JP2000047540A - Image processing device, its method and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make charging control convenient for a user, in a system capable of printing out according to the size and the number of pages designated by the user by inputting an image from a computer to a digital copying machine. SOLUTION: This image processing device 1 is, allowed to input the image data from the host computer 2 through outside I/F4. When the user sets parameter of the output image such as color, monochrome, the number of pages, the number of volumes, kinds of the paper sheet, after the image processing device 1 is allowed to extend the image data on the frame memory 15 in accordance with this setting, the image is fed to the image forming device 21. In the same time of the above, a charging sum is calculated in accordance with the above setting, when the calculated result is close to the limit amount, the user is informed to that effect, when the above exceeded the limit amount, the user is informed to that effect, and simultaneously, the output to the image forming device 21 is prohibited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method for processing an input image and charging for the processing, and a computer-readable storage medium used in the apparatus. It is suitable for use in a system for charging when printing out an output image after sending and processing an image from the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital copying machines have become widespread, and various interfaces are connected to the digital copying machine, image data is input from a host computer or the like, and the size and the number of pages specified by a user are used. A print system has been developed in which an image is printed out by a printer in a copying machine, and at that time, charging is performed in accordance with the designation. In this case, the accounting information for using the printer is calculated by a hardware counter and managed for each printer.

[0003]

As described above, billing information in a conventional print system is managed only in units of printers as described above. Therefore, when there are a plurality of users, each user is required for a certain period (for example, one month). In order to determine how much each user is charged, the size, media, color, finishing process, and the like to be output each time a user performs printing must be calculated and managed individually.

[0004] If the management is insufficient, it is unclear how much the user will be charged in the current month. If the upper limit of the charging is set for each user, the charging upper limit is set this month. There is a problem that it is very inconvenient, for example, how long it will reach, and thus the budget is exceeded, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and has as its object to notify a user of whether or not a charge limit is reached before the user executes a job.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, in an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, an input means for inputting image data, a setting means for setting parameters relating to an output image, Charging means for calculating a charging amount according to the setting; image processing means for processing and outputting the input image data according to the set parameters; and determining whether the calculated charging amount exceeds a predetermined amount. There is provided a judging means for judging whether the judgment is made or not, and a notifying means for notifying the judgment result of the judging means.

Further, in the image processing method according to the present invention, an input procedure for inputting image data, a setting procedure for setting parameters relating to an output image, a charging procedure for calculating a charging amount according to the setting of the parameters, An image processing procedure for processing and outputting the input image data by the image processing means according to the set parameters, and a determining procedure for determining whether the calculated billing amount exceeds a predetermined amount, And a notification procedure for notifying a result of the determination by the determination means.

Further, in a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention, an input process for inputting image data, a setting process for setting parameters relating to an output image, and a charging for calculating a charging amount according to the setting of the parameters. Processing, image processing for processing and outputting the input image data by the image processing means according to the set parameters, and determining processing for determining whether the calculated billing amount exceeds a predetermined amount And a notification process for notifying the determination result of the determination means.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a print system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image processing apparatus including a billing apparatus according to the present invention;
Is a host computer, which is connected to the external I / F 4 of the image processing apparatus 1 via the interface cable 3. The image forming apparatus 21 including a printer is connected to the engine interface 19 of the image processing apparatus 1 via an interface cable 20. Although an external image forming apparatus 21 is connected to the image processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, both may be housed in the same housing such as a digital copying machine.

Next, the first CPU 8 is connected to the image forming apparatus 21.
Other I / Os. An external I / F 4 serving as an interface with the host computer 2, a program memory 9, an I / O bus 1
1 is connected to the I / O bus controller 10 for controlling the I / O bus. Also, a bus controller 7 is connected so that the second CPU 16 can be connected to the second CPU bus 6. The second CPU 16 will be described later.

An I / O bus controller 10 includes a floppy disk drive 12 connected to an I / O bus 11,
Hard disk drive 13, LCD controller 14
And a general-purpose I / O such as an operation unit (not shown).

The second CPU 16 controls the image forming apparatus 21 and develops image data stored in the frame memory 15. The control program is loaded into the program memory 17 from the hard disk drive 13 via the bus controller 7 when the power is turned on. The program memory 7 is also used for communication with the first CPU 8. Second
An engine interface 19 is connected to the CPU bus 6, and controls the image forming apparatus 21 while performing various settings.

The video bus 18 is a bus dedicated to images,
The image data developed by the second CPU 16 and stored in the frame memory 15 is sent to the engine interface 19 through the video bus 18 and further transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2.
Sent to 1.

Next, a color size table and a media table used for determining the accounting information of each output job will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a table showing the unit price per sheet according to the color mode and the sheet size of the output job. In FIG. 2, Sma
ll Size paper (A4, B5, Letter, etc.)
In the case of monochrome output, the size is aaa circle per sheet, and in the case of color output, the size is bbb yen per sheet. Similarly, the Large Size paper (A3, B4, Le)
gal, etc.), the output is ccc yen per sheet, and the output in color is ddd yen per sheet.

FIG. 3 is a table showing which coefficient is to be multiplied according to the type of the medium to be printed out.
In FIG. 3, when plain paper is used for output, it is necessary to multiply the whole by a coefficient z. Similarly, when thick paper is used, coefficient y is used, when OHP is used, coefficient x is used, and glossy paper is used. If so, it indicates that it is necessary to multiply by each coefficient w.

Next, a user information table used for determining the user's billing limit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the current billing information for each user, a first limit at which a warning is given, a second limit at which output is prohibited, and how much remains to reach the second limit. It is a table. In FIG. 4, User
The current billing amount for 1 is AAA yen and the first limit is BBB
A circle indicates that the second limit is a CCC yen, and a second limit is a DDD circle (= CCC-AAA). Similarly, the current billing amount of User2 is EEE yen,
The first limit indicates an FFF yen, the second limit indicates a GGG yen, and the second limit indicates an HHH yen (GGG-EEE).

Next, a user billing table showing billing information for each job of each user will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 shows that User1 outputs Job1 and Job2, and User2 outputs Job3. Here, Job 1 outputs five copies of five pages in monochrome on Small-size plain paper, and the charge is x yen. Job 2 outputs two copies of two pages in color on Large-size plain paper, the charge is y yen, and Job 3 is Sma.
One copy of 10 pages is output in color to an 11-sized OHP, and the charge is z yen.

Next, a process for calculating how much a job is charged for each job according to the output mode and notifying the user, and performing a warning or output prohibition when a charging upper limit is set, is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 and 7 show a flowchart of a process according to the first embodiment for calculating how to calculate charging information according to the output mode and determining whether or not the charging upper limit has been exceeded.

First, in step S601 (hereinafter, step is omitted), each parameter of the output mode is substituted for a variable. Here, the color mode is color or monochrome, and the size is Small-size paper or Large.
Indicates the size paper or the medium is plain paper, thick paper, OHP, glossy paper, or any other paper type. In addition to these parameters, there are parameters indicating the number of pages and the number of copies.

Next, in step S602, an amount per sheet is selected from the color size table using the color and size. Here, the Coror Size Table
() Is a function for calculating the corresponding amount from the color size table according to the color mode and the size. Next, similarly in S603, a coefficient corresponding to the medium is obtained,
This coefficient is multiplied by the amount per sheet obtained in S602. Here, MediaTable () is a function for calculating a coefficient corresponding to a medium from a media table.

Next, in step S604, the number of output pages is multiplied.
05 multiplies the number of output copies. Subsequently, in S606, it is determined whether the calculated amount exceeds a second limit amount for which output must be prohibited. If the second limit is exceeded, S6
At 07, a message that "the job cannot exceed the charging limit due to the job and cannot be output" is notified, and the process ends.

If the calculated amount does not exceed the second limit, it is determined in step S701 whether the amount exceeds the first limit that requires a warning to the user. . If the first limit is exceeded, S702
Then, the user is notified that "the charging limit will be reached soon" and the process proceeds to S703.

If the calculated amount does not exceed the first limit, the process directly proceeds to S703. In S703,
The accounting information of the job calculated in S605 is notified to the user. Subsequently, in step S704, the “current billing amount” and the “remaining billing amount” of the user are updated.
In 5, the information of the job is added.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, when the charge for the job exceeds the upper limit of the charge, the process is stopped after a warning is issued. In the second embodiment, the output mode of the job is changed by the user. Thus, output can be continued. The calculation method of the billing amount is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, only the different parts will be described here. Also, the method of recalculation is the same, and therefore will not be described.

First, a user interface for changing the output mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a setting change panel for changing each parameter of the output mode. In FIG. 8, color mode, reduced printing, media, and number of copies are prepared as output mode parameters that can be changed.

In the "color mode", whether output is performed in color or monochrome is changed. Although the color output is selected in FIG. 8, when changing to monochrome, the button on the left side of monochrome is checked. “Reduced printing”
The large-size paper is changed to the small-size paper. In FIG. 8, “Don't reduce printing” is selected, but if “Yes” is selected, output is performed on Small-sized paper.

In the "layout", the number of sheets can be reduced by outputting a plurality of pages on one sheet. In 2 in 1, four pages are output on one sheet.
"Media" changes the output paper type. In FIG. 8, it is possible to select whether to change the paper type or to change to plain paper. As for the number of copies, the billing amount can be suppressed by reducing the number of output copies.

After changing each parameter as described above,
By pressing the “Apply” button, the billing information is recalculated and the billing amount is displayed in “Billing” on the panel,
"Result" indicates whether output is possible. "result"
After OK is pressed, an OK button is pressed to output using the changed parameters. To stop the output without changing the output parameters, use “Can
Press the "cel" button.

Next, a process for changing each parameter of the output mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. After the user changes each parameter on the setting change panel and presses the “Apply” button,
In step S1, it is determined whether the color mode is selected. If the color mode has been changed, the color mode is changed to the mode requested by the user in S902. Next, in S903, it is determined whether to perform reduced printing. If so, the paper size is changed in S904.

Next, in S905, it is determined whether to perform the layout. If so, in S906, it is determined whether to perform 4-in-1 printing or 2-in-1 printing. Make adjustments. Subsequently, in S909, it is determined whether to change the medium, and if it is to be changed, the medium is changed in S910. Next, the number of copies is checked in S1001, and if the number of copies has been changed, the number of copies is changed in S1002.

After checking and changing each parameter as described above, the charge amount is recalculated in S1003. Subsequently, the result of the recalculation is compared with the user information table. If the billing amount still exceeds the billing upper limit,
Change each parameter again. If the billing amount falls below the billing upper limit, output is performed in S1005, and the process ends.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the user changes the output mode of the job by the user. In the third embodiment, each parameter is assigned a priority, and the user changes the parameter. The output is continued when falls below the charging upper limit. An example of the priority is shown below. Here, (1) is the process with the highest priority, and the priority decreases as the number increases.

(1) Copies: multiple copies → 1 copy (2) Color mode: color → monochrome (3) Media: required paper type → plain paper (4) Reduction: Large → Small (5) Layout: no → 2in1 ( 6) Layout: No → 4in1

In the above example, if the output job is to output a plurality of copies, the number of output copies is first changed, and then the billing amount is recalculated.
Output at that time. If the number of copies exceeds the upper limit of the charge even if the number of output copies is changed, the color mode is subsequently changed. Thereafter, the parameters are changed and recalculated in the same manner, and output is performed when the charge amount falls below the charge upper limit.

Next, the storage medium according to the present invention will be described. The object of the present invention can be achieved by a computer system including a storage medium and a CPU. That is, a storage medium such as a program memory 9 that stores software program codes for executing the flowcharts described in each of the above-described embodiments is used in a system or an apparatus. By reading and executing the program code stored in the program. In that case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As the storage medium, ROM, R
Semiconductor memory such as AM, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
A magnetic medium or the like may be used, and these may be configured and used in a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a magnetic medium, a magnetic card, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like.

Therefore, by using this storage medium in a system or apparatus other than the system or apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the system or the computer reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. The same functions as those of the above-described embodiments can be realized, the same effects can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

An OS running on a computer
When performing part or all of the processing, or after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extended function board or an extended function unit connected to the computer, Even when the CPU or the like provided in the above-mentioned extended function board or extended function unit performs a part or all of the processing based on the instruction of the program code, the same functions as those of the embodiments can be realized and the same effects can be obtained. Can be obtained, and the object of the present invention can be achieved.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Image processing is performed and output in accordance with the parameter setting by the user, and billing according to the set parameter is calculated, and the user can be notified whether or not the calculation result exceeds a predetermined amount.

In addition, it is possible to notify the user that the billing amount is close to the limit, and if the amount exceeds the limit, output is prohibited. Can be.

Further, even if the billing amount exceeds the limit, it becomes possible to output by changing the parameters.
By giving the parameter change priority, the user can easily select the most effective parameter for reducing the billing amount. Further, since the billing amount is calculated for each user, each user need not particularly manage his / her billing amount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a print system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a color size table.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a media table.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a user information table.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a user billing table.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a setting change panel.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image processing device 2 host computer 4 external I / F 4 8 first CPU 8 9 program memory 15 frame memory 16 second CPU 17 program memory 19 engine interface 21 image forming device

Claims (18)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting image data; a setting unit for setting a parameter relating to an output image; a charging unit for calculating a charging amount according to the setting of the parameter; Image processing means for processing and outputting the input image data; determining means for determining whether the calculated billing amount exceeds a predetermined amount; and notifying means for notifying the determination result of the determining means. An image processing apparatus, comprising: 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined amount is a first predetermined amount and a second predetermined amount larger than the first predetermined amount. When the billing amount exceeds the second predetermined amount, an output from the image processing means is output. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is prohibited. 3. The charging means, when the calculated charging amount exceeds the second predetermined amount, when the parameter is changed by the setting means, recalculates the charging amount in accordance with the change. The determining means determines whether the recalculated billing amount exceeds the second predetermined amount, and the notifying means notifies the result of the determination, and the determining unit determines whether the recalculated charging amount exceeds the second predetermined amount. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output of the image processing means is performed if there is no data. 4. When the parameters are changed, priorities that can be changed are given to the respective parameters. When the parameters are changed according to the priorities, the recalculated billing amount does not exceed the second predetermined amount. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output is performed when the image is output. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said setting means can be set for each user, and said charging means calculates a charging amount for each user. 6. The parameters include color, monochrome, size, number of pages, number of copies, layout,
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is at least one of print paper types. 7. An input procedure for inputting image data, a setting procedure for setting parameters relating to an output image, a charging procedure for calculating a charging amount in accordance with the setting of the parameters, and an image in accordance with the set parameters. An image processing procedure for processing and outputting the input image data using a processing means, a determination procedure for determining whether the calculated billing amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and a determination result of the determination means. An image processing method, comprising: a notifying procedure for notifying. 8. A first predetermined amount and a second predetermined amount larger than the first predetermined amount are provided as the predetermined amount, and when the charging amount exceeds the second predetermined amount, processing is performed in the image processing procedure. 8. An image output is prohibited.
The image processing method described in the above. 9. A procedure for changing the parameter when the billing amount calculated by the billing procedure exceeds the second predetermined amount, a procedure for recalculating the billing amount in accordance with the change, and a step for recalculating the billing amount. A procedure for determining whether or not the charged amount has exceeded the second predetermined amount; a procedure for notifying the determination result; and a step for determining whether the recalculated amount does not exceed the second predetermined amount. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of outputting the image processing means. 10. When the parameters are changed, priorities that can be changed are given to the parameters, and when the parameters are changed according to the priorities, the recalculated billing amount does not exceed the second predetermined amount. 10. The image processing method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of: outputting the image processing means when the image data is output. 11. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the setting procedure is set for each user, and the charging procedure calculates a charging amount for each user. 12. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the parameter is at least one of color, monochrome, size, number of pages, number of copies, layout, and type of print paper of the output image. 13. An input process for inputting image data, a setting process for setting parameters related to an output image, a charging process for calculating a charging amount according to the setting of the parameters, and an image processing according to the set parameters. Image processing for processing and outputting the input image data using a processing means; determining processing for determining whether the calculated billing amount exceeds a predetermined amount; and notifying the determination result of the determining processing. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a notification process. 14. A first predetermined amount and a second predetermined amount larger than the first predetermined amount are provided as the predetermined amount, and when the billing amount exceeds the second predetermined amount, the image-processed image is output. 14. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein a process for prohibiting the setting is provided in the program. 15. A process for changing the parameter when the billing amount calculated by the billing process exceeds the second predetermined amount, a process for recalculating the billing amount in accordance with the change, and a process for recalculating the billing amount. Processing for determining whether or not the charged amount has exceeded the second predetermined amount; processing for notifying the determination result; and if the recalculated amount does not exceed the second predetermined amount. 15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 14, wherein processing for outputting the image processing means is provided in the program. 16. When the parameters are changed, each parameter is given a changeable priority, and when the parameter is changed in accordance with the priority, the recalculated billing amount does not exceed the second predetermined amount. 16. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 15, wherein processing for outputting the image processing means when the program is executed is provided in the program. 17. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the setting process is set for each user, and the charging process calculates a charging amount for each user. 18. The computer-readable computer according to claim 13, wherein the parameter is at least one of color, monochrome, size, number of pages, number of copies, layout, and type of print paper of the output image. Storage medium.