JP2002067451A - Network charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a charging system utilizing a network in which a user can be billed strictly by managing the content of actual print, e.g. sheet size, number of printed sheets, quantity of toner consumed, and the like, in detail. SOLUTION: The charging system utilizing a network comprises a first count means counting up every time when a sheet is printed, a second count means for counting the quantity of toner consumed, a first transmission means for transmitting count information of the first and second count means by mail, means for storing the count information for each imaging apparatus, means for calculating a charge based on the count information, and a second transmission means for transmitting the calculated charge information wherein the calculating means calculates the charge in terms of the total cost of the entire system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network charging system that manages print information of a user's image forming apparatus via a network and performs charging according to the amount of use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, print data of a user's device, for example, a printer, is transferred to a PC (personal computer).
For example, there is a billing system having a function of transmitting data through a network from a server or the like and managing and collecting the data in a server or the like. There is also a billing system in which print data of a printer or the like is managed and tabulated by a user and transmitted to a service center. However, in the conventional billing system, processing of management data tends to concentrate on a server such as a service center. Further, there is a possibility that the output sheet number and the paper size as a result of the actual print output may become unmatched, and the consumption amount of the toner used at that time cannot be counted. In other words, it has not been considered as a billing system considering the merits of the user as a counter business.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a counter billing system using a network in which the actual print contents, for example, the paper size, the number of prints, and the amount of used toner are managed in detail. It is an object of the present invention to allow a user to pay a strict fee.

[0004]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a network for separately charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management totaling means in accordance with the amount of consumables used. Billing system,
First counting means for counting each time one sheet is printed;
An image forming apparatus system comprising: a second counting unit that counts the amount of toner used; and a first transmitting unit that transmits the counter information counted by the first and second counting units to the management totalizing unit by mail. Storage means for storing the counter information for each printer; calculating means for calculating a charging fee according to the counter information; and transmitting the charging information output from the calculating means to the image forming apparatus system. This is achieved by a configuration including a management totaling unit having two transmitting units.

[0005] The invention of claim 1 is characterized in that the calculating means calculates a charging fee based on the counter information and a predetermined printing unit price. The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the calculating means calculates a charging fee based on the number of printed sheets.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the calculating means calculates a charging fee based on the amount of toner used. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network charging system according to any one of the first to third aspects, conversion is performed on A4 paper.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the management and tallying means includes a confirmation means for confirming payment information, and a charge / discharge information output from a calculation means. A determination unit for determining whether the operation is possible or not, and a second transmission unit for transmitting, when the determination unit determines that the operation is not possible, the disabled information to the image forming apparatus system.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, the management and tallying means includes a confirmation means for confirming the deposit information, a billing information output from the calculating means and the deposit information. A determination unit for determining whether the operation is possible or not, and a second transmission unit for transmitting, when the determination unit determines that the operation is not possible, the disabled information to the image forming apparatus system.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a count accounting system according to a first embodiment.

The printer 1 is a device that receives print data from the PC 2 and prints out the print data. It has the function of counting by 4. Further, the printer 1 may be another image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a copier. The PC 2 has a function of receiving management data from the printer 1 and transmitting the management data via a public line 5 such as the Internet.
The printer 1 and the PC 2 constitute an image forming apparatus system. The management and aggregation device 6 receives management data from the user via the public line 5 and stores it in the storage unit 7, manages and aggregates the data by the aggregation unit 8, and transmits the usage fee obtained from the aggregation result to the user destination from the transmission unit 9. Has a function of displaying the information through the public line 5.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart from the usage count to the display of the charging fee in the first embodiment. First, the printer 1 individually counts the number of printed sheets and the amount of toner used for each sheet to be printed (S1), and stores them (S2). FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram in the printer 1. The number counting section 10 is loaded into the storage section 11, and the toner amount counting section 12 is loaded into the storage section 13.
The counting method at that time is based on A4 paper,
Count and store the number of sheets equivalent to four sheets. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating conversion values for different sizes of printing paper when A4 paper is set to 1.00 as a reference.

When the printer 1 is a color printer, it counts and stores each color (for example, four colors of black (K), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and magenta (M)). FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram in the printer 1 in the case of a color printer. The data counted by the number counting section 14 is stored in the storage section 15. On the other hand, count data of the toner usage amount counted by the toner amount counting unit 16 is stored for each color. That is, in the case of four colors of K, C, M, and Y, the K toner storage unit 1
7, are stored in the C toner storage unit 18, the M toner storage unit 19, and the Y toner storage unit 20, respectively. As a method of counting the amount of toner used, there is a method of utilizing a decrease in the amount of toner used due to gradation or toner save based on the number of print dots.

Next, the printer 1 storing the count information
Retrieves the number-of-printed-sheets count information and the toner usage count information from the storage unit at arbitrary intervals (for example, every month) (S3), and transfers them to the PC 2 (S4). (S5).
FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram in the management totaling device 4 in the first embodiment.

The management totaling device 4 sends the mail to the receiving unit 2
1, the information is divided into information for each printer of each user and stored in the storage unit 22 (S6), and the totaling unit 23 determines the number of prints and the amount of toner used at arbitrary intervals (for example, every month). The billing fee is calculated, and the billed amount is issued (S7).
First, the billing amount is calculated by multiplying the print number billing charge by A4 conversion print number × sheet number billing unit. The toner charge billing charge is calculated as: K toner used area ratio = K toner used amount {A4 area} for each color.
A4 equivalent number of prints K toner usage charge = charge unit price according to area ratio x A4
Conversion number of printed sheets Area ratio of C toner usage = C toner usage {A4 area}
A4 converted number of prints C toner usage charge = charge unit price according to area ratio x A4
Converted number of prints Area ratio of M toner usage = M toner usage {A4 area}
A4 converted number of prints M toner usage charge = charge unit price according to area ratio x A4
Conversion number of printed sheets Y toner used area ratio = Y toner used {A4 area}
A4 converted number of prints Y toner usage charge = charge unit price according to area ratio x A4
Calculated as the number of converted prints.

Then, the charge amount = the number of printed sheets charged + the total charge of each toner usage amount + the system basic charge is calculated. The resulting billing information is transmitted by e-mail from the transmitting unit 24 (S8), and at the same time, a bill is issued (S9).

Next, a specific calculation example of the charging fee will be described. First, the basic data required for the billing calculation are as follows: a, printer price = 600,000 yen b, regular replacement parts (every 60,000 sheets printed) (A4 conversion) = 70,000 yen c, drum (every 13,000 sheets printed) ) (A4 conversion) total of 4 colors = 50,000 yen d, printer life (erasing period) (A4 conversion) = 300,000 e, toner (every 6500 prints) (A4: 5% printing conversion) = 15, 000 yen f, annual maintenance fee = 60,000 yen g, system fee (including management system operation cost) = 10,000 yen.

The printer is an electrophotographic color printer having four color toners, and has a long life (consumption period).
Is printing 300,000 sheets (A4 paper equivalent) or 5 years. Then, a periodic replacement component that needs to be replaced every 60,000 sheets during printing of 300,000 sheets, and 24 drums (for four colors) are required for every 13,000 sheets printed.

Accordingly, the cost required until the printer reaches the end of its life, which is 300,000 sheets, is as follows: printer body price + periodic replacement parts × 4 + drum unit price × 2
It becomes four. Also, assuming that the unit price per A4 print per sheet is divided by 300,000 sheets,
= [(A) + (b × 4) + (c × 24)] ÷ d = [60
0000 yen + (70000 yen x 4) + (50,000 yen x
24)] {300,000 = 2,080,000 yen {300,000}
It will be 6.93 yen.

Next, regarding the toner, 6500 sheets can be printed at 5% printing per A4 sheet area.
The cost required to print 300,000 sheets with 4% paper 5% printing is the toner cost x (300,000 sheets ÷ 6,500 sheets), and about 2.3 per sheet printing divided by 300,000 sheets.
1 yen.

Then, the value obtained by dividing the area ratio calculated by the amount of toner used / the number of printed sheets in A4 format / the area of A4 paper by 5 (5%) is multiplied by the unit price in the case of 5% (about 2.31 yen). As a result, the charging unit price according to the actual toner usage is calculated. FIG. 7 shows a toner use charge unit price with respect to a sheet area cost.

Further, the printer requires a maintenance cost by a service person and a system fee for operating the system. For example, assuming that a system fee including a management system operation fee is 200,000 yen per month and 200 printers are managed, it is converted into 10,000 yen per one, and the annual maintenance fee is divided by 12 months to 5000.
By adding the yen, the system basic charge per printer is set at 15,000 yen. Finally, the number of printed sheets × the number of sheets charged per unit price + the number of printed sheets × the unit price charged for toner usage × 4 + the basic system charge is the billed amount per month converted into the system total cost.

For example, when printing 5,000 sheets of A4 paper with 5% of each toner in one month, 5,000 sheets × 6.93 yen + (5000 sheets × 2.31 yen)
× 4 colors + 15,000 yen = 95850 yen.

<Second Embodiment> Next, instead of simply calculating in proportion to the unit price per sheet with respect to the total cost as in the first embodiment, a billing calculation method according to the number of printed sheets is used. think of. In other words, if one printer is canceled earlier than the assumed period until it is canceled, it is possible to obtain a profit for the assumed period in the short period.
This is a method of performing discount charging according to the amount.

First, the basic data required for the billing calculation are the same as in the first embodiment: a, printer price = 600,000 yen b, periodic replacement parts (every 60,000 sheets printed) (A4 conversion) = 70,000 Circle c, drum (every 13,000 sheets printed) (A4 equivalent), total of 4 colors = 50,000 yen d, printer life (cancellation period) (A4 equivalent) = 300,000 yen. In addition, since it is assumed that 300,000 sheets are printed and deleted in 5 years, the printer is converted to 500 per month.
It is assumed that zero sheets are printed.

Therefore, if more than 5,000 sheets are printed in one month, a profit for an assumed period of five years can be obtained earlier than expected, and accordingly, a corresponding discount charge calculation is considered. That is, the cost required to print 300,000 sheets (a + b × 4 + c × 24 = 2,080,000)
Simple calculation is performed with 7/9 (1.62 million yen) of the 2.08 million yen as a basic portion, and the remaining 2/9 (460,000 yen) is set as a discount control portion. Then, the discount control part and (50
The discount is calculated by multiplying (00 sheets × number of printed sheets per month).

When the monthly billing fee corresponding to the number of monthly printed sheets is calculated based on the 5000 printed sheets per month, the monthly billing fee = [(162,000 yen d) + {(460,000 yen})
d) × (5000 sheets {monthly printed number)} × monthly printed number = [{23000} (3 × monthly printed number)} + 5.
4] × number of printed sheets per month = (5.4 × number of printed sheets per month) + (2
3000 ÷ 3), and the larger the number of prints as indicated by the dotted line in the graph of FIG.

<Third Embodiment> Next, instead of simply calculating in proportion to the toner unit price for the total cost as in the first embodiment, a billing calculation method according to the amount of toner used will be considered. . That is, the toner has an A4 paper surface responsibility ratio of 5
% Printing is assumed, but if the usage amount becomes larger than this, more toner will be consumed than expected before the printer prints out 300,000 sheets (5 years). Since it is possible to obtain more profit than expected, this is a method of charging a fee according to the amount.

First, the basic data necessary for the billing calculation are the same as in the first embodiment: d, printer life (erasing period) (A4 conversion) = 300,000 yen e, toner (every 6500 sheets printed) (A4: (5% printing conversion) = 15,000 yen.

In the first embodiment, a simple calculation is performed by converting the toner price in accordance with the ratio of the area ratio at the time of printing to the A4 paper area ratio of 5% printing. ,
A simple calculation is performed with seven-ninth of the basic part as a basic part, and a discount part calculation is performed by multiplying (5 対 照 area ratio) with the remaining two-ninths as a discount control part. That is, based on the printing of 5% of the area ratio in terms of A4 paper, a billing fee corresponding to the area ratio is calculated.

Basic part = ｛(area ratio ÷ 5%) × (d ÷ 6
500) × (e ÷ d) × (1 ÷ 3)｝ + ｛(area ratio ÷ 5
%) × (d ÷ 6500) × (ed ÷) × (2 ÷ 3) ×
(2 ÷ 3)｝ = (area ratio × 2 ÷ 13) + (area ratio × 8
$ 39) = (area ratio x 14 $ 39) Discounted portion = $ (area ratio $ 5%) x (d $ 6500) x
(E ÷ d) × (2 ÷ 3) × (1 ÷ 3) × (5 ÷ area ratio)｝ As shown by the dotted line in the graph of FIG. 9, the more the toner is consumed, the lower the charging fee becomes.

<Fourth Embodiment> In the first embodiment, a format in which count information is transmitted to a management information device by e-mail, the management information device collects the count information, and bills for a certain fixed period (monthly unit, etc.) However, a method is considered in which this is set in advance for a certain fixed amount, and printing can be performed in a prepaid form until the condition is reached.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a count accounting system according to the fourth embodiment. The printer 25
This is a device that receives print data from C26 and prints out it, and has a function of counting the paper size, the number of prints, the toner consumption print number processing unit 27, and the toner usage amount processing unit 28, which are the print contents. The determination unit 29 determines whether the operation of the printer 25 is enabled or disabled. Further, the printer 25 may be another image forming apparatus such as a facsimile or a copier. The PC 26 has a function of receiving management data from the printer 25 and transmitting the management data by mail via a public line 30 such as the Internet. The management tabulation device 31 receives the management data from the user via the public line 30 and stores it in the storage unit 32, manages and tabulates the data in the tabulation unit 33, and sends the usage fee obtained from the tabulation result to the user Has a function of displaying the information through the public line 30. Checking part 3
5, the payment data from the user for the account of the financial institution determined in advance is confirmed via the line, and the creation unit 36 checks the management No. for the payment data. And a password, and send an e-mail to the user from the transmission unit 34.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart from the usage count to the continuation of printing in the fourth embodiment. First,
The management and aggregation device 31 confirms the payment of a certain basic amount (contract) to the system basic charge and the account of the predetermined financial institution (ST1), and if the payment has been made (ST1 is YES).
), The management No. for it And a password, and send an e-mail to the user (ST2). On the other hand, if the payment has not been made (ST1 is No), it waits for the payment.

Next, the printer 25 manages its management number via the public line 30 and the PC 26. When the password (ST3) is received (ST3), the printer enters a printable state in which printing can be performed until the condition (amount) is reached (ST4). Further, the printer 25 performs a billing calculation by itself (ST5),
It is determined whether or not the accumulation exceeds the contract contents (amount) (ST6). If it exceeds (ST6 is Yes), a print impossible message is displayed (ST7), and at the same time, the management data to that effect is transmitted to the PC 26. And sends it to the management totaling device 31 (ST8). Then, wait until the payment is confirmed.

On the other hand, when the accumulation does not exceed the contract contents (amount) (ST6: No), the printing is allowed as it is (ST9), and printing can be continued. With the above configuration, it is possible to construct a network charging system in consideration of the merits of the user as a counter business.

Further, by using the billing calculations of the second and third embodiments together,
Otherwise, the first embodiment may be performed.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, a discount charge calculation according to the toner usage amount of the third embodiment may be performed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the billing system using one printer for one user, but may be a billing system using a plurality of printers for a plurality of users. In addition, since the system is based on a network, an approval code is always sent from the management and aggregation device to the printer so that printing cannot be performed if the connection is interrupted.
It is also conceivable for the printer to enable printing only after receiving it.

As a method of calculating the discount rate, a gradual discount or a discount method in which the line of the graph becomes a quadratic curve can be considered. Further, a method of printing out an advertisement at the lower end of a print sheet or the like to convert the advertisement income and discount the charge to the user is also conceivable.

In the fourth embodiment, the management No. Instead of issuing the card, a method of attaching the purchased card to a printer in a format such as a prepaid card to enable printing can be considered.

[0041]

As described above, according to the network billing system of the present invention, by strictly managing and counting the actual print contents (paper size, number of prints, toner consumption), the actual amount of money consumed can be obtained. Counter business.

Further, since detailed information management (for example, the number of prints on A4 paper, print density) can be performed, a charging discount according to the contents of the information can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a count billing system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart from usage count to charging fee display.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram in the printer 1 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing converted values for printing paper sizes when A4 paper is set to 1.00 as a reference.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram in the printer 1 in the case of a color printer.

FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram in the management totaling device 4 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a unit price of toner usage with respect to an area ratio of printing paper.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a monthly billing amount with respect to a monthly print number.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a charge amount per sheet with respect to a toner usage amount.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a count accounting system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart from a usage count to printing continuation in the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 PC 3 Number of prints processing part 4 Toner usage amount processing part 5 Public line 6 Management totaling device 7 Storage part 8 Totaling part 9 Transmission part 10 Number counting part 11 Storage part 12 Toner amount counting part 13 Storage part 14 Number counting part Reference Signs List 15 storage unit 16 toner amount counting unit 17 K toner storage unit 18 C toner storage unit 19 M toner storage unit 20 Y toner storage unit 21 receiving unit 22 storage unit 23 counting unit 24 transmission unit 25 printer 26 PC 27 print number processing unit 28 Toner usage processing unit 29 Judgment unit 30 Public line 31 Management and tallying device 32 Storage unit 33 Tallying unit 34 Transmission unit 35 Confirmation unit 36 Creation unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/60 302 G03G 21/00 390 332 392 (72) Inventor Tetsuhide Kokai 2-chome Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo 229 Address Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HH03 HJ10 HK07 HK15 HK23 HL01 HN05 HN15 2H027 DA45 DA50 DC19 EJ02 EJ04 EJ06 EJ08 EJ13 EJ15 HB13 HB14 HB17 ZA07 EE05 5B02 CC

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A network charging system for separately charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management and aggregation unit via a network in accordance with the usage of consumables. A first counting means for counting the amount of toner used, a second counting means for counting the amount of toner used, and a first means for transmitting the counter information counted by the first and second counting means to the management totaling means by mail. Transmission means, wherein the management and aggregation means comprises: storage means for storing the counter information for each image forming apparatus; calculating means for calculating a billing fee in accordance with the counter information; And a second transmission unit for transmitting the billing information to the image forming apparatus system. Network charging system and calculates the accounting fee based on a predetermined print unit price when. 2. A network charging system for separately charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management and aggregation unit via a network in accordance with the usage of consumables. A first counting means for counting the amount of toner used, a second counting means for counting the amount of toner used, and a first transmitting means for transmitting the counter information counted by the first and second counting means by mail. The management and tallying unit includes: a storage unit that stores the counter information for each image forming apparatus; a calculating unit that calculates a charging fee according to the counter information; and a charging unit that outputs the charging information output from the calculating unit. A second transmitting unit for transmitting to the image forming apparatus system; and a bill issuing unit for issuing a bill for billing information issued from the calculating unit. A network charging system, comprising: a calculating unit that calculates a charging fee according to the number of printed sheets. 3. A network charging system for individually charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management and aggregation unit via a network in accordance with the amount of consumables used, wherein each image forming apparatus system prints one sheet at a time. A first counting means for counting the amount of toner used, a second counting means for counting the amount of toner used, and a first means for transmitting the counter information counted by the first and second counting means to the management totaling means by mail. Transmission means, wherein the management and aggregation means comprises: storage means for storing the counter information for each image forming apparatus; calculating means for calculating a billing fee in accordance with the counter information; Second transmitting means for transmitting the billing information to the image forming apparatus system, and a bill of billing information issued from the calculating means. And a bill issuing means for issuing a charge, wherein the calculating means calculates a charge according to the amount of toner used. 4. The network billing system according to claim 1, wherein said first counting means performs conversion on A4 paper. 5. A network billing system for separately charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management tally unit via a network according to the amount of consumables used, wherein each image forming apparatus system prints one sheet at a time. A first counting means for counting the amount of toner used, a second counting means for counting the amount of toner used, and a first means for transmitting the counter information counted by the first and second counting means to the management totaling means by mail. A management means for checking payment information; a storage means for storing the counter information for each image forming apparatus; and calculating a billing fee according to the counter information. Calculating means; determining means for determining whether or not the operation is possible according to the billing information and the deposit information issued by the calculating means. A second transmission unit for transmitting, when the determination unit determines that the operation is not possible, the disabled information to the image forming apparatus system. 6. A network billing system for separately charging a plurality of image forming apparatus systems connected to a management and aggregation unit via a network in accordance with the usage of consumables. A first counting means for counting the amount of toner used, a second counting means for counting the amount of toner used, and a first means for transmitting the counter information counted by the first and second counting means to the management totaling means by mail. Transmitting means, wherein the management and tallying means comprises: checking means for checking payment information; storage means for storing the counter information for each image forming apparatus; and the amount of toner used according to the counter information. Calculating means for calculating a charging fee in response to the charging information and the payment information issued by the calculating means; A network billing system, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the operation is impossible; and a second transmission unit that transmits the disable information to the image forming apparatus system when the determination unit determines that the operation is impossible.