JP2002027191A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that prints out image data received from a service system in response to a transmission request or calculates a print charge of the image data received in response to the transmission request. SOLUTION: The image forming device prints out image data received from a service system in response to a transmission request and transmits the information denoting the print result to the service system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for printing based on image data received according to a transmission request via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the rapid progress of computers, users receive information of image data held by a distributor using a terminal device such as a general-purpose personal computer using an Internet protocol and distribute the information to a display or an image forming apparatus. BOD (Book, On, Demand) to print by making it possible.

[0003]

However, as described above, in network communication such as the Internet, distribution of paperback books and magazines desired by users is not widespread except for those whose copyright has expired.

The first reason is that image data distributed from a service system that provides image data of a copyrighted work via a communication network such as the Internet is protected by encryption on the communication network. Even if the encryption is performed, there is a possibility that after the received terminal device or the like decrypts the code, it may be copied indefinitely, and the copyright or the distribution service does not function effectively. Second, the fee for printing from the distributed image data under the desired printing conditions differs from the flat fee for printing under certain printing conditions, and is difficult to calculate because it varies depending on the distribution fee of the image data and the printing conditions. Met.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to print based on image data received from a service system in response to a transmission request, or to reduce the printing fee of image data received in response to a transmission request. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs calculation efficiently.

[0006]

The above object is achieved by the following means.

(1) An image forming apparatus in a communication network transmits an image data transmission request to a service system that provides image data of a copyrighted work, and prints based on the image data received in response to the transmission request. And a print mode in which printing is performed based on image data received in response to a print request from an external device, and a BOD mode for transmitting information of the print result to the service system. .

(2) An image forming apparatus in a communication network transmits an image data transmission request to a service system that provides image data of a copyrighted work, and provides the image data from the service system in response to the transmission request. Receiving the charge information of the image data, calculating an estimate of the print charge of the image data requested for transmission based on the charge information of the provision of the image data, and providing the charge payment information for the calculated estimate to the service system. An image forming apparatus that receives the image data requested to be transmitted, performs printing based on the received image data, and transmits information of the print result to the service system.

(3) In the image forming apparatus in the communication network, a request for transmission of image data is transmitted to a service system for providing image data of the literary work, and the service system provides the image data in response to the transmission request. Receiving the charge information according to the image data, calculating an estimate of the print charge of the requested image data based on the charge information related to the provision of the image data, receiving the requested image data, and Printing based on the received image data, and calculating a print fee for the received image data based on information on a fee for providing the image data and a print result of the received image data. Image forming device.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus in a communication network. On the communication network 29,
The service system S and the image forming apparatus 1 are connected.

The communication network 29 is a network such as a public analog line, a digital line, a dedicated line, a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or the like using infrared communication, satellite communication, or the like, and may be any network capable of exchanging data. However, the Internet is most preferred. The Internet connects LANs (local area networks) laid in research institutions, public institutions, companies, etc. to W
It is a collection of networks that are always connected to each other using AN (Wide Area Network) technology, and is a network that has spontaneously developed on a scale that covers the entire world. Nodes that can communicate according to a protocol (TCP / IP) used on the Internet can communicate by identifying each node. In the Internet, an IP address is used as an identifier for identifying each node, and it is also possible to directly point to a file or the like stored in each node by a URL (uniform resource locator). The image forming apparatus 1, the data server 10, and the master server 5, which will be described later, are examples of such nodes.

The service system S is a system operated by a company that provides image data of a copyrighted work. The service system S includes a data server 10 storing image data of the copyrighted work and a master server 5 managing the entire service for providing the image data. Have. In the present embodiment, the service system S
Is a configuration in which the data server 10 and the master server 5 having different functions are connected to the communication network 29. However, the data server 10 has the function of the master server 5 or is directly connected to the master server 5 by a dedicated line. A configuration in which the data server 10 substantially has the function of the master server 5 may be used. Further, the service system S may have a configuration in which a plurality of data servers 10 and a plurality of master servers 5 are connected.

Here, a work is a creative expression of thoughts or feelings, which belongs to the range of literary arts, academics, or art. For example, a novel, script, paper,
Works include lectures and other languages, art works, prints and other art works, and photographic works. The image data is
This is data obtained by converting a copyrighted work by a scanner or the like, or data of a directly created copyrighted work. Specifically, at least one of grayscale image information, character image information, and layout information converted into digital data Is a data including HTML (Hyper
Text Markup Language), PDF
(Portable Document Format
t), various formats such as BMP (Bitmap).

The image forming apparatus 1 has a service system S for providing image data of a copyrighted work in the BOD mode.
A transmission request for image data is transmitted to the service system S, and printing is performed based on the image data received in response to the transmission request, and information of a print result is transmitted to the service system S. By transmitting the print result information to the service system S, the service system S can determine whether the printing has been performed normally. Therefore, the service system S receives a complaint due to a transmission error of the image data or a printing error of the image forming apparatus 1. And printing in the BOD mode can be performed efficiently.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the basic configuration of the BOD mode for printing based on image data received in response to a transmission request from the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 installed in a library or the like transmits a transmission request for image data of a copyrighted work desired by the user to the service system S. The master server 5 of the service system S performs a predetermined procedure, and selects the image data requested to be transmitted from the image data of the copyrighted work stored in the storage device such as the hard disk of the data server 10 such as a publisher. The image forming apparatus 1 receives the selected image data from the service system S, and performs printing on a recording material such as a sheet based on the received image data. The term “reception performed by the image forming apparatus 1” means that the image forming apparatus 1 acquires information such as image data stored in the service system S. The image data received by the image forming apparatus 1 may be temporarily stored in a personal computer 28 such as a server that manages printing of the image forming apparatus 1 and received from the personal computer 28 according to the printing status of the image forming apparatus 1. .

Here, the recording material is a material in which characters and figures are reproduced in a tangible manner. More specifically, the recording material is a sheet of paper or cloth cut into a predetermined size, Rolled paper, cloth or the like before being processed. In addition, printing means forming an image on a recording material based on image data and tangibly copying the recording material. An electrophotographic method is preferable for printing speed, and an inkjet method is preferable for printing cost. An image printed by the image forming apparatus 1 may be slightly different from a copyrighted work due to image processing, marking, and the like performed when forming an image, as compared to the copyrighted work.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body A, a sheet cutting device B, a sheet post-processing device FS, and an automatic document feeder DF.

An automatic document feeder DF is mounted on the upper portion of the main body A, and a sheet post-processing device F
S, a paper cutting device B is connected.

The main body A includes an image reading unit R having a scanner for reading an image of a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder DF, an image processing unit 2 for encoding the read document image and performing data processing, and a writing unit. Unit 3, an image carrier 4A formed of a photosensitive drum, an image forming unit 4 including at least a charger, a developing device, and a cleaning member for the image carrier 4A, and forming a toner image on the image carrier 4A; It has a paper feeding device X that stores paper P for image formation, a reversing path 9 for reversing the front and back of the paper, a circuit unit 11, a display unit 41, an input unit 42, and the like.

The automatic document feeder DF includes a document table 37
And a switching unit for appropriately switching the roller group including the roller R1 and the movement path of the document. The scanner of the document image reading unit R is located below the top glass G and includes a mirror unit, a fixed imaging lens, an image sensor, and the like. The writing unit 3 includes a laser light source, a polygon mirror, and the like. The circuit unit 11 includes a control unit 43, a paper feed failure detection unit 44, a paper feed detection unit 45, a communication unit 46, an encryption unit 47, a storage unit 48, a charge calculation unit 49, and the like, which will be described later.

Next, a process for printing based on image data will be described below. One of the originals (not shown) placed on the original placing table 37 is conveyed by the rollers of the automatic document feeder DF, passes under the roller R1, and has the mirror unit and the lens at the fixed position. Is imaged on the image sensor 1A via the image sensor and read. The read image information of the document is encoded by the signal processing of the image processing unit 2 and becomes image data, which is stored in the storage unit 48. The image data stored in the storage unit 48 is subjected to correction of image forming conditions and the like by the image processing unit 2, and thereafter, based on the image data, the writing unit 3 drives the laser light source to rotate the rotating image carrier 4A. Is exposed to laser light. Prior to exposure, image carrier 4 rotates in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise).
A is provided with a predetermined surface potential by the corona discharge action of the charger, but the exposure of the laser beam reduces the potential of the exposed portion in accordance with the exposure amount, and as a result, the electrostatic latent in accordance with the image data. An image is formed on the image carrier 4A. The electrostatic latent image is reversely developed by a developing device to be a visible toner image.

On the other hand, the uppermost sheet P stored in the sheet feeding device X is sent out from the sheet feeding device X by the feeding section 6. Thereafter, the paper P is conveyed to the image carrier 4A in synchronization with the toner image formed on the image carrier 4A. The toner image of the image carrier 4A overlaps the paper P conveyed in synchronization with the image carrier 4A, and the toner image is transferred to the paper P by the urging of the transfer device 4B. After the sheet P is separated from the image carrier 4A, the sheet P is conveyed to the fixing unit 7, and the toner powder that forms a toner image by the action of pressure and heat is fused and fixed on the sheet P. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 performs electrophotographic printing, but is not limited to this method, and may employ another method such as an inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto a recording material to perform printing.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 operates in a copy mode in which a toner image is fixed on paper and printed based on image data obtained by encoding image information of a document read by the scanner of the document image reading unit R. In addition, BOD mode,
It has a print mode.

The print mode is determined by the communication network 29
Is a mode in which printing is performed based on image data received in response to a print request from an external device such as a personal computer via the PC. The print request received from the external device in the print mode is a process in which image data held by the external device itself is sent to the image forming apparatus 1 as a transmission destination on the communication network 29 or the personal computer 28 which manages the image forming apparatus 1. Requests printing of data.

In the BOD mode and the print mode, image data received via the communication network 29 is corrected by the image processing unit 2 in terms of image forming conditions and the like, and then, based on the image data, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing are performed. Print on paper by the process of.

The paper P on which the toner has been fixed and printed is sent from the main body A to the paper post-processing apparatus FS via the paper discharge unit 8. When printing on both sides of the paper P, the first
The sheet P having the toner image transferred onto the surface thereof is conveyed to the reversing path 9 and is turned upside down. The inverted sheet P is transported again to the image carrier 4A. On the other hand, a second toner image is formed on the image carrier 4A,
Image carrier 4A on the second surface of sheet P conveyed in synchronization with
And the toner image is transferred onto the sheet P.
Thereafter, the fixing process is performed, and the sheet P is discharged through the sheet discharging unit 8.
The sheet is sent from the main body A to the sheet post-processing apparatus FS.

Next, a method of binding printed paper and a method of bookbinding will be described below. The sheet P sent from the sheet discharge section 8 to the sheet post-processing apparatus FS is placed on a cover, bound, and folded, and then cut by a sheet cutting apparatus B with its edges aligned to be bound.

The sheet post-processing device FS includes a cover sheet feeder 40,
Shift processing transporting section 20, first stacking section 30, binding section 50,
A folding unit 60, an entrance transport unit 10, a fixed paper discharge tray 81, an elevating paper discharge tray 82 for stacking sheets subjected to edge binding and shift processing, and the like are arranged.

The transport path of the paper P connected to the entrance transport section 10 is branched into three systems, a first transport path H at the upper stage, a second transport path I at the middle stage, and a third transport route J at the lower stage. .

The first transport path H1 is a path when the binding process is not selected, and the paper P is transported by rollers and discharged onto the fixed discharge tray 81.

The second transport path I is a path when the shift processing is selected without performing the binding processing. The second transport path I is transported by the rollers and shifted in the width direction by a predetermined number of sheets by the shift unit 20. The sheet is discharged onto a vertically movable sheet discharge tray 82 capable of storing a large amount of sheets (for example, about 2000 sheets).

The third conveyance path J is a path when the binding process is selected. The sheet P is conveyed to the rollers, and ends on the first stacking unit 30 at the end binding movable stopper member 51 of the binding unit 50. The parts are placed in contact with each other. When the cover is selected,
When the printing of the image data in book units is completed, the cover sheet K is fed from the cover sheet feeding section 40, conveyed by rollers, and placed on the sheet bundle on the first stacking section 30. Thereafter, on the first stacking unit 30, the sheet bundle is lightly struck on the side edges in the width direction to perform width alignment, and the movable binding unit 50 binds by binding a stapling needle to an end of the sheet by selection. Edge binding and saddle stitching are performed in which the binding staple is driven into the center of the paper and bound. When the edge binding processing is performed, the sheet bundle including the cover sheet K and the sheet P is held at the end of the sheet bundle by the belt of the first stacking unit 30 and is pushed up obliquely upward, so that the sheet stack Is discharged to

When the saddle stitching process is performed, the end binding movable stopper member 51 is retracted, and the sheet bundle including the cover sheet K and the sheet P subjected to the saddle stitching process is folded by a curved path and rollers. The sheet is conveyed to the second stacking section 64 of the sheet feeder 60. A sheet protruding portion 66 is provided at a central portion of the sheet bundle, that is, below the saddle stitching position, and a folding roller pair 67 is provided above the saddle stitching position. The sheet protruding portion 66 protrudes upward to push up the central portion of the sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is pushed into the nip portion of the folding roller portion 67 to form a fold at the central portion and be folded in two. The position of the fold coincides with the driving position of the binding staple of the sheet bundle in the saddle stitching process described above. The sheet protruding section 66 is retracted, and the sheet bundle folded and folded into a booklet is conveyed while being sandwiched by the folding roller section 67 and sent to the sheet cutting apparatus B.

Further, in the embodiment, the bookbinding method is to make a booklet by a binding process. It may be performed by bookbinding or the like in which the processed booklet is glued.

The bundle of sheets sent as a booklet to the sheet cutting device B is cut and aligned by an upper blade 75 descending from a cutting section and a lower blade 74 at a fixed position while being held by a conveyor belt 70. Can be The cut sheet bundle is pinched by the conveyor belt 72, guided by the rotating large-diameter roller 76, conveyed in the vertical direction, and the cut end of the sheet bundle is moved downward to the booklet mounting table 78 with the movable wall. It is pressed and placed by 79. The movable wall 79 conveys the sheet bundle to the booklet storage unit 77 while pressing the sheet bundle.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a booklet bound by saddle stitching. FIG. 3A shows a state in which a page of the booklet is closed, and FIG.
Is a state where the booklet page is opened. In the figure, booklet a
Is bound by the saddle stitching process in which the sheet P and the cover K are bound at the SP position with a binding staple. The booklet a has a configuration of eight pages from the p1 surface to the p8 surface of the cover K with the left side open. Printing is performed in order from three pages on the p3 side to six pages on the p6 side of the sheet P so that the original printing order of the image data stored in the data server 5 is obtained. In the embodiment, the booklet “a” is an example of printing in the vertical direction on a left-opening page, but may be a booklet on a right-opening page or a booklet in a horizontal writing mode depending on the bookbinding method and printing conditions selected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus. The control unit 43 controls the image data received by the communication unit 46,
Alternatively, based on the image data of the document read by the image reading unit R, the image processing unit 2, the writing unit 3,
The image forming unit 4 controls the paper feeding device X and the like to print on paper,
By controlling the sheet post-processing apparatus FS, the sheet cutting image forming apparatus B, and the like, the printed sheets are bound and bound.

The input unit 42 includes a keyboard, operation keys, and the like.
Operation instructions, input of the work to be printed, input of search information for searching for the work, input of credit card registration number, password, print mode, printing conditions, payment method of printing fee, binding Select the method, bookbinding method, etc.

The display section 41 includes a liquid crystal display panel and the like, and displays a search result of a copyrighted work, an estimation of a printing fee for image data, a printing result of image data, a printing error, and the like.

The paper feed detection section 45 detects the remaining amount of paper P stored in the paper feed device X, the type of paper, and the size of paper by an optical sensor.

The paper feed failure detecting unit 44 detects a paper feed failure due to a jam (paper jam) by a plurality of optical sensors installed in a transport path through which the paper P sent from the paper feed device X is transported. Detects bookbinding failure due to lack of glue or staples on the paper.

The communication section 46 transmits and receives information on the communication network 29, and the encryption section 47 encrypts information to be transmitted and decrypts the received encrypted information.

In the BOD mode, the charge calculation unit 49 calculates an estimate of a print charge that would be related to printing of image data before printing, or corrects the estimate of the print charge from the result of actual printing after printing. I do.

The control unit 43 switches between the copy mode, the BOD mode, and the print mode of the image forming apparatus 1 by inputting operation keys of the input unit 42 by the user. Also,
Switching between BOD mode and printer toad is performed by the communication unit 4
The control unit 43 can perform the switching based on the switching information received from an external device such as a personal computer received by the control unit 6.

Interruption printing, which gives priority to printing in another mode during printing, is performed by the control unit 43 under the control of the user by inputting operation keys of the input unit 42.

In interrupt printing, the print mode has priority over the BOD mode, and the copy mode has priority over the print mode. Therefore, if there is a request for interrupt printing in the copy mode during printing in the BOD mode or the print mode,
The mode shifts to the copy mode, and if there is an interrupt print request in the print mode during printing in the BOD mode, the mode shifts to the print mode.

Therefore, for example, even in the case where the number of pages of a copyrighted work is large and the printing time is long in the BOD mode, the printing in the copy mode in which the original is copied without waiting for the end of the BOD mode printing can be performed by the interrupt printing request. When the interrupt printing is completed, the printer automatically returns to the mode before the interrupt and restarts printing, so that forgetting to return the mode does not occur.

In order to reduce power consumption during standby for printing, the image forming apparatus 1 reduces standby power of the image forming unit 4 and the like if image data is not input for a predetermined period of time, so that image data is input. It also has an energy-saving mode that does not execute printing immediately. However, in the BOD mode, the printing time does not shift to the energy saving mode in which the printing time is long in order to give priority to the printing time.

Next, a BOD mode for printing based on image data received from the service system S in response to a transmission request will be described below.

5A and 5B show information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the service system in the BOD mode. FIG. 5A shows a first transmission request for image data, FIG. 5B shows a second transmission request for image data, (C) is fee payment information, and (D) is print result information.

The first transmission request (A) of the image data includes a transmission date and time, a type of request, a transmission source name, a generation request ID, a printing destination image forming apparatus list, a desired work name, or a search for a desired work. To perform a search request.

The transmission date and time is information on the date and time of the transmission request. The type of transmission is from (A) to (D)
This is a code for distinguishing the information. The transmission source name is information that can specify the image forming apparatus 1 that is the transmission source on the communication network 29. The generation request ID is a code assigned by the service system S to specify the image forming apparatus 1 and the transmission request. The print destination image forming device list is
When the image data of the work is shared by a plurality of image forming apparatuses for printing in order to increase the printing efficiency, the information is information that can be specified on the communication network 29 for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The desired title may be the name of a work or a code identifying the work that the user wants to print. The search request is information for the service system S to search for a literary work when the name of the literary work is not clear. The genre of the literary work, such as the author, publisher, publication date, and novel, Information such as characters. As the search information, information recorded in the storage unit 48 of the image forming apparatus 1 or information read from a CD or the like distributed from the service system S may be used.

The second transmission request (B) for image data includes information such as transmission date and time, type of request, transmission source name, generation request ID, literary work name, payment method, printing conditions, paper feeding state, and printing unit price. The service information S includes information for estimating a printing fee for printing a work desired by a user under desired printing conditions and for grasping a printing state of the image forming apparatus 1.

For the generation request ID, a card common to the first request is given. The payment method is information that allows the service system S to specify the payment method of the printing fee paid by the user when printing the image data selected by the user. For example, when the payment method of the cash card is selected when estimating the printing fee on the service system S side, a predetermined fee is added to the estimation.

The printing condition is a printing condition selected by the user from the printing ability of the image forming apparatus 1 set from the input unit 42, and is, for example, a first size sheet / a second size sheet different from the first size. (Selection of paper size), color printing / monochrome printing (selection of color / monochrome, and in the case of color printing, further selection of the number of colors), selection of resolution, character font, print quality such as print density Options, enlargement / reduction (selection of magnification), single-sided printing / double-sided printing (selection of single-sided and double-sided), printing of one page of work on one sheet of paper, monochrome printing of multiple pages of work on one sheet of paper, etc. Options related to bookbinding, such as information on the printing method of the book, selection of the front cover, presence of center folding, presence of saddle stitching, selection of glue binding, stapling, selection of punching holes, etc. Options and related to one of the image forming range and outputs whether the designated page outputs the stage, at least one information among the information of the number of copies desired by the user (e.g., number of books if bookbinding). Since the printing conditions are information selected according to the printing ability of the image forming apparatus 1,
This is information that requires adjustment of the transmission procedure on the service system S side. For example, when the character font selected by the image forming apparatus 1 is different from the font of the image data to be transmitted, the service system S changes the character font of the image data to be transmitted. Alternatively, it requests the image forming apparatus 1 to change the character font.

The paper feeding state includes information on the size of the paper accommodated in the paper feeding device X detected by the paper feeding detecting unit 45, the type of paper, the remaining amount of paper of the paper feeding device X, and the paper feeding failure detecting unit 44. Is at least one of the information on the state of the sheet in the apparatus such as the conveyance failure of the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding apparatus X and the bookbinding failure of the printed sheet due to the detection.

The type of paper detected by the paper feed detector 45 of the paper feeder X is a BOD-dedicated paper such as a paper with a logo or a paper with a sash, which is printed in advance, in addition to blank paper. For this reason, in the BOD mode, the paper feed detection unit 4
By using the BOD mode exclusive paper detected by the printer 5 for printing, it can be proved that the printing is valid image data in the BOD mode. Further, the sheet feeding device X has a sealed structure in which sheets cannot be replenished, or is detachable from the apparatus main body A. When specific electronic information is externally supplied when the sheets are replenished and replenished, sheet feeding detection is performed. An electronic circuit for outputting the detection of the unit 45 to the image forming apparatus main body is provided. For this reason, for example, if the input of specific electronic information is managed on the service system S side, it is possible to restrict a trader or the like who owns the image forming apparatus 1 from printing countless image data of the received work.

The printing unit price is information for the service system S to calculate an estimate of the printing fee for image data.
Price information such as a unit price of a material for forming an image such as a sheet and a toner used in printing, a unit price of bookbinding, and a usage fee of the image forming apparatus 1 per unit time. The printing unit price is information stored in the storage unit 48 of the image forming apparatus 1 and can be changed by the owner of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with printing demand and the cost of purchasing materials such as paper.

The fee payment information (C) is information for allowing the service system S to approve the fee payment method selected by the user for estimating the printing fee for image data. Original name, generation request ID,
It has information such as a copyrighted work name, card information, and an estimate code.

The card information includes a debit card that is immediately deducted from a bank account or the like, a cash card that is withdrawn from a bank account or the like at a later date, and an I / O with an electronic memory.
It has information such as a registration number and a recitation number of a C card and the like, and cash input information. Cash input information, as a payment method,
When the user selects cash input, the coin input machine provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is information for confirming the insertion of cash equivalent to the estimated fee. The estimate code is a code for specifying the calculated estimate based on the information on the fee for providing the image data.

The print result information (D) includes information such as a transmission date and time, a request type, a transmission source name, a print error, and a print time.

The printing error is determined by information such as the number of paper sheets, image data numbers, and bookbinding errors where printing of image data was not performed normally by detection of the sheet feeding detection unit 45 and the sheet feeding failure detection unit 44. is there.

In the present embodiment, the communication network 30
A first transmission request (A) of image data, a second transmission request (B) of image data, fee payment information (C), and print result information (D) transmitted via
However, it is sufficient that at least the second transmission request (B) of image data and the fee payment information (C) are encrypted. Preferably, the information to be encrypted is provided with a digital signature encrypted with the encryption key. That is, the data server 10, the master server 5, and the image forming apparatus 1 are configured so as to be able to mutually execute encrypted communication by the public key method, and each of the data server 10, the master server 5, and the image forming apparatus 1 To prevent the spoofing by other nodes, etc., and prevent the information to be transmitted from being encrypted by its own secret key, thereby preventing unauthorized copying by other nodes.

The encryption will be described in detail. The information transmitted by the image forming apparatus 1 is added with a digital signature encrypted with its own private key, and is encrypted with the public key of the service system S before transmission. Further, the service system S decrypts the digital signature of the received information with the public key of the image forming apparatus 1 to specify the transmission source, and upon receiving the information encrypted with its own public key, decrypts it with its own private key. Become

Here, the digital signature is a code in which the characteristic value of the information to be transmitted is encrypted with the secret key of the transmission source.
The transmission destination decrypts this part with the transmission source's public key, and checks whether the value matches the characteristic value of the transmitted information. This makes it possible to confirm that the transmission source is indeed the correct partner (anyone else has not impersonated the transmission source), and further confirm that the information content has not been tampered with. For calculating the feature value, a hash value by MD5 or another method is used.

Specific contents of the digital signature include, for example, random data (a random value of 8 bytes or more),
A structure in which the date and / or time, the name of the signer, and the characteristic value of the information to be transmitted are encrypted with the private key of the signer (usually the sender) can be used.

In some cases, the signature may be signed by another signer different from the sender. For example, when transmitting to the service system S for the first time, the service system S
By signing a specific signer trusted by,
This is a case where a new image forming apparatus 1 is registered.

Further, by confirming that the date and time are later than the generation time of the information to be transmitted and within a predetermined time, it is possible to increase the accuracy of certifying the validity of the signature.

The service system S has such an encrypted
The information from the image forming apparatus 1 to which the digital signature has been added is decrypted with its own secret key, and the transmission destination is confirmed by decrypting the digital signature (decoding the characteristic value).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the BOD mode. This will be described below with reference to the flowchart.

In step 100, the first transmission request (A) of the image data of the literary work input by the user is transmitted to the service system S. In step 101, information on image data according to the transmission request and information on a fee for providing the image data are received. Alternatively, a search result for the search information transmitted when the name of the copyrighted work is not clear is received, the process returns to step 100, and again the first transmission request of the image data of the copyrighted work selected by the user from the search results is sent to the service system S. Send to

Here, the fee information related to the provision of the image data is information including at least one of a copyright fee of the image data, an image data creation fee, and an image data distribution fee of the service system S. Image data information includes the name of the work, the name of the copyright holder, the date of expiration of the copyright, the name of the publisher, the image data format, the amount of image data, the number of colors, and the page printed on the specified size paper. Information such as numbers.

In step 102, the fee calculating section 49 calculates an estimate of the printing fee for the image data based on the fee information and the image data information relating to the provision of the received image data and the printing conditions input by the user. Step 103
Transmits a second transmission request (B) of the image data of the copyrighted work to the service system S. The second transmission request (B) is
The information used when calculating the estimate on the service system S side may be transmitted after the first transmission request. Here, even if the work is interrupted, the estimate is stored in the storage unit 48 together with the estimate code, and the estimate stored in the storage unit 48 is input later by the input of the estimate code within the expiration date of the estimate. And read step 1
You can restart from 04.

Step 104 is a step of calculating the calculated estimate,
Alternatively, the estimate received from the service system S is displayed on the display unit 41 or printed by the image forming unit 4, and the user confirms the estimate. When the estimate is to be changed, the process returns to step 100 and a transmission request is made again. In step 105, the user who has confirmed the estimate inputs fee payment information for the estimate, and transmits the input fee payment information (C) to the service system S. When the transmitted fee payment information is approved by the service system S, the service system S permits transmission of image data of the copyrighted work requested to be transmitted.

In step 106, printing is started under the input printing conditions based on the image data received by the transmission permission. If the order of the image data to be printed is different from the order of reception according to the selected printing conditions, bookbinding method, and the like, the received image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 48, and is stored in accordance with the printing conditions and the bookbinding method. The stored image data is read out and printed.

Step 107 is to print the information (D) on the printing result at the end of printing for each sheet or printing of image data.
To the service system S. Step 108
When a printing error occurs due to the detection of a jam by the paper feeding failure detection unit 44 or the like, or when the user feels dissatisfied with the print quality not detected by the detection unit and desires to start over, the process returns to step 106. When performing the printing again, the service system S needs to approve the printing again by a predetermined procedure.

At step 109, when the printing of the image data is completed, step 110 transmits the information (D) of the printing result to the service system S, and calculates the fee based on the fee for providing the image data and the printing result. The unit 49 calculates the printing fee for the image data. The calculation of the printing fee for the image data can also be performed on the service system S side from the transmitted printing result information (D). Step 111 is to print and issue the printing fee of the image data as a receipt, and further, if the fee is to be deducted by the company that owns the image forming apparatus 1, for example, if the payment method is a debit card, Based on the payment information (C), the printing fee is deducted from the account of the bank or the like via the communication network 29 to perform the charging process.

In step 112, when the calculation of the printing fee and the charging process are completed, the received image data and the estimate stored in the storage unit 48 are deleted, and the BOD mode ends.

Since the printing fee in the BOD mode is based on the fee information relating to the provision of the image data, the fee relating to the image data such as the copyright is reliably calculated. Further, since the printing fee is calculated based on the printing result, when the occurrence of a printing error such as a paper jam is detected, the fee is discounted and calculated. Therefore, the printing fee for the image data such as copyright is reduced. In addition to collecting the data reliably, the user is not charged an erroneous fee due to a printing error, and the printing fee for the image data can be calculated efficiently. Further, since the image forming apparatus 1 cannot always detect all printing errors, if the contact information of the service system S such as the address and the telephone number is printed in the corner of the paper on which the image data is printed, the user can confirm the complaint destination. It is preferred.

[0081]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for efficiently performing printing based on image data received in response to a transmission request or calculating a printing fee for received image data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming apparatus in a communication network.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a booklet bound by saddle stitching.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows information transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the service system in the BOD mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a BOD mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Master server 10 Data server 29 Communication network S Service system

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G03G 21/00 396 G03G 21/00 398 398 H04N 1/32 Z H04N 1/32 1/34 1/34 1/44 1 / 44 G03G 21/00 392 (72) Inventor Toru Kobayashi Konica Corporation, 2970, Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo (72) Inventor Noriyuki Yanagimachi Konica Corporation, 1-26-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Norio Kayano 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo F-term in Konica Corporation (reference) 2H027 DA40 DC01 DC02 DC09 DC14 DC18 DC19 DE02 DE07 EC06 EF15 EF16 EJ01 EJ03 EJ04 EJ06 EJ08 EJ09 EJ13 EJ15 EJ19 FA02 FA05 FA06 FA07 FA10 FA11 FA21 FA28 FA30 FA35 FB04 FB19 FC02 FC09 FD01 AB18A18 AB ABA AB ABA AB ABA AB ABA AB ABA ABA AC42 AE16 AF00 AF07 AF08 AF10 BA04 5C075 AB90 BB11 CD13 EE02 EE03 GG01

Claims (22)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus in a communication network transmits an image data transmission request to a service system that provides image data of a copyrighted work, and performs printing based on the image data received in response to the transmission request. An image forming apparatus comprising: a BOD mode for transmitting the information of the print result to the service system; and a print mode for performing printing based on image data received in response to a print request from an external device. 2. An input unit having operation keys, wherein the shift to the BOD mode or the print mode is performed by input from operation keys of the input unit or switching information received from outside. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A copy mode for printing based on image data of a document read by a scanner, wherein, when printing is performed in the BOD mode or the print mode, a request for interrupt printing in the copy mode is issued. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus shifts to a mode. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when printing is performed in the BOD mode, if there is a request for interrupt printing in the printing mode, the printing apparatus shifts to the printing mode. Image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the interruption printing is completed, the mode returns to a mode before interruption. 6. An input unit having an operation key, wherein the request for interrupt printing is input from an operation key of the input unit. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 7. An energy saving mode in which printing is not immediately executed even when image data is input, in order to suppress power consumption in a standby state in which a printing operation is not performed, and the apparatus shifts to the energy saving mode during printing in the BOD mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus does not perform the processing. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order in which the image data is printed in the BOD mode is different from the order in which the image data is received. 9. A detection unit for detecting a logo-printed paper or a squashed paper printed in advance, and in the BOD mode, the detection unit detects the logo-containing paper or the squashed paper. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the image forming apparatus is used for printing. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact information of the service system is printed on a sheet on which image data is printed in the BOD. 11. An image forming apparatus in a communication network, wherein an image data transmission request is transmitted to a service system for providing image data of a copyrighted work, and the service system provides image data from the service system in response to the transmission request. Receiving the information on the fee, calculating an estimate of a print fee for the image data requested to be transmitted based on the information on the fee related to the provision of the image data, and transmitting the fee payment information for the calculated estimate to the service system. An image forming apparatus that transmits the image data requested to be transmitted, performs printing based on the received image data, and transmits information of the print result to the service system. 12. An image forming apparatus in a communication network, wherein an image data transmission request is transmitted to a service system for providing image data of a copyrighted work, and the service system provides image data from the service system in response to the transmission request. Receiving the information on the fee, calculating an estimate of the printing fee for the image data requested to be transmitted based on the information on the fee related to the provision of the image data, receiving the image data requested to be transmitted, and receiving the received image data. Printing based on the image data, and calculating a print fee for the received image data based on information on a fee for providing the image data and a print result of the received image data. Forming equipment. 13. The transmission request according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request is transmitted after being encrypted.
Item 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 1. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the encryption is performed based on a public key cryptosystem. 15. The transmission request according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request has information for identifying a transmission source.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request includes information for specifying a method of paying a print fee for image data. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request includes a search request for searching for a copyrighted work. 18. A sheet supply device containing a sheet to be printed, wherein the transmission request includes a size of the sheet contained in the sheet supply device, a type of the sheet, a remaining amount of the sheet, and a The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the information is at least one of information of a conveyance failure and a bookbinding failure of a printed sheet. 19. The paper feeding device includes a paper feeding detection unit that detects a remaining amount of stored paper, wherein the paper feeding device is a sealed structure that cannot replenish paper, or is detachable from an image forming apparatus main body. An electronic circuit for outputting detection of the paper feed detecting unit to the image forming apparatus main body when specific electronic information is externally supplied when the paper is replenished after being detached and replenished. 19. The image forming apparatus according to 18. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request includes information on a printing condition of the image data. 21. A post-processing apparatus for bundling printed sheets, wherein the printing conditions include selection of a cover, whether or not center folding is performed, whether or not saddle stitching is performed, glue binding, staple, and the like.
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the image forming apparatus is at least one of information relating to bookbinding for selecting whether or not punching is selected. 22. The printing condition includes selection of a paper size,
Selection of color printing / monochrome printing, selection of the number of color colors,
Information on print quality such as resolution selection, character font, print density, enlargement / reduction (selection of magnification), single-sided printing /
Double-sided printing (single-sided and double-sided selection), print one page of work on one sheet of paper / print multiple pages of work on one sheet of paper Information on printing method and specify whether to output all pages of the work Information related to the image formation range of whether to output the page,
21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the information is at least one piece of information of the number of print copies.