Abstract:
An output supporting server supports various outputs generated by a client terminal via a network circuit. The server includes: a template storage unit for storing a template to be output, the template specifying a standard configuration of output data to be generated by the client terminal; a template response unit for reading the output template from the template storage unit in response to a request from the client terminal and then sending the template to the client terminal; and an output data creation unit for creating the output data after the template is sent by the template response unit, in accordance with a configuration changing operation performed at the client terminal, the operation being performed on the output template received by the client terminal via the network, and then transmitting the output data to the client terminal in order to permit the client terminal to generate the output data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an output supporting system which is applied to a case where various outputs for display, printing, and the like are generated by a client terminal on the basis of a prepared template.  
           [0003]    The present invention also relates to an output supporting server and an output supporting method.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In recent years, the use of services whereby various operations can be performed using a hypertext system on the Internet has increased. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2000-284937 (P2000-284937A) (Document 1) discloses a conventional system of this kind.  
           [0006]    According to the system described in Document 1, a Web server on the Internet receives information which a user inputs through a Web browser on a client terminal, edits print data on the basis of this information, and then prints out the data. If required, the print data edited by the Web server can be sent to the Web browser and then printed out at the client terminal.  
           [0007]    Generally, in the operation services using the hypertext system, in many cases, several client terminals simultaneously access the Web server. Therefore, the load on the processing capability of the Web server is large. Furthermore, in order to provide a convenient operation service, it is necessary to sufficiently reduce the time (response time) required until a response regarding the operation performed on the Web browser by the user is sent from the Web server to the Web browser.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In consideration of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for efficiently realizing a reduction in load on an output supporting server (for example, a Web server).  
           [0009]    According to the present invention, there is provided an output supporting server for supporting various outputs performed in a client terminal via a network, the server including: a template storage unit for storing a template to be output, the template specifying a standard configuration of output data to be generated by the client terminal; a template response unit for reading the output template from the template storage unit in response to a request from the client terminal and then sending the output template to the client terminal; and an output data creation unit for creating output data in accordance with a configuration changing operation performed at the client terminal, the operation being performed on the output template received by the client terminal via the network, and then transmitting the created output data to the client terminal in order to permit the client terminal to generate the output data. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a Web server according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication terminal according to the present embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the entire configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the configuration of a table used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the configuration of a table used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the configuration of a table used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a screen layout of a operation supporting template used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example; and  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a log-in screen layout used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the whole configuration of a communication system  10  according to the present embodiment.  
         [0024]    Referring to FIG. 3, the communication system  10  comprises a network  11 , a Web server  12 , communication terminals  13  and  14 , and printers  15  and  16 .  
         [0025]    The network  11  connects the Web server  12  to each communication terminal ( 13  or  14 ). A LAN (local area network) can be used as the network  11 . In this case, it is assumed that the network  11  is the Internet.  
         [0026]    The communication terminals  13  and  14  function as information processors for communicating with the Web server  12  via the network  11 . Specifically, personal computers having a network function may be used. It is assumed that a user U 1  uses the communication terminal  13  and a user U 2  uses the communication terminal  14 .  
         [0027]    The printer (for example,  15 ) has a function to execute a print output in response to a request sent from the communication terminal (for example,  13 ) connected to the present printer.  
         [0028]    The printers such as the printers  15  and  16  are broadly divided into two types. One type of printer has fonts (printer fonts) therein independently of the communication terminal ( 13  or  14 ). The printer fonts are stored in a ROM or the like. Another type of printer does not have a printer font therein.  
         [0029]    In the printer which does not have any printer fonts therein, print output for text and print output for image are generally processed without being distinguished from each other. In the printer having printer fonts therein, print output for text is processed on the basis of the printer font and the process is executed in a manner different from that for print output for image. Principally, the printer fonts need not match the fonts (screen fonts) stored in the communication terminal.  
         [0030]    A font can be uniquely identified using a font name assigned to a file (font file) in which the font is stored.  
         [0031]    The internal configuration of each of the communication terminals  13  and  14  may be, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 2, the communication terminal  13  comprises a communication unit  20 , a control unit  21 , a storage unit  22 , a display unit  23 , and an operation unit  24 .  
         [0033]    The communication unit  20  has a function necessary to communicate with the Web server  12  via the network  11  and further has a function to communicate with the printer  15 . In order to communicate with the Web server  12  via the Internet  11 , the communication unit  20  must perform IP-based (Internet Protocol) communication in the network layer of the OSI reference model, TCP-based (Transmission Control Protocol) communication in the transport layer, and HTTP-based (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) communication in the presentation layer and the application layer. Accordingly, modules for communicating according to these protocols are provided in the communication unit  20 .  
         [0034]    The control unit  21  corresponds to both a central processing unit (CPU) and an operating system (OS (which is designated by reference numeral  21 B)) of the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0035]    According to the present embodiment, the communication terminal  13  has a Web browser  21 A serving as a program for browsing Web pages. The Web browser  21 A also corresponds to the control unit  21 . The Web browser  21 A is one of many applications which can be installed in the communication terminal  13 , the applications being under the control of the OS  21 B.  
         [0036]    The storage unit  22  is a storage device managed by the control unit  21 . If the communication terminal  13  is a normal personal computer, the storage unit  22  includes a volatile storage device (such as a RAM) and a nonvolatile storage device (such as a hard disk).  
         [0037]    The display unit  23  displays a screen to the user U 1 . For example, when the user U 1  views a Web page presented by the Web server  12  using the Web browser  21 A, the content of the Web page is formatted by the Web browser  21 A and is then displayed on a screen of the display unit  23 .  
         [0038]    The operation unit  24  accepts an operation which the user U 1  performs on the communication terminal  13 . If the communication terminal  13  is a normal personal computer, the operation unit  24  includes a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, and a keyboard.  
         [0039]    For the internal configuration of the Web server  12  which communicates with the communication terminals  13  and  14 , each having the above configuration, via the network  11 , for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 can be used. When the communication terminal  13  accesses the network, the Web server  12  has a function to communicate with a database  40  at the same Web site and to send Web pages (including a operation supporting template TP) to the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0040]    Upon creation of a normal Web page, a font should not be designated. The reason is that, if the user designates a font on the Web page, if that font is not installed in the Web browser, unexpected display is caused. According to the present embodiment, it is necessary to designate a font on a Web page (particularly, an operation supporting template) provided by the Web server  12  from the viewpoint of the characteristics of the Web page.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 1, the Web server  12  comprises a communication unit  30 , a storage unit  31 , a control unit  32 , a provided data creation unit  33 , a template conversion unit  34 , a font compatibility determination unit  35 , a checking determination unit  36 , a billing unit  37 , an authentication unit  38 , and a mail transmission unit  39 .  
         [0042]    The communication unit  30  communicates with the communication unit  20  of the communication terminal  13  via the network  11 . The communication unit  30  includes modules for communicating using IP, TCP, and HTTP. The communication unit  30  also has a function to communicate with the database  40 . Ordinarily, the communication with the database (including a DBMS (data base management system))  40  is performed according to a vendor-specific protocol.  
         [0043]    The database  40  comprises a storage device such as a hard disk. For example, the database  40  is managed by a database management system such as an RDBMS (relational database management system) adapted to a relational model.  
         [0044]    Various data, including data regarding management of the Web site and customer management (user management), are stored and managed in the database  40 . An operation supporting template (for example, TP) and management tables MT 1  to MT 3  to manage the operation supporting template TP serve as data that is characteristic to the present embodiment. A file for storing data serving as the content of the operation supporting template can be stored in a folder. The management tables MT 1  to MT 3  can be managed by the RDBMS.  
         [0045]    Each operation supporting template has a standard format compatible with various types of printed matters. The operation supporting template denotes data which facilitates the user&#39;s (for example, the user U 1 ) operation of creating printed matter and obtaining the printed matter and which realizes a reduction in the processing load of the Web server  12  when outputting the printed matter. In a case where the user U 1  edits printed matter without a specified format on the Web server  12 , if the user U 1  uses the operation supporting template, the load on the Web server  12  can be reduced though the flexibility of the editing operation is restricted.  
         [0046]    A plurality of kinds of operation supporting templates are stored in the database  40 . On the basis of information (e.g., a natural language and a URL) inputted into the Web browser  21 A by the user U 1  upon access, it is determined which operation supporting template is sent to the user U 1 .  
         [0047]    For instance, when the user U 1  inputs information (selective information) designating the operation supporting template TP for a flyer for a supermarket and then transmits an HTTP request, upon receiving the HTTP request, the Web server  12  sends the operation supporting template TP as an HTTP response to the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0048]    When the operation supporting template TP is received by the communication terminal  13  and is then processed by the Web browser  21 A, a screen shown, for example, in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit  23  of the communication terminal  13 . The user U 1  performs the operation of editing a flyer using the screen.  
         [0049]    Referring to FIG. 11, the operation supporting template TP has display elements P 1  and P 2  and buttons BT 1  and BT 2 . The display elements P 1  and P 2  may be displayed as discrete documents on the same screen using a so-called frame function.  
         [0050]    The display element P 1  is the main area of the operation supporting template TP. In this area, the content of the flyer which will actually be printed is simulated.  
         [0051]    For example, the display element P 1  includes text P 11  such as “Bargain!!”, which will serve as the title of the flyer, an image P 12  such as a predetermined picture or design, an image area  13  where a selected image is placed, and a field P 14 .  
         [0052]    In the field P 14 , the content to be given to supermarket customers, specifically, what kinds of products are on sale and the prices of the products, is described using a natural language. Therefore, the user U 1  who inputs the selective information designating the operation supporting template TP is a person in charge of running the supermarket.  
         [0053]    The display element P 2  includes six images P 21  to P 26  having different contents.  
         [0054]    The user U 1 , who views the images in the operation supporting template TP on the display unit  23  of the communication terminal  13 , selects one image (for example, P 23 ) of the six images P 21  to P 26  using the pointing device provided for the operation unit  24 . When the user U 1  presses the “insert” button BT 1 , the selected image P 23  is enlarged and is then placed (inserted) in the image area P 13 .  
         [0055]    Any of the images P 21  to P 26  can be selected and inserted by repeating the similar operation.  
         [0056]    Some Web browsers have a function whereby the text font on a Web page can be changed. When the Web browser  21 A is of this type, if necessary, the font of the text P 11  can be changed in one of the editing operation steps.  
         [0057]    Finally, the image to be placed in the image area P 13  is determined, the content to be described in the field P 14  is determined, and the editing operation is completed. Thus, the content of the flyer is fixed. After that, when the user U 1  presses the “print” button BT 2 , a flyer having the same content as that of the display element P 1  displayed on the display unit  23  at that time can be printed by the printer  15 .  
         [0058]    According to the present embodiment, after the operation supporting template TP is sent to the communication terminal  13 , it is not necessary for the Web server  12  to be involved in the process of printing the flyer. Accordingly, the load on the processing capability of the Web server  12  is smaller than in the conventional case.  
         [0059]    The control unit  32  of the Web server  12  shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to both a CPU and an OS of the Web server  12 .  
         [0060]    In a hypertext system, a session between the communication terminal  13  and the Web server  12  is terminated after every HTTP request and the corresponding HTTP response (in other words, each time a new Web page is displayed on the display unit  23 ). Therefore, the control unit  32  needs to manage sessions in order to identify a series of accesses (a series of HTTP requests) from each user (for example, U 1 ) and then send responses (HTTP responses) consistent with the requests.  
         [0061]    The storage unit  31  is a storage device managed by the control unit  32 . In the same way as in the communication terminal  13 , the Web server  12  generally has a volatile storage device (such as a RAM) and a nonvolatile storage device (such as a hard disk). Generally, the capacity of each storage device is larger than that of the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0062]    The components  33  to  39  connected to the control unit  32  are the features of the present embodiment.  
         [0063]    Among the components  33  to  39 , the checking determination unit  36  determines whether or not it is necessary to check font compatibility.  
         [0064]    Font compatibility means the property of the Web browser ( 21 A) of the communication terminal (for example,  13 ) which accesses the Web server  12 . If there is font compatibility, an operation supporting template (for example, TP) including the font of the foregoing text P 11 , such as “Bargain!!”, can be faithfully output (displayed on a screen or printed out), when the template is provided as a Web page from the Web server  12 .  
         [0065]    When the accessing communication terminal is compatible with the font for text in the operation supporting template, the operation supporting template can be provided. However, in the case where the terminal is not compatible with the font, if the operation supporting template is provided unmodified, an output faithful to the font is not displayed on the screen or printed at the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0066]    In this case, the text P 11 , such as “Bargain!!”, mentioned above is not provided as text data with a certain font. Instead, the text P 11  is provided as image data. Accordingly, it is necessary to perform a process of converting text data with a certain font into image data faithfully reproducing the shape and size of the font. The template conversion unit  34  executes this converting process.  
         [0067]    When text data is converted into image data in a standard data format (such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)) by the template conversion unit  34 , the data can be displayed on a screen by almost any Web browser used on the Internet.  
         [0068]    The reason why the checking determination unit  36  is provided is that when the operation supporting template is not limited to a flyer, that is, when it is assumed that the template is used as a general-purpose operation supporting template, a template having no text data with a certain font, such as “Bargain!!” mentioned above, may be used. In case of an operation supporting template having no text data with a certain font, determining font compatibility can be omitted.  
         [0069]    In the Web server  12 , the font compatibility determination unit  35  is related to the above determination regarding font compatibility.  
         [0070]    In some cases, font compatibility can be determined merely by referring to the name of the Web browser and version information included in a header of the HTTP request. The reason is as follows. For example, when the name or version of the Web browser  21 A is known, the name or version of the OS  21 B can be guessed, so that fonts previously installed on the OS  21 B can also be guessed. According to the present embodiment, in order to more precisely perform the determination in more detail, plug-in software (compatibility-check plug-in) CH 1  and a compatibility-check applet AP 1  may be used.  
         [0071]    The compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  is an independent program which is transmitted from the Web server  12  to the communication terminal  13  which accesses the Web server  12  via the network  11 . The plug-in CH 1  has a function to check for font compatibility and then transmit the check result to the Web server  12 .  
         [0072]    The compatibility-check applet AP 1  is transmitted together with a Web page via the network  11  and then operates on the Web browser  21 A. The applet AP 1  has a function to check for font compatibility and then transmit the check result to the Web server  12 .  
         [0073]    Upon checking for font compatibility, the check target of the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  is determined depending on the mechanism for font management of the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0074]    For example, it is assumed that the OS  21 B included in the control unit  21  of the communication terminal  13  uniquely manages all font files in a specific folder (font folder) and the font files in the font folder are shared by applications such as the Web browser  21 A and the like. In case of this type of font management, the font name of each font file stored in the font folder can serve as the check target.  
         [0075]    When settings of the Web browser  21 A affect the font displayed on the screen of the display unit  23  through the Web browser  21 A, the settings of the Web browser  21 A can also serve as the check target.  
         [0076]    Further, when the type of the printer  15  is the above-mentioned type in which printer fonts are installed, preferably, the printer fonts are set as the check target.  
         [0077]    When it is difficult for the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  to directly check the printer fonts installed on the printer  15 , a printer driver, which is stored in the communication terminal  13  in order to drive the printer  15 , is checked. Thus, the printer driver may be checked instead of the printer fonts.  
         [0078]    In a case where the printer  15  is of the type in which printer fonts are not installed, if the communication terminal  13  is a WYSIWYG type information processor, there is no substantial difference between a screen display font displayed by the display unit  23  and a printer font printed by the printer  15  (a difference between a bitmapped font and an outline font may occur due to a difference between the screen display resolution and the print resolution). Therefore, in this case, a separate check for the printer fonts is not needed.  
         [0079]    The function of the compatibility-check applet AP 1  is limited for security reasons. However, the function of the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  is not limited. Accordingly, the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  can be designed so as to execute various processes which can be executed by normal middleware (for example, processes including access to hardware (the storage unit  22 )) in the communication terminal  13 . Therefore, it can be said that the checking capability of the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  is generally higher than that of the compatibility-check applet AP 1 .  
         [0080]    Preparing both the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  and the compatibility-check applet AP 1  on the Web server  12  is possible. Alternatively, preparing any of them is also possible. In the case where only the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  is prepared, if installation of the plug-in CH 1  is rejected by the user U 1 , the check cannot be supported. Accordingly, at least the compatibility-check applet AP 1  should be prepared.  
         [0081]    The following case can also be implemented: The compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  does not check for font compatibility but instead collects information (basic information) necessary for checking from the communication terminal  13  and then transmits the information to the Web server  12 . Then, the font compatibility determination unit  35  performs checking for font compatibility using this basic information. According to the embodiment, however, the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  performs checking for font compatibility at the communication terminal  13 . The reason is that executing as many processes as possible in the communication terminal  13  reduces the load on the Web server  12 .  
         [0082]    According to the present embodiment, therefore, it is sufficient if the font compatibility determination unit  35  has a function to interpret the check result transmitted from the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  and to permit the template conversion unit  34  or the provided data creation unit  33  to operate in accordance with the interpretation result.  
         [0083]    The provided data creation unit  33  creates a Web page to be provided to the user (for example, U 1 ). For instance, when the operation supporting template (e.g., TP) is transmitted to the communication terminal (e.g.,  13 ), the provided data creation unit  33  reconfigures and creates the operation supporting template as necessary.  
         [0084]    For example, in the case where the display elements P 1  and P 2  are independently managed in the database  40 , the provided data creation unit  33  combines the display elements P 1  and P 2  in accordance with the selective information inputted by the user U 1 , thereby creating the operation supporting template TP.  
         [0085]    The provided data creation unit  33  also reconfigures the operation supporting template on the basis of the result of the converting process performed by the template conversion unit  34  and then creates the operation supporting template to be provided to the user U 1 .  
         [0086]    The billing unit  37  executes a billing process to the user U 1 . According to the present embodiment, it is assumed that the Web server  12  has a membership system and services are provided only to the users who have previously been registered as members. Upon member registration, a user ID and a password are given to each user. Referring to FIG. 8, a user ID and a password in the management table MT 1  correspond to the user ID and the password, respectively.  
         [0087]    Various billing systems may be used. In this case, a billing system for billing the user each time a print output based on a certain operation supporting template is performed is used. In this instance, when the print output is normally performed, billing has to be performed surely. On the other hand, when the print output is not normally performed, billing must not be performed.  
         [0088]    As mentioned above, according to the present embodiment, a print output is executed at the communication terminal (for example,  13 ). Accordingly, the Web server  12  cannot directly confirm whether a print output was executed or, if a print output was performed, whether the print output was performed successfully (for example, accurately representing the font).  
         [0089]    According to the present embodiment, therefore, plug-in software or an applet is also used for billing. The plug-in software for billing is set to billing-check plug-in CH 2  and the applet for billing is set to a billing-check applet AP 2 .  
         [0090]    Each of the billing-check plug-in CH 2  and the billing-check applet AP 2  has a function to check whether print out using the operation supporting template TP was normally performed at the communication terminal  13  and to transmit the check result to the Web server  12 .  
         [0091]    Regarding limits for security reasons and the checking capability, the billing-check plug-in CH 2  has the same conditions as those of the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  and the billing-check applet AP 2  has the same conditions as those of the compatibility-check applet AP 1 .  
         [0092]    As necessary, the function of the plug-in CH 2  may be integrated into the plug-in CH 1  and the function of the applet AP 2  may be integrated into the applet AP 1 . Integrating the plug-in CH 2  with the plug-in CH 1  can lighten the operating load on the user U 1  because the number of times that the user&#39;s intention of installing the plug-in is confirmed. In both the case where the plug-in CH 2  is integrated with the plug-in CH 1  and the case where the applet AP 2  is integrated with the applet AP 1 , the number of transmission times of the plug-in software or the applet from the Web server  12  is reduced. Accordingly, integrating effectively reduces the load. Furthermore, the integration is also effective from the viewpoint of reducing communication traffic.  
         [0093]    When the above-mentioned enough short response time is realized, communication traffic may become a bottleneck. Accordingly, consideration must be given to reducing the communication traffic. In other words, the response time corresponds to the sum of the time required for communication in a transmission path and the time required for the process at the Web server  12 . Accordingly, in a case where communication traffic is not enough low as compared with a communication band of the transmission path between the communication terminal  13  and the Web server  12 , if the process executed by the Web server  12  is performed at high speed, the response time cannot be reduced.  
         [0094]    When the billing-check plug-in CH 2  and the billing-check applet AP 2  (including the plug-in CH 1  and the applet AP 1 ) are transmitted to the communication terminal  13 , the provided data creation unit  33  may operate. The billing unit  37  executes the billing process for the user U 1  using the check result transmitted from the communication terminal  13  by the billing-check plug-in CH 2  or the billing-check applet AP 2 .  
         [0095]    The authentication unit  38  authenticates the user who accesses the Web server  12 . User authentication is performed using the user ID or the password given to the user upon member registration.  
         [0096]    The mail transmission unit  39  transmits an electronic mail to the user U 1 , the mail notifying the user of an amount of money which the user U 1  has to pay, serving as the result of the billing process performed by the billing unit  37 . An e-mail address of the user U 1  serving as a destination of the e-mail can previously be obtained upon member registration. Referring to FIG. 8, a mail address in the management table MT 1  corresponds to the e-mail address.  
         [0097]    When the mail transmission unit  39  is provided in the Web server  12  as shown in FIG. 1, the e-mail can be sent using a mechanism for Web mails.  
         [0098]    [0098]FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate flowcharts showing the process at the communication terminal (for example,  13 ). FIG. 4 shows the process comprising steps S 401  to  405 . FIG. 6 shows the process comprising steps S 601  to  610 .  
         [0099]    [0099]FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate flowcharts showing the process at the Web server  12 , respectively. FIG. 5 shows the process comprising steps S 501  to S 510 . FIG. 7 shows the process comprising steps S 701  to S 703 .  
         [0100]    The above processes according to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.  4  to  6 .  
         [0101]    Many users, including the user U 2 , may simultaneously access the Web server  12 . In this case, it is assumed that the user U 1  communicates with the Web server  12  using the communication terminal  13  to obtain the operation supporting template TP.  
         [0102]    When the user U 1  controls the communication terminal  13  to access the Web server  12 , for example, a log-in screen LP as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen of the display unit  23  in step S 401  in FIG. 4. On the log-in screen LP, fields F 1  to F 4  for writing a user name, a password, a category, and details and a “send” button BT 3  are placed.  
         [0103]    In the fields F 1  and F 2 , the user name and the password given to the user U 1  upon member registration are inputted. In the fields F 3  and F 4 , a category and details the user desires are inputted every time. The category means a category which an operation supporting template (for example, TP) belongs and the details denote a small classification unit included in a certain category.  
         [0104]    When information written in the field F 1  to F 4  on the log-in screen LP are fixed, the user U 1  presses the “send” button BT 3  using the pointing device. When the Web browser  21 A detects that the button is pressed (S 402 ), the information input in the fields F 1  to F 4  are transmitted to the Web server  12 .  
         [0105]    After the “send” button BT 3  is pressed, the communication terminal  13  enters a reception waiting state in which the terminal is waiting for a response from the Web server  12  (S 403 ).  
         [0106]    On the other hand, the Web server  12 , which receives the information in the fields F 1  to F 4 , retrieves the management table MT 1  shown in FIG. 8 using the received information in the fields F 1  and F 2 , thereby authenticating the user U 1  (S 501  and S 502 ). At this time, when a row including a user ID matching the user ID of the field F 1  and a password matching the password of the field F 2  exist in the management table MT 1 , the authentication result denotes OK. When such a row does not exist in the table MT 1 , the authentication result denotes NG.  
         [0107]    If the authentication result denotes NG, the process at the Web server  12  is stopped at that time. Alternatively, a predetermined error message can be sent to the communication terminal  13 . The error message can contain a message which recommends the user to register as a member.  
         [0108]    If the authentication result denotes OK, a process in step S 503  is executed. By the process, the corresponding operation supporting template is extracted from a plurality of operation supporting templates stored in the database  40  on the basis of the information in the fields F 3  and F 4  received together with the information in the fields F 1  and F 2 .  
         [0109]    At that time, the management tables MT 2  and MT 3  are retrieved.  
         [0110]    In the retrieval, the management table MT 2  is first retrieved using the category written in the field F 3  and the details (product name, title, and season) written in the field F 4  as retrieval keys, so that an appropriate file path is obtained serving as the retrieval result. Then, the appropriate operation supporting template TP is extracted from the folder using the file path. When the management table MT 2  is retrieved, an index can be obtained together with the file path. The index denotes an identifier to physically designate a location where data (in this case, a component of the operation supporting template) is stored in an indexed sequential file.  
         [0111]    It is a matter of course that file organization (namely, physical design of database) needs not to be limited to indexed sequential organization described above.  
         [0112]    Each font in the management table MT 2  denotes a row where a value corresponding to the font name is stored. Therefore, when the management table MT 2  is retrieved, the font name of the text (“Bargain!!”) P 11  serving as the title of the designated operation supporting template TP can be obtained together with the file path and the index.  
         [0113]    In this instance, since the operation supporting templates are stored separately from image data for the images P 21  to P 26 , the corresponding image data is obtained in step S 504  next to step S 503 .  
         [0114]    Subsequently, the provided data creation unit  33  in the Web server  12  transmits the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  to the communication terminal  13  (S 505 ). Then, the Web server waits for transmission of the check result from the plug-in CH 1  or the applet AP 1  (S 506 ). When the plug-in CH 1  or the applet AP 1  is transmitted to the communication terminal  13 , the font name obtained by retrieving the management table MT 2  can be stored in the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1 .  
         [0115]    As a result, the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  can check for font compatibility by comparing the font name stored therein with a font name (for example, a font name assigned to a font file in the font folder) detected in the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0116]    In the above-mentioned session management, when the check result is not transmitted after predetermined time, session can be terminated at the Web server  12 .  
         [0117]    If the communication terminal  13  is in the reception waiting state in step S 403 , the communication terminal  13  receives the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  transmitted by the Web server  12  in step S 505 .  
         [0118]    Therefore, the above-mentioned response time for the user U 1  corresponds to a period during which the “send” button BT 3  on the log-in screen LP is pressed in step S 402 , the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  is received, and a screen to confirm the intention of installation is displayed on the display unit  23  (alternatively, a Web page transmitted together with the compatibility-check applet AP 1  is displayed on the display unit  23 ).  
         [0119]    During the period, the processing steps of steps S 501  to S 505  with light loads are executed at the Web server  12 . Accordingly, the response time can be reduced enough.  
         [0120]    Since the images P 21  to P 26  obtained in step S 504  are not concerned with font compatibility, the order of the processing steps can be changed. For example, step S 505  can be executed before step S 504 . Consequently, the response time can be further reduced.  
         [0121]    A series of processing steps, in which the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  starts checking at the communication terminal  13  and the check result is transmitted to the Web server  12 , can be automatically performed independently of the intention of the user U 1 . Alternatively, a screen to inquire of the user U 1  about whether checking can be started or whether the check result can be transmitted may be displayed on the display unit  23 .  
         [0122]    If checking is finished surely in short time (for example, time enough shorter than three seconds), the inquiry is not needed. If checking may require long time (for example, eight seconds or longer), it is desirable to execute the inquiry. The reason is as follows. It is considered that, if the user U 1  does not know that checking is being performed, long checking time applies stress on the user U 1  in the same case as in long response time.  
         [0123]    When checking for font compatibility by the compatibility-check plug-in CH 2  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  is completed (S 404 ), the check result is transmitted from the communication terminal  13  to the Web server  12  (S 405 ).  
         [0124]    When the valid check result is derived from the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  at the communication terminal  13  (S 506 ), at the Web server  12 , the font compatibility determination unit  35  interprets the check result and then performs the operation in accordance with the interpretation result (S 507 ).  
         [0125]    In other words, when the check result indicates that there is font compatibility (YES in S 507 ), the process proceeds to step S 510 . The provided data creation unit  33  transmits the operation supporting template TP unmodified to the communication terminal  13  on the basis of data obtained in steps S 503  and S 504  (S 510 ). When the check result indicates that there is no font compatibility (NO in S 507 ), the process proceeds to step S 508 .  
         [0126]    In step S 508 , the template conversion unit  34  converts the text P 11 , such as “Bargain!!”, serving as text data having a certain font into image data.  
         [0127]    Subsequently, the provided data creation unit  33  reconfigures the operation supporting template TP (including no font) using the image data obtained by the conversion and then transmits the template TP to the communication terminal  13 .  
         [0128]    For the user U 1 , another response time corresponds to a period after the user U 1  responds to the last inquiry (for example, an inquiry about confirmation of the user&#39;s intention regarding whether the check result is transmitted) of the compatibility-check plug-in CH 1  or the compatibility-check applet AP 1  until the operation supporting template TP is displayed on the display unit  23 . During the period, the Web server  12  hardly executes the process with large load. Accordingly, the response time can be reduced enough.  
         [0129]    In the case where the plug-in CH 1  is not integrated with the plug-in CH 2  or the applet AP 1  is not integrated with the applet AP 2 , when the operation supporting template TP is transmitted in step S 510  or S 509 , the Web server  12  also transmits the billing-check plug-in CH 2  or the billing-check applet AP 2 .  
         [0130]    When the screen of the operation supporting template TP as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit  23  (S 601 ), the user U 1  performs the above-mentioned editing operation using the pointing device or keyboard provided for the operation unit  24  while viewing the screen.  
         [0131]    After the editing operation is completed, when the user U 1  presses the “print” button BT 2  and the Web browser  21 A detects that the button is pressed (S 602 ), the Web browser  21 A notifies the Web server  12  of the fact (S 603 ). Simultaneously, faithful print data of the display element P 1  subjected to the editing operation is created at the communication terminal  13  (S 604 ). The print data is transmitted to a printer spool (S 605 ) and is then printed out (S 606 ).  
         [0132]    If printing is normally performed, namely, if printing is successful (YES in S 607 ), the process proceeds to step S 608 . The check result indicating the fact is transmitted to the Web server  12  by the function of the billing-check plug-in CH 2  or the billing-check applet AP 2  (S 608 ).  
         [0133]    In the flowchart shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, if this printing is not successful (NO in S 607 ), the process proceeds to step S 609 . It is detected that the font is changed (S 609 ). Then, the process returns to step S 602  once again. The procedure corresponds to a case where the Web browser  21 A which the user U 1  operates has a function to change a text font on a Web page.  
         [0134]    In other words, the user U 1  changes the font of the text P 11  using the function of the Web browser  21 A. When the Web browser  21 A detects that the font is changed, the process returns to step S 602 .  
         [0135]    A loop comprising steps S 602 , S 603 , S 604 , S 605 , S 606 , S 607 , and S 609  can be repeated as often as the user U 1  desires.  
         [0136]    If the Web browser  21 A does not have a function to change a text font on a Web page in this manner, the procedure shown by the solid line cannot be executed. In this case, for example, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 6, the billing-check plug-in CH 2  or the billing-check applet AP 2  notifies the Web server  12  of a printing failure (S 610 ). Another operation supporting template, which is similar to the operation supporting template TP but is different therefrom with respect to the font of the text P 11 , may be transmitted again from the Web server  12  to the communication terminal  13 . At that time, step S 601  is performed subsequent to step S 610 , and after that, the similar processing steps can be executed repetitively.  
         [0137]    Since repeating the processing steps increases the load on the Web server  12 , a predetermined upper limit can be set to the number of transmission times of operation supporting templates TP having different fonts for the text P 11 .  
         [0138]    If printing is successful at the communication terminal  13  and data indicating that printing was successful is sent to the Web server  12  in step S 608 , the Web server  12  receives the data (S 701 ) as shown in FIG. 7. The billing unit  37  increases the number of successful printings in the row corresponding to the user U 1  in the management table MT 1  by only one to update (increase) a bill (S 702 ).  
         [0139]    The mail transmission unit  39  sends an e-mail indicating the increased bill to the mail address obtained from the row corresponding to the user U 1  in the management table MT 1  (S 703 ).  
         [0140]    Thus, a series of processing steps at the user U 1  are completed. It is a matter of course that all of the flowcharts, including the flowchart of FIG. 7, can be performed to each user who accesses the Web server  12 .  
         [0141]    As understood from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the processing load on the Web server ( 12 ) can be efficiently lightened. Consequently, enough short response time can be realized while cost is being suppressed.  
         [0142]    The Web server ( 12 ) according to the present embodiment can also be used as a server load balancer. Accordingly, if the server load balancer is used as necessary, the cost increases but response time can be further reduced.  
         [0143]    In the flowchart of FIG. 6, in step S 603 , the Web browser  21 A notifies the Web server  12  of the fact that the user U 1  pressed the “print” button BT 2 . Step S 603  can be omitted.  
         [0144]    Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, if there is no font compatibility, the process of converting the text P 11 , such as “Bargain!!”, as text data having a certain font into image data is executed. In the converting process, text can be converted into text data having a certain font adapted to font compatibility instead of image data.  
         [0145]    If checking for font compatibility is not performed and text data having a certain font (such as the text P 11 ) is immediately converted into image data and the converted data is then provided to the communication terminal  13 , steps S 505  to S 507  and S 510  are omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 5.