Patent ID: 7769636

Claim:
A printing information distribution apparatus which is adapted to be operably connected to portable information terminals and printers, the apparatus comprising: communication means for, when one of the portable information terminals accesses the apparatus through a wireless communication network, reading a content selection screen image and a print format selection screen image which are stored in a memory, and for transmitting the read content selection screen image and the read print format selection screen image to the one of the portable information terminals which accesses the apparatus; reception means for receiving a content name and print format information transmitted from the one of the portable information terminals which accesses the apparatus, the print format information comprising at least sheet selection information indicating a type of a printing sheet, and for storing the received content name, the received print format information, and a user identification of the one of the portable information terminals in a reservation information storage means with the received content name, the received print format information, and the user identification being associated with each other; generation means for reading the content name and the print format information from the reservation information storage means, for generating a print content based on the read content name and the read print format information, and for transmitting via an electronic mail a print preparation complete notification to the one of the portable information terminals which accesses the apparatus; distribution means for, when one of the printers accesses the apparatus through the wireless communication network, reading a user identification input screen image stored in the memory, for transmitting the user identification input screen image to the one of the printers which accesses the apparatus, for receiving a user identification of a portable information terminal transmitted from the one of the printers which accesses the apparatus, and for transmitting the print content generated by the generation means and the print format information which are associated with the received user identification to the one of the printers which accesses the apparatus, and at least one of: printing service utilization reservation limiting means for limiting the subject matter of the print content which can be printed based upon preferences of an operator of the one of the printers being utilized by the user; and advertising application limiting means for limiting a type of advertisement placed with the content being printed based upon preferences of a provider of the print content.