JP2007243702A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable acquisition of a lot of information sets in regard to a commodity to be purchased in a shop. <P>SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus having an original read unit 1a and a print unit, and forming an image on a sheet based on an image data input from the original read unit 1a, code information such as a barcode, printed on commodity wrapping, is read by the original read unit 1a, the read code information is decoded in a control circuit 1b and converted into information recognizable by a user, and then displayed on a display as information related to the commodity, a service attached to the commodity, or information related to a prize competition and a campaign, so as to provide to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input / output device such as a digital multi-function peripheral, a digital copying machine, a facsimile, a scanner, a network file server or the like having a function of storing, managing, or updating information of an external server, or a plurality of them. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction machine having a function.

  When selecting a product at a store, information about the product and the product printed on the product packaging, such as information about ingredients, precautionary statements, usage, or campaigns and sweepstakes related to the product, may be the decisive factor for the purchase. is there. This aspect is shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 22A, when the user 3 decides to purchase by reading the product description of the product 4 and the explanation of the application for the campaign or sweepstakes, as shown in FIG. Bring it there, pay it, and complete the purchase. And after purchase, as shown in the figure (c), to know the components that could not be described in the package in the survey on the Internet of mobile phones and personal computers, and the detailed information of the campaign, and apply for campaigns and sweepstakes It will be.

  On the other hand, a barcode for use in the POS system is printed on the product 4 and the product packaging. Therefore, various services are also provided using this barcode. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a printed matter is optically read into a copy FAX multifunction machine, a barcode is decoded, and when it is used for ordering a product or requesting a catalog, a receipt or a catalog is printed, and a paid lyrics card is distributed. In this case, an invention is disclosed in which a lyrics card is printed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an optical reading that distributes a barcode including a notification destination telephone number, operation identification information, and target identification information, reads the barcode, and transmits the barcode to the notification destination telephone number included in the barcode. An invention of receiving operation identification information and target identification information included in the barcode from a communication device with a device, and performing processing corresponding to the received operation identification information in relation to the target identification information. It is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 3, product image data having barcode information for identifying a product is input to the storage device, the barcode information is extracted from the product image data input to the storage device, and stored in the storage device. An invention is disclosed in which bar code information is analyzed and stored in a storage device, and data processing is performed based on the stored bar code information.
JP 2002-183520 A JP 2002-281179 A JP 2003-187126 A

  In the conventional purchasing method as shown in FIG. 22, there is a difference in the amount of information that can print detailed information about campaigns, sweepstakes, ingredients, allergies, etc., depending on the size of the product package. May be subject to restrictions. When there are many restrictions, the number of characters used and the size of the characters are also restricted, and the printed characters may not be read or may be missed. In addition, even when viewed from the product side, there are many cases where sufficient product information and information such as campaigns cannot be printed.

  On the other hand, in the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it is disclosed that various services are provided by using barcodes, but until the purchaser obtains information on products to be purchased in the store. It was not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a state of the art, and a problem to be solved is to be able to obtain a lot of information related to products to be purchased in a store.

  In order to solve the above problem, the first means includes an image input means and an image output means, and forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium based on image data input from the image input means. It is characterized by comprising conversion means for decoding the code information input from the image input means and converting it into information that can be provided to the user.

  A second means is characterized in that, in the first means, the decoded information includes any one of information on a product, a service attached to the product, information on a prize and a campaign.

  The third means is characterized in that the first means includes communication means for communicating information with an external device.

  According to a fourth means, in any one of the first to third means, a code information input means for inputting the code information exclusively is provided.

  The fifth means is characterized in that in any one of the first to fourth means, a display means for displaying the contents of the decoded information is provided.

  The sixth means is the server according to any one of the first to fifth means, wherein the external device stores information, a billing device that pays a fee corresponding to the output from the image output means, and a POS that performs product management. One of the terminals is included.

  The seventh means is characterized in that in the sixth means, there is provided an obtaining means for accessing the server via the communication means and obtaining information.

  The eighth means is characterized in that, in the sixth or seventh means, information acquired from the server is stored in a secondary storage device, and is acquired from the secondary storage device at the time of re-search.

  A ninth means is characterized in that, in any of the sixth to eighth means, the stored contents of the secondary storage device are automatically updated when the accumulated information has been updated.

  A tenth means is characterized in that in any of the sixth to ninth means, a display means for displaying the contents of acquired information or accumulated information is provided.

  The eleventh means is characterized in that, in the fifth or tenth means, the content of the information displayed on the display means is printed out from the image output means onto the sheet-like recording medium.

  The twelfth means is characterized in that, in the fifth or tenth means, the information displayed on the display means is transferred to another desired apparatus by the communication means.

  A thirteenth means is characterized in that, in the fifth or tenth means, an input means for receiving a prize or campaign application input from the content of the information displayed on the display means.

  A fourteenth means is characterized in that, in the fifth or tenth means, an input means for receiving a service associated with a product from the content of information displayed on the display means.

  The fifteenth means is characterized in that, in any of the tenth to fourteenth means, voice output means for outputting the information in voice instead of the display means or in addition to the display means is further provided. To do.

  The sixteenth means is characterized in that, in the fifth or tenth means, an instruction to input a commodity to be purchased based on the purchase information displayed on the display means, thereby performing the purchase operation of the commodity. To do.

  A seventeenth means is characterized in that, in the sixteenth means, the commodity to be purchased is an electronic commodity or image information related to the commodity from which the code is read.

  The eighteenth means is characterized in that, in the sixteenth means, after the purchase operation is completed, the purchase price is paid from an external device.

  A nineteenth means is characterized in that, in the eighteenth means, the external device is a billing device or a POS terminal connected for copying fee payment.

  In the embodiment described later, the image input means is the original reading device 1a, the image output means is the printing unit (image output function), the conversion means and the communication means are the control circuit 1b, and the code information input means is the barcode scanner. 9, the display means is the display 6, the charging device is the reference numeral 11, the POS terminal is the reference numeral 7, the secondary storage device is the hard disk device 8, the input means is the touch panel function of the display 6, and the voice output means is the reference numeral 10. Respectively.

  According to the present invention, since the conversion means that decodes the code information input from the image input means and converts it into information that can be provided to the user is provided, a large amount of information about the product to be purchased in the store is obtained. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration and operation of a product information retrieval apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a server 2, and the image forming apparatus 1 is placed in a store such as a supermarket (hereinafter abbreviated as “supermarket”) or a convenience store (hereinafter abbreviated as “convenience store”), and is connected to the Internet or a network. And is connected to a server 2 installed outside the store. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a document reading device 1a at the top, and a code printed on a product package to be purchased by the document reading device (scanner) 1a, here a barcode is read, and the barcode is read. Information is entered. Therefore, the document reading device 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 constitutes an input device. The hardware configuration of the document reading device 1a is a known configuration that reads a document on a contact glass by moving a light source. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a control circuit 1b having a CPU that accesses an external server 2 storing product information and downloads product information. The control circuit 1 b displays the details of the read product information on the display 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 after the download. The control circuit 1b also executes recognition, analysis and conversion of the read barcode. Therefore, the control circuit 1b constitutes conversion means.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, the user 3 brings the product 4 to the image forming apparatus 1 in the store, and the bar code 4a printed on the product 4 or the product packaging is used as the document of the image forming apparatus 1. Reading is performed by the reading device 1a. The image forming apparatus 1 accesses the server 2 via the Internet or a network (hereinafter simply referred to as “net”) 5 based on the read barcode 4, and the barcode 4 from the server 2 as shown in FIG. The product or other information (hereinafter referred to as purchase information) of the product that has been read is acquired. The purchase information in this case includes, for example, details of product information that is information about the product, allergy information, campaign information, prize information, and the like. Note that access control to the server 2 through the network 5 is executed by the control circuit 1b. Therefore, here, the control circuit 1b constitutes a communication means.

  The image forming apparatus 1 that has acquired the purchase information displays the acquired information on its operation display screen (hereinafter referred to as a display) 6 as shown in FIG. Reference numerals 6a and 6b indicate display examples on the display 6. For example, the display 6 indicated by the reference numeral 6a displays a manufacturer name, a component table, and an allergen. The display 6 indicated by reference numeral 6b displays information about the prize, that is, the type and application method of the prize.

  The user can determine whether or not to purchase by looking at the display as shown in FIG. 1C, and the displayed information may be a decisive factor for the purchase. When purchasing by looking at the display, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), it is only necessary to bring the product from which the barcode 4 has been read to the POS terminal (registry) 7 for payment. It is also possible to immediately apply for a prize or participate in a campaign from the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of purchase.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, purchase information is acquired from the external server 2, but information is retrieved from the hard disk device 8 that is a secondary storage device inside the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 2. However, it can also be configured to acquire the corresponding information. That is, when the code of the bar code 4a attached to the product 4 is input from a reading device of the image forming apparatus 1, a conventionally used bar code scanner, or a code information input means such as a numeric keypad, the control of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed. The circuit 1b analyzes the barcode, retrieves and acquires information corresponding to the barcode from the hard disk device 8, and can acquire what the product is.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which purchase information is communicated from the POS terminal 7 by connecting to the POS terminal 7 which is an external device. That is, in the example of FIG. 3, the connection destination is the POS terminal 7 instead of the server 2 of FIG. 1, and the product and other information are acquired from the POS terminal 7 based on the code information input by the image forming apparatus 1. To do. Of course, the information of the POS terminal 7 is updated as necessary from a server (not shown). When connected to the POS terminal 7 in this way, it is possible to confirm whether the input product has already been purchased.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which a dedicated code input device (barcode scanner) 9 for reading a barcode is provided to the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this way, it is also possible to configure the barcode input by the dedicated code input device 9. In this case, since the barcode can be input not by the reading device but by the dedicated code input device 9, the barcode reading function of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 can be omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an information request is made to the server 2 and product information is received. As can be seen from this figure, an information request is output from the image forming apparatus 1 side to the server 2 side, and product (purchase) information searched in the server 2 based on the information request and code information is transmitted from the server 2. The On the image forming apparatus 1 side, the product information transmitted from the server 2 is accumulated in the hard disk device 8 as shown in FIG. 6, and in the hard disk device 8, the new information updated as shown in FIG. If the data is transmitted from, the information stored in the hard disk device 8 in FIG. 6 is overwritten and updated. In the example of FIG. 7, since the B information is newly updated, the old B information is overwritten and updated. As shown in FIG. 8, the purchase information is displayed on the operation display unit 6 as shown in FIG. 8, from the purchase information stored in the hard disk device 8, information corresponding to the product, A information in the figure. As described above, not only information relating to the product but also more detailed component display, campaign, and prize information can be posted here.

  The display content can be output as a hard copy by the printing unit (image output function) of the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 9), transmitted by e-mail by the mail function (see FIG. 10), or faxed by the fax function. it can. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of hard copy output, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of mail transmission. Moreover, FIG. 11 is a figure which shows the other example of a display 6 regarding the above-mentioned prize of FIG.1 (b). This display example indicates that it is possible to apply for a campaign or sweepstakes in the acquired product information. Here, an “application button” 6c is provided together with information on the prize, and when the user presses the button, the user can connect to an external device (for example, the server 2) and enter the prescribed information to apply for the prize. Yes.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 1 including the audio output device 10. This audio output device 10 can play a part of music if the product purchased or about to be purchased is a music product, and can read characters and kanji such as visually impaired people and children. Useful for providing product information and purchasing information to those who do not.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a wallpaper service for electronic merchandise and a poster printing service for image information are received as service products attached to the merchandise. The service can be immediately received by the user selecting a service product displayed on the display 6 of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, the service is selected and input by touching the display portions of “poster printing” and “wallpaper transmission” displayed on the display 6. If the poster printing is performed, the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. The poster is printed and output by the image output function. The content of the poster is acquired from the server 2 via, for example, the Internet, is subjected to image processing by the image forming apparatus 1 and is output. When wallpaper transmission is selected, the image information of the selected wallpaper is transmitted by e-mail to the mail address input from the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an electronic product or image information related to a product is purchased from the image forming apparatus 1. When the user presses the application key displayed on the display 6, the “application” is input by the touch panel function of the display 6, connected to the external server 2, the prescribed information is input, and the payment is completed. Can be purchased. Although there are various payment methods, in this embodiment, since the image forming apparatus 1 is used, the charging apparatus 11 is used. This state is shown in FIG. That is, since the charging apparatus 11 is normally connected to the image forming apparatus (copier) 1 installed in the store, payment is performed using the charging apparatus 11. When making a purchase, a predetermined amount is entered into the billing apparatus 11. When it is inserted, a reverse display is made to indicate that it can be purchased, and the user can purchase. Here, the price of the purchased poster is displayed, and the purchased poster is printed out from the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state where payment is made by the POS terminal 7 and service is provided. In this example, if the user presses the application key for the poster displayed on the display 6 here, the application for purchase of the displayed service or product is accepted, and when the POS terminal 7 pays for the service or product, Is notified to the image forming apparatus 1 connected to the POS terminal 7, and the image forming apparatus 1 prints out a poster based on the notification. In FIG. 16, payment is received by the POS terminal 7, but an external device that can detect electronic money or the like can be used in addition to the POS terminal 7.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing routine of the main routine in the present embodiment. The main routine of FIG. 17 includes subroutines for initial setting (step S101), product information reference operation (step S102), and product related information reference operation (step S103).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the initial setting subroutine in step S101.
In the figure, when the initial setting is started, the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with an external device, here the POS terminal 7, to acquire purchase information and the like (step S201), and further, the external where product information is stored It communicates with the server 2 and receives product information (step S202). The image forming apparatus 1 stores the product information acquired from the external server 2 in the HDD 8 (step S203). At this time, it is determined whether the information to be stored is newer or older than the stored information (step S204). If the information is new, the information stored in the HDD 8 is updated to new information (step S205). ). If the information is not changed or is old in step S204, the process is terminated without updating. This completes the initial setting process.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the merchandise information reference operation in step S102.
In the figure, when the product information reference operation is started, first, it is checked whether or not a code is input (step S301), and if a code is input, it is determined whether it is from an image input device or a dedicated input device (step S301). S302). If it is from the image input means, the position of the barcode is specified (step S303). If it is from the dedicated device, the barcode information is acquired from the dedicated device (step S304).

  Next, the bar code obtained in steps S303 and S304 is analyzed to specify a product to be searched (step S305). When the product is specified, it is searched whether the specified product information is in the HDD 8 (step S306), and further, it is checked whether the product information of the specified product is found from the search result (step S307). If so, the product information stored in the HDD 8 is displayed on the display 6 (step S308). On the other hand, if it is not found in step S307, it communicates with the external server 2, receives information from the external server 2 (step S309), and checks whether product information can be found in the received information. (Step S310).

  If the product information is found in step S10, the information is stored in the HDD 8 (step S311), and the product information is displayed on the display 6 (step S308). If no product information is found in step S310, the process returns to step S301 and waits for a code input.

  In step S308, the product information as shown in FIG. The user selects a desired option (here, e-mail, paper output, voice) from the displayed product information, or selects nothing. That is, if external output is selected, product information is output to the outside (step S314). If paper output is selected, product information is printed on paper (step S315). If audio output is selected, product information is output. The included audio information is output as audio (step S316), and the process ends. If nothing is selected in step S313, the process ends. This completes the processing for the merchandise information reference operation.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the merchandise related information reference operation in step S103.
In the figure, when the product related information reference operation is started, it is checked whether or not the code input product has been purchased (step S401). This check is performed by communication with the POS terminal 7 of the external device. If the product has been purchased in step S401, the service received by purchasing the product is displayed (step S402). If not, complete the process. In step S403, it is selected whether or not to receive the service displayed in step S402. If it is selected to receive the service in step S403, the designated service processing is performed (step S404), and the process proceeds to step S405. If no service is received, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, campaign and sweepstakes information is displayed, and it is selected whether to apply for the campaign or sweepstakes displayed in step S406. If an application is to be made, a process for applying for a campaign or sweepstakes is performed (step S407). If not, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S408, the related product of the purchased product is displayed. Next, in step S409, it is selected whether or not to purchase the related product displayed in step S408. If purchase is selected in step S409, it is checked whether or not charging has been performed by the copy charging apparatus 11 (step S410). If payment has not been made to the copy charging apparatus 11, it has been paid to the external apparatus (POS terminal 7). Is checked (step S411). If the payment is made to the copy billing device or the external device (steps S410, S410-YES), the purchased product is processed (step S412). If the related product is not purchased in step S409, the copy billing device 11 is sent in step S410. If the payment is not made to the POS terminal 7 in step S411, the processing related to the merchandise related information reference operation is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
1) The code can be replaced by a document reading device (image input means) of the image forming apparatus instead of a dedicated terminal such as a barcode scanner.
2) Code information can be updated by performing information communication with an external device. In addition, it is possible to confirm whether or not the product to be checked is paid.
3) By providing the image forming apparatus with a dedicated input device, it is possible to specify a product by the same processing as before.
4) The trouble of inputting information by operating on the display can be saved.
5) A large amount of information can be stored at low cost by using a large capacity HDD.
6) When the information is updated, the information in the HDD is automatically updated. Therefore, the latest information can always be displayed without displaying the old information on the display.
7) Since purchase information has a lot of temporary information, it can be displayed on the display to prevent waste of resources and appeal to the user.
8) If the user wants to have purchase information permanently, the user's satisfaction can be improved by outputting the paper.
9) If the user wants to save the purchase information permanently and in his / her own device, he / she can communicate with an external device and send it by e-mail, or wirelessly communicate with his / her own PDA or mobile phone. It can be stored, and convenience can be improved.
10) In most cases, there are few campaigns and sweepstakes that can be applied immediately after purchase. However, since it is possible to apply simply by operating from the display, a promotion effect can be expected if the purchase is made for the prize or campaign.
11) If there is audio information in the product information, the user can enjoy the product information by using this. Moreover, it becomes possible for the visually handicapped person to obtain information on components of product information and allergies.
12) Services that are always received when purchased are discounts and discounts that can be obtained at stores, and services that can be always received from image forming apparatuses can be presented when purchased, so that it is possible to provide various services. .
13) When purchasing related products after purchase, there are many things that are noticed by how the product shelves are arranged on the Internet or the product. Therefore, it is possible to dig up further demand by displaying the information on the display of the image forming apparatus.
14) Since it is possible to use the billing device that has been used conventionally when making payment through the image forming apparatus, the user can purchase without any discomfort.
15) If it is a large amount of money, the billing device may not be compatible. In this case, the payment may be notified by communication with an electronic money receiving device or a POS terminal by connecting to an external device. And this makes it easier to purchase.

There are effects such as.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure and operation | movement of the merchandise information search device which concern on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a search operation in the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example which connects with the POS terminal which is an external device, and communicates purchase information from a POS terminal. It is a figure which shows the example provided with the code input device for exclusive use which reads a barcode with respect to an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which has made the information request | requirement to the server and has received merchandise information. It is a figure which shows the state which has accumulate | stored the merchandise information transmitted from the server in the hard disk device. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which overwrites and updates the information accumulate | stored in the hard-disk device, when the updated new information is transmitted from the server side. It is a figure which shows a state when displaying the information applicable to the goods from the purchase information accumulate | stored in the hard disk device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state when display content is output as a hard copy by a printing unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state when display content is transmitted by e-mail by a printing unit of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display regarding the prize of FIG.1 (b). It is a figure which shows the image forming apparatus provided with the audio | voice output apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which receives the wallpaper service of electronic goods, and the poster printing service of image information as a service product attached to goods. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state when purchasing an electronic product or image information related to a product from the image forming apparatus 1. It is a figure which shows the example which used the charging device for payment of a price. It is a figure which shows a state when paying a price with a POS terminal and receiving provision of service. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the main routine in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the subroutine of the initial setting of step S101 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the merchandise information reference operation | movement of step S102 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the merchandise information displayed on the display of step S308 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the goods related information reference operation | movement of step S103 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the aspect when selecting goods in the store currently implemented.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Original reading apparatus 1b Control circuit 2 Server 4 Goods 4a Bar code 5 Network 6 Display 7 POS terminal 8 Hard disk device 9 Code input device (bar code scanner)
10 Audio output means 11 Billing device

Claims (19)

In an image forming apparatus that includes an image input unit and an image output unit and forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium based on image data input from the image input unit.
An image forming apparatus comprising: a conversion unit that decodes code information input from the image input unit and converts the code information into information that can be provided to a user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the decoded information includes any one of information on a product, a service associated with the product, a prize, and information on a campaign.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit configured to communicate information with an external apparatus.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising code information input means for inputting the code information exclusively.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying the contents of the decoded information.   6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes any one of a server storing information, a billing device that pays a fee corresponding to an output from the image output means, and a POS terminal that performs product management. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an acquisition unit that accesses the server via the communication unit and acquires information.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the information acquired from the server is stored in a secondary storage device, and is acquired from the secondary storage device when re-searching.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the accumulated information is updated, the storage content of the secondary storage device is automatically updated.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a display unit that displays the acquired information or the contents of the accumulated information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 10, wherein the content of information displayed on the display means is printed out from the image output means onto the sheet-like recording medium.   11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information displayed on the display means is transferred to another desired apparatus by the communication means.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an input unit that receives a prize or campaign application input from the content of the information displayed on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an input unit that receives a service associated with the product from the content of the information displayed on the display unit.   15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an audio output unit that outputs the information as an audio instead of or in addition to the display unit.   11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a purchase operation of the product is performed by instructing and inputting a product to be purchased based on purchase information displayed on the display unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the product to be purchased is an electronic product or image information related to the product from which the code is read.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein after the purchase operation is completed, a purchase price is paid from an external apparatus.   19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the external apparatus is a billing apparatus or a POS terminal connected for copying fee payment.

Images