JP2003228473A - Printing service system, server device, print processing method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing service with a higher function by limiting a function for a service likely to have difficulties in getting paid for, when an image processing device is used to meet the needs both by a customer requesting the printing service and a customer requesting a copy service. <P>SOLUTION: Output information, including a document and image data generated by an application, is transmitted from a PC 2 to a server computer 4 and is accumulated. When the accumulated output information is output, a copying machine 6 at a printing service shop 3 is selected and operated for copying service use or for printing service use, thus allowing processing by different payment methods, depending on the selected purpose of use while switching the function of the copy machine 6, depending on the selected purpose of use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copy service in which a customer's information processing apparatus communicates with a server apparatus which manages an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function, which is installed in a print service shop via a network. The present invention also relates to a print service system for performing print services, a server device, a print processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a customer can send image data or document data from home using a wide area computer network such as the Internet and output the data from a printer installed in a convenience store (convenience store) or a print shop. A network print service has been proposed.

The advantage of such a network print service is that a customer who does not have a printer or a customer who has only a printer for a consumer whose processing speed is slow and whose image quality is insufficient has a document or an image created by a personal computer at home in a neighborhood. It is possible to output with a high-performance printer installed in a convenience store or print shop, and after the customer sends the data, go to the store where the printer is installed and output the documents and image data sent by himself and pay for it. It is considered to provide a service of finishing.

On the other hand, copy services are currently provided at convenience stores and print shops, and the payment is usually paid by a coin vendor installed near the copying machine.

When a customer uses this copying machine, first, the copying machine becomes usable by inserting a predetermined amount of coins into a coin vendor. Next, various settings such as the number of copies and the color mode are set from the operation unit of the copying machine, and the reader unit starts reading the document by pressing the start button.

Then, the read image data is sent to the printer unit to form an image on a sheet. At this time, during the operation of the copying machine, the customer is required to pay a fee corresponding to the number of pages copied. Normally, this fee differs depending on the paper size to be copied and whether it is a color copy or a black and white copy. Collect from the amount invested.

Further, the copier, when feeding the paper,
The coin vendor is inquired as to whether or not there is enough money to form an image on the paper, and if there is money, the paper is fed to form an image. When the balance is insufficient, the job is interrupted there, coins are inserted again by the customer, and the copy operation is restarted by the start button. If there is a balance after the job is completed, the balance is returned by pushing the return lever of the coin vendor.

[0008] Due to such operation, for a service store which currently has a copy machine and a coin vendor for the copy service, when the print service is started, a new printer is provided for the network print service. There is a problem in terms of cost and space to install equipment such as, so in the form of adding a network print function to the currently installed copy machine,
It is possible to use the facilities for the current copy service.

[0009]

However, as described above, the current payment by the coin vendor includes the balance information when the copying machine and the coin vendor communicate with each other and the billing information when the paper is ejected. Since the processing is performed based on the above, the operation of the printer unit of the copying machine connected to the coin vendor is restricted, and the performance and function originally possessed by the copying machine are not fully exerted.

For example, in a copying machine having a double-sided copying function, a printer unit reverses a sheet on which an image is formed on the front side and feeds the sheet again to an image forming conveyance path to form an image on the back side. Paper operation is in progress.

However, when the coin vendor and the copying machine are connected to each other, when the remaining money is exhausted during the re-feeding, the back side is not image-formed and only the front side is copied and output. This is set so that the double-sided function cannot be used even though it has the double-sided function, because the surface portion of the charge is wasted to the customer.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a print function in which a customer's information processing apparatus is installed in a print service shop via a network. A print service system that performs a copy service or a print service by communicating with a server device that manages an image processing device that also has a copy function, and outputs output information including a document and image data generated by an application from an information processing device. When transferred to the server device, the transmitted output information is stored, and when the stored output information is output, whether to operate the image processing device of the print service store to use as a copy service or a print service. When selected, it can be processed by different payment methods depending on the selected purpose of use. In addition, by changing the function of the image output means according to the selected purpose of use, it is difficult to pay the price for the service for the needs of the customer who requests the print service and the customer who requests the copy service. A print service environment that limits the functions that tend to become easy to receive high-performance print services when using an image processing device and that is highly convenient for the user. A system, a print processing method, a storage medium, and a program are provided.

A second object is a server device for managing a copy service or print service in which an information processing device of a customer uses an image processing device having a print function or a copy function installed in a print service store via a network. When accumulating the output information transmitted by the information processing device of the customer and outputting the accumulated output information to the image processing device, the network is changed according to the purpose of use selected by the operation unit of the image processing device. Even if the charge for the print service becomes high due to the function of the image processing device by processing the deduction of the charge for the print service by communicating with the bank terminal device that manages the payment account of the customer via the The payment can be collected without interruption without interrupting the print service. To provide a server apparatus and a printing processing method, and a storage medium, and a program can be used to construct that convenience to excellent print service environment freely.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a server for managing an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function in which a customer's information processing apparatus is installed in a print service shop via a network. A print service system that performs a copy service or a print service by communicating with an apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus (corresponding to the PC 2 shown in FIG. 1) outputs output information including a document and image data generated by an application. A data transmission means (corresponding to the NIC 1308 shown in FIG. 13) for transferring to the server device is provided, and the server device stores the output information transmitted by the data transmission means (external memory 1311 shown in FIG. 13).
Image output means for outputting the output information accumulated by the data accumulating means, and the image processing apparatus (corresponding to the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1) outputs the output information. (Corresponding to the printer section of the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1), image reading means for reading a document image and outputting it to the image outputting means (corresponding to the scanner section of the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1), and the image output. Purpose selecting means for selecting whether the means is used as a print service or a copy service (the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1)
And a plurality of payment processing means (corresponding to the controller section 6a of the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1) that performs processing by different payment methods according to the intended purpose selected by the intended purpose selecting means. A function changing unit (corresponding to the controller unit 6a of the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1) that changes the function of the image output unit according to the purpose of use selected by the purpose of use selecting unit. .

In a second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of payment method processing means include first payment method processing means for performing cash payment processing in which a customer pays in cash, and the server device using a network. A second payment method processing means for performing electronic payment processing by communication with a bank terminal device that manages the payment of the customer's deposit account.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the function changing means functions so that when the customer selects the print service by the purpose-of-use selecting means, more functions than those selected by the copy service can be used. It is characterized by changing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second payment method processing means, when the customer selects the print service by the intended purpose selecting means, the server is provided when the output by the image outputting means is completed. It is characterized in that billing information is sent to the device.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the customer selects the copy service by the use purpose selecting means,
When the customer pays cash and the payment amount information and the output start request information are sent from the first payment processing means to the image output means, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, and the image output means. The balance of payment is calculated for each page of the image output by, and the image output is interrupted when the balance is insufficient.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the customer selects the copy service by the use purpose selecting means,
When the customer pays cash and the payment amount information and the output start request information are sent from the first payment processing means to the image output means, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, and the image forming means. The balance of payment is calculated for each page of the image output by, and when there is a balance when the image output is completed, the balance information is added to the first
It is characterized in that the balance is sent back to the payment processing means.

A seventh aspect of the present invention manages a copy service or a print service in which an information processing apparatus of a customer uses an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function installed in a print service shop via a network. Which is a server device for storing the output information transmitted by the information processing device (corresponding to the external memory 1311 shown in FIG. 13), and the output information accumulated by the data storage device for the image processing. Image transfer means for outputting to the device (NIC 130 shown in FIG. 13)
8)) and communication with a bank terminal device that manages the customer's payment account via the network according to the purpose of use selected by the operation unit of the image processing device, and deducts the value of the print service. Electronic payment processing means for processing (CPU 1301 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to a configuration for performing payment processing by the electronic payment processing program stored in 311).

An eighth invention according to the present invention is an issuing means for issuing authentication information for authenticating a reading process of the output information accumulated in the data accumulating means to the information processing device (the CPU 1301 shown in FIG. (Corresponding to a configuration of issuing processing by the issuing processing program stored in the memory 1311), comparing the customer authentication information input from the operation unit of the information processing device with the authentication information issued by the issuing means. Authentication means for authentication (C shown in FIG. 13)
PU1301 corresponds to the configuration for performing the authentication processing by the authentication processing program stored in the external memory 1311), and the control means for controlling the reading processing of the output information stored in the data storage means based on the authentication result by the authentication means. (The CPU 1301 shown in FIG.
(Corresponding to the configuration controlled by the processing program stored in 11).

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the electronic payment processing means communicates with a bank terminal device that manages the customer's payment account via the network after the print job processing by the image processing device is completed. Is used to process the deduction of the price of the print service.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the electronic settlement processing means transfers personal authentication information and account information for specifying a payment account of the customer to the bank terminal device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an information processing device of a customer is installed in a print service shop via a network, and an image output means for outputting output information and an image output means for reading an original image are provided to the image output means. A print processing method in a print service system for performing a copy service or a print service by communicating with a server device that manages an image processing device having an image reading unit for outputting, including a document and image data generated by an application. A data transmission step (not shown) of transferring output information to the server device is provided, and the server device stores the output information transmitted by the data transmission means in a data storage means (shown in FIG. 6). In step S24), the data is stored by the data storage means. An image transfer step of outputting force information to the image processing apparatus (step S408 shown in FIG. 9), and a purpose of use selecting step of selecting whether the image output means is used as a print service or a copy service. (Step S401 shown in FIG. 9)
And a plurality of payment processing steps (step S82 in FIG. 11) for processing by different payment methods according to the purpose of use selected in the purpose of use selection step, and according to the purpose of use selected in the purpose of use selection step. And a function changing step (not shown) for changing the function of the image output means.

In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of payment method processing steps include a first payment method processing step (not shown) for performing cash payment processing in which a customer pays in cash, and a network. A second payment method processing step (not shown) for performing electronic payment processing by communication between the server device and a bank terminal device that manages the payment of the customer's deposit account is provided.

In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the function changing step is performed so that when the customer selects the print service in the use purpose selecting step, more functions than those selected by the copy service can be used. It is characterized by changing.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the second payment method processing step, when the customer selects the print service in the usage purpose selecting step, the server is operated when the output by the image output means is completed. It is characterized in that billing information is sent to the device.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the customer selects the copy service in the purpose-of-use selection step, the customer pays cash to pay the amount paid from the first payment processing step to the image output means. By sending the information and the output start request information, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, the balance of payment is calculated for each page of the image output by the image output means, and the image is displayed when the balance is insufficient. It is characterized by interrupting the output.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, when the customer selects the copy service in the purpose-of-use selection step, the customer pays cash to pay the amount of money paid from the first payment processing step to the image output means. By sending the information and the output start request information, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, the payment balance is calculated for each image page output by the image forming means, and the balance is paid when the image output is completed. If there is, the balance information is sent to the first payment processing step and the balance is returned.

The seventeenth aspect of the present invention manages a copy service or a print service in which an information processing apparatus of a customer uses an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function installed in a print service shop via a network. And a data storage step of storing the output information transmitted from the information processing apparatus in a data storage means (step S24 shown in FIG. 6), and an output stored by the data storage means. According to the image transfer step of outputting information to the image processing apparatus (step S408 shown in FIG. 9) and the purpose of use selected by the operation unit of the image processing apparatus,
An electronic payment processing step (not shown) for processing the withdrawal of the charge for the print service by communicating with the bank terminal device that manages the payment account of the customer via the network.

An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is an issuing step for issuing to the information processing device authentication information for authenticating a read process of the output information stored in the data storage means, and an operation of the information processing device. Based on the authentication step (step S405 shown in FIG. 9) of comparing the authentication information of the customer input by the department with the authentication information issued by the issuing step, and the authentication result by the authentication step. And a control step (not shown) for controlling the reading process of the output information accumulated in the accumulating means.

In a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic settlement processing step, after the print job processing by the image processing apparatus is completed, communication with a bank terminal apparatus managing the customer's payment account is performed via the network. Is used to process the deduction of the price of the print service.

In a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic payment processing step (step S82 shown in FIG. 11), personal authentication information for specifying a payment account of the customer and account information are transferred to the bank terminal device. It is characterized by

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for implementing the print processing methods according to the eleventh to twentieth aspects of the present invention.

A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is a program that realizes the print processing method according to any one of the eleventh to twentieth aspects.

[0036]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A network print service system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a network print service system including an image processing device, an information processing device, a server device, and a bank terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the personal computer 2 owned by the customer 1 is connected to the Internet NET by a dial-up connection using a modem or a router or a cable modem, and the server computer 4 installed in a print service store 3 such as a convenience store is By connecting to the Internet through a dedicated line, the personal computer 2 and the server computer 4 can communicate on the network.

The print service shop 3 includes a digital copying machine 6 including a scanner section having a network print function for performing scanner function processing and a printer section for performing print function processing, and a coin vendor 5 connected to the digital copy machine 6 for performing charging processing. Is installed and the server computer 4
Is connected to a copy machine 6 having a network print function.

On the other hand, the internet bank 10 is provided with the terminal device 13 and comprehensively processes electronic transactions between the personal account 12 and the print service store account 11 opened in advance, and is connected to the Internet NET through a dedicated line. Network communication with the server computer 4. The configurations of the personal computer 2 and the copy machine 6 will be described later.

In the network print service system configured as described above, the customer first sends the desired image data 101 from his or her own personal computer 1 to the server computer 4 installed in the print service store 3 via the Internet NET. Server computer 4
The reception number 102 of the image data 101 transmitted from is returned.

Next, the customer visits the print service shop 3 and selects the function of using the copy machine 6 as the copy service or the copy machine 6 as the print service on the operation unit screen of the copy machine 6.

Here, when the user selects the use as the copy service (selects the copy function) on the operation unit screen, a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into the coin vendor 5 so that the copy machine 6 executes the copy. It becomes possible. At this time, the keys displayed on the operation unit screen are controlled by the controller of the copying machine 6 so that only the keys corresponding to the limited functions are displayed as compared with the case where the copying machine is used as a print service.

Therefore, for example, even if the double-sided function can be used as the print service, the double-sided function selection key is not displayed. Then, during copying, the copying machine 6 charges the billing information 104 such as the size of the paper and the color mode of the formed image every time the paper on which the image is formed is discharged.
To the coin vendor 5.

Then, the coin vendor 5 calculates the charge from the notified billing information 104 and collects it from the inserted coin.

On the other hand, when the customer 1 selects the print service, the reception number 102 and the electronic authentication personal authentication information 103 are displayed on the display connected to the server computer 4.
By inputting, the server computer 4 notifies the copy machine 6 that the job of the print service is started, and in response to the notification, the server computer 4 sends the image data 101 to the copy machine 6, At 6, the print operation is executed.

At this time, a double-sided function selection key, which is a function process that cannot be used in the copy service, is displayed on the operation unit. If the job is a double-sided printing job, the double-sided selection key is highlighted and the double-sided printing operation is performed. Run. Then, at the end of the printout, the billing information 104 is sent from the copying machine 6 to the server computer 4, and the server computer 4 receives the personal authentication information 103 and the billing information 10.
4 is transmitted to the internet bank 10. The terminal device 13 of the online bank 10 sends the sent personal authentication information 103 and billing information 1
Personal account 1 managed as a database by 04
Pay from 2 to the service store account 11. Below, Figure 1
The copying machine 6 will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation unit in the copy machine 6 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 6001 denotes a touch panel display, which normally displays the number of copies, selected paper size, magnification, and copy density. A reset key 6002 returns the copy mode to the standard mode. 6
A start key 003 starts the copy operation. 6
A stop key 004 interrupts the copy operation. 6
A clear key 005 returns the copy mode to the standard mode. A numeric keypad 6006 sets the number of copies.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of the copying machine 6 shown in FIG. 1, which corresponds to the case where it is composed of, for example, a color reader unit and a color printer unit capable of forming a color image. First, the configuration of the color reader unit will be described.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes a CCD, which reads a reflection image of an original image placed on the original platen glass (platen) 301 and converts it into an analog image signal.
Reference numeral 311 is a substrate on which the CCD 101 is mounted.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire image forming apparatus, reference numeral 312 denotes a printer processing unit, which is described below, except for the image processing unit 101 shown in FIG. 4, and 201 to 2 shown in FIG.
It consists of including the part of 05. A document feeder (DF) 302 sequentially feeds sheet documents to image reading positions. Note that there is also a configuration in which a mirror surface pressure plate (not shown) is mounted instead of the document feeding device 302.

Reference numerals 303 and 304 denote light sources (halogen lamps or fluorescent lamps) that illuminate the original placed on the original platen glass (platen) 301. Reflective umbrellas 305 and 306 collect the light from the light sources 303 and 304 on the original.

Reference numerals 307 to 309 denote mirrors for scanning the image reflected from the original. Reference numeral 310 denotes a lens, which collects reflected light or projected light from the document on the CCD 101. 314
Is a carriage that houses the halogen lamps 303 and 304, the reflectors 305 and 306, and the mirror 307. A carriage 315 accommodates the mirrors 308 and 309, 31
An external interface 3 communicates with other devices.

It should be noted that the carriage 314 is at a speed V and the carriage 315 is at a speed V / 2, and mechanically moves in a direction perpendicular to the electrical scanning (main scanning) direction of the CCD 101 to scan the entire surface of the original. (Sub scanning).

Reference numeral 317 is an M image forming portion, 318 is a C image forming portion, 319 is an M image forming portion, and 320 is a K image forming portion.

In the M image forming section 317, 342 is a photosensitive drum, and a latent image is formed on the surface thereof by the light from the LED array 210. The data for causing the LED array 210 to emit light is the binary image signal (hereinafter referred to as a binary image signal generated by the digital image processing unit 312 based on the RGB signal obtained by scanning the document read by the color reader unit. Will be abbreviated as “scanner image signal”) or a binary image signal input from the outside of the image forming apparatus via the external I / F 313. 322 is a developing device, and the sleeve 345 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 342 with M color toner. A transfer roller 323 transfers the toner image to the recording sheet medium conveyed by the transfer belt 333 at a predetermined timing. A charging roller 321 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 342.

In the C image forming section 318, a photosensitive drum 343 is formed with a latent image on its surface by the light from the LED array 211. The data for causing the LED array 211 to emit light is a binary image signal (hereinafter referred to as a binary image signal generated by the digital image processing unit 312 based on the RGB signal obtained by scanning the document read by the color reader unit. Will be abbreviated as “scanner image signal”) or a binary image signal input from the outside of the image forming apparatus via the external I / F 313. 325 is a developing device, and the sleeve 346 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 343 with C color toner. A transfer roller 326 transfers the toner image to the recording sheet medium conveyed by the transfer belt 333 at a predetermined timing. A charging roller 324 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 343.

In the Y image forming section 319, 344 is a photosensitive drum on which a latent image is formed by the light from the LED array 212. The data for causing the LED array 212 to emit light is the binary image signal (hereinafter referred to as the binary image signal generated by the digital image processing unit 312 based on the RGB signal obtained by scanning the document read by the color reader unit. Will be abbreviated as “scanner image signal”) or a binary image signal input from the outside of the image forming apparatus via the external I / F 313. Reference numeral 328 denotes a developing device, and the sleeve 347 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 344 with toner of Y color. A transfer roller 329 transfers the toner image to the recording sheet medium conveyed by the transfer belt 333 at a predetermined timing. A charging roller 327 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 344.

In the K image forming section 320, 345 is a photosensitive drum on which a latent image is formed by the light from the LED array 213. The data for causing the LED array 213 to emit light is the binary image signal (hereinafter referred to as a binary image signal generated by the digital image processing unit 312 based on the RGB signal obtained by scanning the document read by the color reader unit. Will be abbreviated as “scanner image signal”) or a binary image signal input from the outside of the image forming apparatus via the external I / F 313. 331 is a developing device, and the sleeve 348 visualizes the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 345 with K color toner. A transfer roller 332 transfers the toner image to the recording sheet medium conveyed by the transfer belt 333 at a predetermined timing. A charging roller 330 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 345.

Since the transfer efficiency is high in this embodiment,
The cleaner part is not placed. Also, it goes without saying that there is no problem even if the cleaner part is attached.

It should be noted that the scanner image signals are preliminarily set to the individual L's constituting the LED arrays 210, 211, 212, 213.
This is a signal that has undergone LED shading correction corresponding to the characteristics of the ED element. Therefore, the LED element that emits light based on a certain image signal is predetermined when the image signal is generated, and it cannot be changed for optimal image formation. However, this is not the case because it is not necessary to perform LED shading correction on the image signal from the external I / F 313.

Next, the operation of forming an image on the recording sheet medium, particularly, the conveying operation of the recording sheet medium in the paper feeding section will be described.

The recording sheet media stored in the cassettes 340 and 341 and the manual paper feed unit 353 are conveyed one by one onto the paper feed path by the pickup rollers 339 and 338. The recording sheet medium on the paper feed path is the paper feed roller 33.
When it is conveyed to the registration roller 355 by 6, 337,
The registration sensor 356 immediately before that detects the passage of the recording sheet medium.

Next, a procedure for forming an image on the recording sheet medium supplied onto the transfer belt 333 will be described. The fed recording sheet medium is absorbed by the electrostatic charger 3.
It is charged at 46. 348 is a transfer belt roller,
The transfer belt 333 is driven, and in combination with the adsorption charger 346, plain paper or the like is charged and the transfer belt 333 adsorbs the recording sheet medium. A sheet medium leading edge sensor 347 detects the leading edge of the recording sheet medium on the transfer belt 333. The detection signal of the sheet medium leading edge sensor is sent from the printer section to the color reader section and used as a sub-scanning synchronization signal when sending a video signal from the color reader section to the printer section.

After that, the plain paper is conveyed by the transfer belt 333, and is transferred to the MCY in the image forming units 317 to 320.
A toner image is formed on the surface in the order of K. The plain paper that has passed through the K image forming unit 320 is separated from the transfer belt 333 after being discharged by the discharging charger 349 to facilitate separation from the transfer belt 333. Reference numeral 350 denotes a peeling charger, which prevents image disturbance due to peeling discharge when the plain paper is separated from the transfer belt 333. The separated plain paper is charged by the pre-fixing chargers 351 and 352 in order to supplement the toner suction force and prevent image disturbance.
Further, after the toner image is heat-fixed by the fixing device 334, the conveying path is switched to the sheet discharging path 358 side by the sheet discharging flapper 357, and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharging tray 335 as it is. The digital image processing unit 312 will be described below in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the digital image processing section 312 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the document on the platen glass reflects light from the light sources 303 and 304, and the reflected light is CC.
It is guided to D101 and converted into an electric signal. Note that CC
In the case of a color sensor D101, even if the RGB color filters are inline on the 1-line CCD in the order of RGB, the 3-line CCD has R filters and G filters, respectively.
A filter and a B filter may be arranged for each CCD, or the filter may be on-chip, or the filter may have a configuration different from that of the CCD.

Then, the electric signal (analog image signal) is input to the image processing unit 312, and the clamp & Am
p. & S / H & A / D section 102 sample hold (S
/ H), the dark level of the analog image signal is clamped to the reference potential, amplified to a predetermined amount (the above processing order is not limited to the notation order), A / D converted, and converted into, for example, RGB.
Each is converted into an 8-bit digital signal.

Subsequently, the RGB signal is processed by the shading unit 1.
At 03, shading correction and black correction are performed.

In this embodiment, since the latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by causing the LED array to emit light in the image forming section of the printer, it is necessary to perform the LED shading correction in addition to the normal shading correction. .

Then, the corrected RGB signals are further subjected to the CCD 1 in the connection & MTF correction correction & document detection section 104.
When 01 is a 3-line CCD, since the reading position between the lines in the connecting process is different, the delay amount for each line is adjusted according to the reading speed, and the signal timing is corrected so that the reading positions of the 3 lines are the same. , MTF correction changes the MTF of reading depending on the reading speed and magnification, so the change is corrected and the original detection recognizes the original size by scanning the original on the original glass.

Then, the digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is C
The spectral characteristics of the CD 101 and the spectral characteristics of the light sources 303 and 304 and the reflectors 305 and 306 are corrected.

The output of the input masking section 105 is the external I
It is input to the selector 106 that can switch to the / F signal. The signal output from the selector 106 is color space compressed &
It is input to the background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 and the background removal unit 115. The signal input to the background removal unit 115 is subjected to background removal, and then input to a black character determination unit 116 that determines whether the original is a black character in the original, and a black character signal is generated from the original.

The color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 to which the output of the other selector 106 is input.
Then, in color space compression, it is judged whether the read image signal is within the range that can be reproduced by the printer, and if it is included, it is corrected as it is. .

Then, the background removal processing is performed, and the RGB signal is converted into the CMY signal by the LOG conversion. Then, the output signal of the color space compression & background removal & LOG conversion unit 107 has its timing adjusted by a delay 108 in order to correct the timing of the signal generated by the black character determination unit 116. This 2
Moire is removed by the moire removing unit 109 from the types of signals,
At 110, scaling processing is performed in the main scanning direction.

Reference numeral 111 is a UCR & masking & black character reflection portion, and the signal processed by the scaling processing portion is CMY signal UC.
The CMYK signal is generated by the R processing, corrected by the masking processing unit to a signal suitable for the printer output, and the determination signal generated by the black character determination unit 116 is fed back to the CMYK signal. The signal processed by the UCR & masking & black character reflection unit 111 is density-adjusted by the γ correction unit 112 and then smoothed or edge-processed by the filter unit 113. The processed signal is converted from an 8-bit multi-valued signal into a binary signal by the binary conversion unit 201. In addition,
The conversion method may be a dither method, an error diffusion method, or an improved error diffusion method. The configuration of the image recording unit of the printer unit will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the LED image recording section in the printer section shown in FIG.

The binary CMYK image signals generated by the image processing unit shown in FIG. 4 are based on the paper leading edge signal from the paper leading edge sensor 347, and the signals generated by the binary converting unit are the delay units 202 to 202. It is possible to print four colors at predetermined positions by adjusting the difference in the distance between the paper edge sensor and each image forming unit by 205.

LED drives 206 to 209 are LEDs 210
Generate signals for driving ~ 213.

Next, the operation for forming an image on the back surface of the recording sheet medium will be described in detail.

When forming an image on the back surface of the recording sheet medium, first, image formation on the front surface of the recording sheet medium is executed. The image forming operation on the front surface has been described in detail above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here. However, in the case of image formation on only the front surface, the paper discharge flapper 357 after the toner image is thermally fixed by the post-image forming fixing device 334. By this, the conveyance path is switched to the paper discharge path 358 side and the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 335 as it is.
The conveyance path is switched to the 9 side, and the recording sheet medium is once conveyed into the double-sided reversal path 361 by the rotational driving of the reversing roller 360 accordingly.

After that, the recording sheet medium is conveyed into the double-sided reversing path 361 by the width of the sheet medium in the feeding direction, and then the reverse rotation drive of the reversing roller and the double-sided path conveying roller 3
By driving 62, the advancing direction is switched by the double-sided reverse path guide 369, and the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided path 363 with the image surface on which the image is formed facing downward.

Subsequently, the recording sheet medium is subjected to the double-sided pass 36.
When the sheet is conveyed to the sheet re-feeding roller 364 above the sheet 3, the sheet re-feeding sensor 365 immediately before the sheet is detected to pass the recording sheet medium.

Then, by activating the re-feed roller 364, the recording sheet medium is conveyed to the re-feed path 366 and the paper feed path with the front and back reversed. The subsequent image forming operation is the same as the above-mentioned image forming operation on the front surface, and therefore is omitted here.

The recording sheet medium on which images have been formed on both the front and back sides in this way is directly discharged to the discharge tray 335 by switching the transport path to the discharge path 358 side by the discharge flapper 357. With the above-described operation, in the present embodiment, it is possible for the operator to automatically perform image formation on both sides of the sheet medium without resetting the front and back sides of the sheet medium again.

A series of data processing of the print service processing in this embodiment will be described below.

[Print Job Processing] In this embodiment, when the customer sends desired image data to the server computer 4 of the print service shop 3, the customer first edits a document or an image with an application of the personal computer 2 owned by the customer. To do.

Next, select "File" → "Print" from the application menu to display the print screen, and first select the printer driver. Next, the paper size,
Make various settings such as output page and double-sided output. And
Check the "Print to file" check box and click "OK" to display "*"
**. Create a prn file called "prn".

Here, as the printer driver to be selected, the print service shop 3 provides the driver of the copy machine or the printer to be installed in the form of a home page published on the server of the printer maker, and the personal computer owned by the customer in advance. It should be downloaded and installed on.

Then, the customer attaches the created prn file to an electronic mail and sends it to the server computer 4 of the print service shop 3. The image data receiving process of the server computer 4 of the print service shop 3 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention. Note that S21 to S27 indicate each step.

First, in step S21, the job management program running on the server computer 4 checks whether or not the prn file sent from the customer 1 has arrived, and if it is determined that it has arrived, then in step S22, the server computer 4 determines whether the current prn file can be accepted. Here, for example, if it is determined that the data storage area is full or that the customer's image data cannot be received during maintenance, step S
In 26, an apology e-mail that cannot be accepted is returned to the mail address of the customer 1, and the prn file sent in step S27 is deleted.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the order can be accepted, order acceptance information is created in step S23. Here, the created order reception information is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, reception number 31, reception date and time 3
2. The prn file 33.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of order acceptance information created by the server computer 4 shown in FIG.

Next, the order acceptance information created in step S24 is stored in the data storage area of the accessible hard disk of the server computer 4, and in step S25,
Reply the receipt number to the address of customer 1 by e-mail,
Return to step S21.

In this way, the customer 1 makes a note of the receipt number returned from the server computer 4 of the print service shop 3, heads for the print service shop 3, and first selects the purpose of use from the operation unit of the copying machine 6. .

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel display 6001 of the operation unit shown in FIG. 2, (a) showing an initial screen, (b) a printer status screen, For example, it shows that the print service is being prepared, and (c) is the printer status screen.
Automatically shows the electronic payment operation screen, (d) is a copy function setting screen, showing the operation screen when the copy function is selected,
(D) is a printer function screen, and shows a case where a button 71 for displaying the status of double-sided printing is displayed.

In the initial screen of the touch panel display 6001 shown in FIG. 8A, a display for inserting a coin into the coin vendor 5 to use the copy service or connecting to the server computer 4 to use the print service. (1310 in FIG. 13) is urged to select whether to enter the receipt number.

When the customer 1 who sees this display uses the print service, printing is executed by sequentially inputting necessary information to the display (1310 in FIG. 13) connected to the server computer 4. It

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention, which corresponds to the procedure by which the server computer 4 processes the information inputted by the customer. Note that S401 to S408 indicate each step. Hereinafter, with reference to the example of the operation screen shown in FIG. 10, the process in which the server computer 4 processes the information input by the customer will be described.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an example of an operation screen displayed on the display (1310 in FIG. 13) connected to the server.

In FIG. 10, (a) is a print service reception screen, and the user inputs the reception number sent by mail from the server computer 4. (B) is a personal authentication screen for inputting the ID and password when performing electronic payment. (C) is a print processing instruction screen.

First, in step S401, the print service reception screen shown in FIG. 10A for starting the print service is displayed on the display (1310 in FIG. 13) connected to the server, and input in step S402. The CPU, which will be described later, determines whether the received reception number matches the reception number stored in the hard disk of the server computer 4, and if it is determined that they match,
In step S403, the copier 6 having the network print function is notified of the print service preparation, and in step S404, the personal authentication screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the display (1310 in FIG. 13) connected to the server. To do.

On this personal authentication screen, an ID and password for personal authentication issued when an individual account is opened in an internet bank in advance are entered.

Then, in step S405, the input personal authentication information is transmitted to the terminal device 13 of the internet bank 10, and whether the information is correct is determined by the terminal device 1 of the internet bank 10.
3 checks, and if it is determined that it is not correct, the procedure returns to step S404. If it is determined that it is correct, an output start request by the print service is sent to the copy machine 6 having the network print function in step S406, and in step S407. When the copy machine 6 is ready, the image data transmitted from the customer 1 and stored in the hard disk or the like is transmitted to the copy machine 6 in step S408, output is started, and the process ends.

In this process, the copy machine 6 notified of the print service preparation by the server computer in S403 switches the screen of the touch panel display 6001 of the operation unit to the screen display shown in FIG. Indicates that preparation is being made so that the copy service cannot be accepted.

Next, when the output start request by the print service is notified from the server computer 4 in step S406 shown in FIG. 9, the print process is automatically performed on the display screen shown in FIG. 8C. The customer is informed that payment will be made, and the customer presses the confirmation key B1 to notify the server computer 4 of the output preparation completion,
Print output is performed based on a job (image data (including PDL data and bitmap data)) sent from the server computer 4.

When printing is started by an output start request from the print service, the double-sided function selection key is displayed on the operation unit, and if the job requires the double-sided function, the double-sided function selection key is pressed. It is displayed in reverse video to show that it is a two-sided job, and output is performed on both sides. Then, when the copying machine 6 finishes discharging all the pages,
The server computer 4 is notified of billing information necessary for billing, such as the size of the output paper and the color mode of the formed image. Communication processing between the server computer 4 and the terminal device 13 of the online bank 10 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention. The server computer 4 at the time of the termination process of the server computer when the print service is selected and the output is terminated. And the communication processing procedure with the terminal device 13 of the online bank 10. Note that S81 to S83 indicate each step.

First, in step S81, when the billing information is notified from the copying machine 6, the billing information and the personal authentication information are encrypted by the SSL system and transmitted to the terminal device 13 of the net bank 10 in step S82.

Next, in step S83, the server computer 4 deletes the order acceptance information corresponding to the output image data from the data storage area on the hard disk, and ends the processing.

On the other hand, the terminal device 13 of the online bank 10
Electronic payment is performed to transfer the amount from the personal account to the print service store account based on the sent information.

In this embodiment, the settlement by the online bank 10 is explained as a method of electronic settlement, but online credit card settlement for encrypting and transmitting information including the card number of a general credit card, and for settlement. It is also possible to make a payment by a provider that uses the authentication function of the provider for personal authentication, or a prepaid card (password information is preset) that can be used for Web payment.

When executing the copy service, the touch panel display 6001 is displayed on the screen shown in FIG.
Copying can be performed by selecting the copy service and inserting a coin into the coin vendor 5 with the initial initial screen shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the operation unit of the coin vendor 5 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 91 is a coin insertion slot through which the customer inserts coins, 92 is an amount display portion for displaying the inserted amount and the remaining amount for each page discharge during the printing operation, and 93. This is a return lever for returning the change if there is a balance after outputting all pages.

When the customer 1 inserts a coin from the coin insertion slot 91 according to the display screen shown in FIG. 8A, the coin vendor 5 notifies the copy machine 6 of the copy start information when the predetermined amount is exceeded. To do. When the copying machine 6 is notified of the copy start information, the copy screen is displayed on the touch panel display 6001 as a standard screen, that is, the standard screen shown in FIG.
Switch to the display screen of (d).

On the other hand, when the coin vendor 5 is not connected, the double-sided key 71 for setting the double-sided copy is displayed as shown in FIG. 8E, but the standard screen in the state where the coin vendor 5 is connected is displayed. In order to limit the functions, the double-sided key 71 is not displayed and the customer cannot use the double-sided copy function as in (d) of FIG.

The customer 1 uses the copying machine 6 by setting the number of characters, the color mode, etc. on the standard screen of FIG.

During copying, the copy machine 6 inquires of the coin vendor 5 whether there is any remaining money before feeding paper, and if there is remaining money, the paper is fed to form an image.
If there is no remaining money, stop processing is performed without feeding paper.

Further, the copying machine 6 notifies the coin vendor 5 of billing information necessary for billing such as the color mode of the sheet output for each page discharge and the sheet size. The coin vendor 5 calculates the fee paid by the customer for each page based on the notified billing information and displays the balance on the amount display section.

According to the above-described embodiment, when the customer selects the print service, the function of the printer unit that can be used is changed by a payment method different from that of the current copy service, and the customer holds the printer unit to the maximum extent. It is possible to use the functions and provide a user-friendly network print service system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the configurations of the server device and the information processing device according to the present invention.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1301 denotes a CPU which loads the OS stored in the external memory 1311 into the system area of the RAM 1302 and stores various application software (DTP software, document processing software) stored in the external memory 1311. Software, image processing software, etc.) to generate output information intended by the user. When the external memory 1311 functions as a server device, the external memory 1311 functions as a data storage unit of the server computer 4 shown in FIG. 1, and stores and manages output information transferred from the PC 2.

A ROM 1303 is provided with a data ROM for storing control information of various hardware, a font ROM for storing font information, and a program ROM for storing programs. A system bus 1304 connects various devices and the CPU 1301 in an accessible manner. 1305 is a keyboard controller (KBC),
It controls access to the keyboard (KB) 1309.

1306 is a CRT controller (CRT
In C), access to the CRT 1310 is controlled. A disk controller (DKC) 1307 controls access to an external memory 1311 such as a hard disk.

Reference numeral 1308 denotes a network controller (N
(IC) is connected to a network, for example, the Internet NET shown in FIG. 1 by a predetermined protocol so that communication with the server computer 4 is possible.

Both the PC 2 and the server computer 4 have common hardware resources.

The configuration of the data processing program that can be read by the print service system to which the server device according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print service system to which the server device according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator information, etc., and information depending on the OS and the like on the program reading side, such as the program, are stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in a computer, or a program for decompressing the program to be installed when it is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 11 in this embodiment may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

A storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM or the like can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

[0139]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the twenty-second aspect, the information processing device of the customer communicates with the server device that manages the image processing device having the print function or the copy function, which is installed in the print service shop via the network, to perform the copy service or the print. A print service system that provides services,
When the output information including the document and image data generated by the application from the information processing device is transferred to the server device, the output information transmitted is accumulated,
When the image processing device of the print service store is operated to select the copy service or the print service when the accumulated output information is output, a payment method that differs depending on the selected purpose of use. By changing the function of the image output means in accordance with the selected purpose of use, the value of the service is paid to the needs of the customer who requests the print service and the customer who requests the copy service. To limit the functions that tend to make payment difficult, and freely build a highly convenient print service environment that enables users to receive high-performance print services when using image processing devices. You can

In addition, in a server device that manages a copy service or a print service by an image processing device having a print function or a copy function, which is installed in a print service store by the customer's information processing device, the information processing device of the customer is used. The output information transmitted by the customer is accumulated, and when the accumulated output information is output to the image processing apparatus, the customer pays via the network according to the purpose of use selected by the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. By processing the deduction of the charge for the print service by communicating with the bank terminal device that manages the account, even if the charge for the print service is high due to the function of the image processing device, the print service is interrupted. For convenience that there is no and can certainly collect the payment An effect that can be constructed freely the print service environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network print service system including an image processing device, an information processing device, a server device, and a bank terminal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit in the copy machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the copy machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a digital image processing unit shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an LED image recording unit in the printer unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

7 is a diagram showing an example of order acceptance information created by the server computer shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel display of the operation unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the touch panel display of the operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the server device according to the present invention.

12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the coin vendor shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a server device and an information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the print service system to which the server device according to the present invention is applicable.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 customer 2 PC 3 print service points 4 server computer 5 coin vendors 6 copy machines 10 online banks 13 Terminal

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 AR01 HL01                       HQ17 HX10                 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB04 BB10 CC06                       EE04                 5C052 AA11 DD04 FA03 FA06 FA08                       FB01                 5C053 FA04 LA03 LA11 LA14

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A customer information processing apparatus communicates with a server apparatus that manages an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function, which is installed in a print service shop via a network, to perform a copy service or a print service. A service system, wherein the information processing device includes a data transmission unit that transfers output information including a document generated by an application and image data to the server device, and the server device is transmitted by the data transmission unit. And an image transfer unit for outputting the output information accumulated by the data accumulating unit, the image processing apparatus including an image output unit for outputting the output information, and an original image Image reading means for reading and outputting to the image output means, A purpose-of-use selection means for selecting whether to use the image output means as a print service or a copy service, and a plurality of processing means for performing processing by different payment methods according to the purpose of use selected by the purpose-of-use selection means. Payment processing means, and function changing means for changing the function of the image output means according to the purpose of use selected by the purpose of use selecting means,
A print service system comprising: 2. The plurality of payment method processing means use a first payment method processing means for performing cash payment processing in which the customer pays in cash, and a settlement of the server device and the customer's deposit account using a network. 2. The network print service system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second payment method processing unit that performs electronic payment processing by communication with a bank terminal device that manages. 3. The function changing means, when a customer selects a print service by the intended purpose selecting means,
2. The network print service system according to claim 1, wherein the functions are changed so that more functions can be used than those selected for the copy service. 4. The second payment method processing means, when the customer selects the print service by the intended purpose selecting means, sends the billing information to the server device when the output by the image output means is completed. The network print service system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is characterized in that. 5. When the customer selects the copy service by the intended purpose selecting means, the customer pays cash to the image output means from the first payment method processing means, and the payment amount information and the output start request information. Is sent, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, the payment balance is calculated for each page of the image output by the image output means, and the image output is interrupted when the balance is insufficient. The network print service system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 6. When the customer selects the copy service by the purpose-of-use selecting means, the customer pays cash to the image output means from the first payment method processing means, and payment amount information and output start request information. The image reading means starts the original reading operation by sending the, and the balance for payment is calculated for each page of the image output by the image forming means, and if there is a balance when the image output is completed, the balance is paid. 4. The information is sent to the first payment method processing means and the balance is returned.
The network print service system according to any one of 1. 7. A server device for managing a copy service or a print service, wherein an information processing device of a customer uses an image processing device having a print function or a copy function installed in a print service store via a network, wherein: A data storage unit that stores the output information transmitted by the information processing apparatus, an image transfer unit that outputs the output information stored by the data storage unit to the image processing apparatus, and an operation unit of the image processing apparatus. An electronic payment processing means for processing the withdrawal of the consideration for the print service by communicating with the bank terminal device that manages the customer's payment account via the network according to the purpose of use. apparatus. 8. An issuing unit for issuing authentication information for authenticating a reading process of the output information accumulated in the data accumulating unit to the information processing apparatus, and the customer's input from the operation unit of the information processing apparatus. Authentication means for comparing and authenticating the authentication information and the authentication information issued by the issuing means, and a control for controlling the reading process of the output information accumulated in the data accumulating means based on the authentication result by the authenticating means. 8. The server device according to claim 7, further comprising: 9. The electronic payment processing means, after the print job processing by the image processing apparatus is completed, deducts the value of the print service by communicating with a bank terminal apparatus that manages the customer's payment account via the network. The server device according to claim 7, which is processed. 10. The server device according to claim 7, wherein the electronic payment processing means transfers personal authentication information for specifying a payment account of the customer and account information to the bank terminal device. 11. A customer information processing apparatus is installed in a print service shop via a network, and comprises image output means for outputting output information and image reading means for reading a document image and outputting it to the image output means. A print processing method in a print service system for performing a copy service or a print service by communicating with a server device that manages an image processing device, wherein output information including a document and image data generated by an application is transferred to the server device. A data storing step of storing the output information transmitted in the data transmitting step in a data storing means; and the output information stored in the data storing means in the image processing apparatus. And an image transfer step to output, A purpose-of-use selection step of selecting whether to use the image output unit as a print service or a copy service, and a plurality of processings that perform processing by different payment methods according to the purpose of use selected in the purpose-of-use selection step. A print processing method comprising: a payment processing step; and a function changing step of changing a function of the image output unit according to the purpose of use selected by the purpose of use selecting step. 12. The plurality of payment method processing steps include a first payment method processing step of performing cash payment processing in which a customer pays in cash, and settlement of the server device and the customer's deposit account using a network. The print processing method according to claim 11, further comprising a second payment method processing step of performing electronic payment processing by communication with a managed bank terminal device. 13. The function changing step changes the function so that, when the customer selects the print service in the use purpose selecting step, more functions can be used than the copy service is selected. The print processing method according to claim 11. 14. The second payment method processing step, when the customer selects the print service in the purpose-of-use selection step, sends the billing information to the server device when all the output by the image output means is completed. 14. The print processing method according to claim 1, wherein the print processing method is a print processing method. 15. When the customer selects the copy service in the purpose-of-use selection step, the customer pays cash to the image output means from the first payment processing step, and payment amount information and output start request information. Is sent, the image reading means starts the original reading operation, the payment balance is calculated for each page of the image output by the image output means, and the image output is interrupted when the balance is insufficient. The print processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 13. 16. When the customer selects the copy service in the purpose-of-use selection step, the customer pays cash to the image output means from the first payment processing step, and payment amount information and output start request information. The image reading means starts the original reading operation by sending the message, and the balance of payment is calculated for each page of the image output by the image forming means. If there is a balance when the image output is completed, the balance information is displayed. 14. The print processing method according to claim 11, wherein the balance is returned to the first payment processing means. 17. A print processing method in a server apparatus for managing a copy service or a print service in which an information processing apparatus of a customer uses an image processing apparatus having a print function or a copy function installed in a print service shop via a network. A data accumulation step of accumulating the output information transmitted by the information processing device in a data accumulation means; an image transfer step of outputting the output information accumulated by the data accumulation means to the image processing device; An electronic payment processing step of processing the deduction of the price of the print service by communicating with the bank terminal device that manages the customer's payment account via the network according to the purpose of use selected by the operation unit of the processing device; A print processing method comprising: 18. An issuing step of issuing, to the information processing device, authentication information for authenticating a reading process of the output information stored in the data storage means, and a customer's operation input from the operation unit of the information processing device. An authentication step of authenticating by comparing the authentication information with the authentication information issued by the issuing step; and a control for controlling a reading process of the output information accumulated in the data accumulating means based on an authentication result of the authentication step. 18. The print processing method according to claim 17, further comprising: 19. In the electronic payment processing step, after the print job processing by the image processing apparatus is completed, the payment for the print service is deducted by communication with a bank terminal apparatus that manages the customer's payment account via the network. 18. The print processing method according to claim 17, wherein the print processing is performed. 20. The electronic payment processing step transfers personal authentication information for specifying a payment account of the customer and account information to the bank terminal device.
Print processing method described. 21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the print processing method according to claim 11. 22. A program that realizes the print processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.