Information providing system

• US 20050091325A1
• Filed: 09/15/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Kasatani, Kiyoshi, Fujishige, Takezo, Kuwana, Kenji, Tezuka, Toshiyuki
• Application Number:
  US10/941,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20050091325A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/44 Secrecy systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4406 Restricting access, e.g. according to user identity mechanisms actuated y cards, PIN or the like in apparatus for dispensing G07F7/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4433 to an apparatus, part of an apparatus or an apparatus function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An information providing system is disclosed that includes: plural multifunctional information stations having at least printing, facsimile, and e-mailing functions; and a center server connected to the multifunctional information stations via a network. The center server receives applications, issues documents, and distributes information via the multifunctional information stations. A user can file an application and have a document issued using the multifunctional information station disposed in a convenience store.

Claims

1. An information providing system, comprising:

a plurality of multifunctional information stations having at least printing, facsimile, and e-mailing functions; and

a center server connected to the multifunctional information stations via a network;

wherein

the center server receives applications, issues documents, and distributes information via the multifunctional information stations.

2. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a user authentication unit that authenticates a user by verifying a user card and a fingerprint of the user.

3. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a usage management unit that manages the use of the multifunctional information station to which the usage management unit is provided thereto based on an image from a monitor camera monitoring users who use the multifunctional information station and a use log.

4. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an administrative mail transmission unit that transmits an administrative mail to an administrator after a facsimile image or an e-mail message is sent or a document is printed.

5. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a withdrawal processing unit that has a use fee withdrawn from a bank account of a user, or collects the use fee using a coin rack.

6. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the multifunctional information station is provided with an interface for receiving voice instructions.

7. The information providing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an editing unit with which a user can edit a document.

8. A computer program that causes a computer to perform the steps of:

communicating with a multifunctional information station connected via a network;

receiving the filing of various applications from a plurality of the multifunctional information stations; and

issuing a document and distributing information to the multifunctional information stations.

9. A method of providing information, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the filing of various applications from a plurality of multifunctional information stations having printing, facsimile, and e-mail functions;

issuing a document and distributing information through the multifunctional information stations.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

authenticating a user by verifying a user card and a fingerprint of the user.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring users who use the multifunctional information stations; and

managing a use state of the multifunctional information based on a monitored image and a use log.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

transmitting an administrative mail to an administrator after the multifunctional information station transmits a facsimile image or an e-mail, or prints a document.

13. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

withdrawing a use fee from a bank account of a user or collecting the use fee in cash using a coin rack.

14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the multifunctional information station has an interface through which a user operates the multifunctional information station.

15. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

editing an application to be filed.