JP3867910B2

JP3867910B2 - Image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP3867910B2
Application number: JP2002270756A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 喜一郎清水
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-09-17
Filing date: 2002-09-17
Publication date: 2007-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-17
Also published as: JP2004112237A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、着信相手の金額を負担するファクシミリ機能を有する画像形成装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
特開平１１−２８４８３２号公報や、特開平６−１６４８８３号公報に示すようなファクシミリ装置における、ポーリング受信を行うことによって通信費を安価にあるいは受信側の負担にて行う提案や、特開平７−２２１８８７号公報に示すような、通信費をポーリングによって通知する提案など、ポーリング機能を応用した通信費に関わる提案が数多くされている。
【特許文献１】
特開平１１−２８４８３２号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平６−１６４８８３号公報
【特許文献３】
特開平７−２２１８８７号公報
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、これらはあくまでも回線使用料としての通信費を問題にしたものばかりであった。
本発明においては、相手ファクシミリ装置等、ファクシミリ機能を備えた画像形成装置に対してファクシミリ送信を行う際に、相手機において画像形成される費用に関しても送信側にて負担することが可能であるファクシミリ機能を備えた画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の発明は、ファクシミリ機能を有する画像形成装置において、画像出力時に画像の画素数をカウントする画素数カウント手段と、該画素数カウント手段によりカウントされた画素数に基づいてトナー量を算出するトナー量算出手段と、該トナー量算出手段により算出された算出値に基づいてトナー料金を計算するトナー料金計算手段と、を備え、ファクシミリ受信を行いながら画像出力を行う際、画像出力時に前記画素数カウント手段により画像の画素数をカウントしていき、画素数から使用したトナー量を前記トナー量算出手段により算出し、該算出値を用いて当該通信による出力によって使用したトナーの料金を前記トナー料金計算手段により計算して送信することを特徴とする。
請求項２記載の発明は、請求項１記載の画像形成装置において、ファクシミリ送信に際し、着側に対して、ファクシミリ画像出力時に出力時の情報を計測しておくようＮＳＳにて通知する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項３記載の発明は、請求項２記載の画像形成装置において、着側に資源計測を促した後に画情報を送信し、画情報送信終了後、ＥＯＭを発行してフェーズＢに移行し、その後のＮＳＳにて着側に対し計測した資源量を返答するよう促す画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項４記載の発明は、請求項２記載の画像形成装置において、発側よりのＮＳＳを受信した場合にはこれを受け付けた旨を含んだＮＳＦを返答し、以後の画情報受信、画像出力時に計測動作を行う画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項５記載の発明は、請求項２記載の画像形成装置において、発側よりのＮＳＳを受信した際、記録用紙切れや機械異常によってメモリ受信しかできないと判断した場合には、その旨ＮＳＦにて返答する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項６記載の発明は、請求項５記載の画像形成装置において、出力時情報を計測するよう通知したにもかかわらず、着側から返答できない旨ＮＳＦによって通知された場合にはＥＯＭの発行は行わない画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。請求項７記載の発明は、請求項５記載の画像形成装置において、ＮＳＦにより当該通信において返答ができない旨通知した際、発側のＮＳＳによる情報を記録しておき、後に機械が正常出力可能となり画像出力した場合には、この時の資源情報を計測し、前記記録と共に機体内に記録しておく画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
【０００５】
請求項８記載の発明は、請求項３記載の画像形成装置において、画情報受信後に資源情報送出を促すＮＳＳを受信した場合には、画像出力時に計測した情報及び、使用した紙枚数、作像回数から想定される電気代、機械消耗代等の資源情報をＮＳＦにて返答する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項９記載の発明は、請求項８記載の画像形成装置において、画情報受信後に資源情報送出を促すＮＳＳを受信した場合には、資源情報の他に情報量徴収用のダイヤル番号を通知する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１０記載の発明は、請求項９記載の画像形成装置において、番号の通知は、ユーザの選択により行わないようにすることも可能である画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１１記載の発明は、請求項８記載の画像形成装置において、発側に返答を返したにもかかわらず、その後の動作により画像出力できない状態になってしまった場合には、発側よりＮＳＳが発行された後資源情報が返答できない旨をＮＳＦにて返答する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１２記載の発明は、請求項８記載の画像形成装置において、資源消費情報に関して詳細を画像データとして作成する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。請求項１３記載の発明は、請求項１２記載の画像形成装置において、通知する資源情報の内容は、トナー情報の他に紙や部品耐久費など項目をユーザによって任意に設定可能である画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１４記載の発明は、請求項１２記載の画像形成装置において、使用した資源と料金との関連はユーザによって任意に設定可能である画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１５記載の発明は、請求項９記載の画像形成装置において、着側の資源消費情報の通知を受けた場合には、着側における資源消費情報を文書化した画像を要求する旨を含んだＮＳＣを続けて発行する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１６記載の発明は、請求項１５記載の画像形成装置において、ＮＳＣの発行による文書の受信を行うか否かはユーザによって選択可能である画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１７記載の発明は、請求項１５記載の画像形成装置において、ＮＳＣを受けた場合には、文書を折り返し送信すると画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。請求項１８記載の発明は、請求項９記載の画像形成装置において、情報量徴収用のダイヤル番号情報を得た場合には、通信終了後、着側より得た資源消費の情報より該当する金額を支払うため、前記番号に回線を繋ぎ金額分の時間だけ当該動作を継続する画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１９記載の発明は、請求項１８記載の画像形成装置において、料金支払い用のダイヤルは、当該通信直後ではなくユーザの指定する時刻に行うことも可能である画像形成装置を主要な特徴とする。
【０００６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１は本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置のブロック構成図である。図１に示す画像形成装置は、ＲＯＭ２内のプログラムに従って画像形成装置の各部を制御し、本発明の処理を実行するＣＰＵ１、画像形成装置の基本プログラムや、本発明の処理プログラムなどが格納されているＲＯＭ２、ワークエリアが形成されて、画像形成装置の制御に必要な種々のデータが記憶されるＲＡＭ３、原稿を読み取るスキャナ４、コピーや受信原稿の印字を行なうプロッタ５を備える。
また本画像形成装置は、ユーザからの操作を入力し、情報をユーザに伝える操作表示制御部６、相手画像形成装置との間でファクシミリ制御信号を交換し、ファクシミリ通信手順を実行する通信制御部（ＣＣＵ）７、送信信号の変調、受信信号の復調を行なうモデム８、画像の蓄積を行なうＳＡＦ（Store AND Forward）メモリ９、画情報を所定の符号化方式に従って符号化し、また、符号化された画情報を復号化する符号化復号化部（ＤＣＲ）１０、通信回線の制御を行なう網制御部（ＮＣＵ）１１、ファクシミリ出力時の資源情報の管理を行う資源情報制御部１２を備える。上記各手段は、バス１３により互いに接続されている。
【０００７】
図２は本発明の制御動作を示すフローチャートである。以下、発側のＳ１〜Ｓ１２の処理及び着側のＳ２１〜Ｓ３４の処理を説明する。また、説明中のプロトコルに関しては、１頁分の通信を行う際の例を図３に示す。発側よりファクシミリを送信する際、資源情報制御部１２は、ＮＳＳ中に、着側において資源情報を計測するよう指示する内容を含ませる。
これを受けた着側画像形成装置は、自機内にて出力できる状態にあるか否かのチェックを行い、出力できない場合にはその旨を含んだＮＳＦを、できる場合には可能である旨を含んだＮＳＦを送出する。その後に発側より原稿送信を行う。着側において出力できない場合、即ちメモリ受信を行う場合には、発側より画情報全て送出の後、ＥＯＰを発行して通常の手順にて通信終了する。終了手順は図３ａのプロトコルとなる。
着側が通信中に画像出力可能な場合、即ち直接受信を行う場合には、資源情報制御部１２は、その時の書き込み画素をカウントし、カウント量から使用トナー量を算出する。また、出力枚数や使用した電力など、予めユーザによって登録された資源情報を料金に換算、記録する。なお、メモリ受信になった場合にも後に出力された時点にてこの制御を行う。
直接受信時にこの制御を行った際、過去に当該発側より受信した原稿をメモリ受信した記録があれば、この制御を行った結果にメモリ受信時の結果を付加する。更に資源情報制御部１２は、これらの情報を組み込み資源情報の詳細を記した文書を作成する。
上記の如く通信を行い、発側がＥＯＭを発行した後に、発側の資源情報制御部１２は、資源消費情報を返答するよう指示する内容をＮＳＳに含ませ、発行する。これを受けた着側において、通信途中にて直接受信からメモリ受信に切り替わっていれば、資源情報は作成されていないので、着側の資源情報制御部１２は、その旨含ませたＮＳＦを発行する。これを受けた発側はＤＣＮを発行して通信終了する。この手順を図３ｂに示す。
【０００８】
一方、資源情報が正常に作成されていれば、着側の資源情報制御部１２は、それを含ませたＮＳＦであり、また、料金を受け取るために登録してある情報量徴収用のダイヤル番号がユーザによって指定されているとき、その番号も付加してあるＮＳＦを発行する。これを受けた発側では、予めユーザによって、資源情報の文書を受信しない設定がなされている場合には、図３ｂの手順にて通信終了する。
受信する設定がされている場合には、発側の資源情報制御部１２は、資源消費情報の文書を要求する旨を含んだＮＳＣを発行する。これを受けた着側は、先に作成した資源情報の詳細を記した文書を、図３に示す手順にて送信する。以上で通信を終了し、回線を閉じる。
発側において、前記ＮＳＦにて情報量徴収用のダイヤル番号を受信していた場合、資源情報制御部１２は、ユーザの指定の時間がなければ即座に、指定があればその時刻になった時、前記ＮＳＦにて受信した情報量徴収用のダイヤル番号に対して回線を接続する。この時、資源情報制御部は、同ＮＳＦにて指定された料金を満足する時間を算出しておき、その時間分だけ回線接続し終えたら回線を閉じる。
【０００９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１によれば、出力画像を形成する画素数から、受信時に使用したトナー量、トナー料金を把握することが可能となる。
請求項２によれば、着側画像形成装置に対して、発側からの画像出力時に消費する資源の計測を促すことが可能となる。
請求項３によれば、当該通信による画像出力終了のタイミングにおいて、着側の資源消費量通知を促すことが可能となる。
請求項４によれば、発側からの消費資源計測開始の指示を受け付けることが可能となる。
請求項５によれば、当該通信において、計測結果の通知は行えないことを発側に予め知らせることが可能となる。
請求項６によれば、予め、着側に出力時の資源計測能力が無いと判断した場合に、ＥＯＭを発行せず直ちに通信終了することが可能となる。
請求項７によれば、１通信による返答が不可能な場合に、後に出力した当該画像の出力記録を相手先情報と共に記録しておくことが可能となる。
請求項８によれば、発側の指示によって出力する為の資源消費量を発側に対して通知することが可能となる。
請求項９によれば、発側に対して料金支払先の番号を通知することが可能となる。
【００１０】
請求項１０によれば、情報量徴収用ダイヤル契約を行っていない場合や、まとめて後から別の方法にて料金を徴収する場合に、通信時間を短縮することが可能となる。
請求項１１によれば、画情報受信中に画像出力できなくなった場合に資源情報に関する返答をできる限り速く発側に返すことで、その後の無駄な通信を行わずに回線を閉じることが可能となる。
請求項１２によれば、資源情報の詳細を文書化することが可能となる。
請求項１３によれば、ユーザはファクシミリ受信に使用した資源を任意に設定し、請求する項目を調整することが可能となる。
請求項１４によれば、使用時の社会情勢などを鑑み、ユーザは請求する料金を調整することが可能となる。
請求項１５によれば、課金の根拠となる情報を視覚化されたデータとして送信するよう、相手側に促すことが可能となる。
請求項１６によれば、相手から自動的に送られてくる情報を全面的に信頼する場合に、無駄な通信、画像出力を行わずに終了することが可能となる。
請求項１７によれば、資源消費の情報を画情報としてポーリング受信することが可能となる。
請求項１８によれば、直前の通信によって画情報を通知した相手に対して、自動的にその時の消費分の金額を支払うことが可能となる。
請求項１９によれば、通信の直後ではなく、深夜の使用しない時間にまとめてダイヤルする等、ユーザの使用状況に合わせた使用方法を設定することが可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態に係る画像形成装置のブロック構成図である。
【図２】本発明の制御動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図３】１頁分の通信を行う際のプロトコルの例を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１ＣＰＵ
１２資源情報制御部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function for paying the amount of a receiving party.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a facsimile apparatus as disclosed in JP-A-11-284832 and JP-A-6-164833, a proposal for performing communication reception at a low cost or a burden on the receiving side by performing polling reception, There are many proposals related to communication costs using a polling function, such as a proposal for notifying communication costs by polling as shown in Japanese Patent No. 221887.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-284832 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-164883 [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-221887
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these were only those that had a problem with communication costs as a line usage fee.
In the present invention, when performing facsimile transmission to an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, such as a partner facsimile machine, the cost of image formation at the partner machine can be paid on the transmission side. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a function.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function, a pixel number counting means for counting the number of pixels of an image at the time of image output, and the pixel number counting means. A toner amount calculating unit that calculates a toner amount based on the number of pixels, and a toner fee calculating unit that calculates a toner fee based on a calculated value calculated by the toner amount calculating unit, and performing image reception while performing facsimile reception At the time of output, the number of pixels of the image is counted by the pixel number counting means at the time of image output, the toner amount used is calculated from the number of pixels by the toner amount calculating means, and the calculated value is used for the communication. The toner charge used by the output is calculated by the toner charge calculating means and transmitted.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of facsimile transmission, an image forming apparatus which notifies the callee side by NSS so as to measure information at the time of outputting a facsimile image. Is the main feature.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, image information is transmitted after prompting resource measurement to the destination side, and after the image information transmission is completed, an EOM is issued and the process proceeds to Phase B. The main feature of the image forming apparatus is that it prompts the called party to return the measured resource amount at the subsequent NSS.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when an NSS is received from the originating side, an NSF including the acceptance is returned, and subsequent image information reception and image output are performed. An image forming apparatus that sometimes performs a measurement operation is a main feature.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, when the NSS from the originating side is received and it is determined that only memory reception is possible due to a recording paper shortage or a machine abnormality, the NSF is notified accordingly. The main feature is an image forming apparatus that responds.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the EOM is issued when the NSF is notified that the reply cannot be made from the callee side even though the output time information is notified. The main feature is an image forming apparatus which is not used. According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the NSF notifies that the reply cannot be made, the information by the originating NSS is recorded, and the machine can output normally later. The main feature of the image forming apparatus is that when the image is output, the resource information at this time is measured and recorded together with the recording.
[0005]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when the NSS prompting the transmission of the resource information is received after the image information is received, the information measured at the time of image output, the number of sheets used, The main feature is an image forming apparatus that returns resource information such as an electricity bill and a machine wear fee estimated from the number of times by NSF.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, when the NSS prompting the transmission of the resource information is received after receiving the image information, a dial number for collecting the information amount is notified in addition to the resource information. An image forming apparatus is a main feature.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the number notification can be made not to be performed by the user's selection.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, when a reply is returned to the originating side but an image cannot be output by a subsequent operation, the originating side The main feature of the image forming apparatus is that the NSF responds that the resource information cannot be returned after the NSS is issued.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, an image forming apparatus that creates details as image data regarding resource consumption information is a main feature. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, the contents of the resource information to be notified can be arbitrarily set by the user in addition to toner information, such as paper and component durability costs. Is the main feature.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, an image forming apparatus in which a relation between a used resource and a charge can be arbitrarily set by a user is a main feature.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, when receiving a notification of the resource consumption information on the called side, an image in which the resource consumption information on the called side is documented is requested. The main feature is an image forming apparatus that continuously issues NSCs.
The main feature of the image forming apparatus of the fifteenth aspect is that the user can select whether or not to receive a document by issuing an NSC.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, when the NSC is received, the image forming apparatus is mainly characterized in that the document is sent back. In the image forming apparatus according to claim 18, when the dial number information for collecting the information amount is obtained in the image forming apparatus according to claim 9, the amount corresponding to the resource consumption information obtained from the callee after the end of communication. Therefore, an image forming apparatus that connects the line to the number and continues the operation for the amount of time is a main feature.
The main feature of the image forming apparatus according to the nineteenth aspect is that, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, the fee payment dial can be performed not only immediately after the communication but also at a time designated by the user. To do.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 controls each part of the image forming apparatus according to a program in the ROM 2, and stores a CPU 1 that executes the processing of the present invention, a basic program of the image forming apparatus, a processing program of the present invention, and the like. ROM 2, RAM 3 in which a work area is formed and various data necessary for controlling the image forming apparatus is stored, scanner 4 for reading a document, and plotter 5 for printing a copy or a received document.
The image forming apparatus also includes an operation display control unit 6 that inputs an operation from the user and transmits information to the user, and a communication control unit that exchanges a facsimile control signal with the counterpart image forming apparatus and executes a facsimile communication procedure. (CCU) 7, modem 8 that modulates transmission signal and demodulation of reception signal, SAF (Store AND Forward) memory 9 that stores images, and image information is encoded and encoded according to a predetermined encoding method A decoding / decoding unit (DCR) 10 for decoding the image information, a network control unit (NCU) 11 for controlling the communication line, and a resource information control unit 12 for managing resource information at the time of facsimile output. The above means are connected to each other by a bus 13.
[0007]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the present invention. Hereinafter, the processing of S1 to S12 on the calling side and the processing of S21 to S34 on the called side will be described. As for the protocol being described, FIG. 3 shows an example of communication for one page. When a facsimile is transmitted from the calling side, the resource information control unit 12 includes contents instructing to measure the resource information on the called side in the NSS.
Upon receiving this, the destination image forming apparatus checks whether or not it can be output in its own apparatus, and if it cannot output it, NSF including that is indicated, and if possible, indicates that it is possible. The included NSF is sent out. Thereafter, the original is transmitted from the originating side. When output is not possible on the called side, that is, when memory reception is performed, after sending all the image information from the calling side, an EOP is issued and communication ends in a normal procedure. The termination procedure is the protocol of FIG. 3a.
When the destination side can output an image during communication, that is, when direct reception is performed, the resource information control unit 12 counts the writing pixel at that time, and calculates the used toner amount from the count amount. In addition, resource information registered in advance by the user, such as the number of output sheets and power used, is converted into charges and recorded. Note that this control is performed at the time when the data is received later even when the memory is received.
When this control is performed at the time of direct reception, if there is a record in which a document received from the originating side has been received in memory in the past, the result at the time of memory reception is added to the result of this control. Further, the resource information control unit 12 incorporates these pieces of information and creates a document describing details of the resource information.
After communication is performed as described above and the originating side issues an EOM, the originating side resource information control unit 12 includes the content instructing to return the resource consumption information in the NSS and issues it. If the receiving side switches from direct reception to memory reception during communication, the resource information has not been created, and the resource information control unit 12 on the receiving side issues an NSF including that fact. To do. Upon receiving this, the originating side issues a DCN and terminates the communication. This procedure is shown in FIG.
[0008]
On the other hand, if the resource information has been created normally, the destination resource information control unit 12 is an NSF that includes the resource information, and a dial number for collecting the amount of information registered to receive the fee. Is designated by the user, the NSF with the number added is issued. Upon receiving the request, if the user has previously set not to receive the resource information document, the communication is terminated according to the procedure shown in FIG.
If it is set to receive, the originating resource information control unit 12 issues an NSC including a request for a resource consumption information document. Upon receiving this, the called party transmits a document describing the details of the previously created resource information according to the procedure shown in FIG. The communication is terminated and the line is closed.
When the originating side has received a dial number for collecting the information amount at the NSF, the resource information control unit 12 immediately returns if there is no user specified time, and if it is specified, the time is reached. The line is connected to the dial number for collecting the amount of information received by the NSF. At this time, the resource information control unit calculates a time for satisfying the charge designated by the NSF, and closes the line when the line connection is completed for that time.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect, it is possible to grasp the toner amount and toner fee used at the time of reception from the number of pixels forming the output image.
According to the second aspect, it is possible to prompt the receiving side image forming apparatus to measure the resources consumed when the image is output from the calling side.
According to the third aspect, it is possible to prompt the notification of the resource consumption on the called side at the timing of the end of the image output by the communication.
According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to receive an instruction to start consumption resource measurement from the originating side.
According to claim 5, in the communication, it is possible to notify the calling side in advance that the measurement result cannot be notified.
According to the sixth aspect, when it is determined in advance that the receiving side does not have the resource measurement capability at the time of output, it is possible to immediately terminate the communication without issuing an EOM.
According to the seventh aspect, when it is impossible to reply by one communication, it is possible to record the output record of the image output later together with the destination information.
According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to notify the calling side of the resource consumption for outputting in accordance with the calling side instruction.
According to claim 9, it is possible to notify the calling party of the number of the payee.
[0010]
According to the tenth aspect, the communication time can be shortened when the dial contract for collecting the information amount is not performed or when charges are collected later by another method.
According to the eleventh aspect, when an image cannot be output during reception of image information, a response regarding resource information is returned to the originating side as soon as possible, so that the line can be closed without performing unnecessary communication thereafter. Become.
According to claim 12, it is possible to document the details of the resource information.
According to the thirteenth aspect, the user can arbitrarily set the resource used for facsimile reception and adjust the item to be charged.
According to the fourteenth aspect, the user can adjust the charge to be charged in view of the social situation at the time of use.
According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to prompt the other party to transmit information as a basis for charging as visualized data.
According to the sixteenth aspect, when the information automatically sent from the other party is fully trusted, it is possible to end without performing unnecessary communication and image output.
According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to poll the resource consumption information as image information.
According to claim 18, it is possible to automatically pay the amount of consumption at that time to the other party who has notified the image information by the previous communication.
According to the nineteenth aspect, it is possible to set a usage method according to the usage status of the user, such as dialing at a time when the midnight is not used, not immediately after communication.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol when performing communication for one page.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 CPU
12 Resource Information Control Unit

Claims

In an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function,
A pixel number counting unit that counts the number of pixels of an image at the time of image output, a toner amount calculating unit that calculates a toner amount based on the number of pixels counted by the pixel number counting unit, and a toner amount calculating unit Toner charge calculation means for calculating a toner charge based on the calculated value,
When outputting an image while receiving a facsimile, the number of pixels of the image is counted by the pixel number counting means at the time of image output, and the toner amount used is calculated from the number of pixels by the toner amount calculating means. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner charge used by the output by the communication is calculated by the toner charge calculating means and transmitted.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, upon facsimile transmission, an NSS signal is notified to the callee side so as to measure information at the time of outputting the facsimile image.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein image information is transmitted after prompting a resource measurement to the callee side, and after the image information transmission is completed, an EOM signal is issued and the process proceeds to phase B, and the call is received by the subsequent NSS signal. An image forming apparatus characterized by prompting the side to return the measured resource amount.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when an NSS signal from the originating side is received, an NSF signal including the acceptance of the NSS signal is returned, and a measurement operation is performed at the time of subsequent image information reception and image output. An image forming apparatus.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when an NSS signal is received from the originating side, if it is determined that only memory reception is possible due to a recording paper shortage or a machine abnormality, a response to that effect is sent with an NSF signal. An image forming apparatus.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the EOM signal is not issued when notified by the NSF signal that the answer cannot be made from the callee even though the output time information is notified. Image forming apparatus.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the NSF signal notifies that the reply cannot be made, information on the originating NSS signal is recorded, and when the machine can output normally and outputs an image later. An image forming apparatus characterized in that resource information at this time is measured and recorded together with the recording in the body.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when an NSS signal that prompts transmission of resource information is received after receiving image information, the electric charge estimated from the information measured at the time of image output, the number of sheets used, and the number of image formations. An image forming apparatus characterized in that resource information such as a machine wear rate is returned as an NSF signal.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when an NSS signal that prompts transmission of resource information is received after receiving image information, a dial number for collecting an amount of information is notified in addition to resource information. apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the notification of the number may not be performed by a user's selection.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when a reply is returned to the originating side but an image cannot be output by a subsequent operation, resources after the NSS signal is issued by the originating side. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an NSF signal is returned to the effect that information cannot be returned.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein details regarding resource consumption information are created as image data.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the resource information to be notified can be arbitrarily set by the user in addition to toner information, such as paper and component durability costs.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the relationship between the used resource and the charge can be arbitrarily set by a user.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when receiving a notification of resource consumption information on the called side, an NSC signal including a request for an image in which the resource consumption information on the called side is requested is continuously issued. An image forming apparatus.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein whether or not to receive a document by issuing an NSC signal can be selected by a user.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein when an NSC signal is received, the document is sent back.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the dial number information for collecting the information amount is obtained, a line is connected to the number in order to pay the corresponding amount from the resource consumption information obtained from the callee after the communication is completed. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the operation is continued for a time corresponding to the amount of money.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the fee payment dialing can be performed not at a time immediately after the communication but at a time designated by the user.