JP2000236424A - Picture input device, picture retaining device, picture retaining system and computer readable storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct proper and fair charging by providing a designating means for designating a cost paying source that pays a cost for retaining picture information. SOLUTION: A control part 202 controls the entire charging 201, receives an inquiry request concerning whether a user can use a cost payer code from a server 207, checks the inquiry, informs a server of the result, and stores charging information in a storing part 204 by each cost paying source code. A charge processing part 203 calculates a cost required for retaining from the number of retained sheets and a retaining condition reported by a picture input device 208 and charges the cost payer and stores the information in the storing part 240. This part 201 can be provided within the server or in the picture input device. By providing the means for designating the cost payer, a cost required for retaining picture information can be paid by the side of the user of the device 208 to execute proper and fair charging.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device such as an image reading device, an image storage device such as a server for storing image information in the image input device, an image storage system including the image input device and the image storage device, and an image storage device. The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium used for them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of this type of conventional image input apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 3, a document on a document table 302 is illuminated by a lamp of a document illuminating unit 301. The reflected light from the original, which is proportional to the density of the original image, forms an image at the light receiving element of the light receiving unit 303 through a mirror and a lens, and is sequentially decomposed into small points (pixels) and simultaneously converted into a weak electric signal (photoelectric light). Conversion). After that, the image processing unit 304
Then, shading correction for correcting variations in the light amount distribution of the document illumination lamp, variations in the sensitivity of the light receiving element, and the like, level correction of the digital signal, and the like are performed.

The CPU 305 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM 306. RAM 307
Is mainly used as a work area and an image buffer during execution of various programs. Operation panel 308
Is composed of an LCD, an LED, a switch, and the like, and is used by an operator to input various settings and to display an error. The interface 309 is connected to the host computer 310 via a line 311. The line 311 is a line for performing communication between a computer, an image input device, and the like connected via a wire or wirelessly.

Further, there has been proposed an image storage system in which image information in the image input device as described above is fetched and stored by software on a server side. In this system, when a scan start instruction is given, the image input device issues an event to the server to acquire image information.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, when the image information in the image input device is taken in by the software on the server side, the cost bearer who bears the cost for storing the image information is the image source. It was the server that took in the information. For this reason, there has been a problem that the cost burden becomes unfair.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to appropriately and fairly share the cost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image input apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an input means for inputting image information; and a transmission means for transmitting the input image information to an image storage device. Means and a designating means for designating a cost bearer for the cost of storing the image information.

Further, in the image storage device according to the present invention, a receiving means for receiving image information and designation information for designating a cost bearer for storing the cost of storing the image information, A storage unit for storing the image information and a charging unit for calculating the cost for storing the image information and charging the specified cost bearer are provided.

In the image storage system according to the present invention, input means for inputting image information, transmission means for transmitting the input image information, and a cost bearer for storing the cost for storing the image information are designated. An image input device having a designating means for performing the above operation, an image storage device having a storage means for storing the transmitted image information, and a cost for storing the image information, And charging means for charging the user.

In the storage medium according to the present invention,
A program for executing a process of inputting image information, a process of transmitting the input image information to an image storage device, and a process of designating a cost burden source that bears the cost of saving the image information is executed. I remember.

Further, in another storage medium according to the present invention, a process for receiving image information and designation information for designating a cost bearer for paying a cost for storing the image information, A program for executing a process of saving and a process of calculating a cost for saving the image information and charging the designated cost bearer are stored.

In another storage medium according to the present invention, a process for inputting image information, a process for transmitting the input image information, and a source of cost for storing the image information are included. A program for executing a process of specifying, a process of storing the transmitted image information, and a process of calculating a cost for storing the image information and charging the specified cost bearer. I remember.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an image input device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a document on a document table 2 is illuminated by a lamp of a document illumination unit 1. The reflected light from the original, which is proportional to the density of the original image, forms an image at the light receiving element of the light receiving unit 3 through a mirror and a lens, is sequentially decomposed into small points (pixels), and is converted into an electric signal strength (photoelectric) Conversion). Thereafter, the image processing unit 4 performs shading correction, digital signal level correction, and the like for correcting a variation in the light amount distribution of the document illumination lamp, a variation in the sensitivity of the light receiving element, and the like.

The CPU 5 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 6. The RAM 7 is mainly used as a work area and an image buffer during execution of various programs. The operation panel 8 includes an LCD, an LED,
It is composed of switches and the like, and is used by an operator to input various settings and to display an error. The interface 9 is connected to a host computer 10 via a line 12. The line 12 is a line for performing communication between a computer, an image input device, and the like connected via a wire or wirelessly. . Further, a charging unit 11 according to the present embodiment is provided.

Next, the operation will be described. Prior to having the user take in the image information in the image input device by the server, a user code for identifying the user of the server and a burden source code that bears the cost of storage are stored on the operation panel of the image input device. Enter from 8. Next, based on the scan start instruction, the image input device issues an event to the server to acquire the image information. The server first determines from the user code whether the user can use the server. If the server can be used, an inquiry request is made to the charging unit 11 to inquire from the user code and the cost bearer code whether the user can use the cost bearer.

The billing unit 11 determines from the database in the storage unit whether the user can use the cost bearer code. If the user can use the designated cost bearer code, the billing unit 11 notifies the server to permit processing of a request event for capturing image information from the image input device. Further, if the user cannot use the designated cost bearer code, the billing unit 11 notifies the server to reject the processing of the request event for capturing the image information from the image input device to the server. .

When the server is permitted to process an event for a request to capture image information from the charging unit 11, the server
Activate software for capturing image information in the image input device. Further, when the charging unit 11 does not permit the processing of the event for the capture request, the server cancels the image capture request and notifies the image input device that the event processing has been canceled. .

The server activates the software when the processing of the event is permitted, takes in the image information from the image input device, and stores it in the server. After the completion of the loading, the server reports the number of stored images and the conditions at the time of storage (resolution, paper size, density, etc.) to the charging unit 11. The charging unit 11 calculates the cost required for storage from the reported number of storages and the storage conditions, charges the cost bearer, and stores the charging information in the storage unit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image storage system including an image input device, a server as an image storage device, and a billing unit. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a charging unit according to the present embodiment. 202 is a control unit,
In addition to controlling the entire billing 201, it receives an inquiry request from the server 207 as to whether or not the user can use the cost bearer code, makes an inquiry, notifies the server of the result, and sends the result to the storage unit 204. Charging information is stored for each cost bearer code. Reference numeral 203 denotes a billing processing unit that calculates the cost of storage from the number of sheets and the storage conditions reported from the image input device 208 and charges the cost bearer,
The information is stored in the storage unit 204.

Reference numeral 204 denotes a storage unit in which a cost burden source code, a user code permitted to use the code, and charging information for the code are recorded. Reference numeral 205 denotes a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information via a network. Reference numeral 12 denotes a line for performing communication between a computer, an image input device, and the like connected via a wire or wirelessly. Reference numeral 207 denotes a server, which is a computer for storing image information and the like to be shared between computers connected to the network. An image input device 208 optically reads an image of a document and converts the image into an electric signal.

Incidentally, in the embodiment of FIG.
Although described independently, it may be provided in the server or may be provided in the image input device as shown in FIG. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the user code for identifying the user of the server is input from the image input device. However, in the case of a public server, the user code may be omitted. Good. Further, in the above embodiment, the cost burden source code is input. However, by registering the cost burden source code that can be used by the user in advance in the billing unit, there is no need to input the cost burden source code. Is also good.

Next, a storage medium according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
Although it can be configured by hardware, when configured by a computer system including a CPU and a memory as in the above embodiment, the memory configures a storage medium according to the present invention. The storage medium stores a program for executing the processing procedure for controlling the operation described in the above embodiment.

As the storage medium, ROM, R
Semiconductor memory such as AM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic medium or the like may be used, and these may be configured and used in a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic card, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like.

Accordingly, this storage medium is used in a system or apparatus other than the system or apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the system or computer reads out and executes the program code stored in this storage medium. Accordingly, the same functions as those of the above-described embodiment can be realized, the same effects can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An OS running on a computer
Perform part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the extended function board inserted into the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer. ,
Even when the CPU or the like provided in the extended function board or the extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the above embodiment can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. You can get
The object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, the cost of storing image information can be reduced to the user of the image input apparatus by providing the image input apparatus with the means for designating the cost burden source. Since it is possible to bear the burden, appropriate and fair charging can be performed.

In addition, since the charging means for calculating the cost for storing the image information and charging the specified burden source is provided in the image input device or the image storage device or independently, it is possible to reliably charge. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image storage system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 document illumination unit 2 platen 3 light receiving unit 4 image processing unit 5 CPU 6 ROM 8 operation panel 10 host computer 11, 201 billing unit 207 server 208 image input device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting image information, a transmitting unit for transmitting the input image information to an image storage device, and a specifying unit for designating a cost bearer who bears a cost for storing the image information. And an image input device. 2. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit that calculates a cost for storing the image information and charges the specified cost bearer. 3. Receiving means for receiving image information and designation information for designating a cost bearer who bears the cost of saving the image information; storage means for saving the received image information; An image storage device, comprising: a charging unit that calculates a cost required for storing the data and charges the specified cost bearer. 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image information; transmitting means for transmitting the input image information; and designating means for designating a cost bearer who bears the cost for storing the image information. An image input device, an image storage device having storage means for receiving and storing the transmitted image information, and calculating the cost of storing the image information in accordance with the designation of the designation means, And a charging unit for charging the cost bearer. 5. A process for inputting image information, a process for transmitting the input image information to an image storage device, and a process for designating a cost bearer who bears the cost for storing the image information. Computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the program. 6. The computer according to claim 5, wherein a program for calculating a cost for storing the image information and executing a process of charging the designated cost bearer is stored. A readable storage medium. 7. A process for receiving image information and designation information for designating a cost bearer for the cost of saving the image information, a process for saving the received image information, and a process for saving the image information And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the process of calculating the cost according to (1) and charging the specified cost burden source. 8. A process for inputting image information, a process for transmitting the input image information, a process for designating a cost bearer who bears a cost for storing the image information, and a process for specifying the transmitted image A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a process of storing information and a process of calculating a cost for storing the image information and charging the specified cost bearer.