Information storage output system and information storage output service

• US 20030093490A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamaguchi, Hiroshi, Yamamoto, Hiroshi, Harada, Hirofumi, Shioiri, Katsuo, Sato, Mitsuya, Motegi, Tsunehiro, Higashi, Keishi
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,339 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/213
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1287 via internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1097 for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/5651 Reducing the amount or size of exchanged application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2179 Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2187 with image input from a plurality of different locations or from a non-central location, e.g. from one or more users
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32512 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document

Abstract

There is provided an information storage output system enhanced in mobility and improved in convenience to use. In the information storage output system for storing predetermined storage data in a storage server on a network, the storage server can be accessed from many and unspecified communication devices. The information storage output system includes a plurality of remote output terminals for outputting supply data supplied via a network in a predetermined output form, a remote output server having a function of supplying at least the supply data to one of the remote output terminals, and an output request communication terminal for transmitting a primary output request of the storage data to the storage server or the remote output server via a network. The storage data is output from the remote output terminal in response to the primary output request transmitted from the output request communication terminal.

Claims

1. An information storage output system for storing predetermined storage data in a storage server on a network, the storage server being capable of being accessed from many and unspecified communication devices, the information storage output system comprising:

a plurality of remote output terminals for outputting supply data supplied via a network in a predetermined output form;

a remote output server having a function of supplying at least the supply data to one of the remote output terminals; and

an output request communication terminal for transmitting a primary output request of the storage data to the storage server or the remote output server via a network,

wherein the storage data is output from the remote output terminal in response to the primary output request transmitted from the output request communication terminal.

2. The information storage output system according to claim 1 in the case where the output request communication terminal transmits a primary output request to the storage server, wherein

the storage server comprises:

an address translation section for supplying the storage data not to the output request communication terminal but to the remote output server, and

the remote output server comprises;

a first relay section for supplying received storage data to one of the remote output terminals as the supply data.

3. The information storage output system according to claim 1 in the case where the output request communication terminal transmits a primary output request to the storage server, wherein

the remote output server comprises:

a secondary request output section responsive to reception of the primary output request, for transmitting a secondary output request corresponding to the received primary output request, instead of the output request communication terminal; and

a second relay section for transmitting storage data transmitted from the storage server in response to reception of the secondary output request, to one of the remote output terminals as the storage data.

4. The information storage output system according to claim 2 in the case where the remote output server and the storage server adopts a membership system, wherein

the information storage output system comprises a first cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other, and

if the output request communication terminal is a member of either the remote output server or the storage server, when an authentication result becomes affirmative in one of the remote output server and the storage server, the first cooperation section conducts the same handling as the case where an affirmative authentication result is obtained in the other of the servers as well.

5. The information storage output system according to claim 2 in the case where the remote output server and the storage server adopts a membership system, wherein

the information storage output system comprises a second cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other, and

if member registration is conducted in one of the remote output server and the storage server, then the second cooperation section urges member registration in the other of the remote output server and the storage server.

6. The information storage output system according to claim 2, wherein

the information storage output system comprises a third cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other, and

if supply data is specified from among the storage data when the storage server is accessed, then the third cooperation section outputs the supply data from one of the remote output terminals by only operating the remote output terminal.

7. The information storage output system according to claim 2, wherein

as the remote output terminals,

multimedia kiosk terminals, mail coping terminals, or facsimile terminals are used.

8. The information storage output system according to claim 1, wherein

the storage server comprises a preview coping section, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the preview coping section causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a rough whole image of data specified from among the storage data.

9. The information storage output system according to claim 8, wherein

the preview coping section comprises:

a first interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal, and

the first interactive coping section causes storage data specified via the output request communication terminal from among a series of storage data used to display and output the rough whole image to be output in accordance with the specification.

10. The information storage output system according to claim 7 in the case where a mail coping terminal is used as a remote output terminal, wherein

the first relay section comprises:

an electronic mail generation section for converting the supply data to electronic mail in such a form that can be read by the mail coping terminal.

11. The information storage output system according to claim 9, wherein

the remote output server or the storage server comprises a log information management section, and

the log information management section stores and manages contents of specification received from the output request communication terminal by the first interactive coping section, as a part of log information.

12. The information storage output system according to claim 2, wherein

the second storage server comprises:

a second interactive coping section, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the second interactive coping section copes with specification of a remote output terminal using predetermined output terminal identification information.

13. The information storage output system according to claim 2, wherein

as function specification candidates for indicating function specifications of the remote output terminal, the information storage output system has specifications as to whether both side printing is possible, whether color printing is possible, and whether special size paper can be used,

the information storage output system comprises a third interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the third interactive coping section causes a remote output terminal according to the function specification candidates to be specified.

14. The information storage output system according to claim 2, comprising:

a fourth interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal, and

a location information acquisition section for acquiring location information that indicates a current location of the output request communication terminal,

wherein when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the fourth interactive coping section causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a list of remote output terminals arranged in order of increasing distance from a current location of the output request communication terminal, and accepts specification using the list from the output request communication terminal.

15. The information storage output system according to claim 14, comprising:

a map information storage section for storing map information relating to remote output terminals,

wherein when the output request communication terminal has specified a remote output terminal by using the list, the fourth interactive coping section retrieves map information relating to the specified remote output terminal from the map information storage section and causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a picture including the map information.

16. The information storage output system according to claim 13, comprising:

a specification content storage section for temporarily storing function specification candidates specified by the output request communication terminal every file according to the function specification candidates, when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server every file of the storage data; and

a fifth interactive coping section,

wherein the fifth interactive coping section displays display components for requesting reproduction of function specification candidates specified by a past output of the remote output terminal, and

when reproduction of setting that concerns function specification candidates and an output form specified by the past output is requested according to operation of the display components by the output request communication terminal, the fifth interactive coping section takes out setting information concerning function specification candidates and the output form from the specification content storage section and copes with the setting information.

17. An information storage output service for storing predetermined storage data in a storage server on a network, the storage server being capable of being accessed from many and unspecified communication devices, wherein

a primary output request of the storage data is transmitted to the storage server or the remote output server via a network by using a predetermined output request communication terminal,

a remote output server supplies at least the supply data to one of the remote output terminals in response to the primary output request, and

the remote output terminal that has received the supply data via a network outputs the supply data in a predetermined output form.

18. The information storage output service according to claim 17 in the case where the output request communication terminal transmits a primary output request to the storage server, wherein

the storage server supplies the storage data not to the output request communication terminal but to the remote output server, and

the remote output server relays received storage data to one of the remote output terminals as the supply data.

19. The information storage output service according to claim 17 in the case where the output request communication terminal transmits a primary output request to the storage server, wherein

the remote output server comprises a secondary request output section,

upon receiving the primary output request, the secondary request output section responsive to reception transmits a secondary output request corresponding to the received primary output request, instead of the output request communication terminal, and

the remote output server relays storage data transmitted from the storage server in response to reception of the secondary output request, to one of the remote output terminals as the storage data.

20. The information storage output service according to claim 18 in the case where the remote output server and the storage server adopts a membership system, comprising:

a first cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other,

wherein if the output request communication terminal is a member of either the remote output server or the storage server, when an authentication result becomes affirmative in one of the remote output server and the storage server, the first cooperation section conducts the same handling as the case where an affirmative authentication result is obtained in the other of the servers as well.

21. The information storage output service according to claim 18 in the case where the remote output server and the storage server adopts a membership system, comprising:

a second cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other,

wherein if member registration is conducted in one of the remote output server and the storage server, then the second cooperation section urges member registration in the other of the remote output server and the storage server.

22. The information storage output service according to claim 18, comprising:

a third cooperation section for causing the remote output server and the storage server to cooperate with each other,

wherein if supply data is specified from among the storage data when the storage server is accessed, then the third cooperation section outputs the supply data from one of the remote output terminals by only operating the remote output terminal.

23. The information storage output service according to claim 18, wherein

as the remote output terminals,

multimedia kiosk terminals, mail coping terminals, or facsimile terminals are used.

24. The information storage output service according to claim 17, wherein

the storage server comprises a preview coping section, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the preview coping section causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a rough whole image of data specified from among the storage data.

25. The information storage output service according to claim 24, wherein

the preview coping section comprises:

a first interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal, and

the first interactive coping section causes storage data specified via the output request communication terminal from among a series of storage data used to display and output the rough whole image to be output in accordance with the specification.

26. The information storage output service according to claim 23 in the case where a mail coping terminal is used as a remote output terminal, wherein

the remote output server converts the supply data to electronic mail in such a form that can be read by the mail coping terminal and then relays the electronic mail to the remote output terminal.

27. The information storage output service according to claim 25, wherein

the remote output server or the storage server comprises a log information management section, and

the log information management section stores and manages contents of specification received from the output request communication terminal by the first interactive coping section, as a part of log information.

28. The information storage output service according to claim 18, wherein

the second storage server comprises:

a second interactive coping section, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the second interactive coping section copes with specification of a remote output terminal using predetermined output terminal identification information.

29. The information storage output service according to claim 18, wherein

as function specification candidates for indicating function specifications of the remote output terminal, the information storage output system has specifications as to whether both side printing is possible, whether color printing is possible, and whether special size paper can be used,

a third interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal is provided, and

when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the third interactive coping section causes a remote output terminal according to the function specification candidates to be specified.

30. The information storage output service according to claim 18, comprising:

a fourth interactive coping section for conducting interactive information exchange with the output request communication terminal, and

a location information acquisition section for acquiring location information that indicates a current location of the output request communication terminal,

wherein when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server, the fourth interactive coping section causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a list of remote output terminals arranged in order of increasing distance from a current location of the output request communication terminal, and accepts specification using the list from the output request communication terminal.

31. The information storage output service according to claim 30, comprising:

a map information storage section for storing map information relating to remote output terminals,

wherein when the output request communication terminal has specified a remote output terminal by using the list, the fourth interactive coping section retrieves map information relating to the specified remote output terminal from the map information storage section and causes the output request communication terminal to display and output a picture including the map information.

32. The information storage output service according to claim 29, comprising:

a specification content storage section for temporarily storing function specification candidates specified by the output request communication terminal every file according to the function specification candidates, when the output request communication terminal has transmitted a primary output request to the storage server every file of the storage data; and

a fifth interactive coping section,

wherein the fifth interactive coping section displays display components for requesting reproduction of function specification candidates specified by a past output of the remote output terminal, and

when reproduction of setting that concerns function specification candidates and an output form specified by the past output is requested according to operation of the display components by the output request communication terminal, the fifth interactive coping section takes out setting information concerning function specification candidates and the output form from the specification content storage section and copes with the setting information.