JP2005316526A - Charging system, print processing device, information processor, program for controlling print processing device or information processor, recording medium for recroding the program and charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print processing device equipped with a function of charging a user according to processing related with image formation and a print processing device for preparing the estimation information of printing within the upper limit sum of a print charging sum inputted by the user at the information processor side capable of communication based on print information including the upper limit sum. <P>SOLUTION: The estimation information of printing within the upper limit sum of a print charging sum included in print information inputted by a user to a print data transmission picture at an information processor side is prepared at a print processing device side, and then the estimation information is transmitted to the print processing device. On the other hand, the information processor displays the received estimation information on a print configuration selection picture, and executes print processing to the picture on the basis of the information inputted by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing device having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation, an information processing device capable of communicating with the print processing device, a program for controlling them, a recording medium for recording the program, and the printing A charging system and a charging method comprising a processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus, and in particular, based on information relating to printing including an upper limit of a print charge amount input by a user in the information processing apparatus, The present invention relates to the print processing device, the information processing device, the program, the recording medium, the billing system, and the billing method that create print estimate information that falls within the upper limit of the amount.

In recent years, bookstores, convenience stores, printing companies, and other companies have received and received electronic data of originals to be printed, such as postcards, catalogs, and manuals, sent from users via the network. A so-called print processing service is implemented in which print processing is performed based on electronic data of the original document and a printing form desired by the user (for example, color / monochrome printing, printing sheet size, etc.).
On the other hand, when using such a print processing service, the user cannot know the amount of money required for printing, that is, the charge amount until printing is performed, and printing is performed under conditions not intended by the user. There was a problem that an unexpected charge was required. Such a problem can be solved by, for example, presenting estimate information of the print processing service to the user in advance as disclosed in Patent Document 1. That is, in the data processing apparatus (an example of the information processing apparatus) and the print control apparatus (an example of the print processing apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user transmits print data (that is, a print job) from the data processing apparatus to the print control apparatus. When the estimate information is calculated based on the print data in the print control apparatus, the estimate information is transmitted to the data processing apparatus. Further, since the estimated information is displayed on the data processing device, the user visually recognizes the estimated information and transmits a print approval / denial based on the estimated information to the print control device. At this time, if the estimated information is estimated information that does not conform to the user's intention, it is also possible to request presentation of an alternative. This makes it possible to provide a user-oriented print processing service.
JP 2000-81959 A

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a charge amount is calculated based on print data including printing conditions. Therefore, when there is an upper limit on the charge amount, that is, when the user assumes a budget amount for printing, the user compares the estimated information displayed on the data processing apparatus with the budget, and the printing condition is within the budget amount. I had to determine whether or not. Further, as a result of the user confirming the estimated information, if the billing amount required for printing is higher than the budget amount assumed by the user, the user sets the printing conditions again, that is, the printing conditions are set on the user side. There is a problem that it is necessary to adjust the billing amount, and the user is forced to perform complicated work.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform printing based on information relating to printing including the upper limit of the printing charge amount input by the user in the information processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide the print processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus, the program, the recording medium, the charging system, and the charging method that create print estimation information that falls within the upper limit of the charging amount.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing system comprising: a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation; and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the print processing apparatus. Corresponding to information receiving means for receiving information related to printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus, information relating to the printing form implemented in the printing processing apparatus, and information relating to the printing form Print information storage means for storing the charge amount to be received, and the upper limit amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form and the information relating to the printing form from the printing information storage means based on the information relating to the printing received by the information receiving means An estimate information creating means for extracting a billing amount within a range not exceeding 1 and creating estimate information related to printing, and the estimate information creating means An estimate information transmitting means for transmitting the estimate information created to the information processing apparatus, and a print approval / disapproval for receiving information from the information processing apparatus regarding whether or not to execute printing for the estimate information transmitted by the estimate information transmitting means. An information receiving unit; and a printing execution unit that performs printing based on the information regarding whether or not to accept the printing received by the printing approval / disapproval information receiving unit, and the information processing apparatus receives the information regarding the printing Print information input means, print information transmission means for transmitting information related to the printing input by the print information input means to the print processing apparatus, and estimate information for receiving the estimate information transmitted by the estimate information transmission means Receiving means and whether or not to accept printing for the estimated information received by the estimated information receiving means Configured information as billing system formed by and a printing yes or no information transmitting means for transmitting to the printing apparatus.
In this case, when there are a plurality of pieces of the estimate information received by the estimate information receiving means, it is desirable that the estimate information to be printed by the print processing apparatus is selected from the plurality of pieces of estimate information.

Here, the information relating to printing includes, for example, information relating to a print job transmitted to the print processing apparatus and information relating to the printing form. In this case, the information about the print job includes at least file data to be printed, and the information about the printing form includes at least information about the name of the file to be printed and whether to perform color printing. 1 or more of information regarding whether to perform double-sided printing, information regarding whether to perform aggregation processing, and information regarding whether to change the scaling factor.
Further, the estimate information includes, for example, information relating to the printing form and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form.

Moreover, it is preferable that the information processing apparatus of the accounting system further includes estimate information display means for displaying the estimate information.
In this case, the display order of the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display means may be designated. The rearrangement in the display order is performed by the print processing apparatus or the information processing apparatus.

  In addition, the present invention includes a function for charging according to processing relating to image formation, and includes an upper limit of a print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus in a print processing apparatus connected to be communicable with the information processing apparatus. Information receiving means for receiving information relating to printing, print information storage means for storing information relating to the printing form implemented in the print processing apparatus and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form, and received by the information receiving means Estimate information for generating estimate information related to printing by extracting information related to the print form and information related to the print form from the print information storage means in accordance with the information related to the print and not exceeding the upper limit. And an estimate information transmission for transmitting the estimate information created by the estimate information creating means to the information processing apparatus. A print acceptance / rejection information receiving unit that receives information about whether or not to accept printing from the information processing apparatus, and the execution of the printing received by the print acceptance / rejection information receiving unit. The printing processing apparatus is characterized by comprising printing execution means for performing printing on the basis of information regarding acceptance / rejection.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a print information input means for inputting information relating to printing including an upper limit of the print charge amount in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation. , A print information transmitting unit that transmits information related to the printing input by the print information input unit to the print processing apparatus, and a charge amount within a range not exceeding the upper limit created based on the information related to printing With respect to printing in the print processing apparatus, the estimate information receiving means for receiving the estimate information transmitted from the print processing apparatus, and the information regarding whether or not to accept the printing for the estimate information received by the estimate information receiving means It is also configured as an information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a printing approval / disapproval information transmitting means for transmitting to the processing apparatus. That.
In this case, when there are a plurality of pieces of the estimate information received by the estimate information receiving means, it is desirable that the estimate information to be printed by the print processing apparatus is selected from the plurality of pieces of estimate information. The information processing apparatus preferably further includes estimate information display means for displaying the estimate information. In this case, the display order of the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display means may be designated. The rearrangement in the display order is performed by the print processing apparatus or the information processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a program for controlling a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation, including an upper limit of a print charge amount transmitted from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the print processing apparatus. Information receiving means for receiving information relating to printing, print information storage means for storing information relating to the printing form implemented in the print processing apparatus and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form, and received by the information receiving means An estimate for generating estimated information for printing by extracting information on the printing form and information on the printing form from the printing information storage unit based on the printing information, and extracting a charge amount within a range not exceeding the upper limit. An information creation unit and a quote for transmitting the estimate information created by the estimate information creation unit to the information processing apparatus A report transmission unit, a print approval / disapproval information reception unit that receives from the information processing apparatus information regarding whether or not to execute printing with respect to the estimate information transmitted by the estimate information transmission unit, and the print received by the print approval / disapproval information reception unit. It is also configured as a program for causing a printing execution unit that performs printing based on information on whether or not to execute the printing.
In this case, the program may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the print processing apparatus, for example.

Further, according to the present invention, in a program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to a process related to image formation, printing in which information related to printing including an upper limit of the print charging amount is input. An information input unit, a print information transmission unit that transmits information related to the printing input by the print information input unit to the print processing apparatus, and a range that does not exceed the upper limit amount created based on the information related to printing Regarding printing in the print processing apparatus corresponding to the charge amount, estimate information receiving means for receiving estimate information transmitted from the print processing apparatus, and whether or not to accept printing in response to the estimate information received by the estimate information receiving means It may be configured as a program for causing a print permission / rejection information transmission unit that transmits information to the print processing apparatus to function. It may be.
In this case, the program may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the information processing apparatus, for example.

  Note that the present invention relates to a charging method implemented between a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the print processing apparatus. On the side, based on the information about printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the charge amount within a range not exceeding the upper limit corresponding to the information about the print form and the information about the print form The estimate information about the print is generated and the estimate information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the information is printed based on the information about whether or not to accept the print with respect to the estimate information transmitted from the information processing apparatus. When the processing apparatus receives the estimate information after transmitting the input information about the printing to the print processing apparatus, the estimate It can be grasped also information on the implementation yes or no printing for distribution as a charging method to be transmitted to the print processing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the print processing apparatus includes the information receiving unit, the print information storing unit, the estimated information creating unit, the estimated information transmitting unit, the printing approval / disapproval information receiving unit, and the printing execution unit. The information processing apparatus includes the print information input unit, the information transmission unit, the estimate information reception unit, and the print permission / rejection information transmission unit. Therefore, based on the information on the printing, the charge amount in a range not exceeding the upper limit corresponding to the information on the printing form and the information on the printing form is extracted and the estimation information is created. Further, the user confirms the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display means, and performs printing corresponding to the information related to the print form with the charge amount not exceeding the upper limit amount using the print processing apparatus. be able to. Thus, even when the user assumes a printing budget amount (that is, the upper limit amount), it is possible to select a desired printing condition without performing a complicated operation of comparing the estimated amount and the budget amount. it can. In the accounting system, when there are a plurality of pieces of estimate information, the user can select the estimate information to be printed from the plurality of pieces of estimate information on the information processing apparatus side, so that an effect of further user-oriented printing can be obtained. In this case, since the user can arbitrarily specify the display order of the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display means, even if a large amount of the estimate information exists, the user can perform complicated work. There is no force.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a charging system X according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment), and FIG. 2 is a print processing apparatus A and an information processing apparatus P1 that configure the charging system X. FIG. 3 is a first block diagram of a print data transmission screen displayed on the display operation unit 14 included in the information processing devices P1 to P3, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the information processing devices P1 to P3. FIG. 5 is a first example of a print form selection screen displayed on the display operation unit 14 provided in the information processing devices P1 to P3. FIG. 6 is a second example diagram of a print mode selection screen displayed on the display operation unit 14 provided in the information processing devices P1 to P3, and FIG. 7 is stored in the storage unit 5 provided in the print processing device A. Fig. 8 Is a flowchart showing a charging process performed by the control unit 6 and the information processing apparatus P1~P3 controller 15 provided in the print processing device A is provided.
First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the charging system X according to this embodiment, the print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 constituting the charging system X will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the charging system X has a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation, and also includes a print processing apparatus A that performs monochrome development or color development, and a plurality of information processing apparatuses P1 such as personal computers. , P2, P3... The print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 are connected to each other via a network N which is a communication medium via respective interface units (for example, I / F 13 and I / F 20). For this reason, data transmission / reception between the print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatuses P <b> 1 to P <b> 3 is performed via the network N. The accounting system X according to the present embodiment has been described with respect to the case where it is configured by one print processing apparatus and three information processing apparatuses. However, the number of print processing apparatuses and information processing apparatuses that constitute the accounting system is described. It is not limited to this.
The print processing apparatus A is installed in companies such as bookstores, convenience stores, and printing companies. The print processing apparatus A may be a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that provides services such as copying (copying) and FAX as well as services as a printer function. The information processing devices P1 to P3 are a terminal device having a user interface installed in a bookstore or a convenience store, an office computer used in a company, or a personal computer used at home.
The network N is configured by, for example, a wired LAN, wireless communication, or an ISDN line, and communication between the print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 is performed by, for example, WEB, e-mail, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the print processing apparatus A is composed of a touch panel, appropriate button members, and the like, and includes a display operation unit 1 for displaying operations related to the print processing apparatus A and information related to the print processing apparatus A, and an image of a document. For a print job (hereinafter referred to as print data) including image data read by the image reading unit 2, image data read by the image reading unit 2, and electronic data of a document to be printed transmitted from the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 An image processing unit 3 that performs appropriate processing, an image forming unit 4 that develops an image based on the image data or the print data processed by the image processing unit 3 with toner, and fixes the developed toner image on a sheet A storage unit 5 (an example of a print information storage unit in the present invention) configured by an HDD or the like that stores various information related to the print processing apparatus A, and performs various arithmetic processes. To communicate with the information processing devices P1 to P3 by connecting to the network N via the control unit 6 and the interface 13 which are composed of PU, semiconductor memory ROM, RAM, etc. The communication control unit 12 and the like are mainly configured. Further, in the print processing apparatus A, each apparatus is connected by a predetermined bus so that data can be transmitted and received between the apparatuses. The control unit 6 stores a program stored in the storage unit such as the ROM (information receiving function 7, estimated information creating function 8, estimated information transmitting function 9, printing approval / disapproval information receiving function 10, printing execution function 11, etc.) Is executed, various controls and arithmetic processing are performed in the print processing apparatus A. Details will be described later.
On the other hand, the storage unit 5 stores in advance information related to a printing form (hereinafter referred to as printing form information) executed by the printing processing apparatus A and a charge amount corresponding to the printing form information. FIG. 7 shows an image of a charge amount table as an example. In this case, color printing or monochrome printing and sheet size are listed as examples of the printing form information, which indicates that a charge amount corresponding to each printing form information is stored. In the billing system X according to the present embodiment, various information as described above stored in the storage unit 5 and at least a print target transmitted from any one of the information processing devices P1 to P3. Estimate information is created based on information relating to the print job including file data and information relating to printing including the print form information. Details will be described later.

Next, the internal configuration of the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Although the information processing device P1 is mainly described here, the same applies to the information processing devices P2 and P3.
The information processing apparatus P1 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, and the like for operating the information processing apparatus P1. The display operation unit 14 displays information related to the information processing apparatus P1 or estimated information transmitted from the print processing apparatus A. (An example of print information input means and estimated information display means in the present invention), a CPU 15 for performing various arithmetic processes, a ROM, RAM, etc., which are semiconductor memories, and a control section 15 for controlling the entire information processing apparatus P1, The communication control unit 19 is mainly configured to communicate with the print processing apparatus A by connecting to the network N via the interface 20. Further, in the information processing apparatus P1, each apparatus is connected by a predetermined bus so that data can be transmitted and received between the apparatuses. The control unit 15 executes programs stored in the storage unit such as the ROM (the print information transmission function 16, the estimate information reception function 17, the print approval / disapproval information transmission function 18 and the like), so that the information processing apparatus Various controls and arithmetic processes in P1 are performed, details of which will be described later.

Here, an outline of processing performed in the accounting system X according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The items provided in the print data transmission screen, the print mode selection screen, and the billing amount table are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
When using the print processing service in the charging system X, the user transmits information related to printing including the print data and the print form information (hereinafter referred to as print information) from the information processing apparatus P1 to the print processing apparatus A. Therefore, it is necessary to make an appropriate input to the print data transmission screen for setting the print form information displayed on the display operation unit 14 on the information processing apparatus P1 side and the upper limit of the print charge amount.
In the upper part of the print data transmission screen displayed on the display operation unit 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a file data name input field 30 for inputting the file name of the print data and the print charge amount are displayed. An upper limit input field 31 for inputting the upper limit in characters is provided. A setting field for setting detailed print mode information is provided in the lower part of the print data transmission screen. Here, for example, a color print input field 32 for setting whether or not to perform color printing, a double-sided print input field 33 for setting whether or not to perform double-sided printing, and whether or not to perform aggregation processing (N-in-1 printing). An aggregation process input field 34 to be set, a scaling factor change input field 35 for setting whether to change the scaling factor, and the like correspond to this. As described above, the print form information in the present embodiment includes at least the file name of the print data input to the file data name input field 30 and information regarding whether or not to perform color printing set in the color print input field 32, Information on whether or not to perform duplex printing set in the duplex printing input field 33, information on whether or not to perform aggregation processing set in the aggregation process input field 34, and whether to change the scaling factor set in the scaling factor change input field 35 Contains information about whether or not.
Here, each of the input fields used for setting the printing form information as described above is composed of a combo box, a list box, and the like. For example, the options are “permitted”, “not permitted”, and “can be any”. The following three items are provided. Note that the aggregation processing input field 34 is similarly configured from a combo box, a list box, and the like, and for example, the type of aggregation processing (N-in-1 printing) that can be performed by the printing processing apparatus A is selected. In this way, on the print data transmission screen, the print form information is set by the user selecting a character input for each input field or selecting an item provided in the input field. Note that the initial display of the color print input field 32, the duplex print input field 33, the aggregation process input field 34, and the scaling factor change input field 35 may be variable. In this case, it is desirable to change the initially displayed items from, for example, the display operation unit 14 or the like.
Further, in the print data transmission screen, when there are a plurality of later-described estimate information as shown in FIG. 4, a rank designation setting field 37 for designating the order in which the estimate information is displayed on the print form selection screen is displayed. It may be provided. The order designation setting field 37 may be a character input type as in the file data name setting field 30 or a selection type as in the color print setting field 32.
When the user presses the send button 36 after setting the print form information, the print charge upper limit, the print form information, and the like in the above-described procedure, the print data, the print charge upper limit The information including the forehead and the print form information, that is, the print information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus P1 to the print processing apparatus A.

  On the other hand, when the print processing apparatus A receives the print information, the upper limit (700 yen in the present embodiment) is based on the print information and the information stored in the charge amount table shown in FIG. Estimate information as shown below is created with a billing amount that does not exceed. The created estimate information is transmitted from the print processing apparatus A to the information processing apparatus P1 in order to make the contents visible to the user. The processing content for creating the estimate information will be described later.

5 and 6 are examples of a printing form selection screen that displays the estimate information transmitted from the printing processing apparatus A and displayed on the display operation unit 14.
The print form selection screen shown in FIG. 5 is a screen displaying a list of information included in the estimate information. Here, an example of the print form selection screen when a plurality of the estimation information exists is shown.
The print form selection screen includes, for example, the print form information input from the print data transmission screen (that is, color printing or monochrome printing, duplex printing) in addition to a column for displaying the file name to be printed and the upper limit amount. (Printing, Aggregation Processing, and Scaling Ratio Change Processing) are displayed in a column for displaying a combination of printing form information within the upper limit of 700 yen, that is, a sheet size on which an image is printed, the number of printed sheets, a charging amount, etc. The estimated information display column 40 is provided. The print form selection screen also includes a quote information selection button 41 for selecting estimate information to be printed from the quoted information display column 40 listed, and a print corresponding to the estimate information selected by the estimate information selection button 41. A print start button 42 for issuing an instruction to start the print processing apparatus A, a cancel button 43 for issuing an instruction to cancel printing in the print processing apparatus A, and the like. As for the estimate information selection button 41, an option button is given as an example, but it is a matter of course that a check box may be used.
Here, when there are a plurality of the estimate information, the estimate information displayed on the print form selection screen is displayed in the order of input in the rank designation input field 37 provided in the print data transmission screen. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the print mode selection screen is displayed in a state of being sorted according to the priority set in the order of color printing or monochrome printing, duplex printing, N-in-1 printing, and sheet size. . Needless to say, the rearrangement of the display order may be performed on the print processing apparatus A side or on the information processing apparatus P1 side.

On the other hand, the print form selection screen may be a selection type screen as shown in FIG. 6 instead of an enumeration display type screen as shown in FIG. Note that the print form selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is the result of the estimation information for the print form information setting made by the user on the print data transmission screen being created on the print processing apparatus A side, so that color printing is performed. The screen shows a case in which only monochrome printing can be performed because the charged amount in the case of implementation exceeds 700 yen set as the upper limit.
In the print mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6, for example, the type of printing performed by the print processing apparatus A, that is, the print type selection column 50 for selecting color printing or monochrome printing, and whether to perform double-sided printing are selected. Double-sided printing selection column 51, an aggregation processing selection column 52 for selecting the type of aggregation processing (N-in-1 printing), a sheet size for printing an image, that is, a variable for selecting a scaling factor associated with a change in sheet size. Corresponding to the combination of items selected in the magnification selection field 53, the sheet size display field 54 for displaying the sheet size used for printing, the number of printed sheets display field 55 for displaying the number of printed sheets, and the selection fields 50 to 53. A charge amount display field 56 for displaying the charge amount is provided. These are items included in the estimate information transmitted from the print processing apparatus A. As described above, in the print mode selection screen shown in FIG. 6, the above-described selection fields 50 to 53 can be arbitrarily selected by the user, and when these selection fields 50 to 53 are selected, the selection fields 50 to 53 are selected. The fields 50 to 53 are configured to display the sheet size, the number of printed sheets, and the charge amount corresponding to the item arbitrarily selected by the user.

  For these reasons, in the charging system X according to the present embodiment, the print form information, the print data, and the charge amount table input by the user on the print data transmission screen displayed on the display operation unit 14 are stored. Based on the information, the estimated information is created on the print processing apparatus A side. The created estimate information is transmitted from the print processing apparatus A to the information processing apparatus P1 and displayed on the print form selection screen on the display operation unit 14. As a result, the user can select a desired printing form from the estimated information extracted within the range of the estimation desired by the user, and can cause the print processing apparatus A to perform printing corresponding to the selected estimated information. Yes. Detailed processing contents in the print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatus P1 will be described later.

Next, a charging process performed in the charging system X by the control unit 6 included in the print processing apparatus A and the control unit 15 included in the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Here, the case of the information processing apparatus P1 will be described, but the same applies to the cases of the information processing apparatuses P2 and P3.
In this processing, after the estimate information is created on the print processing apparatus A side based on information input by the user on the print data transmission screen on the information processing apparatus P1, the print mode selection on the information processing apparatus P1 side is performed. In this process, the estimated information created on the screen is displayed, and printing based on the estimated information selected by the user on the print mode selection screen is executed on the print processing apparatus A side.
Here, as a premise of this processing, it is assumed that a charge amount table as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the storage unit 5 provided in the print processing apparatus A, and the information processing apparatus P1 is used for rearranging the estimated information. It is assumed that the control unit 15 included in is implemented. Further, it is assumed that the upper limit process value provided in order to avoid an excessive load on the control unit 6 in the process of step S3 described later is stored in the storage unit 5 in advance. Further, it is assumed that the order designation setting field 37 as shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the print data transmission screen used by the user.
Note that S1, S2,... Described in the following description represent process procedure (step) numbers.

The program on the information processing apparatus P1 side that controls this processing is started when the control unit 15 detects that the user has performed an operation for displaying the print data transmission screen on the display operation unit 14. The program on the print processing apparatus A side is activated when the control unit 6 detects input of print information (that is, information related to printing including the print data and the print form information) described later.
When detecting that the user has performed an operation for displaying the print data transmission screen, the control unit 15 displays a print data transmission screen as shown in FIG. 3 on the display operation unit 14. Further, when it is detected that the transmission button 36 has been pressed after the user has made a series of inputs as described above on the print data transmission screen, that is, the print mode information and the upper limit amount have been set. The control unit 15 controls the communication control unit 19 to transmit the print information including the print data and the print form information to the print processing apparatus A (S20 → S21), and then transmits the print information from the print processing apparatus A. The received estimate information or processing abnormality information is monitored (S22).
On the other hand, when the control unit 6 provided in the print processing apparatus A detects reception of the print information from the information processing apparatus P1 (YES side of S1), the input print information is stored in an appropriate area of the storage unit 5. Store (S2). Further, the control unit 6 performs all printing modes (that is, color printing or monochrome printing, duplex printing, aggregation processing, and change processing) based on the printing mode information input from the printing data transmission screen included in the printing information. A combination satisfying (magnification change) is calculated, and the calculated printing form is temporarily stored in the storage unit 5 (S3). At this time, when the number of cases calculated in the process of step S3 reaches the upper limit processing case value stored in the storage unit 5, the control unit 6 immediately stops the print form combination calculation process and causes the communication control unit 12 to The information (hereinafter referred to as processing abnormality information) indicating that the number of processing cases has reached the upper limit processing case numerical value is transmitted to the information processing apparatus P1 (YES side of S4 → S9). The process of step S4 performed in this process is provided so as not to apply an excessive load to the control unit 6, but there is no problem even if the process of step S4 is not performed.
When the combinations of all print forms are calculated without reaching the upper limit processing value, the control unit 6 temporarily stores all the print form combinations in the storage unit 5. Thereafter, the print data stored in the storage unit 5 in the process of the step S2 is converted into a bitmap, the print data converted into the bitmap, and the combination of the respective print forms stored in the storage unit 5 Based on the above, data rendering processing, that is, image data allocation processing is performed (NO side of S4 → S5). In this way, the sheet size and the number of printed sheets in each combination of printing forms are calculated by performing rendering processing for all combinations of printing forms (S6). At this time, only the sheet size and the number of printed sheets are calculated, and the printing process is not performed.
Subsequently, the control unit 6 refers to the charge amount table based on the print form information and the calculated sheet size and the number of printed sheets in all print form combinations, and is necessary for printing in each print form combination. A total amount, that is, a charge amount is calculated (S7). Further, the control unit 6 extracts a combination of print forms corresponding to the charge amount within the upper limit (700 yen in the present embodiment) from the charge amount calculated in the process of step S7, and then extracts the extracted print form. From the combination, estimate information including the print form information, the calculated sheet size and the number of printed sheets, and the calculated charge amount is created (S8). If there is no combination of print forms corresponding to the charge amount within the upper limit, estimate information for zero print form combinations is created in the process of step S8.
The created estimate information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus P1 (S9).

On the other hand, when the control unit 15 included in the information processing apparatus P1 detects the reception of the estimation information or the processing abnormality information transmitted from the print processing apparatus A in the process of step S9 (YES side of S22). It is determined whether the received information is the estimated information or the processing abnormality information. When it is determined that the received information is the processing abnormality information (NO side of S23), the display operation unit 14 displays that the received information is the processing abnormality information (S26). That is, for example, a message that prompts the user to reset the print form information or a message that indicates abnormal termination is displayed from the print data transmission screen. At this time, it is desirable that an appropriate button member for transmitting a cancel signal described later is displayed on the screen. In this case, when the button member is operated by the user, the processing from the YES side to step S9 in step S28 described later is performed.
When it is determined that the received information is the estimated information (YES side of S23), it is determined whether or not the estimated information is estimated information for 0 combinations of print forms. When it is determined that the estimated information is estimated information for 0 print form combinations (YES in S24), the charge amount within the upper limit based on the print form information set in step S20 is supported. A message indicating that there is no combination of print forms to be displayed is displayed (S26). That is, for example, a message that prompts the user to reset the print form information or a message that indicates abnormal termination is displayed from the print data transmission screen. At this time, it is desirable that an appropriate button member for transmitting a cancel signal described later is displayed on the screen. In this case, when the button member is operated by the user, the processing from the YES side to step S9 in step S28 described later is performed.
If it is determined that the estimated information is estimated information having at least one combination of print forms (NO in S24), the estimated information is rearranged in the display order set in the rank designation setting field 37. After being displayed on the print form selection screen (S27), the operation of the print start button 42 or cancel button 43 provided on the print form selection screen by the user is monitored. Here, when a plurality of pieces of estimate information are displayed on the print form selection screen, the estimate information currently selected by the user may be stored in an appropriate storage unit provided in the information processing apparatus P1. In this case, each time the estimate information selection button 41 is operated by the user, the estimate information stored in the storage unit may be overwritten with the estimate information selected by the estimate information selection button 41.
In the subsequent step S28, when it is detected that the user has operated the cancel button 43 or that the user has operated the cancel button provided on the appropriate screen in step S26 or step S25 (YES in S28). The control unit 6 transmits information indicating that the cancel button has been pressed (hereinafter referred to as cancel information) to the print processing apparatus A, and then monitors the reception of various types of information from the print processing apparatus A described later (see FIG. S29 → S32). When it is detected that the user has operated the print start button 42 (NO side of S28 → YES side of S30), the control unit 6 displays the estimated information stored in the storage unit and the print start button 42. After the information indicating that the button has been pressed (hereinafter referred to as print start information) is transmitted to the print processing apparatus A, reception of various information from the print processing apparatus A described later is monitored (S31 → S32).

On the other hand, the control unit 6 included in the print processing apparatus A detects reception of information transmitted from the information processing apparatus P1 in the process of step S29 or step S31 (that is, the cancel information or the print start information). (YES side of S10), it is determined whether or not the received information is the cancellation information. When it is determined that the information is the cancel information (YES side of S11), the control unit 6 deletes the print information and the like temporarily stored in the storage unit 5 (S13), and then, for example, a processing result such as normal termination Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus P1, and the process is terminated (S14). If it is determined that the received information is the print start information (NO side of S11), the control unit 6 is based on the estimated information included in the print start information and the print data stored in the storage unit 5. The printing process is performed (12). Then, the control unit 6 deletes the print information and the like used in the main processing temporarily stored in the storage unit 5 (S13), and then displays information indicating that the processing result, such as normal termination, is obtained. The data is transmitted to the processing device P1, and the processing is terminated (S14).
Further, when the control unit 15 provided in the information processing device P1 detects the reception of the information indicating the processing result transmitted in step S14 (YES side of S32), the received information is displayed on the display operation unit 14. Display and terminate the process (S33).
In this process, the control unit 6 performs the information receiving function 7 (an example of the information receiving means in the present invention) in the process of step S1, and the estimated information generating function 8 (in the present invention in the processes of steps S2 to S8). An example of estimate information creation means), an estimate information transmission function 9 (an example of estimate information transmission means in the present invention) in the process of step S9, and a print approval / disapproval information reception function 10 (print in the present invention) in the process of step S10. The print execution function 11 (an example of the print execution means in the present invention) is executed in the processes of steps S11 and S12. In this process, the control unit 15 performs the print information transmission function 16 (an example of the print information transmission unit in the present invention) in the process of step S21, and the estimated information reception function 17 (the estimate in the present invention) in the process of step S22. As an example of the information receiving means, the print permission / rejection information transmission function 18 (an example of the print permission / rejection information transmission means in the present invention) is executed in the processes of steps S29 and S31.
Further, the program executed by the control unit 6 described above is stored in a recording medium readable by the print processing apparatus A (that is, for example, various recording media such as ROM, EPROM, and CD-ROM provided in the control unit 6). The recording medium that can be recorded and executed by the control unit 15 described above can be read by the information processing apparatus P1 (that is, for example, ROM, EPROM, CD-ROM, etc. provided in the control unit 15) In various recording media).

  This process can also be understood as a billing method performed between the print processing apparatus A and the information processing apparatus P1. In this case, based on the print information transmitted from the information processing apparatus P1, the print processing apparatus A creates the estimate information by extracting the charge amount within the range not exceeding the upper limit included in the print information. Later, the estimate information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus P1, and a printing process is performed based on the cancel information or the print start information transmitted from the information processing apparatus P1. When the information processing apparatus P1 receives the estimate information after transmitting the print information to the print processing apparatus A, the information processing apparatus P1 transmits the cancel information or the print start information for the received estimate information to the print processing apparatus A.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charging system X according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a main part of a print processing apparatus A and information processing apparatuses P1 to P3 that constitute the accounting system X. FIG. 4 is a first example diagram of a print data transmission screen displayed on a display operation unit 14 included in the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3. The 2nd example figure of the print data transmission screen displayed on the display operation part 14 with which the said information processing apparatuses P1-P3 are provided. The 1st example figure of the printing type selection screen displayed on the display operation part 14 with which the said information processing apparatuses P1-P3 are provided. The 2nd example figure of the printing form selection screen displayed on the display operation part 14 with which the said information processing apparatuses P1-P3 are provided. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a charge amount table stored in a storage unit 5 provided in the print processing apparatus A. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a charging process performed by the control unit 6 included in the print processing apparatus A and the control unit 15 included in the information processing apparatuses P1 to P3.

Explanation of symbols

1. Display operation unit (print processing apparatus A side)
2 ... Image reading unit 3 ... Image processing unit 4 ... Image forming unit 5 ... Storage unit 6 ... Control unit (print processing apparatus A side)
7 ... Information reception function 8 ... Estimate information creation function 9 ... Estimate information transmission function 10 ... Print permission / rejection information reception function 11 ... Print execution function 12 ... Communication control unit (print processing apparatus A side)
13, 20 ... interface 14 ... display operation unit (information processing devices P1 to P3 side)
15 ... Control unit (information processing devices P1 to P3 side)
16 ... Print information transmission function 17 ... Estimate information reception function 18 ... Print permission / rejection information transmission function 19 ... Communication control unit (information processing devices P1 to P3 side)
30 ... File data name input field 31 ... Maximum amount input field 32 ... Color print input field 33 ... Double-sided print input field 34 ... Aggregation process input field 36 ... Send button 37 ... Order designation setting field 40 ... Estimate information display field 41 ... Estimate Information selection button 42 ... Print start button 43 ... Cancel button 50 ... Print type selection field 51 ... Double-sided print selection field 52 ... Aggregation process selection field 53 ... Scaling ratio selection field 54 ... Sheet size display field 55 ... Number of printed sheets display field 56 ... Billing amount display column A ... print processing devices P1, P2, P3 ... information processing device X ... billing system

Claims (22)

In a charging system comprising a print processing device having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the print processing device,
The print processing device is
Information receiving means for receiving information relating to printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Print information storage means for storing information relating to a printing form implemented by the print processing apparatus and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form;
Based on the information related to the printing received by the information receiving means, the information relating to the printing form and the charge amount within the range not exceeding the upper limit corresponding to the information relating to the printing form are extracted from the printing information storage means and printed. An estimate information creation means for creating estimate information on
Estimate information transmitting means for transmitting the estimate information created by the estimate information creating means to the information processing apparatus;
A print permission / rejection information receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, information regarding whether or not printing is permitted for the estimated information transmitted by the estimate information transmitting means;
Printing execution means for performing printing based on the information regarding whether or not to accept the printing received by the printing approval / disapproval information receiving means,
The information processing apparatus is
Print information input means for inputting information relating to the printing;
Print information transmitting means for transmitting information related to the printing input by the print information input means to the print processing apparatus;
Estimate information receiving means for receiving the estimate information transmitted by the estimate information transmitting means;
A billing system comprising: a print permission / rejection information transmitting unit that transmits information regarding whether or not printing is permitted for the estimated information received by the estimate information receiving unit to the print processing apparatus.   The billing system according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of pieces of the estimated information received by the estimated information receiving means, estimated information to be printed by the print processing apparatus is selected from the plurality of estimated information.   The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the information related to printing includes information related to a print job to be transmitted to the print processing apparatus and information related to the printing form.   The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the print job includes at least file data to be printed.   Whether the information related to the printing mode is at least the name of the file to be printed, information about whether to perform color printing, information about whether to perform double-sided printing, information about whether to perform aggregation processing, or scaling ratio The billing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising one or a plurality of pieces of information regarding whether or not.   The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the estimation information includes information related to the printing form and a charging amount corresponding to the information related to the printing form.   The billing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information processing apparatus further includes estimate information display means for displaying the estimate information.   The billing system according to claim 7, wherein a display order of the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display means is designated.   The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the order of the estimated information is rearranged in the display order in the print processing apparatus.   The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the order of the estimated information is rearranged in the display order in the information processing apparatus. In a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation and being connected to an information processing apparatus in a communicable manner,
Information receiving means for receiving information relating to printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
Print information storage means for storing information relating to a printing form implemented by the print processing apparatus and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form;
Based on the information related to the printing received by the information receiving means, the information relating to the printing form and the charge amount within the range not exceeding the upper limit corresponding to the information relating to the printing form are extracted from the printing information storage means and printed. An estimate information creation means for creating estimate information on
Estimate information transmitting means for transmitting the estimate information created by the estimate information creating means to the information processing apparatus;
A print permission / rejection information receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, information regarding whether or not printing is permitted for the estimated information transmitted by the estimate information transmitting means;
A print processing apparatus, comprising: a print execution unit that performs printing based on the information regarding whether or not to accept the print received by the print approval / rejection information reception unit. In an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing related to image formation,
A print information input means for inputting information relating to printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount;
Print information transmitting means for transmitting information related to the printing input by the print information input means to the print processing apparatus;
Estimate information receiving means for receiving estimate information transmitted from the print processing device regarding printing in the print processing device corresponding to a charge amount not exceeding the upper limit amount created based on the information related to the printing;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print permission / rejection information transmission unit configured to transmit information regarding whether or not to permit printing with respect to the estimate information received by the estimate information reception unit to the print processing apparatus.   13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein when there are a plurality of pieces of the estimated information received by the estimated information receiving unit, estimated information to be printed by the print processing apparatus is selected from a plurality of the estimated information. In a program for controlling a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation,
Information receiving means for receiving information related to printing including an upper limit of a print charge amount transmitted from an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the print processing apparatus;
Print information storage means for storing information relating to a printing form implemented by the print processing apparatus and a charge amount corresponding to the information relating to the printing form;
Based on the information related to printing received by the information receiving means, the information relating to the printing form and the information relating to the printing form are extracted from the printing information storage means, and the charge amount within the range not exceeding the upper limit is extracted. An estimate information creation means for creating estimate information on printing;
Estimate information transmitting means for transmitting the estimate information created by the estimate information creating means to the information processing apparatus;
A print permission / rejection information receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, information regarding whether or not printing is permitted for the estimated information transmitted by the estimate information transmitting means;
A program for causing a printing execution unit to perform printing based on information regarding whether or not to accept the printing received by the printing approval / disapproval information receiving unit.   15. A recording medium that records the program according to claim 14 and is readable by the print processing apparatus. In a program for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation,
A print information input means for inputting information related to printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount;
Print information transmitting means for transmitting information related to the printing input by the print information input means to the print processing apparatus;
Estimate information receiving means for receiving estimate information transmitted from the print processing device regarding printing in the print processing device corresponding to a charge amount not exceeding the upper limit amount created based on the information related to the printing;
A program for causing a print permission / rejection information transmission unit that functions to transmit to the print processing apparatus information related to whether or not to accept printing with respect to the estimate information received by the estimate information receiving unit.   A recording medium that records the program according to claim 16 and is readable by the information processing apparatus. In a charging method implemented between a print processing apparatus having a function of charging according to processing relating to image formation and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the print processing apparatus,
On the print processing device side,
Based on the information on printing including the upper limit of the print charge amount transmitted from the information processing apparatus, the charge amount in a range not exceeding the upper limit corresponding to the information on the print form and the information on the print form is extracted. Sending the estimate information to the information processing device after creating the estimate information about printing, and printing based on the information on whether or not to accept the printing for the estimate information sent from the information processing device,
On the information processing device side,
A charging method for transmitting, to the print processing apparatus, information related to whether or not to accept printing for the estimated information when the estimated information is received after the input information related to the printing is transmitted to the print processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising estimate information display means for displaying the estimate information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a display order of the estimate information displayed on the estimate information display unit is designated.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 12, 13, 19, and 20, wherein the order of the estimated information is rearranged in the display order.   The print processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the order of the estimated information is rearranged in the display order.

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