JP2004005736A - Print controller, and method of controlling print - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allocate an identifier only to a user feeding a coin or a card to allow printing processing only for the user feeding the coin or the card, in a print controller connected to a charging device. <P>SOLUTION: This controller/method is provided with an identifier allocating means 2 for allocating the identifier to the user by whom a charge operation is carried out, a display part 12 for displaying the allocated identifier to be notified to the user, an identifier discriminating means 3 for determining whether the allocated identifier is consistent with an identifier transmitted from a host device 21, and a print control means 4 for allowing the printing processing for a data from the host device 21 only when the identifiers are consistent each other, by the charging device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile connected to a charging apparatus, and more particularly to a print control apparatus and method for determining whether data can be printed from a host apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus that prints data from a host apparatus, the host apparatus and the image forming apparatus are often connected on a one-to-one basis in conventional image forming apparatuses. As a result, a plurality of host devices are connected to one image forming apparatus. In addition, a system in which a plurality of host devices are connected to an image forming apparatus with a billing device having means for collecting a required usage fee from a user by inserting a coin, a prepaid card, or an ID card during image processing. Began to be built. Further, in a conventional image forming apparatus with a billing device connected to a plurality of host devices by multi-plating or networking, a coin rack, a key card, or the like is used to manage the correspondence between the number of prints, the amount of coins, the card count, and the like. Although there was a thing, there was no means for specifying a person who uses a coin, a card, or the like, so there was a trouble such as a necessity of negotiating who would use it between users. Furthermore, in the conventional image forming apparatus with a billing device, when the amount of coins, the number of cards, and the like are insufficient during use, the system waits for re-insertion of coins and cards without any limitation. Until a coin or card is re-inserted, the image forming apparatus is monopolized, and another user has to wait for a long time.

In the conventional image forming apparatus with a charging device as described above, the person who inserted the coin or card or the like could not be identified. For example, a coin or card was charged to the charging device in order to perform a printing process in the image forming device. When the print data is transmitted from another host device while accessing the host device and requesting transmission of required image data after inputting the print data, the image forming device prints the previously received print data. However, there has been a problem that the user is charged for printing by another user, contrary to the intention of the person who performed the charging process using the coin amount or the card. Even if an identifier such as an ID is set for each user in order to solve this problem, it is possible to eliminate users who do not have an ID. It was impossible to identify them, and the above-mentioned problems could not be solved. In addition, when the amount of coins inserted or the number of cards is insufficient, the conventional image forming apparatus will continue to print coins and cards again without processing the remaining print data without printing unlimitedly, While being connected to a specific host device, data from another user cannot be accepted, resulting in a problem that the utilization efficiency of the image forming apparatus is reduced.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described various problems in the related art, and assigns an identifier only to a user who has inserted a coin, a card, or the like into a billing device, and uses the coin, a card, or the like inserted therein. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus and method which allow only a user to perform a printing process.
Further, according to the present invention, when the inserted coin amount or the card frequency is insufficient, if the coin or the card is not re-inserted for a certain period of time, the connection with the host device is stopped and the specific host can be monopolized for a long time. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control apparatus and a printing control method for improving the utilization efficiency by preventing the above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus connected to a charging apparatus for limiting users, wherein an identifier allocating means for allocating an identifier to the charging by the charging apparatus, and an identifier allocated by the identifier allocating means. Notifying means for assigning the identifier to the user, identifier discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning means coincides with the identifier given by the host device, and identifier matching by the identifier discriminating means. Print control means for enabling a printing process of data from the host device when it is confirmed that the printing is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the first aspect, a process setting unit that sets a print processing time or the number of print jobs by charging by the charging device, and the data printing process from a host device is performed by When the print processing time set by the processing setting means or the number of print processing sheets is exceeded, a processing stop means for temporarily stopping the remaining print processing, and a processing stop release for restarting the print processing by recharging by the charging device. Means, and a processing discarding means for discarding the remaining print processing when the processing suspension time by the processing suspension means exceeds a preset fixed time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the second aspect, a variable setting means for freely changing a set time from the temporary stop by the processing stop means to the discarding of the remaining print processing by the processing discarding means. And characterized in that:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method in a print control device connected to a charging device for limiting a user, wherein an identifier is assigned to the charging by the charging device; Notifying the user, and determining whether or not the assigned identifier and the identifier given by the host device match.If the identifiers are confirmed to match, the host device And a step of enabling print processing of the data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the first aspect, the step of setting a print processing time or the number of print processing sheets by charging by the charging device and the print processing of data from the host device are set. A step of temporarily stopping the remaining print processing when the print processing time or the number of print processing sheets is exceeded, a step of restarting the print processing by recharging by the charging device, and a step of previously setting the print processing stop time And a step of discarding the remaining print processing when the predetermined time has elapsed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the second aspect, the set time from the stoppage at the time until the remaining print processing is discarded can be freely changed.

According to the present invention, by transmitting from the host device an identifier that can be known only to the user who has inserted a coin or card into the charging device, the user who has inserted the coin or card is definitely specified, and The printing process can be performed as intended.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, if the amount of money becomes insufficient during the data printing process, the remaining printing process is discarded unless the shortage of charging due to re-insertion of coins or the like is fixed within a predetermined period of time. As a result, a specific host device can be used by another host device or another user without any limitation without any monopoly of the image forming device without adding an amount of money, and the printer can be effectively used. Is achieved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the amount of money becomes insufficient during the data printing process, the time until the remaining print data is erased can be freely changed, so that it is connected to the image forming apparatus. An optimal time can be set according to the number of host devices, the installation distance between the image forming device and the host device, or the frequency of use of the image forming device, etc., and an efficient image forming device connected to a billing device You can build a system.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a main block diagram showing a first embodiment of a print control apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus shown in this example shows a case where the apparatus includes a charging device 1 for inserting coins or cards, a printing control device 20 connected to the charging device 1, and a host device 21. The print control device 20 includes an identifier assigning unit 2, an identifier discriminating unit 3, a print control unit 4, a CPU 10, an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a printing unit 13, a RAM 15, and a receiving unit 16. The printing unit 13 is a so-called printer engine, and performs a printing operation under the control of the printing control unit 4.
When a coin or card is inserted into the charging device 1, the identifier allocating unit 2 allocates an identifier such as an ID to identify the coin or card inserter, and displays the identifier on the display unit 12 to notify the user. At the same time, it is stored in the RAM 14. The coin or card inserter stores the displayed identifier, and adds the allocated identifier to the data when the host device 21 transmits the print data. The display of the identifier on the display unit 12 is deleted by a key operation from the operation unit 11 or the like after the user confirms.

The print data transmitted from the host device 21 is received by the receiving unit 16 of the printer 20, and stored in the RAM 14 via the bus line of the CPU 10. From the stored print data, the identifier data attached to the print data is read and sent to the identifier determination unit 3. If the identifier does not match the one attached at the time of billing, it is determined that the print data received at that time is different from the one transmitted by the biller, and the printing process is not performed. On the other hand, if the identifier attached to the print data received by the identifier discriminating section 3 matches the one at the time of charging, the print control section 4 determines that the received print data has been sent by the coin or card inserter. Is given, and the printing unit 13 prints.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a second embodiment of the print control apparatus according to the present invention. The difference from the first configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is that a process setting unit 5, a process stop unit 6, a process stop release unit 7, and a process discarding unit 8 are added. Here, the operation of the above four blocks different from that of FIG. 1 will be mainly described, and the operation of the other blocks is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted.
First, the print data to which the print permission is given by the print control unit 4 is sent to the print unit 13 and printed for each page. At this time, the print processing time or the number of print processing is limited by the amount of coins or cards. Given. This limit is set by the processing setting unit 5 according to the remaining number of coins or cards inserted, and the printing processing time set by the processing setting unit 5 during printing of the received data, or the printing processing When the allowable number of sheets is reached, it is determined that the amount of money of the coin or the card is insufficient, and the processing stop unit 6 issues a command to stop printing. In this state, when the coin or card is re-inserted and the money shortage state is resolved, the processing stop release unit 7 instructs the release of the print stop command and restarts the printing of the remaining print data. However, if the coin or card is not reinserted after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the print stop command, the processing discard unit 8 controls the remaining print data to be discarded. That is, if the shortage of money is not resolved by re-insertion of coins or cards within a certain time without continuing the printing suspension period indefinitely, the printing process itself is stopped and the remaining unprinted data is discarded. According to this processing, the print control device 20 is not unnecessarily occupied by a specific user, but can be used by another host device 21 or another user. Efficiency is improved.

FIG. 3 is a main block diagram of the print control apparatus according to the present invention. The difference from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that a variable setting unit 9 is added. In other words, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 described above, when a state in which no coin or card is reinserted after a print stop command is passed for a certain period of time, the remaining print data is discarded by the processing discarding unit 8, Depending on the number of host devices 21 connected to the control device 20, the installation distance between the print control device 20 and the host device 21, or the frequency of use of the print control device 20, from the print stop command to the discarding of the print data It may be more convenient to be able to change the time. For example, when the use frequency of the print control device 20 is extremely high, if the time from the print stop command to discarding the print data is increased, a specific user occupies the print control device 20 for a long time. Other users will be dissatisfied. If the print control device 20 and the host device 21 are located far apart from each other, when the amount of coins or cards is insufficient, the print control device 20 is re-input from the host device 21 to reinsert the coins or cards. If the movement to the side requires a lot of time and the above-mentioned determined time is short, there is a possibility that the time expires during the movement and the remaining print data is discarded.
Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the variable setting unit 9 is provided so that the fixed time can be changed according to the installation conditions, environmental conditions, and the like. You can do it.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a general configuration example of the print control device 20 according to the present invention. The charging unit (charging device) 1 is provided with a coin rack 1a and a card reader 1b so that both currency and a dedicated card can be used. Therefore, the user inserts a currency or a special card into the billing unit 1 and, in the case of a large bill or a special card, inputs a used amount from the operation unit 11 as necessary, an identifier is assigned, and a printing process is performed according to the amount. A time or print limit is given. The user is notified of the assigned identifier by the display unit 12, and the user who confirms this presses a confirmed key of the operation unit 12 to delete the identifier display on the display unit 12. The reason why the display is deleted in this way is to inform only the user of the identifier. When transmitting the print data from the host computer 21, the user who has confirmed the identifier sends the assigned identifier together with the print data. The print control device 20 and the host computer 21 may be a local connection connected in a serial and parallel one-to-one correspondence, or may be a form in which a plurality of each are connected via a network. Print data from the host computer 21 is received by the printer interface 16 and is temporarily stored in the RAM 14 of the controller unit 22. The controller unit 22 includes a CPU 10, a RAM 14, and a ROM 15. In addition to the functions corresponding to the CPU 10, RAM 14, and ROM 15 described with reference to FIGS. The control unit 4, the processing setting unit 5, the processing stopping unit 6, the processing stop releasing unit 7, the processing discarding unit 8, and the variable setting unit 9 play a role. The printing of the print data is performed by the printer engine 13.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, when a coin or a card is inserted into the charging device 1 (S1), the identifier allocating unit 2 allocates an identifier such as an ID (S2), and simultaneously stores the identifier in the RAM 14 (S3). The identifier is displayed to notify the coin or card inserter (S4). After confirming the identifier displayed on the display unit 12 (S5), the user who has inserted the coin or card deletes the display by pressing an operation key of the operation unit 11 or the like (S6).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main operation in the above-described second and third embodiments of the present invention, and shows a process following the flow shown in FIG. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 5, when the coin or card inserter to which the identifier is assigned is added to the print data from the host device 21 and transmitted, the print control device 20 performs printing by the receiving unit 16. The data is received (S11) and stored in the RAM. The identifier determining unit 3 determines whether the received identifier is the identifier allocated by the identifier allocating unit 2 (S12), and if the received identifier does not match the identifier allocated by the identifier allocating unit 2 (S12). (S12, No), the received series of print data is discarded without printing (S20). On the other hand, if the received identifier matches the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 2 (S12, Yes), the print control unit 4 sends the print data to the printing unit 13 and executes printing for each page (S12). S13).

When the printing of one page is completed, it is determined whether or not the printing is completed (S14). If the printing is completed (S14, Yes), this routine is ended. If the printing is not completed (S14, No) ), It is determined whether or not the amount of money is insufficient for printing the next page (in the figure, the amount of coins is insufficient) (S15). If the result of this determination is that there is no shortage (S15, No), printing is performed by repeatedly executing steps S13 to S15. If the amount of money is insufficient as a result of the determination of the money shortage in step S15 (S15, Yes), the variable setting unit 9 sets the specific time to the timer, operates the timer (S16), and then sets the timer setting time. Is determined (S17). If the result of this determination is that the time has expired (S17, Yes), the processing discarding unit 8 discards the remaining print data (S19), and then ends this routine.

On the other hand, in step S17, if it is within the set time (S17, No), it is determined whether or not coins or cards are re-inserted to solve the shortage of money (S18). If not (S18, No), the process returns to step S17 to determine whether there is a time-out, and repeats steps S17 to S18 described above. If the coin or card has been re-inserted in step S18 (S18,
Yes), returning to step S13, printing the remaining print data again, and similarly repeating steps S13 to S18.
Although the case where the timer time is changed and set in step 16 has been described, in order to employ the first embodiment of the present invention, the set time is kept constant without changing.
In the above description, an example of a printer has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to other image forming apparatuses with a charging device connected to a host device, such as a copying machine with a charging device and a facsimile device with a charging device. It goes without saying that it is possible. Further, an identifier such as an ID to be added together when the print data is transmitted from the host device is transmitted in a command format that can be decoded by the printer, but the transmission method is to edit the print data with an editor and embed the data, or For example, a method of inputting an identifier such as an ID to the printer driver of the host device 21 and automatically transmitting the identifier to the printer by the printer driver can be considered.
Also, in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4, the host device 21 and the print control device 20 are illustrated as being connected one-to-one, but a plurality of host devices 21 are connected by network connection or local connection. It is needless to say that the present invention can be carried out by the same operation when the connection is made.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a waist of the print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a main part of a print control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a main part of a print control device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a general print control device showing an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a main operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement in the 2nd and 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

1. Billing device (billing unit)
2 Identifier assigning unit 3 Identifier discriminating unit 4 Print control unit 5 Processing setting unit 6 Processing stop unit 7 Processing stop canceling unit 8 Processing discarding unit 9 Variable setting unit 10 CPU
11 operation unit 12 display unit 13 printing unit (printer engine)
14 ... RAM
15 ROM
16 receiving unit (printer interface)
20 print control device 21 host device (host computer)
22 Controller section

Claims (6)

In a print control device connected to a charging device for limiting users, an identifier allocating means for allocating an identifier to the charging by the charging device, and a notification for notifying the user of the identifier allocated by the identifier allocating device. Means, identifier discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning means coincides with the identifier provided by the host device, and when the identifier discriminating means confirms that the identifiers match. A print control unit for enabling a print process of data from the host device. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein a process setting unit that sets a print processing time or the number of print jobs based on charging by the charging device, and a print process that sets data print processing from the host device by the process setting unit. Processing stop means for temporarily stopping the remaining print processing when the processing time or the number of print processing sheets is exceeded; processing stop release means for restarting print processing by recharging by the charging device; The print control device further comprising a process discarding unit for discarding the remaining print process when the process stop time by the process exceeds a preset fixed time. 3. The print control device according to claim 2, further comprising a variable setting unit that freely changes a set time from a temporary stop by the processing stop unit to a discard of the remaining print processing by the process discard unit. Print control device. A print control method in a print control device connected to a charging device for limiting users, wherein an identifier is allocated to charging by the charging device, and the user is notified of the allocated identifier. And a step of determining whether or not the assigned identifier and the identifier given by the host device match.If it is confirmed that the identifiers match, the data printing process from the host device can be performed. And a printing control method. 2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the print processing time or the number of print processing sheets is set by charging by the charging apparatus, and the print processing time or printing is performed by the host apparatus when printing data. When the number of processed prints is exceeded, the step of temporarily stopping the remaining print processing, the step of restarting the print processing by recharging by the charging apparatus, and the step of stopping the print processing exceeding a predetermined time. And a step of discarding the remaining print processing in the case. 6. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein a set time from the temporary stop until the remaining print processing is discarded is freely changed.

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