JP2001320525A - Image forming device and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and a control method therefor which secure the proper and smooth device operation and have plural functions such as a copy function and a print function especially with respect to a system for copy charging. SOLUTION: At least money payment conditions data output. A selection means is provided which selects a specific function from plural functions for data output; and if a second function is selected by the selection means though output by a first function has been halfway prepared, output by the second function is performed on the condition of at lest money payment. The first function outputs data transferred from another device, and the second function outputs a read picture.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which at least payment of money is a condition for outputting data, and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the digitalization of copiers, a facsimile function for performing facsimile transmission / reception using a scanner function, a printer function, and the like of the copier, a PDL (Page Descripti
on Language) Multifunction devices having a plurality of functions, such as printers, have been put to practical use. This type of multifunction machine is configured to be operable not only with a single function such as a copier function, a facsimile function, or a PDL print function, but also with a plurality of functions such as facsimile transmission of a PDL expanded image. . Further, by connecting the multifunction peripheral via a LAN, the functions of the multifunction peripheral can be used in a computer device or the like.

Further, in a copying machine, an apparatus having a function of charging a paper size, a paper type, the number of papers, a color / monochrome, and the like of a copied image has been put to practical use.

[0004]

When a coin insertion type billing system conventionally used in a copying machine is applied to a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a PDL printer function and a copying function, the following problems occur. . During the printing of a plurality of pages of data, printing cannot be performed halfway due to the user's own money or the like, and there is data remaining in the multifunction peripheral without being printed. In this case, if another user inserts a coin to copy using the copy function, the remaining data may be output as unintended data.

When another user inserts a coin to print using the print function and presses the start key in the state where a copy original is left on the platen, copying of the original on the platen is not intended. It may be output as data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a print function, and a control method thereof, which guarantees proper and smooth operation of the apparatus, and in particular, provides a copy billing system. With the goal.
It is another object of the present invention to prevent output of data unintended by a user.

[0007]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which at least payment of money is a condition for outputting data. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions for outputting data. Selecting means for selecting a function;
Even if the preparation for performing the output by the first function has been performed halfway, if the second function is selected by the selecting means, the second function is performed at least on condition that payment is made. Is output.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first function is a function of outputting data transferred from another apparatus, and the second function is a function of outputting a read image. Even if the data transferred from the other device is stored without being output when the first function is selected, at least if the data is stored when the second function is selected, An image read after the second function is selected is output on condition of payment.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first function is a function of outputting a read image, and the second function is a function of outputting data transferred from another device. Even if a document is set for reading an image when the first function is selected, if the second function is selected, at least on condition that payment is made, It is characterized by outputting data transferred from another device after the second function is selected.

[0010] A method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a method of controlling an image forming apparatus in which at least payment of money is a condition for outputting data. Including a selection step of selecting a specific function, even if preparation for outputting with the first function has been performed halfway,
When the function is selected, the output by the second function is performed at least on condition that payment is made.

In the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first function is to output data transferred from another apparatus, and the second function is to read a read image. It is a function to output, even if the data transferred from the other device is stored without being output when the first function is selected, when the second function is selected, An image read out after the second function is selected is output, at least on condition that money is paid.

In the method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the first function is a function of outputting a read image, and the second function is a function of transmitting data transferred from another apparatus. This is a function to output, and even if a document is set to read an image when the first function is selected, if the second function is selected, at least a condition of payment of money is required. Outputting the data transferred from another device after the second function is selected.

The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as any one of the above means. Further, a storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing any of the above-described processing procedures.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, a reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to a printer unit 2 and an image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, a block selection unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line 13 and transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10. Further, it compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and transmits the compressed compressed image data via the telephone line 13. A hard disk 11 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and can temporarily store the received compressed image data.

An external storage device, that is, a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file section 5.
The file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and stores the compressed image data together with a keyword for searching the image data on the magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. Further, the file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses the decompressed image data. The data is transferred to the core unit 10.

The computer interface unit 7 includes a personal computer or a workstation (PC)
/ WS) 12 and an interface between the core unit 10 and supports from a basic interface such as serial to a LAN. The network function includes serial (SLIP) and LAN (Local AreaNe).
work). Note that network functions such as Network,
It supports protocols such as TCP / IP and Ether Talk, and also supports upper layer services such as NFS.

The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 12 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The block selection unit 9 stores the image data, analyzes the stored image data, classifies the data into a text part and an image part, and manages the classified data in association with the layout information.

Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 includes a reader unit 1, a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5,
It controls the flow of data among the network interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, image memory unit 9, and coin robo unit 14.

The coin robo unit 14 notifies the core unit 10 of the coin charge inserted by the user. When the coin robo unit 14 manages the monochrome / color charge, whether the monochrome / color printing is possible for the core unit 10 or the possible number of prints of the monochrome / color printing is stored in the core unit 10. You may make it notify. Core part 10
Starts a screen or performs a printing operation after receiving a notification from the coin robo unit 14.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. Document feeder 1 of reader unit 1
01 is the platen glass 1 one by one from the last page
02 on top. After the document reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 is started to move, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108.

The image of the document scanned in this manner is a CCD image.
The image data read by the CCD 109 and output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 2
02, a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. I do. The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. Note that the sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the recording paper is
The sheet is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to 08. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is supplied to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the reader unit 1. In FIG. 3, the image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113. You.

The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 in accordance with the settings set by the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed and the copy is performed by the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the image data and the control command corresponding to the set mode are transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116.
The CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is a CPU
114 is also used as a work area.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the core unit 10. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, image data from the reader unit 1 is transmitted to a data processing unit 12 via an interface 122.
Transferred to 1. The control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123 via the interface 122. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transmitted to the interface 120 according to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1.
Are transferred to the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, and computer interface unit 7 via

Further, the code data representing the image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be expanded into image data. After the image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121, it is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, and the computer interface unit 7. Information from the coin robo unit 14 is transferred to the CPU 123 via the interface 125.

The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. As described above, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission and reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from / to a computer, with the core unit 10 at the center.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the flow of the charging system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In step S500 of FIG. 5, a normal copy start-up operation is performed under the core unit 10 when the power is turned on. For the formatter unit 8 (PDL), an initialization process is performed.
Normally from PC / WS12 to PDL (Page Description Lan
guage) The process does not shift to the data receivable mode, and stops in a state of not accepting PDL data as waiting for printing.

The PDL data has a logical structure as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a header, which indicates information related to settings such as description language (LIPS), paper size, output mode such as single-sided / double-sided, and the number of print copies. Reference numeral 602 denotes print data written in the description language indicated in the header section 601. Note that data for a plurality of pages may be written.

In step S501, as shown in FIG. 7, a message 70 prompting the operation unit 115 to select a mode is displayed.
1 and an operation button 702 for selecting a copy function
And an operation button 703 for selecting a print function of PDL data, and a screen for selecting one of the functions is displayed. When the print function is selected, the process proceeds to step S502, and when the copy function is selected, the process proceeds to step S509. Further, in FIG. 7, a display in which a copy function and a print function can be selected is performed. However, another function such as a facsimile function may be displayed and selected.

In step S502, when all the setups are completed, a coin insertion screen is displayed on the operation unit 115. In this case, the output of the unselected copy function is guarded so that a copy of the document on the document feeder or the platen glass (hereinafter, referred to as a platen) is not erroneously output.

In step S503, if a coin is inserted into the coin robo unit 14, the process proceeds to step S504.
If not, the process returns to step S503. In step S503, it is determined whether or not a coin has been inserted, instead of determining the number (charge) of coins required for flint. This is performed to determine that the user who is going to print is near the multifunction peripheral. Therefore, when a coin is inserted in step S503, it is assumed that the user is near, and the processing after step S504 is performed.

In step S504, the core unit 10
Receives the notification of coin insertion from the coin robo unit 14 and turns on the print ready signal. Upon receiving this signal, the formatter unit 8 (PDL) can receive PDL data. Here, when coins are inserted into the coin robo unit 14, the formatter unit 8 can accept PDL data. However, if the print function is selected in step S501, the formatter unit 8 can accept PDL data. Is also good. This is because, when the print function is selected on the operation unit 115, it can be determined that the user who is going to print is near the multifunction peripheral.

Also, in step S505, PC /
By operating the operation unit or the operation unit 115 of the WS 12,
The PDL data is transferred from the PC / WS 12 to the formatter unit 8 via the computer interface unit 7 and is actually developed. Then, the core unit 10 is notified of the output mode (black and white / color, paper size, resolution, single side / double side) by interpreting the header section 601.

In step S506, step S5
05, that is, PDL
Based on the output mode of the data print function, the charge required for printing the first sheet is calculated in the same manner as the charge for copying. If the amount of money inserted in the coin robo unit 14 is sufficient, the process returns to step S507, and if not, the process returns to the snuff S502.

In step S507, the print data is transferred from the formatter unit 8 to the core unit 10 and printing is actually executed. In step S508, the printed fee is subtracted from the fee charged to the coin robo unit 14 at the time of completion of printing. Of the actual billing process.

In step S509, step S505
It is determined whether or not there is a page that has not been printed with the data developed in step. If all pages have been printed, the process ends. If there is a page to be printed, step S506
Then, the remaining pages are printed in steps S506, S507, and S508.

As described above, in step S501,
When the print function is selected, it is possible to prevent the copying operation from being started even if the original is placed on the original platen.

If the copy function is selected in step S501, data other than the original read from the reader unit 1, that is, the data is expanded by the formatter unit 8 when the print function is selected and stored in the memory without being printed. In addition to guarding that data other than the copy function, such as data that has been written, is input from the core unit 10 and is not erroneously printed, the operation unit 115 is operated in step S510.
Display copy settings (black and white / color, paper size, resolution, single / double side). In step S511,
When copy settings are made and an operation for starting copying (such as pressing an OK button (not shown)) is performed, step S
At 512, the set output mode is passed from the reader unit 1 to the core unit 10. The core unit 10 calculates a copy fee for one document based on the determined output mode. Then, in step S513, the calculated copy fee and the coin insertion screen are displayed on the operation unit 115.

In steps S514 and S515, if it is determined based on the notification from the coin robo unit 14 that at least a fee necessary for copying at least one original in the set output mode has been input, the core unit 10 outputs a print ready signal. Is turned on, and in step S515, the document on the document table is read, and the read image is
To start printing.

In step S517, the coin robo unit 14
The actual billing process is performed, such as subtracting the printed fee from the fee entered in the. In step S518, it is determined whether there is a document that has not been copied yet on the platen. If there is an unprocessed document, the process returns to step S513 to perform processing for copying the remaining documents. The process ends.

It is assumed that coins can be inserted into the coin robo unit 14 after the copy function is selected and before coin insertion is displayed. In this case, the fee to be displayed is a fee obtained by subtracting the fee required for printing from the fee already input, that is, the fee required to start printing is displayed, And the fee required to print one sheet may be displayed.

As described above, when the copy function is selected in step S501, even if the print data at the time of selecting the print function remains in the memory or the like.
It is possible to prevent print data from being erroneously printed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent data that should have been output by a function other than the selected function from being erroneously output. Therefore, erroneous printing can be prevented in an environment where various users use the same device.

Here, the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by an apparatus connected to the above-mentioned various devices or a computer in a system so as to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. Computer program (CPU or MPU) for the system or device
The present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to the programs stored in the program.

In this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer are provided.
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system running on the computer. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is stored in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program. The present invention also includes a case where a provided CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, a copy accounting system can be effectively applied to an image forming apparatus having a copy function. In particular, by managing the print function and the copy function at the beginning of each sequence, erroneous data output can be easily and reliably prevented, and print data such as PDL remains in the apparatus without being printed. In this case, even if the copy user inserts a coin into the coin robo, it is possible to prevent the print data left by the previous user from being erroneously printed. Further, even if a copy original is placed on the platen, it is possible to prevent the original on the platen from being copied even if the print user inserts a coin into the coin robo.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit and a printer unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a reader unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a core unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the charging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a logical structure of PDL data according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example when a function is selected in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 image input / output control unit 4 facsimile unit 5 file unit 7 computer interface unit 8 formatter unit 9 block selection unit 10 core unit 11 hard disk unit 12 PC / WS unit 14 coin robo unit 101 document feeding device 102 platen Glass 103 Lamp 104 Scanner unit 105, 106, 107 Mirror 109 CCD 110 A / D / SH unit 111 Image processing unit 113 Interface 114 CPU 115 Operation unit 116 Memory 121 Data processing unit 123 CPU 124 Memory 201 Laser emission unit 202 Photosensitive drum 203 Developing devices 204 and 205 Cassette 206 Transfer unit 207 Fixing unit 208 Discharge roller 209 Flapper 210 Refeeding conveyance path 220 Sorter 221 Laser drive Bas

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G06F 3/12 G03G 21/00 392

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus in which at least payment of money is a condition for outputting data, a selection unit for selecting a specific function from a plurality of functions for outputting data, and a first function Even if the preparation for performing the output is performed halfway, if the second function is selected by the selection means, the output by the second function is performed at least on condition of payment of money. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first function is to output data transferred from another apparatus, and the second function is to read a read image. It is a function of outputting, even when data transferred from the other device is stored without being output when the first function is selected,
An image forming apparatus, wherein when the second function is selected, an image read after the second function is selected is output at least on condition that payment is made. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first function is a function of outputting a read image, and the second function is a function of transmitting data transferred from another device. A function to output, even if a document is set to read an image when the first function is selected, if the second function is selected, at least a condition of payment of money is required. hand,
An image forming apparatus for outputting data transferred from another apparatus after the second function is selected. 4. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus in which at least payment of money is a condition for outputting data, the method including a selecting step of selecting a specific function from a plurality of functions for outputting data, Even if the preparation for performing the output by the first function has been performed halfway, if the second function is selected in the selecting step, the second function is performed at least on condition that the money is paid. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: 5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the first function is to output data transferred from another device, and the second function is to output a read image. Even if the data transferred from the other device is stored without being output when the first function is selected,
When the second function is selected, an image read after the second function is selected is output, at least on condition that payment is made. 6. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the first function is a function of outputting a read image, and the second function is a function of outputting data transferred from another device. Even if a document is installed for reading an image when the first function is selected, if the second function is selected, at least a condition of payment of money is required. ,
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising outputting data transferred from another apparatus after the second function is selected. 7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means according to claim 1. Description: 8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the processing procedure according to claim 4. Description: