Patent Publication Number: US-2021166191-A1

Title: Advertisement system, server, and method of controlling advertisement system

Description:
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2019-216667, filed Nov. 29, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an advertisement system, a server, and a method of controlling the advertisement system. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the related art, a technique of issuing an advertising medium by a printing apparatus is known. For example, JP-A-2005-259018 discloses a system in which print information is generated based on advertisement design information, printing based on the generated print information is performed at a distribution base of an advertising medium, and a leaflet is issued at the distribution base. 
     An example of the system that issues the advertising medium, as disclosed in JP-A-2005-259018, includes a system that issues the advertising medium by the printing apparatus of a distributor who distributes the advertising medium. However, in this type of system, there is no mechanism of automatically identifying the distributor according to the distribution condition of the advertiser, and there is a problem that the distribution of the advertising medium that meets the distribution condition of the advertiser cannot be easily performed. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, in an advertisement system that issues an advertising medium by a printing apparatus of a distributor who distributes the advertising medium, the advertisement system includes a storage unit that stores distributor information about the distributor, a reception unit that receives, from an advertiser, an advertisement request including a distribution condition related to a distribution of the advertising medium, a identification unit that identifies the distributor that satisfies the distribution condition included in the advertisement request received by the reception unit based on the distributor information stored in the storage unit, and a transmission unit that transmits, to the printing apparatus of the distributor identified by the identification unit, print data instructing issuance of the advertising medium based on the advertisement request received by the reception unit. 
     The above advertisement system may have a configuration in which the distributor information includes distributable area information indicating a distributable area in which the distributor is enabled to distribute the advertising medium, wherein the distribution condition includes a distribution desired area that is an area in which the advertiser desires the distributor to distribute the advertising medium, and wherein the identification unit identifies the distributor information including the distributable area information indicating the distributable area including the distribution desired area. 
     The above advertisement system may have a configuration in which the distributor information includes distributable date information indicating a distributable date that is a date when the distributor is enabled to distribute the advertising medium, wherein, the distribution condition includes a distribution desired period that is a period in which the advertiser desires the distributor to distribute the advertising medium, and wherein the identification unit identifies the distributor information including the distributable date information indicating the distributable date corresponding to at least part of the distribution desired period. 
     The above advertisement system may have a configuration in which the distributor information includes rank information indicating a rank of the distributor according to a distribution record, wherein the identification unit identifies the distributor information by giving higher priority to the distributor information in which the rank indicated by the rank information is higher. 
     The above advertisement system may include a rank determination unit that determines the rank based on at least one of the number of sheets actually distributed by the distributor with respect to a target number of sheets to be distributed, the number of days by which a start of a distribution of the advertising medium is delayed, and a total number of sheets distributed by the distributor in the past. 
     The above advertisement system may include a presentation unit that presents, to the advertiser, the distribution condition which enables the identification unit to identify the distributor information that satisfies the distribution condition when the identification unit is not enabled to identify the distributor information that satisfies the distribution condition. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, in a server that issues an advertising medium by a printing apparatus of a distributor who distributes the advertising medium, the server includes a storage unit that stores distributor information about the distributor, a reception unit that receives, from an advertiser, an advertisement request including a distribution condition related to a distribution of the advertising medium, a identification unit that identifies the distributor that satisfies the distribution condition included in the advertisement request received by the reception unit based on the distributor information stored in the storage unit, and a transmission unit that transmits, to the printing apparatus of the distributor identified by the identification unit, print data instructing issuance of the advertising medium based on the advertisement request received by the reception unit. 
     According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, in a method of controlling an advertisement system that issues an advertising medium by a printing apparatus of a distributor who distributes the advertising medium, the method includes storing distributor information about the distributor, receiving, from an advertiser, an advertisement request including a distribution condition related to a distribution of the advertising medium, identifying, from the stored distributor information, the distributor that satisfies the distribution condition included in the received advertisement request, and transmitting, to the printing apparatus of the identified distributor, print data instructing issuance of the advertising medium based on the received advertisement request. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of an advertisement system. 
         FIG. 2A  is a first half of a diagram showing a configuration of each device included in the advertisement system. 
         FIG. 2B  is a second half of the diagram showing the configuration of each device included in the advertisement system. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of a distributor management database. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of a request information management database. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of a distribution history management database. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the operation of a rank determination unit. 
         FIG. 7A  is a first half of a flowchart showing the operation of the advertisement system. 
         FIG. 7B  is a second half of the flowchart showing the operation of the advertisement system. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the operation of a posting server. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram for explaining identification of distributor information. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a configuration of an advertisement system  1000 . 
     The advertisement system  1000  is a system used by a posting company  1 A. The posting company  1 A is a company that performs a business related to distribution of a leaflet TS in which the advertisements of products and services of an advertiser  2 A are placed. The leaflet TS is a diagram showing an example of an advertising medium. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the advertisement system  1000  includes a posting server  1 . The posting server  1  corresponds to an example of a server. The posting server  1  is a server apparatus managed by the posting company  1 A and is connected to a global network GN. 
     In each figure, the posting server  1  is represented by one block, but this does not necessarily mean that the posting server  1  is configured by a single server apparatus. For example, the posting server  1  may be configured to include a plurality of server apparatuses having different processing contents. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the advertisement system  1000  includes a printer  3 . The printer  3  corresponds to an example of a printing apparatus. The printer  3  of the present embodiment is an ink jet type printing apparatus, and is a stationary printing apparatus provided in the residence of the distributor  4  who distributes the leaflet TS by concluding a predetermined contract with the posting company  1 A. In the following description, the residence of the distributor  4  is referred to as a “distributor&#39;s house”, and the reference numeral “ 4 A” is attached. The printer  3  provided in the distributor&#39;s house  4 A may be the property of the distributor  4  or may be lent by the posting company  1 A. 
     In  FIG. 1 , five distributors  4  are illustrated. In the present embodiment, the assigned area in which distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  distribute the leaflet TS is “area A”, and the assigned area in which the distributor  4 - 5  distributes the leaflet TS is “area B” among the five distributors  4  shown in  FIG. 1 . Although illustration is omitted, the distributors  4  concluding a predetermined contract with the posting company  1 A include the distributors  4  who are assigned areas other than “area A” and “area B”. The number of the distributors  4  assigned “area A” and the number of the distributors  4  assigned “area B” are merely an example, and may be larger or smaller. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the advertisement system  1000  includes a tablet terminal  5  used by the distributor  4 . The tablet terminal  5  is, for example, a tablet-type terminal device in which a touch panel  53  is provided on the front face in a wide area, and communicates with the printer  3  to control the printer  3 . Further, the tablet terminal  5  is connected to the global network GN to communicate with the posting server  1 . The tablet terminal  5  used by the distributor  4  may be the property of the distributor  4  or may be lent by the posting company  1 A. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the one printer  3  communicates with the one tablet terminal  5  is illustrated, but the number of the printers  3  that communicate with the tablet terminal  5  may be plural. 
     In the present embodiment, the distributor  4 - 1  operates a tablet terminal  5 - 1  to issue the leaflet TS with the printer  3 - 1 . Further, the distributor  4 - 2  operates a tablet terminal  5 - 2  to issue the leaflet TS with a printer  3 - 2 . Further, the distributor  4 - 3  operates a tablet terminal  5 - 3  to issue the leaflet TS with the printer  3 - 3 . The distributor  4 - 4  operates the tablet terminal  5 - 4  to issue the leaflet TS with the printer  3 - 4 . The distributor  4 - 5  operates the tablet terminal  5 - 5  to issue the leaflet TS with the printer  3 - 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an advertiser PC  2  which is a personal computer (PC) operated by the advertiser  2 A is connected to the global network GN. A browser  220 B is installed in advance in the advertiser PC  2 . The advertiser  2 A opens the browser  220 B installed in the advertiser PC  2 , accesses the Web page provided by the posting company  1 A, and requests the posting company  1 A to distribute the leaflet TS via the Web page. Note that the number of advertiser PCs  2  connected to the global network GN is merely an example, and is not limited to one, and may be plural. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are block diagrams showing a functional configuration of each device included in the advertisement system  1000 . 
     First, the tablet terminal  5  will be described. The tablet terminal  5  includes a terminal controller  50 , a terminal network communication unit  51 , a terminal communication unit  52 , and the touch panel  53 . 
     The terminal controller  50  includes a terminal processor  510  that is a processor, such as a CPU and an MPU, that executes programs, and a terminal storage unit  520 , and controls respective units of the tablet terminal  5 . The terminal controller  50  performs various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the terminal processor  510  reads a control program  520 A stored in the terminal storage unit  520  to execute the processes. A dedicated application program is installed in advance in the tablet terminal  5 . In the following description, the dedicated application program is simply referred to as a “dedicated application” and is denoted by “ 520 B”. The dedicated application  520 B is an application program that is read from the terminal storage unit  520  and executed by the terminal processor  510  to cause the terminal controller  50  to function as an application execution unit  5100 . The function of the application execution unit  5100  will be described later. 
     The terminal storage unit  520  has a storage area in which a program to be executed by the terminal processor  510  and data processed by the terminal processor  510  are stored. The terminal storage unit  520  stores the control program  520 A to be executed by the terminal processor  510 , the dedicated application  520 B, and other various pieces of data. The terminal storage unit  520  has a non-volatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a non-volatile manner. Further, the terminal storage unit  520  may include a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area in which a program to be executed by the terminal processor  510  and data to be processed are temporarily stored. 
     The terminal network communication unit  51  includes communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the posting server  1  according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the terminal controller  50 . 
     The terminal communication unit  52  is composed of communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the printer  3  under the control of the terminal controller  50 . The communication standard of communication performed between the tablet terminal  5  and the printer  3  is a wireless communication standard in this embodiment, but may be a wire communication standard. 
     The touch panel  53  includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor that is provided so as to overlap with or provided integrally with the display panel. The display panel displays various images under the control of the terminal controller  50 . The touch sensor detects a touch operation to output the result to the terminal controller  50 . The terminal controller  50  executes a process corresponding to the touch operation based on the input from the touch sensor. 
     As described above, the terminal controller  50  functions as the application execution unit  5100 . Upon receiving the distribution request notification from the posting server  1 , the application execution unit  5100  transmits the print data included in the distribution request notification to the printer  3 . The print data is data for instructing the printer  3  to issue the leaflet TS, and includes advertisement image data  1235 , which will be described later, and various commands related to printing. The distribution request notification includes, as information, the distribution start date and time which is a date and time when the distributor  4  is to start distributing the leaflet TS, the distribution end date and time which is a date and time when the distributor  4  is to end distributing the leaflet TS, and the target number of distribution sheets of sheets which is the target number of sheets to be distributed by the distributor  4  in the distribution period of the leaflet TS, in addition to the print data. The distribution period of the leaflet TS indicated by the distribution request notification is a period from the distribution start date and time to the distribution end date and time. 
     In addition, the application execution unit  5100  transmits, to the posting server  1 , a distribution start notification indicating that the distributor  4  has started distributing the leaflet TS. The application execution unit  5100  displays, on the touch panel  53 , for example, a software button for confirming that distribution of the leaflet TS is started, and when the software button is operated, the distribution start notification is transmitted to the posting server  1 . The distribution start notification includes a distributor ID  1221  described later, a request information ID  1231  described later, and information indicating the date and time when distribution of the leaflet TS is started. 
     In addition, the application execution unit  5100  transmits, to the posting server  1 , a distribution end notification indicating that the distributor  4  has completed distribution of the target number of distribution sheets of the leaflet TS. The application execution unit  5100  displays, on the touch panel  53 , for example, a software button for confirming that distribution of the target number of distribution sheets of the leaflet TS has been completed, and when the software button is operated, the distribution end notification is transmitted to posting server  1 . The distribution end notification includes the distributor ID  1221 , the request information ID  1231 , and the date and time when distribution of the target number of distribution sheets of the leaflet TS has been completed. 
     The application execution unit  5100  transmits a distribution certification notification to the posting server  1 . The distribution certification notification includes information serving as proof that the leaflet TS has been distributed. Examples of the proof information include position information input from a GPS unit (not shown), shooting data of a camera (not shown), and the like. For example, when the software button for confirming the transmission of the distribution certification notification is operated, the application execution unit  5100  transmits the distribution certification notification to the posting server  1 . The distribution certification notification includes, for each distribution destination, shooting data of the distribution destination, position information of the distribution destination, and the like. As a result, the posting server  1  can ascertain the number of sheets of the leaflet TS distributed at the time of receiving the distribution certification notification based on the number of pieces of shooting data and the number of pieces of position information included in the received distribution certification notification. The distribution certification notification further includes the distributor ID  1221  and the request information ID  1231 . 
     Next, the printer  3  will be described. The printer  3  includes a printer controller  30 , a printer communication unit  31 , and a printing unit  32 . 
     The printer controller  30  includes a printer processor  310 , which is a processor, such as a CPU and an MPU, that executes programs, and a printer storage unit  320 , and controls respective units of the child printer  3 . The printer controller  30  performs various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the printer processor  310  reads a control program  320 A stored in the printer storage unit  320  to execute the processes. 
     The printer storage unit  320  has a storage area in which a program to be executed by the printer processor  310  and data processed by the printer processor  310  are stored. The printer storage unit  320  stores the control program  320 A executed by the printer processor  310  and other various pieces of data. The printer storage unit  320  has a non-volatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a non-volatile manner. Further, the printer storage unit  320  may include a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area in which a program to be executed by the printer processor  310  and data to be processed are temporarily stored. 
     The printer communication unit  31  is composed of communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the tablet terminal  5  under the control of the printer controller  30 . 
     The printing unit  32  has a configuration related to a printing system including an ink jet head that ejects ink onto a print medium, a carriage for scanning the ink jet head in the scanning direction, a carriage drive motor for driving the carriage, a transport unit that transports a print medium, a supply mechanism that supplies the ink to the ink jet head, and the like. The printing unit  32  prints an image on a print medium under the control of the printer controller  30 . The printing unit  32  of the present embodiment prints the advertisement image indicated by the advertisement image data  1235  on the print medium based on the print data transmitted from the posting server  1  via the tablet terminal  5 , and issues the leaflet TS. 
     Next, the advertiser PC  2  will be described. The advertiser PC  2  includes an advertiser PC controller  20 , an advertiser PC communication unit  21 , an advertiser PC display unit  22 , and an advertiser PC input unit  23 . 
     The advertiser PC controller  20  includes an advertiser PC processor  210 , which is a processor, such as a CPU and an MPU, that executes programs, and an advertiser PC storage unit  220 , and controls respective units of the advertiser PC  2 . The advertiser PC controller  20  performs various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the advertiser PC processor  210  reads a control program  220 A stored in the advertiser PC storage unit  220  to execute the processes. The browser  220 B is installed in advance in the advertiser PC  2 . The browser  220 B is read from the advertiser PC storage unit  220  by the advertiser PC processor and executed to cause the advertiser PC controller  20  to function as a browser execution unit  2100 . The function of the browser execution unit  2100  will be described later. 
     The advertiser PC storage unit  220  has a storage area in which a program executed by the advertiser PC processor  210  and data processed by the advertiser PC processor  210  are stored. The advertiser PC storage unit  220  stores a control program  220 A executed by the advertiser PC processor  210 , the browser  220 B, and other various pieces of data. The advertiser PC storage unit  220  has a non-volatile storage in which programs and data are stored in a non-volatile manner. Further, the advertiser PC storage unit  220  may include a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area in which a program to be executed by the advertiser PC processor  210  and data to be processed are temporarily stored. 
     The advertiser PC communication unit  21  includes communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the posting server  1  according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the advertiser PC controller  20 . 
     The advertiser PC display unit  22  includes a display panel, and displays various pieces of information on the display panel under the control of the advertiser PC controller  20 . 
     The advertiser PC input unit  23  includes a keyboard, a mouse, and another input section, and detects a user operation on the input section to output the detected operation to the advertiser PC controller  20 . The advertiser PC controller  20  executes a process corresponding to the user operation on the input section based on the input from the advertiser PC input unit  23 . 
     As described above, the advertiser PC controller  20  functions as the browser execution unit  2100 . The browser execution unit  2100  accesses the URL of a Web page for requesting the distribution of the leaflet TS and receives the HTML file for displaying the Web page from the posting server  1  through the advertiser PC communication unit  21 . The browser execution unit  2100  displays the Web page on the advertiser PC display unit  22  based on the received HTML file. 
     The browser execution unit  2100  receives the input of the distribution condition of the leaflet TS through the Web page displayed by the advertiser PC display unit  22 . The distribution conditions input to the Web page includes the distribution desired period that is a period in which the advertiser  2 A desires the distributor to distribute the leaflet TS, the desired number of distribution sheets that is the number of sheets, of the leaflet TS, which the advertiser  2 A desires the distributor to distribute in the distribution desired period, and the distribution desired area that is an area in which the advertiser  2 A desires the distributor to distribute of the leaflet TS. The browser execution unit  2100  receives the inputs of an advertiser ID  1233 , address information  1234 , and the advertisement image data  1235  in addition to the distribution condition of the leaflet TS through the Web page displayed by the advertiser PC display unit  22 . The advertiser ID  1233 , the address information  1234 , and the advertisement image data  1235  will be described later. 
     Upon receiving the inputs of the distribution condition of the leaflet TS, the advertiser ID  1233 , the address information  1234 , and the advertisement image data  1235 , the browser execution unit  2100  transmits request information  1232  to the posting server  1  through the advertiser PC communication unit  21 . The browser execution unit  2100  makes an advertisement request to the posting server  1  by transmitting the request information  1232 . The advertisement request is a request for distributing the leaflet TS, that the advertiser  2 A makes to the posting server  1 . The request information  1232  includes information indicating the distribution condition received by the browser execution unit  2100 , the advertiser ID  1233 , the address information  1234 , and the advertisement image data  1235 . 
     Next, the posting server  1  will be described. The posting server  1  includes a server controller  10  and a server communication unit  11 . The server communication unit  11  corresponds to an example of a transmission unit. 
     The server controller  10  includes a server processor  110 , which is a processor, such as a CPU and an MPU, that executes programs, and a server storage unit  120 , and controls respective units of the posting server  1 . The server storage unit  120  corresponds to an example of the storage unit. The server controller  10  executes various processes in cooperation with hardware and software so that the server processor  110  reads a control program  121  stored in the server storage unit  120  and executes the processes. The server processor  110  reads out and executes the control program  121 , so that the server controller  10  functions as a reception unit  111 , an identification unit  112 , a rank determination unit  113 , a database management unit  114 , a presentation unit  115 , a data processing unit  116 , and a communication controller  117 . Details of these functional units will be described later. 
     The server storage unit  120  has a storage area in which a program executed by the server processor  110  and data processed by the server processor  110  are stored. The server storage unit  120  stores the control program  121  executed by the server processor  110 , a distributor management database  122 , a request information management database  123 , a distribution history management database  124 , and other various pieces of data. The server storage unit  120  has a non-volatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a non-volatile manner. Further, the server storage unit  120  may include a volatile storage area, and may constitute a work area in which a program to be executed by the server processor  110  and data to be processed are temporarily stored. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of the distributor management database  122 . The distributor management database  122  is a database that stores, as a record, distributor information  1229 , which is information about the distributor  4 . One record of the distributor management database  122 , that is, the one distributor information  1229  stored in the distributor management database  122  includes the distributor ID  1221 , rank information  1222 , assigned area information  1223 , total number of sheets information  1224 , and distributable time information  1225 , distributable date information  1226 , distributable number of sheets information  1227 , and currently used printing apparatus information  1228 . The assigned area information  1223  corresponds to an example of distributable area information. 
     The distributor ID  1221  is identification information for identifying the distributor  4 , and is assigned to the distributor  4  when a record is newly stored in the distributor management database  122 , for example. 
     The rank information  1222  is information indicating the rank of the distributor  4  according to the distribution record. The rank indicated by the rank information  1222  is one of five ranks, that is, rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E. In this embodiment, rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E indicate the evaluation of the distributor  4  based on the distribution record in five levels. In rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E, rank A represents the higher evaluation of the distributor  4 , that is, the highest rank, and rank E represents the lowest evaluation of the distributor  4 , that is, the lowest rank. The rank indicated by the rank information  1222  is appropriately updated by the database management unit  114  based on the rank determined by the rank determination unit  113 . 
     The assigned area information  1223  is information indicating the assigned area in which the distributor  4  distributes the leaflet TS, and also information indicating the area in which the distributor  4  can distribute the leaflet TS. 
     The total number of sheets information  1224  is information indicating the total number of sheets of the leaflet TS distributed by the distributor  4  in the past. The total number of sheets indicated by the total number of sheets information  1224  is updated by the database management unit  114  at a predetermined timing. 
     The distributable time information  1225  is information indicating the distributable time, which is a time at which the distributor  4  can distribute the leaflet TS in one day. 
     The distributable date information  1226  is information indicating a distributable date that is a date on which the distributor  4  can distribute the leaflet TS in a predetermined period. The distributable date indicated by the distributable date information  1226  is set or updated at predetermined timing by the function of the dedicated application  520 B when the distributor  4  operates the tablet terminal  5 , for example. The distributable date indicated by the distributable date information  1226  is updated by the database management unit  114  when the data processing unit  116  stores the record in the distribution history management database  124 . 
     The distributable number of sheets information  1227  is information indicating the distributable number of sheets, which is the number of sheets of the leaflet TS that the distributor  4  can distribute. The distributable number of sheets indicated by the distributable number of sheets information  1227  is the number of sheets of the leaflet TS that can be distributed at the distributable time indicated by the distributable time information  1225 . The distributable number of sheets information  1227  indicates the distributable time indicated by the distributable time information  1225  and the distributable number of sheets according to the combination of the manufacturer name of the printer  3  and the model name of the printer  3  indicated by the currently used printing apparatus information  1228 . 
     The currently used printing apparatus information  1228  is information about the printer  3  used by the distributor  4  indicated by the distributor ID  1221  of the same record. The information about the printer  3  indicates the combination of the manufacturer name of the printer  3  and the model name of the printer  3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of the request information management database  123 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , one record in the request information management database  123  includes the request information ID  1231  and the request information  1232 . 
     The request information ID  1231  is identification information for identifying the request information  1232  received from the advertiser PC  2 . 
     When the reception unit  111  receives the request information  1232  from the advertiser PC  2 , the data processing unit  116  of the server controller  10  generates the request information ID  1231  to associate the generated request information ID  1231  with the received request information  1232 . Then, the data processing unit  116  stores, in the request information management database  123 , a record in which the request information  1232  is associated with the request information ID  1231 . 
     The request information  1232  includes the advertiser ID  1233 , the address information  1234 , the advertisement image data  1235 , distribution desired period information  1236 , desired number of distribution sheets information  1237 , and distribution desired area information  1238 . 
     The advertiser ID  1233  is identification information for identifying the advertiser  2 A, and is notified to the advertiser  2 A in advance by a predetermined method. 
     The address information  1234  is address information for transmitting predetermined information to the advertiser PC  2 , that is, for example, information such as am e-mail address. 
     The advertisement image data  1235  is image data of an advertisement image indicating the advertisement of the advertiser  2 A. The advertisement image data  1235  is generated by a predetermined application program installed in the advertiser PC  2 . 
     The distribution desired period information  1236  is information indicating a distribution desired period. 
     The desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  is information indicating the desired number of distribution sheets. 
     The distribution desired area information  1238  is information indicating a distribution desired area. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of the distribution history management database  124 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , one record in the distribution history management database  124  includes the distributor ID  1221 , the request information ID  1231 , request date and time information  1241 , distribution start date and time information  1242 , distribution end date and time information  1243 , actual start date and time information  1244 , actual end date and time information  1245 , and distribution area information  1246 , target number of distribution sheets information  1247 , number of distribution completion sheets information  1248 , and distribution status information  1249 . 
     The request date and time information  1241  is information indicating the date and time when the advertiser  2 A made the advertisement request. 
     The distribution start date and time information  1242  is information indicating the distribution start date and time. The distribution start date and time indicated by the distribution start date and time information  1242  is set by the data processing unit  116  based on the distributable time information  1225  and the distributable date information  1226  of the distributor information  1229  associated with the same distributor ID  1221  and the distribution desired period information  1236  of the request information  1232  associated with the same request information ID  1231 . 
     The distribution end date and time information  1243  is information indicating the distribution end date and time. The distribution end date and time indicated by the distribution end date and time information  1243  is set by the data processing unit  116  based on the distributable time information  1225  and the distributable date information  1226  of the distributor information  1229  associated with the same distributor ID  1221  and the distribution desired period information  1236  of the request information  1232  associated with the same request information ID  1231 . 
     The actual start date and time information  1244  is information indicating the date and time when the distributor  4  actually starts distributing the leaflet TS. When the distribution start notification is received from the tablet terminal  5 , the database management unit  114  sets the date and time indicated by the actual start date and time information  1244  to the date and time including the received distribution start notification for the record of the distributor ID  1221  included in the distribution start notification. 
     The actual end date and time information  1245  is information indicating the date and time when the distributor  4  actually ended the distribution of the leaflet TS. When the distribution end notification is received from the tablet terminal  5 , the database management unit  114  sets the distribution end date and time indicated by the distribution end date and time information  1243  to the date and time included in the received distribution end notification for the record of the distributor ID  1221  included in the distribution end notification. In addition, when the current date and time passes the date and time indicated by the distribution end date and time information  1243 , the database management unit  114  sets the date and time indicated by the actual end date and time information  1245  to the distribution end date and time indicated by the distribution end date and time information  1243  associated in the same record. 
     The distribution area information  1246  is information indicating an area where the distributor  4  distributes the leaflet TS. 
     The target number of distribution sheets information  1247  is information indicating the target number of distribution sheets. 
     The number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  is information indicating the number of sheets of the leaflet TS actually distributed by the distributor  4  during the distribution period of the leaflet TS. When the current date and time is the distribution period of the leaflet TS, the number of sheets indicated by the number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  is appropriately updated by the database management unit  114 . When receiving the distribution certification notification from the tablet terminal  5 , the database management unit  114  updates cumulatively the number of distribution completion sheets indicated by the number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  based on the received distribution certification notification for the record of the distributor ID  1221  included in the distribution certification notification. When the distribution status that the distribution status information  1249  indicates the distribution is completed, the database management unit  114  does not update the number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  even when the distribution certification notification is received. 
     The distribution status information  1249  is information indicating the distribution status of the leaflet TS of the distributor  4 . The distribution status indicated by the distribution status information  1249  is one of “before distribution”, “during distribution”, and “end of distribution”, and is appropriately updated by the database management unit  114 . Upon receiving the distribution start notification from the tablet terminal  5 , the database management unit  114  updates the distribution status from “before distribution” to “during distribution”. Further, the database management unit  114  updates the distribution status from “during distribution” to “end of distribution” when the tablet terminal  5  receives the distribution end notification or when the distribution end date and time is set in the actual end date and time information  1245 . 
     The server communication unit  11  includes communication hardware according to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with a device connected to the global network GN according to the predetermined communication standard under the control of the server controller  10 . The devices connected to the global network GN here include the advertiser PC  2  and the tablet terminal  5 . 
     As described above, the server controller  10  functions as the reception unit  111 , the identification unit  112 , the rank determination unit  113 , the database management unit  114 , the presentation unit  115 , the data processing unit  116 , and the communication controller  117 . 
     The reception unit  111  receives the advertisement request from the advertiser  2 A by receiving the request information  1232  from the advertiser PC  2  through the server communication unit  11 . The reception unit  111  outputs the received request information  1232  to the data processing unit  116 . The data processing unit  116  generates the request information ID  1231 , and generates a record in which the generated request information ID  1231  and the request information  1232  input from the reception unit  111  are associated with each other, to store the record in the request information management database  123 . 
     The identification unit  112  performs the operation of  FIG. 8  and identifies, from the distributor management database  122 , the distributor information  1229  corresponding to the distribution condition, of the leaflet TS, included in the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111 . 
     The rank determination unit  113  performs the operation of  FIG. 6  and determines the rank according to the distribution record for each distributor  4 . The database management unit  114  updates the rank information  1222  of the distributor information  1229  based on the rank determined by the rank determination unit  113 . 
     The database management unit  114  appropriately updates various kinds of information included in the record with respect to the record that each of the distributor management database  122 , the request information management database  123 , and the distribution history management database  124  stores. 
     The presentation unit  115  performs the operation of  FIG. 8  and presents the distribution condition different from the distribution condition input by the advertiser  2 A to the advertiser  2 A. 
     The data processing unit  116  generates the record to be stored in various databases, stores the generated records, deletes the record from the database, generates the print data, and generates the distribution request notification. 
     The communication controller  117  transmits the distribution request notification generated by the data processing unit  116  to the tablet terminal  5 . 
     The operation of the rank determination unit  113  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the operation of the rank determination unit  113 . 
     The rank determination unit  113  starts the operation of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6  when predetermined timing arrives. 
     The rank determination unit  113  identifies, from the distribution history management database  124 , one record including the actual end date and time information  1245  in which the date and time is set (step SA 1 ). 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  identifies, from the distributor management database  122 , a record having the distributor ID  1221  that is the same as the distributor ID  1221  included in the record identified in step SA 1  (step SA 2 ). 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  calculates the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets based on the target number of distribution sheets information  1247  and the number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  of the record identified in step SA 1  (step SA 3 ). 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  identifies one ranked candidate for the distributor  4  from among rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E based on the difference, between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets, that is calculated in step SA 3  (step SA 4 ). 
     In step SA 4 , when the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is Y1 or less, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank A as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . In step SA 4 , when the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is more than Y1 and Y2 or less, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank B as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that Y2 is larger than Y1. In step SA 4 , when the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is more than Y2 and Y3 or less, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank C as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that Y3 is larger than Y2. In step SA 4 , when the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is more than Y3 and Y4 or less, the rank determination unit  113  determines rank D as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that Y4 is larger than Y3. Further, in step SA 4 , when the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is more than Y4, the rank determination unit  113  determines rank E as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . 
     In this way, in step SA 4 , the smaller the difference between the target number of distribution sheets and the number of distribution completion sheets is, the higher rank the rank determination unit  113  identifies. 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  calculates the number of days by which the start of the distribution of the leaflet TS by the distributor  4  has delayed based on the distribution start date and time information  1242  of the record identified in step SA 1  and the actual start date and time information  1244  (step SA 5 ). In the following description, the number of days by which the start of the distribution has delayed is referred to as the “number of delayed days”. 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  identifies one ranked candidate for the distributor  4  from among rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E based on the number of delayed days calculated in step SA 5  (step SA 6 ). 
     In step SA 6 , when the number of delayed days is D1 days or less, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank A as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . In step SA 6 , when the number of delayed days is more than Dl days and less than or equal to D2 days, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank B as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that D2 is larger than D1. In addition, in step SA 6 , when the number of delayed days is more than D2 days and less than or equal to D3 days, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank C as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that D3 is larger than D2. Further, in step SA 6 , when the number of delayed days is more than D3 days and less than or equal to D4 days, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank D as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that D4 is larger than D3. In addition, in step SA 6 , when the number of delayed days is more than D4 days, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank E as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . 
     As described above, in step SA 6 , the smaller the number of delayed days is, the higher rank the rank determination unit  113  identifies. 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  acquires the total number of sheets of the leaflet TS distributed by the distributor  4  in the past based on the total number of sheets information  1224  of the record identified in step SA 2  (step SA 7 ). 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  identifies one ranked candidate for the distributor  4  from among rank A, rank B, rank C, rank D, and rank E based on the total number of sheets acquired in step SA 7  (step SA 8 ). 
     In step SA 8 , when the total number of sheets is Z1 or more, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank A as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . In addition, in step SA 8 , when the total number of sheets is less than Z1 and Z2 or more, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank B as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that Z2 is smaller than Z1. Further, in step SA 8 , when the total number of sheets is less than Z2 and Z3 or more, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank C as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . Note that Z3 is smaller than Z2. Further, in step SA 8 , when the total number of sheets is less than Z3 and Z4 or more, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank D as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . In addition, Z4 is smaller than Z3. Further, in step SA 8 , when the total number of sheets is less than Z4, the rank determination unit  113  identifies rank E as a ranked candidate for the distributor  4 . 
     In this way, in step SA 8 , the more the total number of sheets is the higher rank the rank determination unit  113  identifies. 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  determines the lowest rank among the ranks identified in steps SA 4 , SA 6 , and SA 8  as the rank of the distributor  4  (step SA 9 ). For example, when rank B is identifies in step SA 4 , rank B is identifies in step SA 6 , and rank C is identifies in step SA 8 , the rank determination unit  113  determines rank C as the rank of the distributor  4  in step SA 9 . 
     Next, the rank determination unit  113  outputs, to the database management unit  114 , the rank information  1222  indicating the rank determined in step SA 9  in association with the distributor ID  1221  included in the record identified in step SA 1  (step SA 11 ). 
     The database management unit  114  identifies the associated record from the distributor management database  122  with the input distributor ID  1221  as a key, and updates the rank information  1222  of the identified record to the rank information  1222  output by the rank determination unit  113 . This completes the assignment of the rank to the distributor  4 . 
     Next, the operation of the advertisement system  1000  will be described.  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are flowcharts showing the operation of the advertisement system  1000 . In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a flowchart FB shows the operation of the advertiser PC  2 . Further, a flowchart FC shows the operation of the posting server  1 . Further, a flowchart FD shows the operation of the tablet terminal  5 . Further, a flowchart FE shows the operation of the printer  3 . 
     As shown in the flowchart FB, the browser execution unit  2100  of the advertiser PC  2  transmits the request information  1232  to the posting server  1  through the advertiser PC communication unit  21  according to the operation of the advertiser  2 A (step SB 1 ). 
     As shown in the flowchart FC, the reception unit  111  of the posting server  1  receives the request information  1232  from the advertiser PC  2  through the server communication unit  11  (step SC 1 ). 
     Next, the data processing unit  116  generates a record including the request information  1232  to store the generated record in the request information management database  123  (step SC 2 ). 
     Next, the identification unit  112  identifies the record stored in step SC 2  from the request information management database  123  (step SC 3 ). 
     Next, the identification unit  112  executes an identification process (step SC 4 ). The identification process is a process of identifying the distributor  4  who meets the distribution condition indicated by the request information  1232  of the record identified in step SC 3 . Note that the identification process can be rephrased as a process of selecting the distributor  4  corresponding to the distribution condition indicated by the request information  1232  of the record identified in step SC 3 . To identify the distributor  4  means to identify, from the distributor management database  122 , the distributor information  1229  corresponding to the distribution condition indicated by the request information  1232  of the record identified in step SC 3 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the operation of the posting server  1  in the identification process. 
     The identification unit  112  acquires the distribution desired area information  1238  from the record identified in step SC 3  (step SC 401 ). 
     Next, the identification unit  112  identifies, from the distributor management database  122 , the distributor information  1229  including the assigned area information  1223  indicating the assigned area including the distribution desired area indicated by the distribution desired area information  1238  acquired in step SC 401  (step SC 402 ). 
     For example, it is assumed that the distributor management database  122  stores distributor information  1229  of the distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 ,  4 - 4 , and  4 - 5 . Then, it is assumed that the distribution desired area indicated by the distribution desired area information  1238  acquired in step SC 401  indicates “area A”. In this case, the identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  of the distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  from the distributor management database  122  in step SC 402 . 
     Next, the identification unit  112  determines whether the distributor information  1229  is identified from the distributor management database  122  in step SC 402  (step SC 403 ). 
     When it is determined that the distributor information  1229  cannot be identified from the distributor management database  122  (step SC 403 : NO), the identification unit  112  executes the process of step SC 5 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the distributor information  1229  has been identified from the distributor management database  122  (step SC 403 : YES), the identification unit  112  executes the process of step SC 404 . 
     In step SC 404 , the identification unit  112  identifies, from the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 402 , the distributor information  1229  including the distributable date information  1226  indicating the distributable date corresponding to at least part of the distribution desired period indicated by the distribution desired period information  1236  of the record identified in step SC 3 . 
     Here, the process of step SC 404  will be specifically described with reference to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram for explaining the identification of the distributor information  1229 . 
       FIG. 9  exemplifies a case in which the distributor information  1229  for each of the distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  is identified. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a chart CA indicates the distribution desired period indicated by the distribution desired period information  1236  of the record identified in step SC 4 . As shown by the chart CA, in  FIG. 9 , the distribution desired period is three days from Apr. 3, 2020 to Apr. 5, 2020. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a chart CB indicates the distributable date of the distributor  4 - 1 . As shown in the chart CB, in  FIG. 9 , the distributable dates of the distributor  4 - 1  are Apr. 2, 2020, Apr. 3, 2020, and Apr. 4, 2020. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a chart CC shows the distributable date of the distributor  4 - 2 . As shown in the chart CC, in  FIG. 9 , the distributable dates of the distributor  4 - 2  are Apr. 4, 2020 and Apr. 5, 2020. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a chart CD indicates the distributable date of the distributor  4 - 3 . As shown in the chart CD, in  FIG. 9 , the distributable dates of the distributor  4 - 3  are Apr. 4, 2020, Apr. 5, 2020, and Apr. 6, 2020. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a chart CE indicates the distributable date of the distributor  4 - 4 . As shown by the chart CE, in  FIG. 9 , the distributable date of the distributor  4 - 4  is Apr. 6, 2020. 
     The identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  including the distributable date information  1226  indicating the distributable date corresponding to at least part of the distribution desired period. In the case of  FIG. 9 , the distributable dates of the distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 , and  4 - 3  correspond to at least part of the distribution desired period. Therefore, in the case of  FIG. 9 , the identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  for each of the distributors  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 , and  4 - 3 . 
     Returning to the description of  FIG. 8 , the identification unit  112  determines whether the distributor information  1229  can be identified in step SC 404  (step SC 405 ). 
     When it is determined that the distributor information  1229  cannot be identified (step SC 405 : NO), the identification unit  112  executes the process of step SC 5 . 
     On the other hand, when determining that the distributor information  1229  has been identified (step SC 405 : YES), the identification unit  112  executes the process of step SC 406 . 
     In step SC 406 , the identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  from the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 404  based on the rank information  1222  and the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237 . 
     Here, the process of step SC 406  will be described in detail. The identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  including the rank information  1222  indicating the highest rank from the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 404 . When there is a plurality of pieces of distributor information  1229  including the rank information  1222  indicating the highest rank, the identification unit  112  identifies one distributor information  1229  based on a predetermined standard. 
     Next, the identification unit  112  determines whether the distributable number of sheets indicated by the distributable number of sheets information  1227  of the one identified distributor information  1229  exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets indicated by the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  of the record identified in step C 3 . When it is determined that the distributable number of sheets exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets, the identification unit  112  ends the process of step SC 406 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined that the distributable number of sheets does not exceeded the desired number of distribution sheets, the identification unit  112  determines whether the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 404  includes unidentified distributor information  1229 . When it is determined that there is no unidentified distributor information  1229 , the identification unit  112  ends the process of step SC 406 . 
     On the other hand, when determining that there is the unidentified distributor information  1229 , the identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  including the rank information  1222  indicating the highest rank from the unidentified distributor information  1229 . When there is a plurality of pieces of the distributor information  1229  including the rank information  1222  indicating the highest rank, the above-described identification is made. Then, the identification unit  112  determines, based on the two identified pieces of distributor information  1229 , that the total distributable number of sheets indicated by the distributable number of sheets information  1227  exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets indicated by the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  of the record identified in step C 3 . 
     After that, in step SC 406 , the identification unit  112  repeats identification of the distributor information  1229  from among the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 404  until it is determined, based on all identified distributor information  1229 , that the total distributable number of sheets indicated by the distributable number of sheets information  1227  exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets indicated by the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  of the record identified in step C 3 , or until it is determined that there is no unidentified distributor information  1229 . 
     For example, it is assumed that the distributor  4 - 1  is assigned rank A, the distributor  4 - 2  is assigned rank B, and the distributor  4 - 3  is assigned rank C. It is also assumed that the distributable number of sheets of the distributor  4 - 1  is 100, the distributable number of sheets of the distributor  4 - 2  is 150, and the distributable number of sheets of the distributor  4 - 3  is 200. Further, it is assumed that the desired number of distribution sheets is 200. In this case, the identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  of the distributors  4 - 1  and  4 - 2  in step SC 406 . 
     The identification unit  112  determines, based on all the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 406 , whether the total distributable number of sheets exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets indicated by the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  of the record identified in step SC 3  (step SC 407 ). 
     When making an affirmative determination in step SC 407 , the identification unit  112  outputs all the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 406  to the data processing unit  116  (step D 508 ). 
     On the other hand, when the identification unit  112  makes a negative determination in step SC 407 , the presentation unit  115  executes the distribution condition changing process (step SC 409 ). The distribution condition changing process is a process of changing the distribution condition indicated by the record identified in step SC 3 . Here, three processes will be described as the distribution condition changing process. 
     Process 1 
     The presentation unit  115  performs a change, in the distribution condition, of expanding the distribution desired area. For example, when the distribution desired area of the distribution condition indicated by the record identified in step SC 3  is “area A”, the presentation unit  115  expands the distribution desired area to “area A” and “area B”. 
     Process 2 
     The presentation unit  115  performs a change, in the distribution condition, of reducing the desired number of distribution sheets. For example, when the desired number of distribution sheets of the distribution condition indicated by the record identified in step SC 3  is 200, the presentation unit  115  changes the desired number of distribution sheets to 200 and 150. 
     Process 3 
     The presentation unit  115  performs a change, in the distribution condition, of extending the distribution desired period. For example, when the distribution desired period of the distribution condition indicated by the record identified in step SC 3  is “a period from Apr. 3, 2020 to Apr. 5, 2020”, the presentation unit  115  changes the distribution desired period to “a period from Apr. 3, 2020 to Apr. 6, 2020”. 
     Note that in step SC 409 , the presentation unit  115  may execute any one of the processes 1, 2, and 3, or may execute a plurality of the processes at the same time. In addition, the presentation unit  115  may execute the process 1, the process 2, and the process 3, for example, in this order each time step SC 409  is performed until an affirmative determination is made in step SC 411 . 
     Based on the distribution condition changed by the presentation unit  115  in step SC 409 , the identification unit  112  makes the identifications same as those in steps SC 402 , SC 404 , and SC 406  in the same order (step SC 410 ). 
     Next, the identification unit  112  determines, based on the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 410 , whether the total distributable number of sheets exceeds the desired number of distribution sheets indicated by the desired number of distribution sheets information  1237  of the record identified in step SC 3  (step SC 411 ). 
     When the identification unit  112  makes a negative determination in step SC 411 , the presentation unit  115  again executes the processes of step SC 409  and the subsequent steps. 
     On the other hand, when the identification unit  112  makes an affirmative determination in step SC 411 , the presentation unit  115  presents the changed distribution condition to the advertiser PC  2  based on the address information  1234  of the record identified in step SC 3  (step SC 412 ). 
     In step SC 412 , the presentation unit  115  transmits, through the server communication unit  11 , the information indicating the changed distribution condition to the advertiser PC  2 . Upon receiving the information, the advertiser PC  2  displays the changed distribution condition. 
     Next, the presentation unit  115  determines whether the advertiser  2 A has permitted distribution of the leaflet TS based on the changed distribution condition (step SC 413 ). 
     When receiving the information indicating the distribution condition, the browser execution unit  2100  inquires of the advertiser  2 A whether the advertiser  2 A permits distribution of the leaflet TS based on the changed distribution condition. When receiving an input indicating permission of the distribution, the browser execution unit  2100  transmits information indicating that the distribution is permitted to the posting server  1 . In addition, when receiving an input indicating no-permission of the distribution, the browser execution unit  2100  transmits information indicating that the distribution is not permitted to the posting server  1 . The presentation unit  115  makes an affirmative determination in step SC 413  when receiving information indicating that the distribution is permitted, and makes a negative determination in step SC 413  when receiving information indicating that the distribution is not permitted. 
     When determining that the advertiser  2 A has permitted the distribution of the leaflet TS based on the changed distribution condition (step SC 413 : YES), the presentation unit  115  outputs, to the data processing unit  116 , all the distributor information  1229  identified in step SC 410  (step SC 414 ). 
     On the other hand, when determining that the advertiser  2 A does not permit the distribution of the leaflet TS based on the changed distribution condition (step SC 413 : NO), the presentation unit  115  determines whether to cancel a change in the distribution condition (step SC 415 ). 
     When receiving an input indicating no-permission of the distribution of the leaflet TS based on the changed distribution condition, the browser execution unit  2100  inquires whether the change in the distribution condition is cancelled. Upon receiving an input indicating the cancellation, the browser execution unit  2100  transmits information indicating the cancellation to the posting server  1 . In addition, when receiving an input indicating no cancellation, the browser execution unit  2100  transmits information indicating no cancellation to the posting server  1 . The presentation unit  115  makes an affirmative determination in step SC 415  when receiving information indicating the cancellation, and makes a negative determination in step SC 415  when receiving information that indicates no cancellation. 
     When determining that the change in the distribution condition is not cancelled (step SC 415 : NO), the presentation unit  115  again executes the processes in step SC 409  and the subsequent steps. 
     On the other hand, when determining that the change in the distribution condition is cancelled (step SC 415 : YES), the presentation unit  115  executes the corresponding process (step SC 416 ). Examples of the corresponding process include a process of notifying the advertiser  2 A that the desired number of distribution sheets of the leaflet TS cannot be distributed, and a process of suggesting that the advertiser  2 A reduce the fee for distributing the leaflet TS. 
     Returning to the description of the flowchart in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , when the identification unit  112  executes the identification process, the data processing unit  116  determines whether the identification unit  112  has output the distributor information  1229  (step SC 5 ). 
     When determining that the identification unit  112  has not output the distributor information  1229  (step SC 5 : NO), the data processing unit  116  executes the corresponding process (step SC 6 ). An example of the corresponding process is a process of notifying the advertiser  2 A that the desired number of distribution sheets of the leaflet TS cannot be distributed. 
     On the other hand, when determining that the distributor information  1229  is output (step SC 5 : YES), the data processing unit  116  generates a distribution request notification (step SC 7 ). 
     Here, the process of step SC 7  will be specifically described. For example, it is assumed that the identification unit  112  outputs the distributor information  1229  of the distributors  4 - 1  and  4 - 2  to the data processing unit  116 . In addition, it is assumed that the distribution condition when the distributor information  1229  of the distributors  4 - 1  and  4 - 2  is identified is that the desired number of distribution sheets is  200 , the distribution desired period is from Apr. 3, 2020 to Apr. 6, 2020, and the distribution desired area is “area A”. Further, it is assumed that the distributor information  1229  of the distributor  4 - 1  includes the assigned area information  1223  indicating “area A”, the distributable date information  1226  indicating a period from Apr. 2, 2020 to Apr. 4, 2020, and the distributable number of sheets information  1227  indicating 100 sheets. It is assumed that the distributor information  1229  of the distributor  4 - 2  includes the assigned area information  1223  indicating “area A”, the distributable date information  1226  indicating a period from Apr. 4, 2020 to Apr. 5, 2020, and the distributable number of sheets information  1227  indicating 100 sheets. 
     In this case, for example, the data processing unit  116  generates, as a distribution request notification transmitted to the tablet terminal  5 - 1  of the distributor  4 - 1 , a distribution request notification that includes a distribution start date and time of Apr. 3, 2020, a distribution end date and time of Apr. 6, 2020, a target number of distribution sheets of 100, and print data based on the record identified in step SC 3 . Also in this case, the data processing unit  116  generates, as a distribution request notification transmitted to the tablet terminal  5 - 2  of the distributor  4 - 2 , a distribution request notification that includes a distribution start date and time of Apr. 4, 2020, a distribution end date and time of Apr. 6, 2020, a target number of distribution sheets of 100, and print data based on the record identified in step SC 3 . 
     Note that the data processing unit  116  may change the target number of distribution sheets according to the rank of the distributor  4  when generating the distribution request notification. 
     Next, the data processing unit  116  generates records, to be stored in the distribution history management database  124 , the number of which is equal to the number of generated distribution request notifications to store the records in the distribution history management database  124  (step SC 8 ). 
     Here, the process of step SC 8  will be specifically described. For example, it is assumed that the data processing unit  116  generates, as a distribution request notification to be transmitted to the tablet terminal  5 - 1  of the distributor  4 - 1 , a distribution request notification including the distribution start date and time information  1242  indicating Apr. 3, 2020, the distribution end date and time information  1243  indicating Apr. 6, 2020, and the target number of distribution sheets information  1247  indicating 100 sheets. 
     In this case, the data processing unit  116  generates and stores the next record for the distributor  4 - 1 . That is, the data processing unit  116  generates and stores the record including the distributor ID  1221  of the distributor  4 - 1 , the request information ID  1231  of the record identified in step SC 3 , the distribution start date and time information  1242  indicating Apr. 3, 2020, the distribution end date and time information  1243  indicating the Apr. 6, 2020, the actual start date and time information  1244  and the actual end date and time information  1245  with no date and time set, the distribution area information  1246  indicating “area A”, the target number of distribution sheets information  1247  indicating 100 sheets, the number of distribution completion sheets information  1248  with the number of sheets being not set, and the distribution status information  1249  indicating “before distribution”. 
     Next, the database management unit  114  updates the distributable date information  1226  (step SC 9 ). 
     Here, the process of step SC 9  will be specifically described. For example, it is assumed that the data processing unit  116  generates, as a distribution request notification to be transmitted to the tablet terminal  5 - 1  of the distributor  4 - 1 , a distribution request notification including the distribution start date and time information  1242  indicating Apr. 3, 2020, the distribution end date and time information  1243  indicating Apr. 6, 2020, and the target number of distribution sheets information  1247  indicating 100 sheets. 
     In this case, the database management unit  114  updates the distributable date indicated by the distributable date information  1226  of the distributor information  1229  of the distributor  4 - 1  to the distributable date that does not include a period from Apr. 3, 2020 to Apr. 6, 2020. 
     The process of step SC 9  is executed as described above, so that a plurality of distribution request notifications with distribution periods overlapping is not transmitted to the one distributor  4 . 
     Next, the communication controller  117  transmits the distribution request notification through the server communication unit  11  (step SC 10 ). 
     With reference to the flowchart FD, the application execution unit  5100  of the tablet terminal  5  receives the distribution request notification through the terminal network communication unit  51  (step SD 1 ). 
     Next, the application execution unit  5100  transmits the print data included in the distribution request notification to the printer  3  through the terminal communication unit  52  (step SD 2 ). 
     Referring to the flowchart FE, the printer controller  30  of the printer  3  receives the print data through the printer communication unit  31  (step SE 1 ). Then, the printer controller  30  controls the printing unit  32  to perform printing based on the print data to issue the leaflet TS (step SE 2 ). 
     As described above, the advertisement system  1000  issues the leaflet TS by the printer  3  of the distributor  4  who distributes the leaflet TS. The advertisement system  1000  includes the server storage unit  120  that stores distributor information  1229 , the reception unit  111  that receives, from an advertiser  2 A, an advertisement request including a distribution condition related to a distribution of the leaflet, the identification unit  112  that identifies the distributor  4  who satisfies the distribution condition included in the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111  based on the distributor information  1229  stored in the server storage unit  120 , and the server communication unit  11  that transmits, to the printer  3  of the distributor  4  identified by the identification unit  112 , print data instructing issuance of the leaflet TS based on the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111 . 
     In addition, a method of controlling the advertisement system  1000  includes storing a plurality of pieces of distributor information  1229 , receiving, from the advertiser  2 A, the advertisement request including the distribution condition related to the distribution of the leaflet TS, identifying the distributor  4  who meets the distribution condition included in the received advertisement request based on the stored distributor information  1229 , and transmitting, to the printer  3  of the identified distributor  4 , the print data instructing issuance of the leaflet TS based on the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111 . 
     The posting server  1  includes the server storage unit  120  that stores distributor information  1229 , the reception unit  111  that receives, from an advertiser  2 A, an advertisement request including a distribution condition related to a distribution of the leaflet, the identification unit  112  that identifies the distributor  4  who satisfies the distribution condition included in the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111  based on the distributor information  1229  stored in the server storage unit  120 , and the server communication unit  11  that transmits, to the printer  3  of the distributor  4  identified by the identification unit  112 , print data instructing issuance of the leaflet TS based on the advertisement request received by the reception unit  111 . 
     According to the advertisement system  1000 , the method of controlling the advertisement system  1000 , and the posting server  1 , the distributor  4  according to the distribution condition of the advertiser  2 A can be appropriately and automatically identified, so that the leaflet TS can be easily distributed according to the distribution condition of the advertiser  2 A. 
     The distributor information  1229  includes the assigned area information  1223  indicating the assigned area. The distribution condition includes a distribution desired area that is an area in which the advertiser  2 A desires the distributor to distribute the leaflet TS. The identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  including the assigned area information  1223  indicating the assigned area including the distribution desired area. 
     According to this, the distributor  4  having the distribution area desired by the advertiser  2 A as the assigned area can be automatically identified, so that the leaflet TS can be easily distributed in the distribution area desired by the advertiser  2 A. 
     Distributor information  1229  includes distributable date information  1226  indicating the distributable date. The distribution condition includes the distribution desired period which is a period in which the advertiser  2 A desires the distributor to distribute the leaflet TS. The identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  including the distributable date information  1226  indicating the distributable date corresponding to at least part of the distribution desired period. 
     According to this, the distributor  4  who can distribute the leaflet TS in the distribution period desired by the advertiser  2 A can be automatically identified, the leaflet TS can be easily distributed in the distribution period desired by the advertiser  2 A. 
     The distributor information  1229  includes the rank information  1222  indicating the rank of the distributor  4  according to the distribution record. The identification unit  112  identifies the distributor information  1229  by giving higher priority to the distributor information  1229  in which the rank indicated by the rank information  1222  is higher. 
     According to this, it is possible to automatically prioritize and identify the distributor  4  who is highly likely to perform distribution according to the distribution condition of the advertiser  2 A. Therefore, the leaflet TS can be easily and reliably distributed according to the distribution condition of the advertiser  2 A. 
     The advertisement system  1000  includes the rank determination unit  113  that determines the rank based on at least one of the number of sheets actually distributed by the distributor  4  with respect to the target number of sheets to be distributed, the number of days by which a start of a distribution of the leaflet TS is delayed, and the total number of sheets distributed by the distributor  4  in the past. 
     According to this, the rank of the distributor  4  can be determined based on the distribution record of at least one of the number of sheets actually distributed by the distributor  4  with respect to the target number of sheets to be distributed, the number of days by which a start of a distribution of the leaflet TS is delayed, and the total number of sheets distributed by the distributor  4  in the past. 
     The advertisement system  1000  includes the presentation unit  115  that presents, to the advertiser  2 A, the distribution condition which enables the identification unit  112  to identify the distributor information  1229  that satisfies the distribution condition when the identification unit  112  is not enabled to identify the distributor information  1229  that satisfies the distribution condition. 
     According to this, when the leaflet TS cannot be distributed according to the distribution condition when the advertisement request is made, an alternative plan of the distribution condition can be presented to the advertiser  2 A to provide the advertisement system  1000  having high convenience for the advertiser  2 A. 
     The embodiment described above is merely an aspect of the present disclosure, and any modification and application can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     For example, in the embodiment described above, the leaflet TS is not distributed when a negative determination is made in step SC 403  and step SC 404 , but the process may proceed to step SC 409  and the distribution condition changing process may be executed when a negative determination is made in step SC 403  and step SC 404 . 
     Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the stationary printer  3  is illustrated, but the portable printer  3  may be used. The printer  3  is not limited to a serial type ink jet printer, and may be a line type ink jet printer. The printing method of the printer  3  is not limited to the ink jet method. 
     Further, the functions of the server controller  10 , the advertiser PC controller  20 , the terminal controller  50 , and the printer controller  30  may be implemented by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips. 
     Further, respective units shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are an example, and a specific mounting form is not limited in particular. That is, it is not necessarily required to implement hardware corresponding to respective units, but it is of course possible to construct a configuration in which the functions of the respective units are implemented by executing a program by one processor. In addition, in the above embodiments, part of the functions implemented by software may be implemented by hardware, or part of the functions implemented by hardware may be implemented by software. In addition, specific detailed configurations of other units of the posting server  1 , the advertiser PC  2 , the tablet terminal  5 , and the printer  3  can be changed in any manner without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Further, for example, the step units of the operations shown in  FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, and 8  are divided in accordance with the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operations of the respective devices of the advertisement system  1000 . The present disclosure is not limited by the method and name of the division of the processing stage. Depending on the processing contents, the process may be divided into more step units. Further, one step unit may be divided so as to include more processes. In addition, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.