JP5434289B2 - Billing processing apparatus and billing processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging processing apparatus and a charging processing program.

  By executing processing such as image processing in the multifunction peripheral with an external server, the hardware resources required by the multifunction peripheral are reduced. Using cloud computing, which has recently appeared, it is possible to reduce hardware resources while further improving availability.

  In order to use cloud computing, it is common to be charged according to the usage.

JP 2003-345896 A JP 2004-086490 A JP 2004-164313 A JP 2005-182226 A

  An object of the present invention is to select a billing method according to the use of cloud computing.

The billing processing apparatus according to the present invention includes means for accepting a service use request , latency for executing software on a predetermined cloud computing, and latency specified by a service user. based on the comparison result, selecting means for the software to be executed during the providing of requested services, or to run on cloud computing, or by running in its own device, selecting, selection by said selection means And determining means for determining a charging method based on the use of the service according to the service.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a usage record associated with the provision of a service from cloud computing, and the determination unit acquires the acquired usage when the selection unit selects execution on cloud computing. It is characterized in that the charging method is determined based on the information on the results and the information on the usage results of the own device accompanying the provision of the service, and the charges to be charged together with the use of both the cloud computing and the own device.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits information related to the usage record of the own device accompanying the provision of the service to a charging service server that provides the charging service, and the determining unit is selected to be executed by the selecting unit In this case, the billing service server is determined to be a billing method for calculating a bill to be billed when the own device is used.

The billing processing program according to the present invention includes a computer for receiving a service use request, a latency for executing software on a predetermined cloud computing, and a latency designated by a service user. , based on a result of comparison, the software to be executed during the providing of requested services, or to run on cloud computing, selecting means with have to choose, executed in its own device, the selection It is made to function as a determination unit that determines a charging method based on service use according to the selection by the unit.

  According to the first and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to select a billing method according to the use of cloud computing.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to charge centrally even when a charge to be charged is generated in both the device itself and the cloud computing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause the charge service server to calculate the charge to be charged by using the own apparatus.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a charging system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a multifunction machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing until a charge to be charged for a service provided by job execution is obtained in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a charging system in a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a charging system in a fourth embodiment.

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

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a billing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a cloud computing 1 that provides a web service and a multifunction device 2 that uses the web service provided by the cloud computing 1. Cloud computing is a term that refers to a system configuration in which processing is performed by a server on the Internet. Therefore, in this embodiment, a server group that provides a service by executing a process requested by a collection of servers on the Internet is represented as cloud computing 1. The multifunction device 2 provides the requested service in response to a request from the user. Examples of the types of services to be provided include image processing, OCR, translation, failure diagnosis, and the like. This service is provided by executing software, which exists in the cloud computing 1 in an executable manner. In addition, the software is also installed and executed in the multifunction machine 2. Here, the web service refers to a service provided by exchanging commands described in XML called SOAP using the HTTP protocol under TCP / IP among the services provided to the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the service is provided by executing the same software, the service provided by executing the software installed in the multifunction device 2 is simply “service”, A service executed by requesting the cloud computing 1 is referred to as a “web service”.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction machine 2 is a form of an image forming apparatus equipped with various functions such as a copy function and a scanner function, and is an apparatus incorporating a computer. In FIG. 2, the CPU 3 controls the operation of various mechanisms mounted on the apparatus such as the scanner 6 and the printer engine 8 in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 12. The address data bus 4 is connected to various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 3 and performs data communication. The operation panel 5 receives instructions from the user and displays information. The scanner 6 reads a document set by a user and accumulates it as electronic data in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 7 or the like. The HDD 7 stores an electronic document read using the scanner 6, data sent from the outside, a job, or the like. The printer engine 8 prints an image on output paper in accordance with an instruction from a control program executed by the CPU 3. The network interface (I / F) 10 is connected to a network by wire or wirelessly, and is used for transmitting electronic data generated by the apparatus and receiving electronic data transmitted to the apparatus. The RAM 11 is used as a work memory during program execution and a communication buffer during electronic data transmission / reception. The ROM 12 stores various programs relating to control of the apparatus, encryption of electronic data, and transmission / reception of electronic data. By executing various programs, each component described later exhibits a predetermined processing function. An external media interface (I / F) 13 is an interface with an external memory device such as a USB memory or a flash memory. The card reader 9 reads the account information of the user from the IC card carried by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of the MFP 2 in the present embodiment. The multifunction device 2 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic data reading unit 21, an installation unit 22, a card reading unit 23, a communication unit 24, an account information management unit 25, a job storage unit 26, a job reception unit 27, a program management unit 28, A job execution unit 29, a service calling unit 30, a billing processing unit 31, a program execution unit 32, a resource state monitoring unit 33, an image reading unit 34, a printing unit 35, and an operation history information storage unit 36 are provided.

  The electronic data reading unit 21 reads electronic data from storage means such as a USB memory connected to the external media interface 13. The installation unit 22 installs a program by an installer based on the electronic data read by the electronic data reading unit 21. The card reader 23 reads electronic data such as account information from the IC card using the card reader 9. The communication unit 24 performs data communication with the cloud computing 1 and a client computer (not shown). The account information management unit 25 uses the HDD 7 to hold and manage account information. The account information is a combination of a user name and a password or a certificate. One account may be set for each MFP 2 or may be set in finer units such as for each user of the MFP 2. Information stored in the user's IC card may be used. The job reception unit 27 receives a job sent from the outside such as a client computer via the communication unit 24 or a job generated according to an instruction input from the operation panel 5 as a service use request. The job storage unit 26 corresponds to a job queue and stores accepted jobs. The job execution unit 29 executes jobs by sequentially processing the jobs accumulated in the job queue. The program management unit 28 holds and manages programs installed using the HDD 7. The service calling unit 30 requests the cloud computing 1 to execute the web service in accordance with an instruction from the job execution unit 29. The billing processing unit 31 performs billing processing such as calculating a fee that accompanies execution of a job requested by a service user. At this time, the software executed when the service is provided is used on the cloud computing 1 on the basis of the processing capability of the multi-function device 2 or the use of the service depending on the selection on the multi-function device 2 A billing method based on is determined. The program execution unit 32 executes a program managed by the program management unit 28 in accordance with an instruction from the job execution unit 29. The resource status monitoring unit 33 monitors the status (usage status) of resources such as the RAM 11 and the HDD 7 of the MFP 2 and also stores the current status of the resource usage or operation history information storage unit 36 according to the acquisition request. At least one of the two operation history information is passed to the request source. The image reading unit 34 reads a document image using the scanner 6 in accordance with an instruction from the job execution unit 29. The printing unit 35 prints an image in accordance with an instruction from the job execution unit 29. In the operation history information storage unit 36, the actual usage status of resources of the MFP 2 is accumulated as operation history information.

  The components 21 to 25 and 27 to 35 in the multifunction device 2 are realized by a cooperative operation of each hardware resource including a computer forming the multifunction device 2 and a program that operates on the CPU 3 mounted on the computer. Further, the job storage unit 26 and the operation history information storage unit 36 are realized by the HDD 7 mounted in the multifunction machine 2, but may be realized by the RAM 11 which is a storage unit.

  Further, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. The program provided from the communication means or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU of the computer sequentially executing the installation program.

  When the billing process in the present embodiment is performed, a service providing program needs to be installed in the multifunction device 2. As the service providing program, a service provided by the cloud computing 1, that is, a web service access program for using the web service, a normal service program for installing the service installed in the multi-function device 2, and There are two types. This program is installed according to the following procedure.

  That is, for example, when connection of a USB memory is detected, the electronic data reading unit 21 inspects the contents of the USB memory. When the program is detected, the installer is activated. When the installer is activated, the installation unit 22 reads the web service program and a normal program executed when providing the service from the USB memory, and passes the program to the program management unit 28 for installation. The program management unit 28 stores this. Whether the program is a web service program or a normal program may be determined according to a naming convention such as a file extension of the program, or a naming convention for a folder in which the file is stored may be used. In addition, information on components in the file, for example, information on the header portion may be referred to, or a manifest file in which the program information is described may be referred to as a file different from the program.

  Further, the installation unit 22 reads account information for accessing the web service from the USB memory, and passes it to the account information management unit 25. The account information management unit 25 stores this. In the present embodiment, the software is stored in the USB memory and acquired from the USB memory. However, the software may be acquired from the cloud computing 1 via the network.

  Next, a process for executing a job in response to a service use request and obtaining a charge to be charged for the service provided by the execution will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When a print job is sent from the network, a FAX reception job is sent from the telephone line, or a job such as copying or scanning is input from the operation panel 5, the job receiving unit 27 receives the job, Register in the job queue 26. If the job is copying or scanning, the user may be allowed to input a user ID and password from the operation panel 5, or the card reading unit 23 reads the user ID and password or electronic certificate from the IC card. You may do it.

  The job execution unit 29 takes out the job from the job queue 26 and executes the job (step 101). Then, the job execution unit 29 inquires of the resource state monitoring unit 33 about the operation status of the multifunction machine 2. The operating status refers to the current status of the resources of the MFP 2 such as the free area of the HDD 7 of the MFP 2, the free memory of the RAM 11, the usage rate of the CPU 3, and the job waiting status accumulated in the job queue 26. This is information related to the operation of the multifunction device 2, such as the number of jobs. When the job execution unit 29 acquires the operation status from the resource status monitoring unit 33 (step 102), the job execution unit 29 determines whether there is a margin of the multifunction device 2 from the information related to the operation status. The determination is made, for example, from the result of comparing the current value of each element such as an empty area of the HDD 7 with the threshold value of each element prepared in advance or the result obtained by substituting the element value into a predetermined calculation formula. Determine whether there is a margin.

  If it is determined that the multifunction device 2 has a margin (Y in step 103), the job execution unit 29 executes the service program in the multifunction device 2 (step 109). That is, the program execution unit 32 takes out the corresponding service program from the program management unit 28 and executes it in accordance with an instruction from the job execution unit 29. Then, the service execution result is provided to the service requester by the method designated by the job (step 106). For example, if it is instructed to print the execution result of the service, the printing unit 35 is instructed to print.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the MFP 2 has no room (N in Step 103), the job execution unit 29 transmits a service request via the communication unit 24 in order to use the cloud computing 1 (Step 104). ). More specifically, the job execution unit 29 instructs the service calling unit 30 to call a web service. In response to this instruction, the service calling unit 30 reads account information from the account information management unit 25. If the job is copying or scanning, the account information received from the operation panel 5 or the card reading unit 23 is used. Then, the web service access program is read from the program management unit 28, and the account information is set as one argument of the web service access program and executed. The web service access program executes processing in a requested service by exchanging a request / response with a web service on a server constituting the cloud computing 1 via a network.

  Even when it is determined that the multifunction device 2 has no room, it is not necessary to request the cloud computing 1 to execute all of the requested services. When a job is composed of a plurality of services, for example, the image processing service is executed on the MFP 2 side and the translation service is executed on the cloud computing 1 side, depending on the operation status of the MFP 2. Good. Alternatively, the translation service may be shared between the MFP 2 and the cloud computing 1.

  The job execution unit 29 receives the service execution result transmitted from the cloud computing 1 in response to the transmitted service request (step 105). Then, the service execution result is provided to the service requester by the method designated by the job (step 106).

  Here, in step 105, when the information about the usage record associated with the provision of the service is transmitted together with the service execution result (Y in step 107), the charging processing unit 31 stores this information and Calculate the fee charged to the service user by referring to the information. The information related to the usage record associated with the provision of the service is information used when calculating a fee to be charged to the service user as a result of the execution of the web service program for the provision of the service. For example, in the case of a translation service, the number of words, the number of pages printed, or the service fee itself. The billing processing unit 31 adds the transmitted information to information related to the usage record associated with the provision of service in the multifunction device 2 to calculate a charge to be billed (step 108). For example, if the information related to the usage record associated with service provision is the number of pages, the number of pages should be added to the number of pages on the MFP 2 side, and charging should be performed by adding the charge per page to the number of pages Calculate the fee. Here, when the unit price per page is different between the cloud computing 1 side and the multifunction device 2 side, the page number may be corrected by multiplying the other page number by the unit price rate based on one unit price. Alternatively, the number of pages may be divided and stored on the cloud computing 1 side and the multifunction device 2 side, and converted into an amount according to the unit price at the time of aggregation.

  On the other hand, when the information regarding the usage record associated with the provision of the service has not been transmitted (N in Step 107), the charging processing unit 31 calculates the fee required for the multifunction device 2 as the charging amount (Step 110).

  In this way, the billing processing unit 31 obtains a fee to be billed by a billing method that adds the fee required on the cloud computing 1 side and the fee required on the multifunction peripheral 2 side. Then, the MFP 2 charges the fees calculated to the service user collectively. The collected fee is distributed to the service provider by the management operator of the multifunction device 2 based on the information on the usage record associated with the provision of the service. Alternatively, the management operator of the multifunction device 2 pays for the bill from the service provider.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the charges to be charged when the information related to the usage record associated with the provision of the service is transmitted from the cloud computing 1 are summed up. In this way, the cloud computing 1 may voluntarily request the MFP 2 to collect a fee. For example, the cloud computing 1 may request the MFP 2 together with the service request transmitted by the MFP 2 in step 104. The MFP 2 may request the cloud computing 1 to transmit information on the usage record associated with the provision of the service by transmitting information indicating that charging is performed collectively.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the billing system in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a service server 15 that provides a service and a billing service server 16 that provides a billing service among the servers constituting the cloud computing 1. In the first embodiment, the charge to be charged on the multifunction device 2 side is obtained. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the charge is obtained on the cloud computing 1 side.

  The operation of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the URL of the charging service in the charging service server 16 is set in advance in storage means such as the charging processing unit 31 or the HDD 7 of the multifunction machine 2. Then, the service program is executed on the multifunction device 2 side (step 109), and in steps 108 and 110, the billing request including the fee is specified by the URL of the billing service instead of calculating the billing amount in the multifunction device 2. Send to destination. In addition, a fee generated when the service server 15 in the cloud computing 1 executes the web service program in response to the service request may be directly transmitted from the service server 15 to the billing service server 16. In this case, the URL of the charging service is set in the service request in step 104. In this way, the information related to the charges generated based on the service request received by the multifunction device 2 is collected in the charging service server 16, so that the charging service server 16 charges the information based on the information sent thereto. Calculate the amount. For example, a charge amount may be obtained by collecting charges required for executing various services such as copying, scanning, and printing.

  In this embodiment, the URL of the charging service is set in advance in the multifunction device 2, but it may be searched and acquired based on the manufacturer name, model, etc. of the multifunction device 2.

  Further, the billing service server 16 does not necessarily have to be a server constituting the cloud computing 1 as long as it is a server accessible via the Internet.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first embodiment, in steps 102 and 103 of FIG. 4, the job execution unit 29 acquires the operating status from the resource status monitoring unit 33 and determines whether the multifunction device 2 has a margin from the information related to the operating status. When providing the service according to the determination result, the cloud computing 1 is selected to execute the web service program or the multifunction device 2 is selected to execute the service program. However, when using the cloud computing 1 web service, it may be better to consider not only the operation status but also the time required for network communication. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above selection is performed in accordance with the service usage conditions instead of or in addition to the operating status. The configuration in the present embodiment may be the same as that in the first embodiment. Here, the service use conditions are, for example, the latency required by the service user, the latency of other software that uses the service, and the like.

  The operation in the present embodiment will be described below. As described above, the processing content in the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the determination processing in steps 102 and 103 in FIG. Processing is omitted.

  First, when a job is executed (step 101), the job execution unit 29 acquires a predetermined web service latency (nominal value) and compares it with the latency specified by the service user. If it is determined as a result of the comparison that the web service can be used, the job execution unit 29 transmits a service request via the communication unit 24 in order to use the cloud computing 1 (step 104). . On the other hand, if it is determined that the web service can be used, the job execution unit 29 executes the service program in the multifunction machine 2 (step 109).

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of the billing system in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 further shows a service server 18 connected to the same intranet 17 as the multifunction machine 2. In the first embodiment, when the multifunction device 2 has no room, the cloud computing 1 is requested to execute the entire service or a part thereof. In the present embodiment, a service server 18 that executes a web service is installed in a company in which the MFP 2 is installed, and before the cloud computing 1 is requested to execute a service that is not executed in the MFP 2. The service server 18 is requested.

  Whether or not to cause the service server 18 to execute the web service program is determined based on the operation status of the service server 18, for example, the occurrence status of the failure of the service server 18, the load status, and the like. Alternatively, as in the third embodiment, the determination may be made according to service usage conditions.

  1 Cloud computing, 2 MFP, 3 CPU, 4 Address data bus, 5 Operation panel, 6 Scanner, 7 HDD, 8 Printer engine, 9 Card reader, 10 Network interface (I / F), 11 RAM, 12 ROM, 13 External media interface (I / F), 15, 18 Service server, 16 Billing service server, 17 Intranet, 21 Electronic data reading unit, 22 Installation unit, 23 Card reading unit, 24 Communication unit, 25 Account information management unit, 26 Job accumulation unit (job queue), 27 Job reception unit, 28 Program management unit, 29 Job execution unit, 30 Service call unit, 31 Charge processing unit, 32 Program execution unit, 33 Resource status monitoring unit, 34 Image reading unit, 35 Printing department 36 operating history information storage unit.

Claims (4)

Means for accepting service usage requests;
Software that is executed when the requested service is provided based on a comparison result between the latency when the software is executed on the predetermined cloud computing and the latency specified by the service user and a selection means for selecting whether to execute or not to run on a cloud computing, or in its own device,
Determining means for determining a charging method based on use of the service in accordance with the selection by the selecting means;
An accounting processing apparatus comprising: Having an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the usage results associated with the provision of services from cloud computing;
When the selection means selects execution on cloud computing, the determination means is based on the acquired information on the usage record and the information on the usage record of the own apparatus accompanying the provision of the service. The charging processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a charging method for adding charges to be charged together with the use of both is determined. A transmission means for transmitting information related to the usage record of the own apparatus accompanying the provision of the service to a charging service server that provides the charging service;
The determining means determines a charging method for causing the charging service server to calculate a charge to be charged when the own apparatus is used when the selection means selects execution in the own apparatus. Item 2. A charging processing apparatus according to Item 1. Computer
A means of accepting service usage requests;
Software that is executed when the requested service is provided based on a comparison result between the latency when the software is executed on the predetermined cloud computing and the latency specified by the service user and either run on a cloud computing, selecting means with have to choose, executed in its own device,
Determining means for determining a charging method based on service use according to the selection by the selecting means;
Billing processing program to function as

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