JP2002007086A - Charging processor and charging processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging processor which can perform a processing corresponding to a charging rate such as the acquirement of information related to the charging rate by an application without real charging, the notice of charging rate information from the application, the output of the charging rate after a user recognizes it, the cancel of output after the user recognizes the charging rate and the cancel of output when the rate exceeds the upper limit of the rate, which is set. SOLUTION: The charging processor is provided with an output device and an information processor which is directly connected to the output device or by a network. The charging processor also has the charging means performing charging when information is outputted to the output device from the information processor, a charging rate calculating means calculating the charging rate without permitting the output device to output information and a switching means which changes over the calculating or outputting processing of the charging rate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,
Regarding a plurality of output devices, an information processing device in an information processing system connected directly or via a network to the output device, and a peripheral device, particularly when the information processing device is charged when outputting to the output device The present invention relates to a billing method and a billing apparatus for calculating and outputting a billing fee.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been considered that a print service that charges for output and that charging for output is performed for each department.

In such a case, it is important to inform the user of the charging fee before the output at which the charging is actually performed. In an environment including a currently used graphics user interface such as Windows (registered trademark), an application that performs output calls a driver by using a predetermined API and generates an output command. are doing.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned API, general items such as paper orientation and size can be specified, but other items must be specified by a driver-specific user interface. For example, if the specification of items such as staples and N-UP affects the calculation of the charging fee, there is a problem that the application cannot acquire the charging fee.

[0005] According to the present invention, an application can obtain information related to a charging fee without actually being charged, a notification of charging fee information from the application, an output after a user confirms the charging fee, It is an object of the present invention to provide a billing processing device and a billing method capable of performing processing according to a billing fee such as output cancellation after a user confirms a billing fee and output cancellation when a set fee exceeds an upper limit. It is the purpose.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a billing processing apparatus having one or a plurality of output devices and an information processing device connected to the output device directly or via a network. A charging unit that charges when outputting to the output device, a charging fee calculation unit that calculates a charging fee without output from the output device, and a switching unit that switches calculation or output processing of the charging fee. Device.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a billing apparatus MC1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the accounting processor MC1, the host computer 3000 uses a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM stored in the ROM 3 to store figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.).
The CPU 1 executes a document process in which document processing is mixed, and the CPU 1 controls the devices connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

The program ROM or the external memory 11 stored in the ROM 3 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) which is a control program of the CPU 1 and the like. In the ROM or the external memory 11,
Font data and the like used in the above document processing are stored, and various data (for example, directory information, a printer driver table, etc.) used in the above document processing and the like are stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. Is stored.

In this case, the subject of control is a CPU in hardware. On the other hand, the software is mainly controlled by a printing-related module having an application and a billing function.

The RAM 2 functions as a main memory of the CPU 1, a work area, and the like. Keyboard controller (K
The BC 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 includes a CRT display (CRT) 10
Control the display of. Disk controller (DKC) 7
The hard disk 12 (H) stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, print-related processing programs, and the like.
D), floppy disk drive 13
(FDD) and the floppy disk 14 (F
D) controls access to the external memory 11.

The printer controller (PRTC) 8 includes:
Predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 20
Is connected to the printer 5000 via the
The communication control process with the 00 is executed.

The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) an outline font in a display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. CPU1
Opens various registered windows based on a command specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 5000, the printer CP
U21 sends an image as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 27 connected to the system bus 24 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 23 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 30. Output a signal. The program ROM of the ROM 23 stores a control program for the CPU 21 and the like.

The font ROM of the ROM 23 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 30 such as a hard disk, And information used on the host computer.

The CPU 21 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 25, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like.

The RAM 22 functioning as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 21 can be expanded in memory capacity by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 22 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like.

An external memory 30 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a disk controller (DK).
C) The access is controlled by 29. The external memory 30 is connected as an option, and font data,
It stores emulation programs, form data, and the like. The operation unit 28 includes a switch for operation and L
An ED display and the like are provided.

The number of the external memories is not limited to one, but may be two.
It may be configured so that a plurality of external memories in which an optional font card and a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system are stored in addition to the built-in fonts can be connected. Further, an NVR (not shown)
An AM may be provided, and the printer mode setting information from the operation unit 28 may be stored.

FIG. 2 shows that the host computer 3000
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where the printer 5000 and a multifunction peripheral 6000 having a scanner and a printer function are connected via a network.

Although not shown, a printer or the like may be connected to the Internet to which the host computer 3000 is connected.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the host computer 3000 can execute a print-related module including an application loaded in the RAM 2 and a printer driver having a billing function under the control of the OS. It is a figure showing a map.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a printing-related module having a billing function in the above embodiment.

The printing-related module includes an output data generation unit 53 and charging information 54 which is a basis for calculating a charging fee.
And a billing-related data transmitting / receiving unit 52 for receiving billing-related information from the application or returning billing fee information to the application; and calculating a billing fee based on the billing information and the billing-related data received from the application. And a billing calculation unit 51.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the above embodiment.

The program shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the HD 12 or the FD 14 on the host computer 3000, and functions as a means achieved by the CPU 1 executing under the control of the OS 46.

First, it is determined whether or not the setting is for notifying the user of the charging fee information (step 301). If not, the process proceeds to step 304. If the notification is to be made, the process proceeds to step 302, where the extensible interface or a unique interface is used for the driver, the accounting data is passed, the accounting fee is calculated, and the calculated accounting fee is received. .

At this time, in the called driver,
The charging calculation unit 51 calculates the charging fee based on the data received by the charging-related data transmitting / receiving unit 52, the charging information 54 serving as a basis for calculating the charging fee, and the driver setting.

Here, in the example described above, the application passes the logical total number of pages to the driver, and the driver receiving the total number of pages in the charging related data transmitting / receiving unit 52 outputs the total number of pages together with the driver setting. The billing calculation unit 51 calculates a billing fee based on the billing information 54 including information on the number of sheets to be printed and the unit price thereof, and transmits the calculation result to the application via the billing-related data transmitting / receiving unit 52. Notice.

Next, in step 303, the application notifies the user of the charging fee calculated by the driver. If it is necessary to perform the output in step 304, the process proceeds to step 305, where a printing process involving accounting is performed (step 305), and the process ends. If no output is required, the process is terminated.

In the above embodiment, the host computer 3000 operates when the CPU 1 executes a print-related module having a BIOS, an OS, an application, and a billing function. The BIOS is written in the program ROM 3, and the OS is written in the hard disk (HD) 12 which is the external memory 11. Then, when the power of the host computer 3000 is turned on, the IPL (Initial) in the BIOS program
OS (Program Loading) function
Is read from the HD into the RAM 2, and the operation of the OS is started.

When the printing process is executed from the application operating under the OS management on the host computer 3000 or when the application is called by the user or the like, the printing related module is recorded. The FD 14 is set in the FDD 13 or the print-related module is
When the print-related module under the control of the OS and the BIOS is read from the FD 14 or the HD drive 12 and loaded into the RAM 2, the print-related module having the billing function is actually Operable.

FIG. 3 shows a memory map in a state where the printing-related module having the application and the billing function in the above embodiment is loaded into the RAM 2 of the host computer 3000 and is executable. Here, 2 in 1 is set as a setting that affects the calculation of the charging fee (setting is such that data for two pages is reduced and printed on one page of paper), and the charging fee is determined by the number of printed paper sheets. Although an example is shown as depending only on the above, other charging factors such as color or monochrome, or the presence or absence of staples may be included. The application has the following four types of functions.

Notifying the user of the charging fee information and not outputting it. Outputting the charging fee information without notifying the user. Outputting the charging fee information to the user and outputting after the user confirms the charging fee. The user is notified of the billing fee information, and the user cancels the output after confirming the fee.

In another embodiment, the application is:
Using the extensible interface or a proprietary interface, notify the driver to calculate the charging fee, and then perform the same processing as the normal output, so that the driver calculates the charging fee. It is an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of an application according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the processing operation in the application. It is determined whether or not the setting is to notify the user of the charging fee information (step 401). If not, step 406 is performed. Proceed to. If the notification is to be made, the process proceeds to step 402, in which an extensible interface or a unique interface is used for the driver, and charging-related data is passed to notify that the charging fee is calculated.

Next, in step 403, the application performs a printing process in the same manner as in the case of normal output so that the driver can calculate the charging fee. Then, the process proceeds to step 404, where the accounting fee information calculated by the driver is acquired, and the acquired accounting fee information is notified to the user (step 405). Next, the process proceeds to step 406, and when it is necessary to perform output, a change is made so as not to notify the billing fee information (step 407), a printing process involving billing is performed (step 408), and the process ends. If no output is required, the process is terminated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation in the driver of the second embodiment.

When the application performs the printing process in step 403 or step 408, the driver process called as shown in FIG. 7 receives the input of the process (step 501) and determines whether the process is completed. Is determined (step 502), and when the processing is completed, the processing is terminated. If the process is not completed, the process proceeds to step 503, executes the process described later with reference to FIG. 8, and returns to step 501.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the detailed operation of step 503.

The details of the processing in step 503 are as shown in FIG. 8. It is determined whether or not the setting for notifying the charge information is made (step 601). Perform (step 603) and end. In the case of setting not to notify the charging fee information, the output process is performed (step 602), and the process ends.

In the above embodiment, the medium for recording the application program and the printing-related module having the billing function is the FD or HD drive, but the medium may be a CD-ROM, IC memory card, or other medium. It may be via a network such as electronic mail or personal computer communication. Furthermore, a printing-related module having an application program and a billing function may be recorded in the ROM 3 and configured to be a part of the memory map, and may be directly executed by the CPU 1.

[0045]

According to the present invention, it is possible for an application to acquire information relating to a billing fee without actually being billed. It is possible to perform processing according to the charging fee such as output after confirmation, output cancellation after the user confirms the charging fee, and output cancellation when the set fee exceeds the upper limit. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a billing device MC1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a host computer 3000 is connected to a printer 5000 and a multifunction peripheral 6000 having a scanner and a printer function via a network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a memory map in a state in which a host computer 3000 can execute a printing-related module including an application loaded in a RAM 2 and a printer driver having a billing function under the management of an OS. It is.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print-related module having a billing function in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of an application according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation in the driver of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of step 503 in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 MC1: accounting processing device MC1, 3000: host computer, 5000: printer, 6000: multifunction machine.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An accounting apparatus having one or a plurality of output devices and an information processing device connected to the output device directly or via a network, wherein when outputting from the information processing device to the output device, A charging means for charging; a charging rate calculating means for calculating a charging rate without outputting from the output device; and a switching means for switching calculation or output processing of the charging rate; When the driver is called through an API determined in a similar environment, the information processing apparatus outputs the information. The application and the driver use an extensible interface or a unique interface to calculate the charging fee. Charge without generating output data from print processing data Billing apparatus, characterized in that to calculate the money. 2. The billing processing device according to claim 1, wherein the billing fee is calculated without being output by the output device and notified to the user. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the output includes a charge after the user confirms the charge, a cancellation of the output after the user confirms the charge, and an output cancel when the charge exceeds the set upper limit. A billing processing device for performing a process according to a fee. 4. A method for controlling a billing processing device having one or a plurality of output devices and an information processing device connected to the output device directly or via a network, comprising: outputting from the information processing device to the output device; A charging step for calculating a charging rate without the output from the output device; and a switching step for switching between calculation and output processing of the charging rate. Alternatively, by calling a driver through an API determined in an environment similar to this, the information processing device outputs the data, and the application and the driver communicate with each other using the extensible interface or a unique interface. When calculating, it is necessary to generate output data from print processing data. Billing processing method and performing the calculation of no accounting fee. 5. The billing method according to claim 4, wherein the billing fee is calculated and the user is notified without the output from the output device. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the output includes a charge after the user confirms the charge, a cancel of the output after the user confirms the charge, and an output cancel when the set charge exceeds the upper limit. A billing method comprising performing a process according to a fee.