertisement image. According to this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 variably sets the amount of the system usage fee for company A in step S300 according to the winning bid price, so that the amount required as compensation for the service provision can be linked to the delivery value of the advertisement image.

[0162] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 clearly displays the amount of the variable system usage fee for Company A on the terminal device 300 in step S360, so that the user can easily understand the amount of the system usage fee for Company A.

[0163] Furthermore, the present embodiment particularly provides the following effect: When a single printing sheet on which the printer 200 prints contains multiple advertisement images, it is necessary to determine how to arrange the advertisement images. In response to this, according to the present embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 can charge the company A's server 400B for the system usage fee, including the fee for creating the arrangement layout, in steps S93 and S196.

[0164] In particular, in this embodiment, the cost of creating the layout as a processing cost of steps S42 and S142 executed by the advertisement providing server 100 can be included in the system usage fee for Company A, and the cost can be charged to Company B's server 400B.

[0165] In particular, in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 executes steps S45 and S320 to determine whether the printer 200 related to the print instruction is the company B printer 200B or another printer. According to this embodiment, the cost related to printing the advertisement image can be reliably and appropriately determined depending on whether the printer 200 is the company B printer 200B or not.

[0166] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 uses, as the basis for the determination in steps S45 and S320, the vendor type information included in the registration details of the A company printer 200A in the A company server 400A or the vendor type information included in the image acquisition request from the B company server 400B. According to this embodiment, the advertisement providing server 100 can reliably determine, based on the vendor type information, whether the printer 200 related to the print instruction is the B company printer 200B or another printer.

[0167] <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.

[0168] In the above, the advertisement providing server 100 totals the system usage fee for company A in step S300 after receiving the print results in steps S72, S169, and S269, but this is not limited to this. For example, after sending a print request or image in steps S48, S145, and S242, the system usage fee for company A may be totaled in step S300 without waiting for the print results.

[0169] Furthermore, in the above description, an advertisement is distributed from the server to the printer 200 and then printed. However, other paid content may be distributed and printed, not limited to advertisements.

[0170] Furthermore, in the above, the flowcharts shown in Figures 7 to 13 do not limit the present disclosure to the procedures shown in the above flows, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within the scope that does not deviate from the intent and technical idea of ​​the disclosure.

[0171] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0172] Although not specifically illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof.

[0173] 1 Distribution service system 100 Advertisement providing server (an example of a server) 110 Control unit (an example of a processor) 115 Storage unit 140 Communication unit 200A Company A printer 200B Company B printer (an example of a specific printer) 300 Terminal device 400A Company A server 400B Company B server (an example of a specific management system) 500 Advertisement management server (an example of a server)

Claims

1. A server having a processor and providing a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, wherein the processor executes an acquisition process to acquire the distribution information, a transmission process to send a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information to the printer, and a first billing process to bill the management system for a first fee for the service if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is a specific printer managed by a specific management system.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor executes a receiving process to receive the print result of the distributed image by the printer, and in the first billing process, bills the management system for the first fee if the printer related to the print instruction in the sending process is the specified printer and the print result satisfies specific conditions.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the processor does not charge the management system for the first fee if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is not the specified printer.

4. A server as described in claim 3, wherein the processor executes a second billing process to bill the management system for a second fee, which is part of the first fee, if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is the specified printer and the print result does not satisfy specific conditions.

5. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor further executes a third billing process to bill for a third fee related to the distribution information provision service, and in the first billing process, bills for the first fee by transferring the amount obtained by subtracting the first fee from the third fee to the management system.

6. The server of claim 1, wherein the processor determines the amount of the first fee based on the amount of memory used to process data required for at least one of the acquisition process, the distribution image generation process, and the transmission process.

7. The server according to claim 1, wherein said processor, in said first billing process, variably sets the amount of said first fee depending on the successful bid price when bidding for the distribution information is solicited.

8. The server according to claim 7, wherein said processor further executes a display process for displaying information including said variably set first fee on an external terminal.

9. A server according to claim 1, wherein the processor, in the first billing process, bills the management system for the first fee, which includes a fee for creating a layout of the plurality of delivery images in the printed matter printed by the printer.

10. The server of claim 9, wherein the processor further executes a layout creation process to create the layout of the printed matter, and when the layout is created in the layout creation process, charges the management system a first fee including the creation fee in the first billing process.

11. The server according to claim 1, wherein the processor further executes a determination process to determine whether the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is the specified printer or a printer other than the specified printer.

12. A server as described in claim 11, wherein the processor makes the determination in the determination process based on first type information contained in the registration details of the printer with the server, or second type information contained in a request to obtain the distribution information from the management system.

13. A distribution service program for causing a computer provided in a server that provides a service of distributing distribution information to a printer to execute the following: an acquisition process for acquiring the distribution information; a transmission process for sending a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information to the printer; and a first billing process for billing the management system for a first fee related to the service when the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission process is a specific printer that is managed by a specific management system.

14. A distribution service system that provides a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires the distribution information; a transmission unit that transmits to the printer a print instruction for a distribution image based on the distribution information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a first billing unit that, when the printer related to the print instruction from the transmission unit is a specific printer that is managed by a specific management system, bills the management system for a first fee related to the service.

15. A distribution service providing method for providing a service of distributing distribution information to a printer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring the distribution information; a transmission step of sending a print instruction for a distribution image based on the acquired distribution information to the printer; and a first billing step of billing the management system for a first fee for the service if the printer related to the print instruction in the transmission step is a specific printer managed by a specific management system.

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