JP2005092735A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of performing a job securely even if a printer installed in an open space is used. <P>SOLUTION: In the printing system, in which a use ticket issuing device 6 for issuing a print ticket, a printer 2 for printing, an instrument registration device 4 for guaranteeing the authenticity of each instrument, and a user registration device 3 for registering users are interconnected via a communication network 10, the user registration device guarantees the authentic users and the instrument registration device 4 guarantees the authenticity of the use ticket issuing device 6, the printer 2, and the user registration device 3. The printer 2 prints a document required by the user when the print ticket has guaranteed the authenticity of a right of printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system.

  Computerization of various operations in the office is progressing, and not only a system that combines a LAN (Local Area Network) and a computer system in a company or organization, but also an efficient corporate activity using an external network such as the Internet Has come to be done. In addition, Internet access points represented by hot spots have been developed. As a result, it is possible to provide an external office service that can use the office environment that is installed in the store, called a business convenience store, and a multifunctional copier with a printer and printing function is installed and belongs to the convenience store. Work forms using a personal computer (PC) or mobile terminal at a location other than the location of the organization to create and print documents are now possible.

  By the way, regarding charging for general printing, there is JP-A-2000-339125 “Printing charging method and apparatus” (Patent Document 1). This Patent Document 1 provides means for identifying a print job requested by a client and its user, managing billing information on a print server, and billing for printing output by a printer directly connected to the print server A method is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-75751 “Network Printing System” (Patent Document 2) discloses a method of storing a user registration table and a job management table in a network printer and storing charging information for each user.

  Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-175241 “Document providing apparatus, print document providing system, and print service method” (Patent Document 3), a document and user information are transmitted to a server on a network, stored, and installed in a store or the like. A method for printing a document stored in a printing apparatus is disclosed.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-351777 “System and method for providing a service for printing out data via a communication network” (Patent Document 4) relays a print server installed on the network to connect to the network. A method for realizing printing by sending a print request to a printed printing apparatus and a charging method are disclosed.

  JP 2002-7737 “Print System, Printer Client, Service System, Charge Calculation Method in Print System, and Billing Method in Print System” (Patent Document 5) installs image data of copyrighted works on a network. A charging method for copying with a print client is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-103752 “Charging method in a printing system using a portable information terminal” (Patent Document 6) obtains high-resolution information for printing in response to print request information from the portable information terminal. A charging method for printing consideration of a printing system that performs print output is disclosed.
JP 2000-339125 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-75751 JP 2002-175241 A JP 2002-351777 A JP 2002-7737 A JP 2002-103752 JP

However, as a problem of the invention described in the above document,
i. It does not consider safety when sending documents and print data to the final printing device.
ii. Even if it is the same user, it is impossible to deal with cases where there is a concurrent job or a concurrent job and the payment method (account, etc.) differs depending on the purpose.
iii. It is not possible to set printing conditions (such as color printing availability or monthly usage upper limit) set for each user.
There are problems such as.

  Also, in general, documents created and used in business activities are often problematic when viewed from a non-affiliated party from the viewpoint of business confidentiality. Alternatively, there is a problem in terms of safety in order to perform work using devices connected to the Internet. For example, data may be obtained by a third party without being aware of the data on the connected network. Even if the printout is done safely, there is a risk that a third party may view the document or make an electronic or paper copy before the person who launched the document goes.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system capable of performing business safely even when using a printing apparatus installed in an open place.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a use ticket issuing device that issues a print ticket, a printing device that performs printing, a device registration device that guarantees the validity of each device, and a user registration device that registers a user are connected to a communication network. The user registration device guarantees a valid user, the device registration device guarantees the validity of the use ticket issuing device, the printing device and the user registration device, When the print ticket guarantees the right of printing right, the printing apparatus prints a document requested by the user.

  The invention described in claim 1 is a printing system that realizes printing permission by a combination of device authentication, personal authentication, and authentication using a right-of-use ticket, and it is safe to use a printing device installed in an open place. Can provide an environment where business can be performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, there is provided a charging device for storing charging information, the charging device corresponding to the usage amount of each user stored in the charging device. It is possible to charge the user and pay the portion corresponding to the operating cost to the owner of the printing apparatus and the operator who operates each apparatus.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the owner of the printing device and the operator who operates each device can recover the usage fee and recover the operating cost of each device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the second aspect, when the use ticket issuing device permits a user having a plurality of affiliations to use the ticket according to the attribute of the affiliation. The billing device collects charges for each affiliation and charges according to the usage amount of each user.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to manage the usage status of users having multiple affiliations within the same organization for each affiliation, and charge and collect usage fees for each affiliation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, when a printing apparatus in the organization and a printing apparatus outside the organization are included, a usage ticket for issuing a usage ticket to the printing apparatus in the organization. A use ticket issuing device that issues a use ticket to an issuing device and a printing device outside the organization cooperates to issue a use ticket for a printing device outside the organization to a user outside the organization, The charging device in the organization charges the printing device outside the organization.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, even a user in the organization can acquire the right to use the printing apparatus outside the organization.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, when a printing device in the organization and a printing device outside the organization are provided, a usage ticket that issues a usage ticket to the printing device in the organization. The issuing device and a usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device outside the organization cooperate to issue a usage ticket to a user outside the organization. It is characterized in that billing is performed for the printing apparatus and the printing apparatus outside the organization collectively.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, printing can be performed by a plurality of organizations, and charges can be charged and collected for each organization.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, the user can set a printing condition that can be used by the user in the usage ticket issuing device, and the usage ticket issuing device includes: When a use ticket issuance is requested, the printing condition is confirmed and printing is permitted.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the use ticket issuing device can confirm the printing conditions and determine whether or not printing is possible.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to the first aspect, the user can set print conditions that can be used by the user in the usage ticket issuing device, and the user device is issued. The user device compares the use ticket issuance condition and the set use condition, and determines whether or not printing is possible.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the user device can perform printing permission / inhibition.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the usage ticket issuing device sets a printing condition that can be used for each user, and is issued a usage ticket. The printing apparatus compares the issuance conditions with the set use conditions and determines whether printing is possible.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus can perform printing permission / inhibition.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printing system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, authentication is performed using a public key cryptosystem for device authentication.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, authentication can be performed using a public key cryptosystem.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the printing system which provides the environment which can perform a business safely even if it uses the printing apparatus installed in the open place can be provided.

(System configuration)
An example of the system configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG. The system shown in FIG. 1 includes user devices 1 ₁ to 1 _N , printing devices 2 ₁ to 2 _M , user registration device 3, device registration device 4, billing device 5, and usage ticket issuing device 6. . The printing device 2 ₁ to the printing device 2 _M may be plural or one. When there are a plurality of printing apparatuses, a predetermined printing apparatus is selected and printed. A use ticket management server for managing the user's use ticket may be provided. This use ticket management server has a user information database, and this user information database stores user information. User information is, for example,
・ User information (user identification information, address, name, age, preference, past usage record, etc.)
・ Payment information (payment method, etc.)
・ Usage conditions (color printing availability, maximum number of sheets)
It is.

  With this system, the user device 1 (PC or portable terminal) carried by the user can be printed by the printing device 2 installed in the public, such as a convenience store or a business convenience store. A user device 1 (PC or portable terminal) of a user connects to a printing device 2 by connecting to a wired or wireless LAN installed in each store.

The user device 1 ₁ to the user device 1 _N are PCs and portable terminals carried by users. As will be described later, it is possible to register with the device registration apparatus 4 in advance and prove the validity of the device through the communication network 10. When a document print instruction is received from a user, a print program installed in the user device is activated, and the use ticket issuing device 6 is requested to issue a ticket, which is a right to print, and the document or information to be printed And a ticket to a predetermined printing device 2 ₁ -printing device _2M . In addition, the print program performs transmission / reception of a print ticket, transmission of a print document, and the like as described later.

Further, the user device 1 ₁ to the user device 1 _N may be able to set print conditions (such as the upper limit of the number of prints per month and color printing) that can be used by the user 9 for the use ticket issuing device 6. . In this case, the print program of the user device may compare the issued use ticket issuance condition with the set use condition to determine whether printing is permitted.

The printing apparatuses 2 ₁ to 2 _M are printable printers or high-function copiers installed in business convenience stores or the like. A print request and a permission ticket are received from the user device 1, the validity of the ticket is confirmed with the use ticket issuing device 6, and printing is performed when the user device 1, the user, and the use ticket are correct. Further, the charging device 5 is notified of the result of printing (device and information on the printing result).

  The user registration device 3 has a function of registering and managing users. Further, it has a function of confirming the legitimacy of the user in response to a request from the outside such as a use ticket issuing device and providing the result to the external device.

The device registration device 4 registers the printing device 2 ₁ to the printing device 2 _M and the user device 1 ₁ to the user device 1 _N , and confirms their validity.

  The use ticket issuing device 6 issues a function corresponding to permission for printing under a predetermined condition in response to a print request from a legitimate user, a function for registering a user who uses the print service and its use condition. And a function for confirming / notifying the validity of a ticket in response to an external request from the printing apparatus or the like, and a function for updating a use condition according to an external setting or a user's usage status.

  The use ticket issuing device 6 may manage the affiliation of a user having a plurality of affiliations as a use ticket issue attribute, and issue a ticket according to the attribute of the affiliation when permitting use.

  When the user device 1 sets printing conditions (such as the upper limit of the number of prints per month or color printing) that can be used by the user 9 to the use ticket issuing device 6, the user 9 issues a use ticket. When the request is issued, the use ticket issuing device 6 may confirm the printing conditions and determine whether or not printing is possible.

  The billing device 5 receives the printing execution result from the printing device 2, accumulates the user billing information according to the contents, transfers the usage status to the use ticket issuing device 6, and notifies the billing service providing system of the billing information Have

  The billing device 5 performs billing according to the usage amount of each user stored in the billing device, and pays a portion corresponding to the operating cost to the owner of the printing device and the operator who operates each device.

Further, the billing apparatus 5 may manage the usage status of the printing apparatus according to the affiliation of the user and collect the charges for each affiliation so as to enable billing and collection corresponding to each affiliation.
(Registration of users and devices)
When starting up the system, registration of users and devices is required. Here, registration of users and devices will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining user registration.

  The user 9 applies for registration to the user registration device 3 and obtains permission. If permitted, a personal ID and password for identifying the individual of the user 9, or a public key sent to the user registration device 3 at the time of application as permission information if a public key cryptosystem is used for personal authentication Receive public key certificate for.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining device registration.

  The user device 1, the printing device 2, the user registration device 3, the billing device 5, and the use ticket issuing device 6 each register with the device registration device 4 when device authentication is required to prove the validity of the device. Apply and get permission.

  In the case of using the public key cryptosystem, the device registration apparatus attaches a public key certificate to the public key of each apparatus as permission.

  Here, an example of registration in one device registration apparatus 4 is shown. However, when a certificate authority having a hierarchical structure is used, registration by a plurality of device registration apparatuses (4B, 4C) is also possible. An example is shown in FIG. When the user registration device 3, the billing device 5, and the use ticket issuing device 6 each require device authentication to prove the validity of the device, the user registration device 3, the billing device 5 and the use ticket issuing device 6 apply for registration to the device registration device 4B and obtain permission. Further, each of the user device 1 and the printing device 2 obtains permission by applying for registration to the device registration device 4C when device authentication is required to prove the validity of the device.

In this case, since the certificates of the device registration device 4B and the device registration device 4C are signed by the device registration device 4A, the validity of each device can be confirmed by following the certificate.
(User service registration)
Even when the user registration apparatus for authenticating the individual and the print service are independent, the user registers the service use with the use ticket management apparatus 6 in order to use the print service. There is a need to.

  User service registration will be described with reference to FIG. When the user makes a service use application to the use ticket issuing device 6, the use ticket issuing device 6 issues a request for confirming the validity of the user to the user registration device 3, and the user registration device 3 displays the result. return. Based on the result, when the user is a correct registrant, the use ticket issuing device 6 registers a new user account, sets use conditions, and grants service use permission. In addition, as usage conditions for each user set at the time of registration, settings such as an upper limit of the number of copies to be printed and color printing permission / prohibition are set, and a payment service for making payment is registered. In the case of an individual, the payment service includes, for example, use of a credit card, bank account transfer, and addition to the charge of the Internet service provider to be used. In addition, in the case of belonging to a corporation, the entire corporation is paid together.

  Finally, the result of permission of the service is communicated to the user. When a user authenticates with an IC card, information related to a printing service, such as information about a use ticket issuing device, is stored in the IC card.

  A printing process using public key cryptography for apparatus authentication and user authentication according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  When starting up the system, if each device is connected through an open network such as the Internet, authentication is performed to confirm the validity of each device. Authentication is performed by registering a user and a device as described in (User and device registration) and (User service registration). As a result of such registration, the user 9 has the public key certificate of the user registration device, and the use ticket issuing device 5, the user device 1, the printing device 2, and the billing device 5 are certified by the device registration device 4, respectively. Have a public key certificate.

  At this time, it is assumed that the user's PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) authentication key is recorded and held in an IC card held by the user. For implementation, other media may be used as long as the authentication key can be safely stored without using an IC card.

First, the user 9 logs on to the user device 1 and authenticates the user 9 (S-1). At this time, for example, when an IC card is used, it can be performed by collating a user PIN (personal identification information) set in the card. If the validity of the PIN can be confirmed, it can be confirmed that the user who entered the PIN is a correct registrant. Thereafter, the user 9 instructs the user device 1 to print a document (S-2).
(Acquisition of print ticket)
In the present invention, since a print ticket is necessary for printing, the user device 1 obtains a print ticket from the use ticket issuing device 6 as follows.

In this embodiment, as described above, when the user 9 instructs printing of a document, the printing program of the user device 1 is activated. With this print program, the user device 1 authenticates the use ticket issuing device 6 (S-3). Authentication of the use ticket issuing device 6 must be performed in order to prevent impersonation of the use ticket issuing device 6. In order to improve safety, the use ticket issuing device 6 may also authenticate the user device 1. Authentication is performed using a PKI authentication key. As an authentication method,
This is done by checking the signature of the public key certificate received from the other party.
By sending a random number and receiving the calculation result of the secret key, it is confirmed that the actual secret key is held by a so-called challenge / response.
In addition to checking the validity of the certificate or checking the key based on the challenge / response, the device registration apparatus as the certificate issuer is inquired to check whether the certificate has expired.
Etc.

Next, the use ticket issuing device 6 confirms the validity of the user by user authentication (S-4). In this case, authentication is performed using the user's PKI authentication key. The authentication to confirm the validity of the user is the same as the device authentication.
This is done by checking the signature of the public key certificate received from the other party.
By sending a random number and receiving the calculation result of the secret key, it is confirmed that the actual secret key is held by a so-called challenge / response.
In addition to checking the validity of the certificate or the key by the challenge / response, the user registration device as the certificate issuer is inquired to check whether the certificate has expired. This is done by checking the signature of the public key certificate received from the other party.
Etc.

  Communication between the use ticket issuing device 6 and the user registration device 3 needs to be encrypted and attached with a message authenticator from the viewpoint of protection of user information, prevention of substitution and tampering, and the like.

  Therefore, mutual authentication is performed between the use ticket issuing device 6 and the user registration device 3 (S-5). Next, the use ticket issuing device 6 requests the user registration device 3 to confirm the validity of the user 9 (S-6). As a result, a confirmation result of the validity of the user 9 is obtained from the user registration device 3 (S-7).

When the use ticket issuing device 6 finishes user authentication, it receives a print ticket issue request from the user device 1 (S-8). The usage ticket issuing device 6 searches the usage conditions of the user 9 from the stored user registration information, and issues a print ticket describing the usage permission range. Tickets include
・ Ticket identification number ・ User information ・ Ticket validity period ・ Usage conditions (whether color printing is possible, maximum number of sheets)
・ Includes the electronic signature of the ticket issuing device. The issued ticket is sent to the user device 1 (S-9). In the printing apparatus 2, the print ticket is not valid until after the user authentication is established. Even if the ticket is illegally copied on the communication line, it is not feared that the ticket is used. Therefore, the issued ticket does not necessarily need to be sent after being encrypted.
(Execution of printing)
The printing program installed in the user apparatus 1 that has received the print ticket sends the document to be printed and the received print ticket to the printing apparatus 2 (S-11). Prior to sending the document and ticket, the printing apparatus is authenticated in order to confirm that it is a valid printing apparatus (S-10). The authentication must be performed to prevent impersonation of the printing apparatus 2. In order to increase safety, the printing apparatus may also authenticate the user apparatus (S-10). Authentication is performed using a PKI authentication key. As described above, as an authentication method,
This is done by checking the signature of the public key certificate received from the other party.
By sending a random number and receiving the calculation result of the secret key, it is confirmed that the actual secret key is held by a so-called challenge / response.
In addition to checking the validity of the certificate or the key by the challenge / response, the device registration apparatus as the certificate issuer is inquired to check whether the certificate has expired.
Etc.

  The communication between the user apparatus 1 and the printing apparatus 2 does not necessarily need to be encrypted, but the document data to be sent needs to be encrypted in order to maintain the confidentiality of the document. Therefore, a temporary encryption key is generated, the document information to be transmitted is encrypted, and the temporary encryption key is encrypted with the user's public key and sent at the same time, or written to the IC card.

  The print ticket cannot be used unless the user authentication is established, and the contents can be verified by the signature of the use ticket issuing device 6, so that it is not always necessary to add encryption, a message authenticator or the like.

  The printing apparatus 2 holds the received document information and print ticket in the internal memory. Since the user device 1 and the printing device 2 are generally physically separated, the user 9 moves to the installation location of the printing device 2 with his / her IC card. The user 9 inserts an IC card into the printing apparatus 2 and inputs a PIN for authentication (S-12). By performing the authentication process while the user 9 is standing in front of the printing apparatus 2, it is possible to prevent a document from being viewed or illegally used by another person.

The printing apparatus 2 acquires the ticket of the corresponding user 9 from the print ticket list held in the internal memory, and confirms its validity. The validity of the ticket is
This is done by confirming the signature added by the use ticket issuing device 6 attached to the ticket.
The validity of the ticket is confirmed with the use ticket issuing device 6.
It can be done by either method.

  The validity of the ticket to the use ticket issuing device 6 is confirmed by performing mutual authentication between the use ticket issuing device 6 and the printing device 3 (S-13), and then making a request for checking the validity of the ticket. (S-14) As a result, it is performed by obtaining the result of confirmation of the validity of the ticket from the use ticket issuing device 6 (S-15).

  After confirming the validity of the ticket, the printing apparatus 2 takes out the encryption key held in the transmission or IC card, decrypts it with the private key of the user 9, and takes out the temporary key for decrypting the document. The document is decrypted with the extracted temporary key, and the document is printed. At that time, the printing apparatus 2 verifies the printing conditions and performs printing under the conditions permitted by the printing ticket. If the condition specified by the user is different from the permission condition, printing is not performed.

  Here, an example of a document transmission procedure from the user apparatus 1 to the printing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user device 1 transmits the print ticket 107, the encrypted document 106, and the encrypted temporary key 104 to the printing device 2. The print ticket 107 is a print ticket obtained from the use ticket issuing device 6, the encrypted document 106 is obtained by encrypting the document 105 with the encryption key 102, and the encrypted temporary key 104 is The encryption key generated based on the temporary key (random number) is encrypted with the user public key.

  The printing apparatus 2 receives the print ticket 107, the encrypted document 106, and the encrypted temporary key 104 transmitted by the user apparatus 1.

  A decryption key 202 is generated from the received encrypted temporary key 204 using the user secret key 203, and a plain text document 205 is generated from the encrypted document 206 using the decryption key 202. Based on the contents of the received print ticket 207, the generated document 205 is printed.

  When printing is completed, the printing apparatus 2 collects information for specifying the user 9 required for charging, quantity information such as printing conditions, number of sheets, etc., adds a signature, and sends it to the charging apparatus 5 (S-17). . Note that before the printing result is transmitted, the printing apparatus 2 and the charging apparatus 5 perform mutual authentication (S-16).

Information that the printing device 2 sends to the charging device 5 is:
・ Ticket identification number ・ User information ・ Usage information (printing conditions, number of prints)
-An electronic signature of a printing apparatus.

  When the transmission ends, a message to that effect is displayed on the display panel of the printing apparatus, and the user 9 is notified of the end of printing.

The charging device 5 that has acquired the print information accumulates the charging information for each user 9, and further sends the usage information to a usage ticket issuing management server (not shown). The usage ticket management server is a user in the user information database. Update information. For example, when the upper limit of the number of used sheets is set, the number of used sheets is reflected in the next and subsequent ticket issuances in addition to the total number of used sheets stored in the user information. The collected tickets are revoked so that they are not used again.
(Use fee collection and distribution)
Usage fee collection and distribution processing will be described with reference to FIG.

The billing device 5 passes the usage information of each user to the fee collector 19 every predetermined period such as the end of the month (S-21). This user information includes
・ User identification information (unique ID number, etc.)
・ Usage information (printing device, printing conditions, number of copies, etc.)
・ Payer information (unique ID number, etc.)
Etc.

  The fee collector 19 charges the user 9 for a usage fee (S-22) and collects the fee (S-23). The fee collector 19 is a user with respect to a printing service provider 29 that provides a series of operations such as a use ticket issuing device 6 and a charging device 5 and a holder 39 (business convenience store or convenience store) that holds the printing device 5. Pay the amount corresponding to each service among the usage fees paid by (S-24) (S-25).

  In the present embodiment, the user registration device 3, the use ticket issuing device 6, and the billing device 5 are expressed separately, but may be implemented as a user registration function, a use ticket issuing function, and a billing function in one device.

  Next, an example of printing in a company or organization will be shown. Assume that the device is connected to a LAN built in a company or organization.

  It is often the case within a company that a user belongs to a different organization for concurrent duties. In such a case, the organization that pays the usage fee differs depending on which organization the individual works. An example in the case of different departments in the same organization and an example in the case of different organizations are shown.

In the second embodiment, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the former individual has a concurrent job. The case of the latter different structure will be described in Example 3.
In addition, the case where an individual has a concurrent position is a case where the individual belongs to a different department in the same company.

The system configuration diagram is the same as FIG. In the second embodiment, the communication network 10 is mainly an in-house network, and includes user devices 1 ₁ to 1 _N , printing devices 2 ₁ to 2 _M , user registration devices 3, and device registration devices. 4. The billing device 5 and the use ticket issuing device 6 are mainly connected to a network in this company.

  The use ticket issuing device 6 sets a plurality of affiliation information for the user 9 at the time of registration. This information is stored in the user information of the user information database in the use ticket management server.

  FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing when an individual has a concurrent role.

  What is different from FIG. 6 is that the user 9 sets which work is being performed among a plurality of affiliations when working with the user device 1 (S-1 ′). In order to reflect the setting of the user 9, the printing program in the user apparatus 1 requests the use ticket issuing apparatus 6 including the membership information as a user attribute including the ticket issue request. The use ticket issuing device 6 issues a print ticket including user information and affiliation information. Hereinafter, the process until the end of printing is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  After the printing is completed, the charging device 5 that has acquired the print information accumulates the use information for each affiliation of the user 9.

  The charge collection process is shown in FIG. The billing device 5 passes the usage information of each user to the fee collector 19 every predetermined period such as the end of the month.

  The fee collector 19 charges a usage fee to different departments (payer A and payer B) to which the user 9 belongs (S-22), and collects the fee (S-23). The fee collector 19 pays the amount corresponding to each service out of the usage fees paid by the user to the printing service provider 29 and the printing device holder 39 (S-24) (S-25) .

  In FIG. 10, the charge collector 19 charges the different departments (payers A and B) to which the user 9 belongs, and collects the charges. Considering the operation within the same organization as the target of this embodiment, whether the printing device holder 39 and the printing service provider 29 are related to the fee collection / distribution is determined by the user 9 and the printing service provider 29. This is not always necessary.

  Example 3 is a case where printing is performed across a plurality of tissues.

  It is also assumed in the real world that you go to other organizations at meetings or meetings to work, or are dispatched to other organizations in the short term. In the former case, it is often the case that a document is printed using a destination printing device and used in a meeting or the like. At this time, there are many cases where it is difficult to use at present because the usage fee is paid at the destination. In this case, the mental burden will be reduced if you can use it when you are away from home.

  In addition, even if you are seconded, even if the location is fixed at the second place, it is rare to do only one of the tasks, and it is necessary to perform both tasks, including general affairs work. In that case, it is necessary to identify which work is being performed and to charge a fee to a different organization. FIG. 11 shows an example of realization by an independent use ticket issuing device, and FIG. 13 shows an example of a print service of a ticket issuing device having a hierarchical structure.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing when printing is performed across a plurality of organizations.

  6 is different from FIG. 6 in that the user 9 sets an attribute indicating that the user 9 is working on a plurality of organizations (main organization A, subordinate organization B) (S). -1 '). Processing in the main organization A is processed according to FIG. The charging device 5B and the usage ticket issuing device 6B in the subordinate organization B are processed in accordance with the charging device 5 and the usage ticket issuing device 6 of FIG.

  As the user device 1, the printing device 2, and the user registration device 3, those of the main organization A are used.

  In the case of the present embodiment, a ticket issuance is requested to different use ticket issuing devices (6A, 6B) according to the affiliation information set by the user. Printing is performed according to the issued ticket, but the printing result is also sent to the charging apparatuses (5A, 5B) of different organizations.

  The charge collection process is shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows a fee collection process for a person who works in the main organization A and the subordinate organization B and a person who works in the main organization B and the subordinate organization A.

  The billing apparatuses (5A, 5B) pass usage information of the user 9 whose main organization is his / her organization to the charge collector 19 at fixed intervals such as the end of the month.

  The fee collector 19 charges the payer A and the payer B based on the usage information from the charging devices (5A, 5B) (S-22) and collects the fee (S -twenty three). The fee collector 19 pays an amount corresponding to each service out of the usage fees paid by the user to the printing service providers (29A, 29B) and the printing device holders (39A, 39B) (S -24) (S-25).

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a print service of a ticket issuing device having a hierarchical structure. The system shown in FIG. 13 is composed of an organization A system, an organization B system, and a system connected to an external network, and includes a use ticket issuing device 6X that is a route of the use ticket issuing devices 6A to 6C of these systems. doing. All used tickets can be centrally managed by the used ticket issuing device 6X.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to cooperate with various utilization ticket issuing apparatuses via the utilization ticket issuing apparatus 6X. As a result, if this system is installed everywhere, not only will printing be possible with nearby printing devices, it will be possible to use printing devices installed in business convenience stores, etc. You can get paid as part of your business.

  In addition, a usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device in an organization and a usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device outside the organization cooperate with each other. A usage ticket for a printing apparatus outside the organization may be issued to the person, and the charging device inside the organization may charge the printing apparatus outside the organization.

  In addition, the usage ticket issuing device installed inside the organization and the usage ticket issuing device installed outside the organization cooperate, so that even users inside the organization can use the printing device outside the organization. May be obtained.

  In this case, the charging system that collects the usage information may distribute the charging from the organization to which the user belongs and the usage fee to the system operator outside the organization, or may charge separately. .

It is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating registration of a user. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for describing registration of a device; FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) for describing registration of a device; It is a figure for demonstrating a user's service registration. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a document transmission process from a user apparatus to a printing apparatus. It is FIG. (1) for demonstrating collection | recovery of a usage fee and a distribution process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining processing in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining usage fee collection and distribution processing; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining processing in the third embodiment. It is a collection and distribution diagram of usage charges across multiple organizations. It is a figure for demonstrating the case of the printing service of the ticket issuing apparatus which has a hierarchical structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User apparatus 2 Printing apparatus 3 User registration apparatus 4 Device registration apparatus 5 Billing apparatus 6 Usage ticket issuing apparatus 9 User 10 Communication network

Claims (9)

In a printing system in which a use ticket issuing device that issues a print ticket, a printing device that performs printing, a device registration device that guarantees the validity of each device, and a user registration device that registers users are connected via a communication network.
The user registration device ensures a legitimate user,
The device registration device ensures the validity of the use ticket issuing device, the printing device, and the user registration device,
When the print ticket guarantees the right to print,
A printing system, wherein the printing apparatus prints a document requested by the user. A billing device for storing billing information;
The charging device performs charging according to the usage amount of each user accumulated in the charging device, and the portion corresponding to the operating cost of the owner of the printing device and the operator operating each device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein payment is possible. The use ticket issuing device issues a ticket according to the attribute of the affiliation when allowing the use to a user having a plurality of affiliations,
The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the charging device performs charging according to the usage amount of each user collectively for each affiliation. If you have a printing device inside the organization and a printing device outside the organization,
A usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device in an organization and a usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device outside the organization cooperate with each other to users outside the organization. On the other hand, issue a usage ticket for a printing device outside the organization,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the charging device in the organization charges the printing device outside the organization. If you have a printing device inside the organization and a printing device outside the organization,
A usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device in an organization and a usage ticket issuing device that issues a usage ticket to a printing device outside the organization cooperate with each other to users outside the organization. On the other hand, issue a use ticket,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the charging device collectively charges the printing device in the organization and the printing device outside the organization. The user can set print conditions that can be used by the user in the use ticket issuing device,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the use ticket issuing device checks whether or not a use ticket is issued and checks whether or not printing is possible. The user can set print conditions that can be used by the user in the use ticket issuing device,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the user device compares the issued use ticket issuance condition with the set use condition, and determines whether or not printing is possible.   The usage ticket issuing device sets printing conditions that can be used for each user, and the printing device compares the issued usage ticket issuing conditions with the set usage conditions to determine whether or not printing is possible. A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device is authenticated by using a public key cryptosystem.

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