JP2004199394A - Image forming system, image forming method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily decide image forming conditions fit for a budget with the inclusion of option setting in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: This system has: an image forming apparatus 10; a record medium 300 recorded with at least preset charge information, the image forming conditions set in the image forming device 10, and a program calculating the charge information on the basis of the image forming conditions; and a information input device 20 having a display function, allowing installation of the recording medium 300, and setting the image forming conditions of image information sent out to the image forming apparatus 10. The information input device 20 displays the preset charge information or/and the charge information calculated by the program in the same screen together with the image forming conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming method, and a recording medium for forming an image by using a copier, a multifunction peripheral, a printer, and the like having an image forming function such as an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system as a chargeable object. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As printers (printing machines) having an image forming function such as an ink-jet method have become more versatile, items to be set as printing conditions when printing is performed have been diversified. Further, in a multifunction peripheral in which an image forming apparatus having such an image forming function is combined with a post-processing apparatus, not only image forming (printing) conditions are set but also a stapling process and a cover / back Since it is necessary to set post-processing conditions such as a cover attaching process, the setting when executing an image forming (printing) job has become extremely complicated.
[0003]
In recent years, a print service for outputting a printed matter by such a printer and a multifunction peripheral as a chargeable object has been developed. In addition, in the case of companies that adopt an independent profitable business division system such as the company system, it is common for each business division to manage the budget required for printing output by printers and MFPs. I have.
[0004]
In such a print service and the budget management of the printed matter output by the business unit, it is extremely important to know the billing amount before actually outputting the printed matter from a printer or the like. However, since the charge calculation is complicated by the complicated print conditions, it is difficult for a user of such a printer or the like to estimate a charge amount after setting print conditions from a charge applied to each setting item of the print conditions. difficult.
[0005]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional billing system. In this conventional accounting system, a shared printer 10a, a plurality of host computers 20a, and an accounting information management server (hereinafter referred to as a server) 50a are connected by a network 60a. The shared printer 10a executes printing based on print information and print conditions sent from each host computer 20a, and outputs a printed matter. The charge amount applied to the output of the printed matter is calculated by the server 50a and notified to the host computer 20a before the output of the printed matter by the printer 10a.
[0006]
On the other hand, there has been proposed a method of notifying the billing amount applied to the output of the printed matter before outputting the printed matter without using the billing information management server 50a. In this method, for example, when an application operating on the host computer 20a requests output of a printed matter from the printer 10a, the application calls a printer driver via an extensible API (Application Programming Interface), and this extensible By notifying the application of the billing amount calculated by the printer driver using a simple API, the billing amount applied to the output of the printed matter can be displayed in the print setting window of the application before the output of the printed matter. I can do it. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-7103 (page 3-4, FIG. 1)
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, according to the conventional billing system, there are the following problems.
{Circle around (1)} In the system using the accounting information management server 50a, every time a printing condition is set and the accounting amount is calculated, the printing information must be transmitted from the host computer 20a to the server 50a to inquire about the accounting amount. Poor responsiveness and inefficient.
[0009]
{Circle around (2)} In the method not using the accounting information management server 50a, in order to check the accounting amount applied to the option setting such as stapling set by the printer driver, the printer driver is terminated after the option setting, and the application returns to the application. You have to check the billing amount. Therefore, when the charging amount displayed by the application does not conform to the budget and the option setting is changed, the printer driver is started, the option setting is changed, the printer driver is terminated, and the application is terminated until the option setting that allows the charging amount to be within the budget can be selected. The operability is extremely poor because it is necessary to repeat the billing amount check in.
[0010]
{Circle around (3)} The billing amount displayed by the application is only the billing amount calculated based on the option setting selected by the user of the host computer 20a. Extremely difficult.
[0011]
In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has an image forming system and an image forming method capable of easily determining an image forming (printing) condition suitable for a budget, including an option setting, in a short time. An object is to provide a forming method and a recording medium.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, an image forming system according to the present invention is a system that forms an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function that is a charging target, and an image forming apparatus, At least a recording medium in which charging information corresponding to a preset usage fee for the image forming function, image forming conditions set in the image forming apparatus, and a program for calculating the charging information based on the image forming conditions are recorded. And an information input device that has a display function, is capable of mounting a recording medium, and sets image forming conditions of image information to be sent to the image forming apparatus, and the information input device has predetermined billing information or And / or displaying billing information calculated by the program together with image forming conditions on the same screen.
[0013]
Further, the image forming method according to the present invention is a method for forming an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function that is a charging target, and in using the image forming function, at least Prepare a recording medium describing charging information corresponding to the usage fee of the image forming function, image forming conditions for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating the charging information based on the image forming conditions. Is operated, the recording medium is mounted on the information input device for operating the image forming function, and the predetermined charging information or / and the charging information calculated by the program are displayed together with the image forming conditions on the same screen of the information input device. , And image forming conditions corresponding to the billing information are set on this screen.
[0014]
According to the image forming system and the image forming method according to the present invention, when an image based on arbitrary image information is formed by sharing the image forming function to be charged, the usage fee of the image forming function is supported. Charging information to be performed, image forming conditions for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating the charging information based on the image forming conditions are described in the recording medium. Then, the recording medium is attached to an information input device for transmitting image information to the image forming apparatus and operating the image forming function, and includes accounting information calculated by a program described in the recording medium and predetermined accounting information. Are displayed on the same screen of the information input device together with the image forming conditions.
[0015]
Therefore, since the image forming conditions including the option setting can be set while checking the billing information, the image forming conditions suitable for the budget can be easily determined in a short time. For this reason, the standby time of the image forming apparatus is reduced, and the operation rate of the image forming apparatus is improved.
[0016]
The recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium applicable to a system for forming an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function to be charged, and at least a usage fee of the image forming function. , An image forming condition for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating the billing information based on the image forming condition.
[0017]
According to the recording medium of the present invention, when forming an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing the image forming function to be charged, it is mounted on an information input device that operates the image forming function, Charging information corresponding to a preset usage fee for the image forming function and / or charging information calculated by a program are displayed on the same screen of the information input device together with the image forming conditions.
Therefore, it is easy to manage so that image formation is performed only when the billing amount calculated based on the image formation conditions is equal to or less than a preset budget.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image forming system, an image forming method, and a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
In this embodiment, a recording medium on which a program for calculating billing information based on image forming conditions is recorded is provided, and an image based on image information sent from an information input device to which the recording medium can be attached is converted to an image to be charged. When forming by the forming apparatus, the billing information calculated by the program in the recording medium is displayed together with the image forming conditions on the same screen of the information input device.
With this configuration, it is possible to set the image forming conditions while checking the billing information.
[0020]
The image forming system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an image forming system, and uses a copier, a multifunction peripheral, a printer, and the like having an image forming function such as an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system as a chargeable object. It is suitable for application to a billing system for forming an image.
[0021]
In an image forming system 100 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 10 is connected to an information input device 20 via a network 60. Although only one image forming apparatus 10 and one information input device 20 are illustrated in FIG. 1, as in the case of the conventional accounting processing system illustrated in FIG. A plurality of information input devices 20 may be connected to the network 60. Further, the charging information management server 50 may be connected to the network 60 so that information can be exchanged with the image forming apparatus 10 and the information input device 20.
[0022]
When the charging information management server 50 is connected, the network 60 adopts a client server method and constructs a communication network by an Ethernet cable or the like. However, when the charging information management server 50 is not connected, a USB (Universal) is used. A local connection such as a serial bus and infrared communication (hereinafter referred to as IrDA) can be used.
[0023]
The image forming apparatus 10 includes a recording medium mounting unit 1, a control unit 2, an image forming unit 3, an operation unit 4, a transmission / reception unit 5, and an interface (hereinafter, referred to as an I / F) 6. The recording medium mounting means 1, the image forming means 3, the operating means 4, the transmitting / receiving means 5, and the I / F 6 are connected to the control means 2 so that the control means 2 can exchange information with each other. I have.
[0024]
The recording medium mounting means 1 of the image forming apparatus 10 is a floppy (R) disk drive (hereinafter referred to as FDD), a compact disk drive (hereinafter referred to as CDD), a magneto-optical disk drive (hereinafter referred to as MOD), or the like. (R) A recording medium 300 such as a disk (hereinafter, referred to as FD), a compact disk (hereinafter, referred to as CD), a magneto-optical disk (hereinafter, referred to as MO) is mounted, and information recorded on these recording media is stored. It can be read.
[0025]
The image forming unit 3 is a part having an image forming function such as a known ink jet system and a laser beam system, and forms an image on paper based on image information input via the network 60 or the recording medium 300. I do. The image forming unit 3 includes a storage unit 3a including a large-capacity hard disk drive (hereinafter, referred to as an HDD), and stores image information input through the network 60 and information such as image forming conditions. It has a function that can save temporarily.
[0026]
The operation unit 4 includes an input unit such as a keyboard on which a user who operates the image forming apparatus 10 inputs various types of information and sets an operation mode, and a result of inputting various types of information and an operation of the image forming unit 3. This is a user interface configured with a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) to display.
[0027]
The transmission / reception unit 5 is a unit that receives external information such as image information and transmits information to the outside as necessary, receives a plurality of image formation requests, temporarily stores these, and sequentially stores these requests. Is sent to the image forming means 3. The I / F 6 is an interface with the network 60, and includes an Ethernet (R) port, a USB port, an IrDA port, and the like.
[0028]
The control means 2 has a CPU 2a, a RAM 2b, and a ROM 2c. The CPU 2a performs necessary operations according to various programs stored in the ROM 2c while using the RAM 2b as a work area. It controls the means 3, the operation means 4, the transmission / reception means 5, and the I / F 6.
[0029]
The information input device 20 is an information processing device such as a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC), and includes an input unit 21, a display unit 22, a recording medium mounting unit 23, an I / F 24, a CPU 25, a RAM 26, and a ROM 27. ing. The input means 21, the display means 22, the recording medium mounting means 23, the I / F 24, the CPU 25, the RAM 26, and the ROM 27 are connected by a bus 28 so that information can be mutually exchanged.
[0030]
The input unit 21 is a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, and the like. An image for forming an image based on image information transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 when a user operating the information input device 20 inputs various types of information. The formation conditions and the like are set.
[0031]
The display unit 22 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD, or the like, and displays a result of various types of information input by a user who operates the information input device 20 and an information processing operation by the information input device 20.
[0032]
The recording medium mounting means 23 of the information input device 20 is an FDD, a CDD, a MOD, or the like, and mounts a recording medium 300 such as an FD, a CD, an MO, and reads information recorded on the recording medium 300, It has a function to write new information.
[0033]
The I / F 24 is an interface with the network 60, and includes an Ethernet (R) port, a USB port, an IrDA port, and the like.
[0034]
The CPU 25, the RAM 26, and the ROM 27 constitute a control system of the information input device 20, and the CPU 25 performs an operation using various programs stored in the ROM 27 while using the RAM 26 as a memory, thereby using the information input device 20 as an information processing device. Control to operate.
[0035]
The billing information management server 50 manages billing information based on a budget corresponding to a preset usage fee of the image forming apparatus 10 for each of the users who operate the plurality of information input devices 20. In response to the request for updating the remaining amount from 20, permission / non-permission is determined, and permission / non-permission information is returned.
[0036]
Next, a recording medium 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows an example of recorded contents of a recording medium 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer 10a) having a printing function such as an inkjet method as an image forming function is used as the image forming apparatus 10. When a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host computer 20a) generates print information (image information) to be transmitted to the printer 10a, and uses the host computer 20a as the information input device 20, the host computer 20a drives the printer 10a. This shows the content recorded on the recording medium 300 mounted on the computer 20a. FIGS. 3 to 5 show examples of windows displayed on the screen of the host computer 20a when the printer 10a is driven by the host computer 20a loaded with the recording medium 300. FIG. 4 is an example of a charge information display screen, and FIG. 5 is an example of a payment screen.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium 300 according to the present embodiment includes a print information receiving unit 31, a charge calculating unit 32, a set charge storage unit 33, a charge display unit 34, a charge information storage unit 35, and a charge setting unit 36. , A print data generation unit 37, a billing processing unit 38, a set fee transmission / reception unit 39, and a print option setting unit 40. The print information receiving unit 31, the charge calculating unit 32, the charge display unit 34, the charge setting unit 36, the print data generating unit 37, the charge processing unit 38, the set charge transmitting / receiving unit 39, and the print option setting unit 40 are based on the image forming conditions. Operates as a printer driver including a program for calculating accounting information, and the set fee storage unit 33 and the accounting information storage unit 35 function as a database used when the printer driver calculates accounting information based on image forming conditions. .
[0038]
The print information receiving unit 31 receives print basic information from the application 30 operating on the host computer 20a. For example, when the user of the host computer 20a instructs the application 30 to print a document created on the application 30, a print basic information setting screen P1 as shown in FIG. Open on the CRT or LCD of the host computer 20a. In the print basic information setting screen P1, any one of the settings of the “all” key K1, the “current page” key K2, or the “page designation” key K3 of the print range is selected by the user, so that the application 30 is displayed. Is set, and print information corresponding to the print range is set to be transmitted from the host computer 20a.
[0039]
Similarly, on the print basic information setting screen P1, the user inputs a numerical value of the number of copies and, for example, checks a “print by copy” key K4, so that a copy of the printed matter based on the print information sent from the host computer 20a is displayed. The number of print copies and the print mode are set. Further, the “print target” key K5 is changed to “document property” or “key definition” other than “document”, and the “print designation” key K6 is changed to “odd page” or “even page” instead of “all pages”. , All items that can be set in the application 30 are set. As described above, print basic information is generated based on the print conditions set by the application 30.
[0040]
The basic print information such as the designated print page and the number of print copies set in this way is transmitted from the application 30 to the printer driver and received by the print information receiving unit 31 of the printer driver.
[0041]
The charge calculator 32 calculates charge information based on the print basic information received by the print information receiver 31. The set fee storage unit 33 stores the printing (image forming) budget permitted to the user of the host computer 20a as preset billing information, and is calculated by the billing calculator 32 every time a printed material is output. Update the balance information based on the billing information.
[0042]
The charge display unit 34 displays the charge information calculated by the charge calculation unit 32 and the balance information acquired from the set charge storage unit 33 together with the printing conditions (image forming conditions) on the same screen of the host computer 20a. For example, when the user of the host computer 20a sets the print basic information setting items on the print basic information setting screen P1 shown in FIG. 3 and then selects the "property" key K7, the display shown in FIG. A printer driver setup window P2 opens on the CRT or LCD of the host computer 20a.
[0043]
In the setup window P2 of the printer driver, billing information calculated based on the printing basic information set on the printing basic information setting screen P1 is displayed at the bottom of the window as a billing amount key K8 for "current setting". I have. Further, below the display of the charge amount key K8 for the "current setting", the print amount permitted in advance by the user of the host computer 20a or the charge amount is subtracted from the permitted print budget every time printing is performed. The remaining amount calculated in this way is read from the set fee storage unit 33 and displayed as "current remaining amount". In the display example of FIG. 4, the charging amount key K8 for “current setting” is “$ 520”, and the “current remaining amount” is “$ 500”. Therefore, the printing cannot be executed with the “current setting” because the charging amount key K8 corresponding to the “current setting” is higher than the “current remaining amount”. Therefore, the button of the billing amount key K8 corresponding to the "current setting" cannot be selected.
[0044]
On the right side of the billing amount key K8 corresponding to “current setting”, a plurality of sections applied to “duplex printing setting” or “page layout setting” which is an option setting different from “current setting”. An amount key K9 and a key K10 are displayed. The page layout setting is a setting for printing a plurality of pages on one sheet. In the “duplex printing setting” and the “page layout setting”, the number of sheets used is reduced. Therefore, the billing amount at the time of these settings is “$ 260”, which is lower than the billing amount for “the current setting”, and is “the current balance: $ 500” or less. The buttons are selectable.
[0045]
In this display example, "duplex printing setting" and "page layout setting" are automatically selected by the printer driver as option settings for reducing the billing amount. For example, in the paper setting item, "output paper" Change the key K11 from “same as original size” to “B5 size” smaller than A4 size of original size, or print blank pages with print information sent from the host computer 20a in the output setting item. The user of the host computer 20a may select another option setting that reduces the charge amount, such as selecting the “blank sheet suppression” key K12.
[0046]
As described above, every time the option setting included in the printing conditions is changed by the user of the host computer 20a, the charging information is recalculated by the charging calculation unit 32 based on the changed option setting and is displayed again. .
[0047]
In this display example, printing cannot be executed because “current remaining amount” is less than the billing amount for “current setting”, but the printing basic information set on the printing basic information setting screen P1 in FIG. If the billing amount calculated based on is less than the "current balance", the billing information calculated based on the printing conditions automatically selected by the printer driver is printed below the "current balance". May be executed, and may be a charging amount equal to or less than the charging amount applied to the “current setting” and a charging amount higher than the charging amount applied to the “current setting”. For example, the charge amount at the time of setting the “staple” key K13 at which a part of the printed matter of a plurality of pages is stapled may be displayed as a charge amount higher than the charge amount applied to the “current setting”.
[0048]
In addition, the user of the host computer 20a selects the “front cover / back cover” from the setup window P2 so that the front cover / back cover attachment is selected as an option setting in which the charging amount is higher than the charging amount applied to the “current setting”. The setting window key K14 may be opened.
[0049]
The setup window P2 is an example of a billing information display screen in the printer driver. For example, in another option setting window such as a “cover / back cover” setting window (not shown), the option of the cover / back cover is also provided. The billing information is displayed together with the setting items.
[0050]
In this way, the charge display unit 34 sets the charge calculation unit 32 based on the charge information set in advance and stored in the set charge storage unit 33 or the balance information calculated by the charge calculation unit 32 and the plurality of different printing conditions. Is displayed together with the printing conditions in various setting screens of the printer driver.
[0051]
The billing information storage unit 35 is a database used when the billing calculation unit 32 calculates billing information based on printing conditions, and is stored as billing information corresponding to a fee for using the image forming function of the printer 10a. . In addition, when the “Save / Recall Setting” item key K15 shown in the upper right part of FIG. 4 is selected, the billing information storage unit 35 saves specific printing conditions and billing information corresponding thereto.
[0052]
The charge setting unit 36 updates the remaining amount according to a request from the user of the host computer 20a. For example, when the user selects the "payment" key K16 in the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 4, a payment screen P3 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. On the deposit screen P3, the "desired deposit amount" input by the user, for example, "$ 2000" is transmitted to the billing information management server 50 by selecting the "inquiry" key K17, and the billing information management server If permitted by 50, the fee setting unit 36 updates the remaining amount stored in the set fee storage unit 33 by adding this deposit amount to the remaining amount held in the set fee storage unit 33. . In this case, the remaining amount is updated by rewriting “current remaining amount” from “$ 500” to “$ 2500” on the payment screen P3 shown in FIG.
[0053]
The print data generation unit 37 displays the print basic information set as print conditions by the user of the host computer 20a on the print basic information setting screen P1 of the application 30 as shown in FIG. 3, and the printer as shown in FIG. In the driver setup window P2, print data is generated based on the print conditions selected as option settings.
[0054]
For example, in the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 4, when the user selects the charge amount "$ 260" key K9 for "duplex printing setting", which is a charge amount less than the "current remaining amount", The option setting is automatically changed to “double-sided print setting” corresponding to this billing amount and is displayed again. When the user confirms the printing condition including the option setting redisplayed in this way and selects the "apply" key K18, the print data generating unit 37 sets the print condition on the print basic information setting screen P1 in FIG. Based on the printing conditions in which double-sided printing is set as an option setting together with the printing basic information, print data which is a condition for outputting a printed material by the printer 10a is generated.
[0055]
The billing processing unit 38 subtracts the billing amount selected by the user of the host computer 20a from a preset budget amount (billing information) or the remaining amount stored in the set fee storage unit 33. For example, in the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 4, when the user selects the charge amount "$ 260" key K18 of "when double-sided printing is set", which is a charge amount less than the "current balance amount", The billing processing unit 38 subtracts the billing amount “$ 260” from “current balance amount: $ 500”, and stores the updated balance amount “$ 240” in the set fee storage unit 33 as balance information.
[0056]
The host computer 20a monitors the set fee storage unit 33, and activates the deletion program when the preset budget amount (charging information) or the remaining amount stored in the set fee storage unit 33 runs out, and the storage medium 300 A function of deleting recorded contents other than the recorded billing processing unit 38 may be provided. When this deletion program is executed, the content recorded on the recording medium 300 does not function as a printer driver. When the user of the host computer 20a instructs activation of the printer driver, a warning of "use prohibition" is displayed on the screen of the host computer 20a.
[0057]
In response to a request from the user of the host computer 20a, the set fee transmission / reception section 39 transmits an inquiry about the user name or the terminal name given to the host computer 20a and the desired deposit amount to the accounting information management server 50, and charges the inquiry. A permission / non-permission reply from the information management server 50 is received.
[0058]
The print option setting unit 40 opens the specified option setting window when the user of the host computer 20a requests to open the option setting window. For example, when the user selects the "front / back cover" setting key K14 to select an option setting such as attaching a front / back cover that cannot be set in the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. The option setting unit 40 opens an option setting window such as a “cover / back cover” setting window selected by the user.
[0059]
Next, regarding the image forming method according to the present invention, an example of a billing process and an example of updating the remaining amount by the image forming system 100 will be described.
[Example of billing process]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a billing process performed by the image forming system 100. In this image forming method, a recording medium 300 on which a printer driver for calculating accounting information based on basic printing information and option settings is prepared is recorded, and the recording medium 300 is transmitted to a host computer 20a that operates a printer 10a to be charged. When a printer 10a outputs a printed matter based on print information sent from an application 30 running on the host computer 20a, the accounting information calculated by the printer driver in the recording medium 300 is printed together with the printing conditions together with the printing conditions. It is assumed that it is displayed in the option setting window.
[0060]
According to this precondition, printing conditions including option settings can be set in the option setting window of the printer driver while checking the billing information. Therefore, the operability at the time of setting the printing conditions is improved, so that the printing conditions suitable for the budget can be easily set in a short time.
[0061]
Under the preconditions, when the user of the host computer 20a instructs the application 30 to perform a printing operation and sets basic printing information such as the number of copies and a printing page on the basic printing information setting screen P1 shown in FIG. The application 30 transmits print basic information to the printer driver based on a print instruction from the user.
[0062]
The print basic information transmitted by the application 30 is received by the print information receiving unit 31 of the printer driver in step S1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S2, the printer driver that has acquired the basic printing information by the print information receiving unit 31 reads the remaining amount held by the user of the host computer 20a from the set fee storage unit 33 and acquires the remaining amount as the remaining amount information.
[0063]
Next, in step S3, the option setting is input by the user of the host computer 20a. For example, in the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 4, the user selects an option setting such as a "double-sided printing" setting key K19 of "layout". When the option setting desired by the user is in another option setting window, for example, when the user selects the “cover / back cover” setting key K14, the print option setting unit 40 causes the “cover / back cover” setting window to be displayed. Is opened. As described above, the item selected in the option setting is input from the option setting window or the like opened by the print option setting unit 40 after being selected by the user.
[0064]
The item selected in the option setting is input to generate print option information. Based on the print option information and the print basic information, a charge amount is calculated by the charge calculation unit 32 in step S4. Next, a print condition setting example that is equal to or less than the calculated charge amount is searched in the charge information storage unit 35, and in step S5, for example, the "duplex printing setting" key K9 and the "page layout setting" shown in FIG. The billing amount applied when setting another different option such as the "time" key K10 is automatically calculated.
[0065]
The charging amount based on the printing basic information and the printing option information calculated in steps S4 and S5 and the remaining amount obtained in step S2 are displayed on the same screen in step S6 as shown in FIG. indicate.
[0066]
If the “cancel” button K20 displayed at the bottom of the printer driver setup window P2 shown in FIG. 4 is selected, in the next step S7, it is determined that the printing is canceled (Yes), and the printer driver performs the printing process. Exit without executing. In this case, since no printed matter is output, no charge is made.
[0067]
The “cancel” button K20 is not selected (No in step S7), the user checks the billing amount displayed in the setup window P2 of the printer driver in FIG. 4, and selects a button that can determine any of a plurality of billing amounts. Then, the billing amount is selected in step S8 (Yes). Here, when the user selects the charge amount automatically calculated in step S5 by the printer driver as in, for example, “duplex printing setting” shown in FIG. 4, the charge amount corresponds to the charge amount selected by the user. The option setting is selected, and the print option information is automatically changed.
[0068]
Next, when it is determined in step S9 that there is a sufficient remaining amount (Yes), the charging amount selected by the user is subtracted from the remaining amount by the charging processing unit 38, and the print basic information and the print option settings are set. Print data based on the print data is generated by the print data generating unit 37. Thus, in step S10, the printing conditions are reset so as to conform to the option setting corresponding to the billing amount selected by the user.
[0069]
When the print data generated by the print data generation unit 37 in this way is sent to the printer 10a together with the print information from the application 30, the print processing is executed by the printer 10a in step S11, so that the print information is Is output according to the print data. Thus, the printing process and the charging process are completed.
[0070]
On the other hand, when the user does not select any of the plurality of billing amounts displayed in the setup window P2 of the printer driver in FIG. 4 (No in step S8) and when the user does not hold a sufficient remaining amount (step S9) No), the process returns to step S3, and the option setting is performed again while checking the billing amount in the setup window P2 of FIG. 4 so that the desired printing conditions are set within the remaining amount.
[0071]
[Example of remaining balance update]
Next, an example of updating the remaining amount by the image forming system 100 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of updating the remaining amount by the image forming system 100.
In this image forming method, when the printer 10a outputs a printed matter based on the print basic information sent from the application 30 running on the host computer 20a, the remaining amount recorded on the recording medium 300 includes the print basic information and the print option. If the charge amount is less than the charge amount calculated by the printer driver based on the information, the charge information management server (charge information management device) 50 determines whether the user of the host computer 20a requests updating of the remaining amount. It is assumed that a judgment is made.
[0072]
These preconditions make it easy to manage so that printed matter is output within a preset budget.
Under this precondition, the user of the host computer 20a selects the "payment" key K16 from the setup window P2 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 4 in step S101 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The payment setting screen 36 of the printer driver shown is displayed by the charge setting unit 36.
[0073]
In the next step S102, when the user inputs a desired deposit amount, for example, "$ 2000" and selects the "inquiry" button K17, in step S103, the charging information is transmitted from the set fee transmission / reception section 39 of the printer driver. The inquiry about the user number and the deposit amount is transmitted to the management server 50. The accounting information management server 50 determines permission / non-permission of the desired deposit amount requested by the user based on the inquiry content received from the printer driver, and transmits / receives the permission / non-permission information at step S104 to the set fee. Reply to section 39.
[0074]
If the deposit is permitted (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106, and the remaining amount stored in the set fee storage unit 33 is added by the fee setting unit 36 to the remaining amount. Is updated. The updated remaining amount is newly stored in the set fee storage unit 33 by the fee setting unit 36, so that the “current balance” is updated on the payment screen P3 in FIG. 5, and the remaining amount update process ends. .
[0075]
On the other hand, if the payment is not permitted (No in step S105), in step S107, if the non-permission reason and the permission condition are, for example, “exceeding budget. It is displayed as "permission". Based on such a message from the charging information management server 50, it is determined in the next step S108 whether or not the user changes the desired deposit amount. If the desired deposit amount is changed (Yes), the process returns to step S102, and the same operation is repeated. If the desired deposit amount is not changed (No), the process ends without updating the remaining amount.
[0076]
As described above, according to the image forming system, the image forming method, and the recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention,
{Circle around (1)} When setting the printing conditions and calculating the billing amount, there is no need to make any inquiry from the host computer 20a to the billing information management server 50, which is efficient.
[0077]
{Circle around (2)} The printer driver displays a billing amount applied to option settings such as stapling set by the printer driver. Therefore, unlike the conventional method, it is not necessary to repeat the activation of the printer driver, the setting of options, the termination of the printer driver, and the confirmation of the billing amount in the application.
[0078]
{Circle around (3)} The billing amount displayed by the printer driver is not limited to the billing amount applied to the option setting selected by the user of the host computer 20a, but is also possible with the billing amount equal to or less than the balance automatically selected by the printer driver. The settings are also displayed at the same time. Therefore, it is extremely easy to set printing conditions that match the budget.
[0079]
In this embodiment, the host computer 20a is used as the information input device 20, but in the present invention, the information input device 20 may be directly connected to the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the image forming information is also recorded on the recording medium 300, and the recording medium 300 is mounted on the recording medium mounting means 1 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, so that the image information is directly transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming conditions can be set by the ten operating means 4 and the image forming conditions and the billing information can be simultaneously displayed on the display of the operating means 4.
[0080]
Further, even when the charging information management server 50 is not connected to the network 60, since the preset budget is recorded as the balance information on the recording medium 300, if the remaining amount is less than the charging amount displayed by the printer driver, Cannot output printed matter. Therefore, by managing the recording medium 300, it is possible to easily manage the budget required for outputting the printed matter.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming system and the image forming method of the present invention, a recording medium on which a program for calculating billing information based on image forming conditions is recorded, and an information input to which the recording medium can be mounted When forming an image based on the image information sent from the information input device to the image forming apparatus to be charged, the charging information calculated by the program in the recording medium is displayed together with the image forming conditions on the same screen. To display.
[0082]
With this configuration, the image forming conditions including the option settings can be set while checking the billing information, so that the image forming conditions suitable for the budget can be easily determined in a short time. Therefore, since the standby time of the image forming apparatus is reduced, the operation rate of the image forming apparatus is improved.
[0083]
Further, according to the recording medium of the present invention, charging information corresponding to the usage fee of the image forming function, image forming conditions for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating the charging information based on the image forming condition Are recorded.
[0084]
With this configuration, it is possible to manage so that image formation is performed when the charge amount calculated based on the image formation conditions is equal to or less than the remaining amount. Therefore, the budget for image formation can be easily managed.
[0085]
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is very suitable when applied to a charging processing system that forms an image by sharing a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, a printer, or the like having an image forming function such as an electrophotographic system and an inkjet system as a charging target.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of recorded contents of a recording medium 300 as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a print basic information setting screen in a print example of the image forming system 100;
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a billing information display screen in a printing example in the image forming system 100.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a payment screen in a printing example in the image forming system 100.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a billing process in the image forming system 100.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of updating the remaining amount in the image forming system 100. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional billing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,23 Recording medium mounting means
4 Operation means
10 Image forming apparatus
20 Information input device
21 Input means
22 Display means
30 applications
32 Billing calculation unit
33 Setting fee storage
34 Charge display section
35 Charging information storage
36 Price setting section
37 Print Data Generator
38 Accounting section
50 Charging information management server
100 Image forming system
300 recording medium

Claims (10)

A system that forms an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function that is a charging target,
An image forming apparatus;
At least charging information corresponding to a preset usage fee of the image forming function, image forming conditions set in the image forming apparatus, and a program for calculating charging information based on the image forming conditions are recorded. A recording medium;
An information input device that has a display function, is capable of mounting the recording medium, and sets image forming conditions of image information to be sent to the image forming apparatus;
The information input device,
An image forming system, wherein predetermined charging information or / and charging information calculated by the program are displayed together with the image forming conditions on the same screen. The information input device,
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the recalculated billing information is displayed together with the image forming conditions on the same screen every time the image forming conditions are changed. The information input device,
The billing information calculated based on the set image forming condition and the plurality of billing information calculated based on the image forming condition different from the set image forming condition correspond to the plurality of billing information. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the information is displayed on the same screen together with the image forming conditions to be performed. When calculated based on the image forming conditions and a charge corresponding to the image forming process is set as a billing amount,
In the case where the charging information includes a remaining amount obtained by subtracting a charging amount from a preset usage fee for the image forming function,
The information input device,
When the billing amount is equal to or more than the remaining amount,
A charge amount corresponding to another image forming process that is calculated based on an image formation condition that is less than or equal to the charge amount and that is different from the image formation condition, along with the image formation conditions for which the charge amount was calculated, on the same screen. Display inside,
If the billing amount is less than the remaining amount,
A billing amount corresponding to another image forming process calculated based on an image forming condition different from the image forming condition and less than the billing amount,
A charge amount corresponding to another image forming process that is higher than the charge amount and equal to or less than the remaining amount and calculated based on an image formation condition different from the image formation condition,
4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein at least one or more of them are displayed together with corresponding image forming conditions on the same screen. The information input device,
5. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein when specific billing information is selected from the plurality of billing information, an image forming condition corresponding to the selected specific billing information is displayed again. 6. . The information input device,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount is displayed together with an image forming condition on the same screen. The information input device,
Monitor the remaining amount,
7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the use of the recording medium is prohibited when the remaining amount runs out. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging information management device that sets charging information on the recording medium. A method of forming an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function that is a charging target,
In using the image forming function,
Prepare a recording medium describing at least charging information corresponding to a usage fee of the image forming function, image forming conditions for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating charging information based on the image forming conditions. ,
When operating the image forming function,
Attaching the recording medium to an information input device that operates the image forming function,
Displaying on the same screen of the information input device together with the image forming conditions the billing information calculated in advance and / or the billing information calculated by the program;
An image forming method, wherein image forming conditions according to the billing information are set on the screen. A recording medium applicable to a system that forms an image based on arbitrary image information by sharing an image forming function that is a charging target,
At least charging information corresponding to a usage fee of the image forming function, image forming conditions for operating the image forming function, and a program for calculating charging information based on the image forming conditions are recorded. Recording medium.

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