JP2005327116A - Accounting system and copying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive and user-friendly accounting system of an automatic vending type copying apparatus and to provide a copying apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a user who has inserted a prepaid card into a card reader 24 performs a fingerprint authentication operation using a start-key fingerprint authentication machine 13 of the copying apparatus 10, the accounting system 1 for the copying apparatus causes fingerprint information obtained by the start-key fingerprint authentication machine 13 to be stored in a memory 23 together with card information about the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24. When there is an instruction to start copying action at the start-key fingerprint authentication machine 13, the system implements a control process for copying action to either permit or prohibit the copying action and an accounting process on the basis of the fingerprint information obtained by the start-key fingerprint authentication machine 13 and the information in the memory 23. When a fingerprint authentication machine 22 is depressed to request the return of the prepaid card, a determination is made as to whether or not the request has been done by the legitimate owner on the basis of the fingerprint information obtained by the fingerprint authentication machine 22 and the information in the memory 23 to control the return of the prepaid card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging system and a copying apparatus, and more particularly, to a charging system and a copying apparatus such as an automatic vending copying apparatus that are inexpensive and have good usability.

  Various vending machines such as beverages, food and drinks, cigarettes, tickets, etc., and vending copying machines (hereinafter collectively referred to as vending machines) have become widespread, and vending machines generally include banknotes and coins. The company sells goods and copying functions by inserting money or prepaid cards.

  In such vending machines, how to prevent unauthorized use has become an important issue. Conventionally, when purchasing a prepaid card, the user's fingerprint information and password are entered from the prepaid card vending machine, When the prepaid card is registered as security data in the management device and the prepaid card together with the authentication number of the prepaid card, the prepaid card is inserted into the using device when the prepaid card is used, and the fingerprint information and the password are input. However, the security data registered in correspondence with the prepaid card is acquired from the management device, and the security data is compared with the acquired security data, the fingerprint information acquired from the user device, the password, and the prepaid card. Permit use of the device when it does Prepaid card verification system and electronic gaming management system has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, this prior art registers fingerprint information and password in the management device and the prepaid card when purchasing the prepaid card, and when using the prepaid card, the fingerprint information and password entered upon use and the fingerprint registered in the management device. Use is permitted when the information, password, and fingerprint information registered in the prepaid card all match the password, and the prepaid card is a card that can store fingerprint information, password, etc., that is, an IC card Will be.

  In addition, the applicant first connects a plurality of vending machines and a vending machine management server via a network, and at least authentication information (customer fingerprints, voiceprints, fundus photographs, etc. of the customer) is connected to the vending machine management server. Customer information database storing customer information including information), a product information database storing at least product items, sales prices, and information indicating whether they are age-restricted products for each product, and a sales history in a preset period for each customer The customer's authentication information sent from the vending machine is compared with the authentication information registered in the customer information database, and if it matches, the customer is authenticated as a customer. And determine whether the authorized customer sent from the vending machine can sell the desired product information. When the vending machine is notified of the result and the product is sold to the customer by the product sales means, the fact that the product has been sold to the customer is registered in the sales history database and stored in the sales history database. A merchandise sales system using a vending machine that charges for each customer according to the sales history of the merchandise that has been submitted is proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  In other words, this conventional technology uses the biometric information such as the customer's fingerprint, voice print, and fundus photo as authentication information, authenticates the customer compared to the authentication information registered in the vending machine management server in advance, and sells the product to the authenticated customer. At the same time, the sales are charged based on the credit card information registered in advance by the customer.

  Further, conventionally, the inserted fraudulent card is collected in the fraudulent card storage means, the collected fraudulent card is securely stored, and information on the stored fraudulent card is managed, and the collected fraudulent card is taken out. There has been proposed a prepaid card system that prevents this (see Patent Document 3).

  That is, this prior art detects the use of an unauthorized card and stores the prepaid card against the act of using the unauthorized card.

  Conventionally, a vending machine and a vending method have been proposed in which a transaction-related object such as a prepaid card is detected and the transaction-related object is stored when the transaction-related object is forgotten (see Patent Document 4). .

  In other words, when this conventional technology detects that a transaction related object such as a prepaid card has been forgotten, the forgotten transaction related object is stored, but the stored transaction related object is returned to the owner via a person. Will be done.

JP 2001-331750 A JP 2003-85624 A JP 2000-242842 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-7042

  However, in the above prior art, there is a need for improvement in carrying out vending while preventing unauthorized use at a low cost and appropriately, and forgetting to remove billing objects such as money and prepaid cards In order to reliably return the billing object to the authorized owner of the billing object without human intervention, there is a need for improvement.

  That is, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, fingerprint information and a password are registered in the management device and the prepaid card when the prepaid card is purchased, and when the prepaid card is used, the fingerprint information and the password input when using the prepaid card, Since the fingerprint information and password registered in the management device and the fingerprint information and password registered in the prepaid card are collated, not only the management device connected via the network is necessary, but also as a prepaid card It is necessary to use a card that can store fingerprint information, a password, or the like, that is, an IC card, which not only makes the system large, but also has a problem that the type of the card is limited and it is expensive and unusable.

  Further, in the prior art described in Patent Document 2, the customer is authenticated by comparing with the authentication information registered in advance in the vending machine management server using the biometric information such as the customer's fingerprint, voice print and fundus photo as authentication information. The product is sold to the customer who has been purchased, and the customer is charged for the sale based on the credit card information registered in advance by the customer. Therefore, the prepaid card is not used, so that illegal use of the prepaid card is prevented. However, it requires a vending machine connected to the network and a vending machine management server, and is expensive.

  Furthermore, in the prior art described in Patent Document 3, since the prepaid card is stored for the act of illegal use of the card, it is possible to cope with forgetting to collect the billing object such as cash or prepaid card. Cannot be done and needs improvement.

  In addition, if it detects that the prepaid card has been forgotten, the prepaid card that has been forgotten is stored, but returning the stored prepaid card to the owner is through a person, which increases the cost. There was a problem of poor usability.

  Therefore, the present invention appropriately secures the use of the copying operation by a legitimate user who is a billing object thrower such as inserted money or a medium corresponding to money with an inexpensive and simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus that can prevent unauthorized acquisition of a charging object by a person other than the user at low cost and with certainty.

  Specifically, the invention described in claim 1 is a charging device that controls permission / non-permission of copying operation in the copying device, and also applies the charging object such as inserted money or a medium corresponding to money. When performing a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus, the copying apparatus is provided with one or more fingerprint authentication means, and the charging object is inserted into the charging apparatus and the charged object is inserted. There is provided a billing object input mechanism for performing billing processing in a state where it cannot be taken out, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and storage means for storing at least fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, When a user who has charged an object to be charged into the object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication unit of the copying apparatus, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging apparatus The fingerprint information acquired by the verification means is stored in the storage means together with the management information for identifying the charging object input to the charging object input mechanism, and the fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus is performed at the start of the copying operation Requesting and performing a copying operation control process and a charging process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit, and charging object input mechanism In response to the request to return the object to be charged, fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication unit of the charging device is requested, and the return request is charged based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit. A billing object return control process for determining whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether it is a return request from the legitimate owner of the billing object thrown into the object throwing mechanism. By using this function, only authorized users who have entered billing objects based on fingerprint authentication are permitted to use the copying machine with a simple configuration without using a management device connected via a network. Providing a billing system that prevents unauthorized users from taking out unauthorized billing objects, and prevents unauthorized use of appropriate copying operations and unauthorized acquisition of billing objects at low cost It is an object.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the charging device controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying device, and the copying device copies from the charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money. When performing a billing process for subtracting a charge for an operation, a billing object input mechanism for executing a billing process in a state in which a billing object is inserted into the charging device and the charged billing object cannot be taken out; There are provided two or more fingerprint authentication means and a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means, and a user who has inserted a charge object into the charge object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication means. When this is done, the fingerprint information of the user acquired by the fingerprint authentication means is stored in the storage means together with management information for identifying the charge object that has been input to the charge object input mechanism, and the fingerprint authentication Based on the fingerprint information acquired by the stage and the fingerprint information of the storage means and the management information, the copying operation control processing and charging processing for permitting / disallowing the copying operation are performed, and the charging object return request of the charging object input mechanism is performed. The charging object is requested by the fingerprint authentication unit, and the return request is input to the charging object input mechanism based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit. Use a management device or the like connected via a network by performing a billing object return control process for determining whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether it is a return request by the legitimate owner of the object Without using a copying machine, only authorized users who have charged a billing object can use the authentication system with a simple configuration that integrates fingerprint authentication operations related to charging into the charging device. As well as preventing unauthorized charges from being taken out by anyone other than authorized users, and reliably preventing unauthorized users from using appropriate copying operations and unauthorized acquisition of charged objects. The object is to provide a charging system with good usability.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the charging device controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying device, and the copying device copies from the charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money. When performing a charging process for subtracting a charge for an operation, the copying apparatus is provided with one or more fingerprint authentication means and at least a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means. A charging object input mechanism is provided for executing an accounting process when an object is input and the charged object cannot be taken out, and a fingerprint authentication operation is requested by a fingerprint authentication means when a copy operation start request is issued. The fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means is stored in the storage means together with the management information for identifying the billing object put in the billing object input mechanism, and the copying operation is started. The copying operation control processing and charging processing for permitting / disallowing the copying operation are performed based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticating means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means at the time of the request, and the charging of the charging object input mechanism In response to the return request of the object, the fingerprint authentication means of the copying machine is requested to perform fingerprint authentication, and the return request is charged based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. By determining whether it is a return request by the legitimate owner of the billing object put into the input mechanism and performing the billing object return control processing of whether to return the billing object, the network Without using a connected management device, etc., only the mechanism required for charging is provided in the charging device, and other means are integrated into the copying device, and the charging object is based on fingerprint authentication. Only authorized users who have entered the system are allowed to use the copying machine and prevent unauthorized users from taking out unauthorized billing objects. The object is to provide a charging system that reliably prevents unauthorized use and acquisition of charging objects.

  The invention according to claim 4 includes a charging means for controlling permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying mechanism and subtracting the charge for the copying operation from a charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money. Built-in charging object input mechanism, and charging object input mechanism for executing charging processing in a state in which the charged charging object cannot be taken out, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and at least the fingerprint authentication Storage means for storing the fingerprint information acquired by the means, and when the user who has inserted the charging object into the charging object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication means, the fingerprint authentication means And the charging unit stores the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticating unit in the storage unit together with the management information for identifying the charging target inserted in the charging target input mechanism. When a request for starting a copying operation is made, a fingerprint authentication operation is requested by the fingerprint authentication means, and the copying operation is permitted or not permitted based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means In addition to performing the operation control process and the charging process, the fingerprint authentication unit requests fingerprint authentication in response to the charging object return request of the charging object input mechanism, and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint of the storage unit Whether to return the chargeable object by determining whether the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the chargeable object input to the chargeable object input mechanism based on the information and the management information By performing the billing object return control process, a simple configuration with a built-in means necessary for the billing process with fingerprint authentication without using a management device or the like connected via a network can be used. Only authorized users who have entered billing objects based on authentication are allowed to use the copying machine, and unauthorized users can be prevented from taking out unauthorized billing objects by other than authorized users. It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized copying apparatus that reliably prevents the use of appropriate copying operations and unauthorized acquisition of billing objects.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range without performing a copying operation for a predetermined waiting time in a state where the charging object is inserted into the charging object input mechanism. If the human body is not detected, the billing object put in the billing object input mechanism is moved to the storage means and stored, so that the billing object can be stored safely and illegally It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus that can more reliably prevent them from being taken out.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when there is a request to return the billing object stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not the owner is a legitimate owner based on the fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication means, and the billing It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus that control the return of an object so that the stored charging object can be reliably and inexpensively returned to an authorized owner without any manual intervention.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, fingerprint information and management information are stored in the storage means while the charge object remains in the charge object input mechanism or storage means, and when the charge object is discharged, the storage means By deleting the fingerprint information and management information of the discharged billing object, privacy is prevented from leaking and it can be handled with a storage means with a small storage capacity. An object of the present invention is to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus that reliably prevent unauthorized use of copying operations and unauthorized acquisition of charging objects.

  The invention according to claim 8 forgets to remove the billing object by displaying information on the billing object input into the billing object input mechanism or the billing object stored in the storage means on a predetermined display means. An object of the present invention is to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus with good usability by clarifying the location of a charging object even if it is forgotten.

  The invention according to claim 9 promptly restores the charging system or the copying apparatus by notifying the administrator of the charging system or the copying apparatus when the storage means is full of charging objects, It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus with good usability.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a charging system for preventing an inadvertent operation when the storage capacity of the storage means is exceeded by stopping the storage process of the charge object when the storage means is full of the charge object. And a copying apparatus.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range without a copying operation being performed for a predetermined waiting time in a state where the charging object is inserted into the charging object input mechanism. If the human body is not detected, it is determined that the billing object has been forgotten, and the administrator is notified that the billing object has been forgotten. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system and a copying apparatus with good usability.

  The charging system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a copying apparatus that copies an image on a sheet, and a copying apparatus that is connected to the copying apparatus and communicates with the copying apparatus to permit / deny copying operation in the copying apparatus. And a charging device that performs a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money, The charging object includes one or more fingerprint authentication means, and the charging device executes the charging process in a state where the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out A charging mechanism; one or more fingerprint authentication means; and storage means for storing at least fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, and When the user who has loaded the object performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication unit of the copying apparatus, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging device acquires the fingerprint authentication unit. Fingerprint information is stored in the storage means together with management information for identifying the charge object that has been input to the charge object input mechanism, and a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus is performed at the start of the copy operation Requesting and performing the copying operation control process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation and the charging process based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit, and the charging target In response to a request for returning the billing object of the object throwing mechanism, the fingerprint authentication unit of the billing apparatus is requested to perform fingerprint authentication, and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the record Based on the fingerprint information and management information of the means, it is determined whether or not the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism, and the billing object is returned. The above-mentioned object is achieved by performing the billing object return control process for determining whether or not to perform.

  The billing system according to claim 2 is a copying apparatus for copying an image on a sheet, and permits / denies copying operation in the copying apparatus connected to the copying apparatus and communicating with the copying apparatus. And a charging device that performs a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money, A charging object input mechanism for executing the charging process in a state where the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and the fingerprint authentication Storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the means, and when a user who has inserted the charging object into the charging object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication means, The fingerprint information of the user acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit is stored in the storage unit together with the management information for specifying the charging object input to the charging object input mechanism, and the fingerprint acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit Based on the information and the fingerprint information and the management information of the storage means, the copying operation control process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation and the charging process are performed, and the charging object input mechanism returns a request for returning the charging object The fingerprint authentication unit is requested to perform fingerprint authentication, and the return request is input to the billing object input mechanism based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit. By determining whether it is a return request by the legitimate owner of the chargeable object and performing the chargeable object return control processing of whether to return the chargeable object, the above We have achieved the target.

  The billing system of the invention described in claim 3 is a copying apparatus for copying an image on a sheet, and permits / denies copying operation in the copying apparatus connected to the copying apparatus and communicating with the copying apparatus. And a charging device that performs a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money, Includes at least one fingerprint authentication unit and at least a storage unit that stores fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit, and the charging device is inserted with the charging object being inserted. A billing object input mechanism for executing the billing process in a state in which the billing object cannot be taken out, and performing a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means at the start of the copying operation And storing the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means in the storage means together with management information for identifying the charge object that has been input to the charge object input mechanism, and when the copy operation is requested to start Based on the fingerprint information acquired by the authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means, the copying operation control process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation and the charging process are performed, and the charging of the charging object input mechanism In response to the return request of the object, the fingerprint authentication is requested by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, and the return request is based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. A billing object for determining whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether or not it is a return request by a legitimate owner of the billing object put into the billing object input mechanism By performing the 却制 control process, it has achieved the above object.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copying mechanism for copying an image onto a sheet, and control of permission / non-permission of a copying operation in the copying mechanism, and money inserted or a medium corresponding to money And charging means for subtracting a charge for the copying operation from the charging object such as the charging object, and the charging process in a state where the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out. A charging object input mechanism, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and storage means for storing at least fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means, and the charging object input mechanism includes the charging object When a user who has put in an object performs a fingerprint authentication operation using the fingerprint authentication unit, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging unit acquires the fingerprint authentication unit. Fingerprint information is stored in the storage means together with management information for identifying the charge object that has been input to the charge object input mechanism, and a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means is requested at the start of the copying operation , Performing the copying operation control process for permitting / not permitting the copying operation and the charging process based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit, and the charging object input mechanism In response to the request to return the billing object, the fingerprint authentication means requests fingerprint authentication, and the return request is based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. Billing whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether or not it is a return request by a legitimate owner of the billing object put into the billing object input mechanism By performing elephant product return control process, we have achieved the above objects.

  In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 5, the charging system or the copying apparatus is input to a human body detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range and the charging object input mechanism. Storage means for receiving the charge object from the charge object input mechanism and temporarily storing the charge object, and the copying operation is performed in a predetermined waiting state while the charge object is inserted in the charge object input mechanism. If the human body detection sensor does not detect a human body without being performed for a time, a storage process is performed in which the charging object loaded in the charging object charging mechanism is moved to the storage means and stored. Also good.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 6, when the billing system or the copying apparatus has a request for returning the billing object stored in the storage unit, the fingerprint authentication unit performs fingerprint authentication. Based on this, it may be determined whether the owner is a legitimate owner, and the return of the billing object may be controlled.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the billing system or the copying apparatus includes the fingerprint information and the storage unit while the billing object remains in the billing object input mechanism or the storage unit. The management information may be stored, and when the charging object is discharged, the fingerprint information and management information of the discharged charging object in the storage unit may be deleted.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the billing system or the copying apparatus includes information on the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism or the billing object stored in the storage unit. May be displayed on a predetermined display means.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 9, the charging system or the copying apparatus notifies the administrator of the charging system or the copying apparatus when the storage means is full of the charging object. You may do.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 10, the billing system or the copying apparatus may stop the billing object storage process when the storage unit is full of the billing object. Good.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 11, the billing system or the copying apparatus includes a human body detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range, and a contact to the administrator of the billing system or the copying apparatus. And when the charging object is inserted into the charging object input mechanism, the copying operation is not performed for a predetermined waiting time, and the human body sensor does not detect the human body, It may be determined that the billing object has been forgotten and the contact means notifies the manager that the billing object has been forgotten.

  According to the charging system of the first aspect of the present invention, the charging device controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying device, and from the charging object such as the inserted money or the medium corresponding to the money. When performing a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus, the copying apparatus is provided with one or more fingerprint authentication means, and the charging object is inserted into the charging apparatus and the charged object is inserted. There is provided a billing object input mechanism for performing billing processing in a state where it cannot be taken out, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and storage means for storing at least fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, When a user who has charged a billing object into the object throwing mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication unit of the copying apparatus, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, The fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means is stored in the storage means together with the management information for identifying the charge object input to the charge object input mechanism, and the fingerprint authentication means by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus when a copy operation start request is made Requesting the operation, performing copying operation control processing and charging processing for permitting / disallowing the copying operation based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit, and charging object In response to the charging object return request of the charging mechanism, the fingerprint authentication means of the charging device requests fingerprint authentication, and the return request is based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. The billing object returns whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether the billing object is a return request by the authorized owner of the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism Since the control process is performed, the use of the copying apparatus is permitted only to a legitimate user who has entered a billing object based on fingerprint authentication with a simple configuration without using a management apparatus or the like connected via a network. In addition, it is possible to prevent unauthorized billing objects from being taken out by someone other than a legitimate user, and to ensure the proper use of copying operations and fraudulent acquisition of billing objects by legitimate users at low cost. Can be prevented.

  According to the charging system of the second aspect of the present invention, the charging device controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying device, and the charging object such as the money to be inserted or the medium corresponding to the money When performing a billing process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in a copying apparatus, a billing object is charged and the billing process is executed in a state in which the billed object cannot be removed. A user who has input a charging object into the charging object input mechanism is provided with an input mechanism, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means. When the fingerprint authentication operation is performed, the fingerprint information of the user acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit is stored in the storage unit together with the management information for identifying the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism. The copying operation control process and charging process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation are performed based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit. In response to a charge object return request, the fingerprint authentication means requests fingerprint authentication, and the return request is based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. Because the billing object return control processing is performed to determine whether or not the billing object is returned by judging whether it is a return request by the legitimate owner of the billing object thrown in For a legitimate user who has entered a billing object based on easy-to-use fingerprint authentication with a simple configuration that integrates the fingerprint authentication operation related to billing into the billing device without using a management device etc. In addition to permitting the use of only copying machines, it is possible to prevent unauthorized charges from being taken out by persons other than legitimate users, and appropriate copying operations and charges by legitimate users can be made at low cost. Unauthorized acquisition of an object can be reliably prevented and usability can be improved.

  According to the charging system of the third aspect of the invention, the charging device controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying device, and the charging object such as the inserted money or the medium corresponding to the money When performing a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus, the copying apparatus is provided with one or more fingerprint authentication means and at least a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means. The apparatus is provided with a charging object input mechanism for executing a charging process in a state in which the charging object is inserted and the charged object cannot be taken out, and fingerprint authentication is performed by a fingerprint authentication unit when a copy operation start request is issued. Requesting the operation, the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit is recorded in the storage unit together with the management information for identifying the charging target that has been input to the charging target input mechanism. Then, based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means at the time of request for starting the copying operation, the copying operation control processing and charging processing for permitting or not permitting the copying operation are performed and charging is performed. In response to the charge return request of the object input mechanism, it requests fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, and based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means A charge object return control process is performed to determine whether the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the charge object input to the charge object input mechanism and whether to return the charge object. Because it does so, it does not use a management device connected via a network, but only a mechanism required for billing is provided in the billing device, and other means are integrated in the copying device for fingerprint authentication. Therefore, only authorized users who have charged the billing object can be permitted to use the copying apparatus, and unauthorized billing objects can be prevented from being taken out by anyone other than the authorized user. It is possible to reliably prevent the use of an appropriate copying operation by an authorized user at an inexpensive cost and unauthorized acquisition of a billing object.

  According to the copying apparatus of the fourth aspect of the invention, permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying mechanism is controlled, and the charge for the copying operation from the charged object such as money to be inserted or a medium corresponding to money. A billing means for subtracting the billing object, and a billing object input mechanism for executing a billing process in a state in which the billing object is inserted and the charged billing object cannot be removed; and one or more fingerprint authentication means; And a storage means for storing the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means. When a user who has inserted a charge object into the charge object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication means, the fingerprint authentication The means obtains the fingerprint information of the user, and the billing means uses the fingerprint information obtained by the fingerprint authentication means together with the management information for identifying the billing object entered in the billing object throwing mechanism. Permission to copy operation based on fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and fingerprint information and management information of the storage means by requesting the fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means when requesting to start the copy operation・ Performs unauthorized copying operation control processing and charging processing, and requests fingerprint authentication by fingerprint authentication means in response to a charge object return request of the charge object input mechanism, and fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means Based on the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means, it is determined whether or not the return request is a return request by a legitimate owner of the charge object input to the charge object input mechanism, and the charge object is returned. The billing object return control process of whether to perform or not is performed, so there is a built-in means necessary for the billing process with fingerprint authentication without using a network-connected management device etc. With a simple configuration, only authorized users who have entered billing objects based on fingerprint authentication can be permitted to use the copying machine, and unauthorized billing objects can be taken out by anyone other than authorized users. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the use of an appropriate copying operation and unauthorized acquisition of a billing object by a legitimate user at a low cost.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the copying operation is not performed for a predetermined waiting time in a state where the charging object is inserted into the charging object input mechanism, and the human body within the predetermined range. If the human body sensor that detects the presence or absence of a human body does not detect a human body, the billing object loaded in the billing object throwing mechanism is moved to the storage means and stored, so that the billing object Can be stored safely and can be more reliably prevented from being illegally taken out.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the invention as set forth in claim 6, if there is a request to return the charging object stored in the storage means, is the authorized owner based on the fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication means? Since the return of the billing object is controlled by determining whether or not the billing object is returned, the stored billing object can be reliably and inexpensively returned to the authorized owner without any manual intervention.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the seventh aspect of the invention, while the charging object remains in the charging object input mechanism or the storage unit, the fingerprint information and the management information are stored in the storage unit, and the charging object is stored in the storage unit. When it is discharged, the fingerprint information and management information of the discharged billing object in the storage means are erased, so that it is possible to prevent leakage of privacy and to cope with the storage means with a small storage capacity. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent use of an appropriate copying operation and unauthorized acquisition of a billing object by a legitimate user even more inexpensively.

  According to the billing system and the copying apparatus of the eighth aspect of the invention, the information related to the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism or the billing object stored in the storage means is displayed and output on the predetermined display means. In addition, it is possible to suppress forgetting to remove the billing object and to clarify the whereabouts of the billing object even if forgetting to remove it, thereby improving the usability.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the storage means is full of the charging object, the charging system or the copying apparatus administrator is notified to that effect. The copying apparatus can be restored and usability can be improved.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the storage means is full of the charging object, the storage process of the charging object is stopped. Operation can be prevented.

  According to the charging system and the copying apparatus of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the copying operation is not performed for a predetermined waiting time in a state in which the charging object is inserted in the charging object input mechanism, and the human body within the predetermined range. If the human body sensor that detects the presence or absence of a human body does not detect a human body, it will determine that the billing object has been forgotten and will notify the administrator that the billing object has been forgotten. It is possible to quickly deal with forgetting and improve usability.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 3 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a charging system and a copying apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a charging for a copying apparatus to which the first embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a system 1. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a copying apparatus billing system 1 includes a copying apparatus 10 and a billing apparatus 20 connected to each other by wire or wireless such as a cable, and can communicate with each other.

  The copying apparatus 10 includes a copying mechanism unit 11, a control unit 12, a start key / fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticating unit) 13, and the like.

  The copying mechanism unit 11 performs main scanning / sub scanning of the document set on the contact glass and optically reads an image of the document in black and white or color, and image data of the document read by the scanner unit or from the outside. A printer unit that records and outputs a monochrome image or a color image on a recording sheet by a predetermined recording method based on input image data, for example, an electrophotographic method, and the like. Operates to perform a copying operation, and performs a printer operation based on image data from the outside only by the printer unit.

  When the control unit 12 receives a control signal from the charging device 20 and the control signal permits the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11, the control unit 12 controls the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11 to perform the copying operation. When the control signal prohibits the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11, the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11 is controlled to prohibit the copying operation or the printer operation.

  The start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is a device in which a user of the copying apparatus 10 gives a fingerprint authentication function to a start key for instructing the start of an operation such as a copying operation, and is provided with an image sensor and the like. When a person presses down the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 using a finger such as an index finger, the start signal is output to the control unit 12 and the finger is photographed to acquire the fingerprint information of the user. . The start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 outputs the acquired fingerprint information to the billing apparatus 20.

  The charging device 20 includes a control unit 21, a fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticating means) 22, a memory (storage means) 23, a card reader (charging object input mechanism) 24, a card storage (storage means) 25, and the like. .

  The control unit 21 controls the operation of the charging apparatus 20, and fingerprint information is sent to the control unit 21 from the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 of the copying apparatus 10. As will be described later, the control unit 21 sends a control signal to the copying apparatus 10 based on the fingerprint information from the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13, the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23, and the like. To the control unit 12 and appropriately perform the copy operation control process of the copy mechanism unit 11 based on fingerprint authentication, perform the charge process of subtracting from the balance information of the prepaid card to which the charge for the copy operation is charged, The prepaid card in the card reader 24 is forgotten to be removed.

  A prepaid card (charged object) such as an IC card or a magnetic card is detachably inserted into the card reader 24, and the card reader 24 is recorded on the inserted prepaid card under the control of the control unit 21. The card information (management information) such as the balance information and the card number is read and output to the control unit 21, and the card information such as the balance information is updated by a method such as overwriting.

  The card storage 25 has a capacity for storing a predetermined number of prepaid cards. When a prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24 is forgotten, the card storage 25 is forgotten under the control of the control unit 21. The prepaid card is taken in and stored, and the stored prepaid card is discharged through the card reader 24.

  The fingerprint authenticator 22 includes an image sensor and the like. When a user puts a finger used to operate the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 such as an index finger, the finger is photographed, and the finger is photographed. The fingerprint information is acquired, and the acquired fingerprint information is output to the control unit 21.

  When the fingerprint information is sent from the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 of the copying apparatus 10, the control unit 21 stores the fingerprint information in the memory 23, and when the fingerprint authenticator 22 acquires the fingerprint information. Then, it is verified whether or not the acquired fingerprint matches the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23, and a forgetting control process for determining whether or not to eject the forgotten prepaid card stored in the card storage 25 is performed. Do.

  Although not shown, the copying apparatus 10 or the charging apparatus 20 is provided with a human body detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an operator, for example, an infrared human body detection sensor in the vicinity of the copying apparatus 10 and the charging apparatus 20. The device 10 determines forgetting to be described later based on the detection result of the human body sensor.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the copying apparatus charging system 1 of this embodiment, the copying apparatus 10 and the charging apparatus 20 are provided with fingerprint authentication devices 13 and 22, and the owner of the prepaid card (based on the fingerprint authentication by these fingerprint authentication devices 13 and 22 ( In addition to providing appropriate use of the copying apparatus 10 by a legitimate user, charging processing is performed, and return to the owner of the prepaid card that has been forgotten is appropriately performed without human intervention.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the charging system 1 for the copying apparatus is in a state where the copying apparatus 10 is on standby, that is, after the user has finished using it normally (step S101), Is inserted into the card reader 24 of the charging device 20 (step S102), the control unit 21 of the charging device 20 causes the card reader 24 to read the necessary card information of the prepaid card and stores the card information in the memory 23. At the same time, it is checked whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed or a fingerprint authentication operation is performed on the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging device 20 (steps S103 and S104). If a fingerprint authentication operation is performed on the fingerprint authenticator 22 without being pressed, it is determined that the card is being ejected, and the card is removed. It was drained prepaid card inserted by controlling the Da 24 returns to step S102 (step S105). In the copying apparatus billing system 1, when a prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24, the prepaid card cannot be physically taken out unless a return request with fingerprint authentication described later is made.

  In step S103, when the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 acquires the fingerprint information of the pressed finger and passes it to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 receives the fingerprint. The information is stored in the memory 23 in correspondence with the card information such as the card number of the prepaid card read by the card reader 24 (step S106).

  When the control unit 21 stores the fingerprint information in the memory 23, the control unit 21 outputs a control signal instructing operation permission to the control unit 12 of the copying apparatus 10, and the control unit 12 controls the copying mechanism unit 11, An instruction operation instructed by the operation unit of the copying apparatus 10, for example, a copy operation of a predetermined number of copies of a predetermined number of documents is processed (step S107).

  When the instruction operation in the copying apparatus 10 is completed and a signal indicating completion of the instruction operation processing is input from the control unit 12, the control unit 21 starts again a new operation as shown in FIG. It is checked whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed to instruct (step S108). When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed. Fingerprint information is acquired and passed to the control unit 21 (step S109).

  Next, the control unit 21 checks whether the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 matches the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23 in step S106 (step S110). It is determined that the prepaid card inserted in the cardholder is used by the legitimate owner, that is, the prepaid card is used by the legitimate user, and the process returns to step S107 to perform the instruction operation process in the same manner as described above. It is checked again whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed (step S108).

  If the acquired fingerprint information does not match the stored fingerprint information in step S110, the control unit 21 uses the prepaid card inserted into the card reader 24, that is, the prepaid card is authorized. It is determined that the use is not an unauthorized use, and a control signal indicating the prohibition of the operation process is output to the control unit 12 of the copying apparatus 10 to stop the instructed operation process and that the fingerprint information is inconsistent. Is displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus 10 or the charging apparatus 20, is output loudly from a speaker, or is notified to the administrator of the charging system 1 for the copying apparatus (step S111). Returning, it is checked again whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed (step S108). Therefore, even if a third party other than a legitimate user who has inserted the prepaid card into the card reader 24 tries to perform a copying operation using the inserted prepaid card, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is used first. Since the registered fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint information collected by the third party who tried to copy by operating the start key and fingerprint authentication device 13 this time, the copy is not executed and the unauthorized use is prevented. be able to.

  When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is not pressed in step S108, the control unit 21 checks whether a fingerprint authentication operation has been performed on the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging apparatus 20 (step S112), and the fingerprint authenticator 22 is checked. When the fingerprint authentication operation is performed, the use of the copying apparatus 10 is terminated, and it is determined that the prepaid card is required to be ejected, and the card reader 24 is controlled to eject the inserted prepaid card. Then, the process ends (step S113).

  When the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed at the fingerprint authentication device 22 in step S112, the control unit 21 checks whether a preset forgetting time (waiting time) has passed (step S114), and forgetting time. If the period has not elapsed, the process returns to step S108, and the same process as described above is performed again from the check of pressing of the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 (steps S108 to S114).

  If the forgetting time has elapsed in step S114, the control unit 21 checks whether the card storage 25 is full (step S115). If the card storage 25 is not full, it is inserted into the card reader 24. The prepaid card is moved to the card storage 25 and shifted to the forgetting mode (step S116), and it is checked whether the fingerprint authentication operation has been performed by the fingerprint authentication device 22 of the charging apparatus 20 (step S117).

  When the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed in step S117, the control unit 21 terminates the process while continuing the forgetting mode for the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25, and charges copying processing with a new prepaid card. Is possible.

  When a fingerprint authentication operation is performed in step S117, fingerprint acquisition is performed by the fingerprint authenticator 22, and it is checked whether fingerprint information that matches the acquired fingerprint information is stored in the memory 23, and there is matching fingerprint information. Then, the prepaid card having the card number stored in the memory 23 corresponding to the fingerprint information is ejected from the card storage 25 through the card reader 24, the prepaid card is returned, and the process is terminated (step S118). Therefore, when a third party tries to take out the prepaid card illegally using the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging device 20, the fingerprint information does not match and cannot be taken out, thereby preventing the prepaid card from being taken out illegally. be able to.

  In step S115, if the card storage 25 is full, the control unit 21 stops the new process, and a predetermined full process, for example, the authorized owner of the prepaid card takes out the prepaid card. Until the card storage 25 is empty, or until the administrator removes the prepaid card from the card storage 25 by contacting the administrator of the copying apparatus charging system 1. A full process for stopping the operation is performed (step S119).

  As described above, in the charging system 1 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the charging apparatus 20 controls permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying apparatus 10 and copying from the inserted prepaid card in the copying apparatus 10. When performing a billing process for deducting a charge for the operation, the copying apparatus 10 is provided with a start key / fingerprint authenticator 13, and a prepaid card is inserted into the charging apparatus 20 and the inserted prepaid card cannot be removed. Are provided with a card reader 24 for executing billing processing, a fingerprint authenticator 22, and a memory 23 for storing fingerprint information acquired by the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 of the copying apparatus 10. When the inserted user performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 of the copying apparatus 10, the start key and fingerprint The authentication device 13 acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging device 20 uses the management information (card information) to identify the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24 using the fingerprint information acquired by the start key and fingerprint authentication device 13. ) And the fingerprint information obtained by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 and the fingerprint information acquired by the starter / fingerprint authenticator 13 at the time of request for starting the copying operation. Based on the fingerprint information and the management information, the copying operation control process and the charging process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation are performed, and the prepaid card return request of the card reader 24 is used by the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging device 20. Requests fingerprint authentication, and returns the request based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, the fingerprint information in the memory 23, and the card information. It is determined whether the return request by authorized owner of the entered prepaid card into the card reader 24 is performed whether the return control processing performs the return of the prepaid card.

  Therefore, the use of the copying apparatus 10 can be permitted only to an authorized user who has inserted a prepaid card based on fingerprint authentication with a simple configuration without using a management device or the like connected via a network. It is possible to prevent an unauthorized prepaid card from being taken out by a person other than the user, and to reliably prevent use of an appropriate copying operation and unauthorized acquisition of a prepaid card by an authorized user at low cost.

  Further, the charging system 1 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range without performing a predetermined forgetting time when the prepaid card is inserted in the card reader 24. If the human body detecting sensor does not detect the human body, the prepaid card inserted into the card reader 24 is moved to the card storage 25 and stored.

  Therefore, it is possible to store the prepaid card safely and more reliably prevent unauthorized removal.

  Further, when there is a request for returning the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25, the copying apparatus billing system 1 according to the present embodiment is a legitimate owner based on fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authenticator 22. It is determined whether or not the prepaid card is returned.

  Therefore, the stored prepaid card can be returned to the proper owner inexpensively and reliably without human intervention.

  Further, the accounting system 1 for a copying machine according to the present embodiment stores fingerprint information and card information in the memory 23 while the prepaid card remains in the card reader 24 or the card storage 25, and when the prepaid card is discharged, The fingerprint information and card information of the discharged prepaid card in the memory 23 are erased.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent leakage of privacy and to cope with the memory 23 having a small storage capacity, and to use an appropriate copying operation by a legitimate user at an even lower cost and illegal use of a prepaid card. Acquisition can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, the accounting system 1 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment displays and outputs the information about the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24 or the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25 on the display unit of the copying apparatus 10 or the management apparatus 20. doing.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress forgetting to remove the prepaid card, and even if forgetting to remove the prepaid card, the location of the prepaid card can be clarified and the usability can be improved.

  In addition, when the card storage 25 is filled with the prepaid card, the copying apparatus charging system 1 according to the present embodiment notifies the administrator of the copying apparatus charging system 1 to that effect.

  Therefore, the charging system 1 can be promptly restored, and usability can be improved.

  Further, in the copying apparatus billing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the card storage 25 is filled with the prepaid card, the prepaid card storage process is stopped.

  Therefore, an inadvertent operation when the storage capacity of the card storage 25 is exceeded can be prevented.

  Further, the charging system 1 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment detects the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range without performing a predetermined forgetting time when the prepaid card is inserted in the card reader 24. If the human body detecting sensor does not detect the human body, it is determined that the prepaid card has been forgotten, and the administrator is informed that the prepaid card has been forgotten.

  Therefore, it is possible to quickly deal with forgetting to take a prepaid card, and it is possible to improve usability.

  4 to 6 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows the charging for the copying apparatus to which the second embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a system 30. FIG.

  The present embodiment is applied to a copying apparatus charging system 30 similar to the copying apparatus charging system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the copying of the first embodiment will be described. The same components as those in the apparatus billing system 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the copying apparatus billing system 30 includes a copying apparatus 40 and a billing apparatus 50 connected to each other by wire or wireless such as a cable, and can communicate with each other.

  The copying apparatus 40 includes a copying mechanism unit 11 and a control unit 12 similar to those of the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, includes a start key 41 and the like, and does not include a fingerprint authenticator. Therefore, the copying apparatus 40 has the same configuration as a normal copying apparatus, but the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11 by the control unit 12 is restricted by a control signal from the charging device 50.

  The billing device 50 is similar to the billing device 20 of the first embodiment, but includes a fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticating unit) 22, a memory (storage unit) 23, a card reader (billing object input mechanism) 24, and a card storage (stored). Means) 25, a control unit 51, and the like, and only the charging device 50 includes one fingerprint authentication device 22.

  The control unit 51 controls the operation of the charging apparatus 50, and a start signal is sent from the start key 41 of the copying apparatus 40 to the control unit 51. As will be described later, the control unit 51 outputs a control signal to the control unit 12 of the copying apparatus 40 based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23, and the like for fingerprint authentication. The usage control of the copying mechanism unit 11 based on the above is appropriately performed, and the prepaid card in the card reader 24 is forgotten.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the copying apparatus billing system 30 of this embodiment, after a prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24, fingerprint information is acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, stored in the memory 23, and then the copying apparatus 40 is started. When the key 41 is pressed, an instructed operation is performed. After that, when a fingerprint authentication operation is performed, the prepaid card that has been subjected to the fingerprint authentication is discharged, and the prepaid card that has been forgotten to be removed is stored in the card storage 25. After storing, the prepaid card control process for forgetting to perform return based on fingerprint authentication is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the copying apparatus billing system 30 is on standby, that is, after the user has normally terminated use (step S201), the user places the prepaid card into the billing apparatus 20. Is inserted into the card reader 24 (step S202), the control unit 51 of the charging apparatus 20 causes the card reader 24 to read the necessary card information of the prepaid card, stores the card information in the memory 23, and prints the fingerprint. Waiting for the fingerprint authentication operation in the authentication device 22 (step S203), the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication device 22 is made to correspond to the card information such as the card number of the prepaid card read by the card reader 24. Is stored in the memory 23 (step S204). In the charging system 30 for copying apparatus, when a prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24, the prepaid card cannot be physically removed unless a return request with fingerprint authentication described later is made.

  When the fingerprint information is acquired and stored, the control unit 51 checks whether or not the start key 41 is pressed (step S205). When the start key 41 is pressed, a control signal instructing operation permission is sent to the copying apparatus 40. The control unit 12 controls the copying mechanism unit 11 to process an instruction operation instructed by the operation unit of the copying apparatus 40, for example, a copying operation of a predetermined number of copies of a predetermined number of documents. (Step S206).

  When the instruction operation in the copying apparatus 40 is completed and a signal indicating completion of the instruction operation processing is input from the control unit 12, the control unit 51 returns to step S205 and instructs the start of a new operation again. Therefore, it is checked whether the start key 41 is pressed (step S205). When the start key 41 is pressed, a control signal for instructing operation is output to the control unit 12 of the copying apparatus 40, and the control unit 12 Then, the copying mechanism unit 11 is controlled to repeatedly perform the instruction operation instructed by the operation unit of the copying apparatus 40, for example, the copying operation for a predetermined number of copies of a predetermined number of documents (steps S205 and S206).

  When the start key 41 is not pressed in step S205, the control unit 51 checks whether a fingerprint authentication operation has been performed on the fingerprint authentication device 22 of the charging device 50 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S207). When a fingerprint authentication operation is performed at the authenticator 22, it is determined that the use of the copying apparatus 40 is finished and the prepaid card is requested to be ejected, and the card reader 24 is controlled to insert the prepaid card inserted. The card is ejected and the process is terminated (step S208).

  When the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed at the fingerprint authentication device 22 in step S207, the control unit 51 checks whether a preset forgetting time has elapsed (step S209), and the forgetting time has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step S207, and the same processing as described above is performed again from the check of whether or not the fingerprint authentication operation on the fingerprint authentication device 22 of the charging apparatus 50 has been performed (steps S207 to S209).

  If the forgetting time has elapsed in step S209, the control unit 51 checks whether the card storage 25 is full (step S210). If the card storage 25 is not full, it is inserted into the card reader 24. The prepaid card is moved to the card storage 25 and is transferred to the forgetting mode (step S211), and it is checked whether the fingerprint authentication operation has been performed by the fingerprint authentication device 22 of the charging apparatus 50 (step S212).

  When the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed in step S212, the control unit 51 ends the process while continuing the forgotten mode for the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25, and charges copying processing with a new prepaid card. Is possible.

  When a fingerprint authentication operation is performed in step S212, fingerprint acquisition is performed by the fingerprint authenticator 22, and it is checked whether fingerprint information that matches the acquired fingerprint information is stored in the memory 23, and there is matching fingerprint information. Then, the prepaid card having the card number stored in the memory 23 corresponding to the fingerprint information is discharged from the card storage 25 through the card reader 24, the prepaid card is returned, and the process is terminated (step S213). Therefore, when a third party tries to take out the prepaid card illegally using the fingerprint authentication device 22 of the charging apparatus 50, the fingerprint information does not match and cannot be taken out, thereby preventing the illegal prepaid card from being taken out. be able to.

  In step S210, if the card storage 25 is full, the control unit 51 stops the new process, and a predetermined full process, for example, the authorized owner of the prepaid card takes out the prepaid card. Until the card storage 25 is empty, or until the administrator removes the prepaid card from the card storage 25 by contacting the administrator of the copying apparatus charging system 1. A full process for stopping the operation is performed (step S214).

  As described above, the charging system 30 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying apparatus 40 by the charging apparatus 50 and also copies the copying apparatus 40 from the prepaid card to be inserted. When performing a billing process for subtracting a charge for an operation, a card reader 24 that executes a billing process in a state where a prepaid card is inserted into the charging device 50 and the inserted prepaid card cannot be removed, and a fingerprint authenticator 22 And a memory 23 for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, and when a user who has inserted a prepaid card into the card reader 24 performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authenticator 22, the fingerprint authenticator 22 Together with the card information for identifying the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24. Based on the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23 and acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, and the fingerprint information and management information in the memory 23, the copying operation control processing and charging processing for permitting / not permitting the copying operation are performed, and the card reader 24 In response to the prepaid card return request, the fingerprint authentication device 2 requests fingerprint authentication, and the return request is sent to the card reader 24 based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication device 22, the fingerprint information in the memory 23, and the card information. A billing object return control process is performed to determine whether or not to return the prepaid card by determining whether or not it is a return request by the authorized owner of the inserted prepaid card.

  Therefore, a legitimate user who inserted a prepaid card based on easy-to-use fingerprint authentication with a simple configuration in which fingerprint authentication operations related to billing are concentrated in the billing device 50 without using a management device or the like connected via a network. The use of the copying apparatus 40 can be permitted only to the authorized user, and the unauthorized prepaid card can be prevented from being taken out by a person other than the authorized user. Unauthorized acquisition of a prepaid card can be surely prevented and usability can be improved.

  FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows the charging for the copying apparatus to which the third embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus of the present invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram of a system 60. FIG.

  The present embodiment is applied to a copying apparatus charging system 60 similar to the copying apparatus charging system 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the copying of the first embodiment is used. The same components as those in the apparatus billing system 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 7, a copying apparatus billing system 60 is configured such that a copying apparatus 70 and a billing apparatus 80 are connected by a wired or wireless connection such as a cable and can communicate with each other.

  The copying apparatus 70 includes a copying mechanism 11 and a start key / fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticating means) 13 similar to those of the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, a control unit 71, and a memory (storage means) 72. And a card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticator) 73 and the like, and two fingerprint authenticators 13 and 73.

  The control unit 71 of the copying apparatus 70 determines whether or not the user is a regular user based on the fingerprint authentication by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 and the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73. The operation of the copying mechanism unit 11 is controlled to perform the copying operation and the printer operation. When the user is not an authorized user, the operation of the copying mechanism unit 11 is controlled to prohibit the copying operation and the printer operation, It is determined whether the card discharge instruction at the discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is an instruction from a legitimate user, and the prepaid card discharge is controlled to prevent unauthorized acquisition.

  The control unit 71 associates the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 with card information such as the balance information and card number recorded on the prepaid card read by the card reader 24, in particular, the card number. If the fingerprint information acquired by the card ejection key / fingerprint authentication machine 73 matches the fingerprint information stored in the memory 72 when the card ejection key / fingerprint authentication machine 73 is pressed, a charge is made. When the prepaid card of the card reader 24 is ejected to the device 80 and the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed in the forgetting mode, it matches the fingerprint information acquired by the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73. The prepaid card is discharged to the billing device 80.

  The charging device 80 includes a card reader (charging object input mechanism) 24 and a card storage (storage means) 25 similar to the charging device 20 of the first embodiment, and also includes a control unit 81 and the like. Does not have a fingerprint authenticator.

  The control unit 81 controls the operation of the charging apparatus 80. The control unit 81 exchanges control signals with the control unit 71 of the copying apparatus 70 to perform charging processing, and the copying apparatus 70. Permit / prohibit copying operations. Then, the control unit 81 passes the card information acquired by the card reader 24 to the control unit 71 of the copying apparatus 70, and the prepaid card in the card reader 24 is prohibited from being discharged / discharged according to an instruction from the control unit 71. The prepaid card instructed by the control unit 71 among the prepaid cards stored in the card storage 25 is discharged through the card reader 24.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24 and the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 gives a start instruction, the copying apparatus billing system 60 of this embodiment acquires fingerprint information by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13. In addition to storing in the memory 72 and performing the operation instructed by the copying apparatus 70, when the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed thereafter, the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 obtains it. Only when the fingerprint and the fingerprint information in the memory 72 match, the prepaid card is discharged, and when the prepaid card that has been forgotten is stored in the card storage 25, the card discharge key and fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed. Then, the prepaid card control process for forgetting to perform the return based on the fingerprint authentication at the card discharge key and fingerprint authentication machine 73 is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the charging system 60 for the copying apparatus is on standby, that is, after the user has normally terminated use (step S301), the user uses the prepaid card as the charging apparatus 80. Is inserted into the card reader 24 (step S302), the control unit 81 of the charging device 80 causes the card reader 24 to read the necessary card information of the prepaid card and passes it to the control unit 71 of the copying apparatus 70, so that the control unit 71 stores the card information in the memory 73, and the control unit 71 checks whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed or whether the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 has been pressed (steps S303 and S304). ). In the copying apparatus billing system 60, when a prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24, the prepaid card cannot be physically removed unless a return request with fingerprint authentication described later is made.

  If the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed in step S304 without pressing the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 in step S303, the control unit 71 sends a card to the control unit 81 of the charging apparatus 80. Instructing the leader 24 to eject the prepaid card, the control unit 81 controls the card reader 24 to eject the prepaid card in the card reader 24 (step S305), returns to step S302, and performs the same processing as above. (Steps SS302 to 305).

  When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed in step S303, the control unit 71 causes the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 to acquire fingerprint information, and the acquired fingerprint information is transmitted to the control unit 81 of the charging apparatus 80. Card information such as the card number of the prepaid card notified from the above, in particular, after storing it in the memory 72 in correspondence with the card number (step S306), the copying mechanism unit 11 is controlled and the operation unit of the copying apparatus 70 is used. The instructed instruction operation, for example, a copy operation for a predetermined number of copies of a predetermined number of documents is processed (step S307).

  When the instruction operation in the copying apparatus 70 is completed, the control unit 71 checks again whether or not the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed to instruct the start of a new operation (step S308), and the start key / fingerprint. When the authenticator 13 is pressed, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 acquires the fingerprint information of the pressed finger and passes it to the control unit 71, and the control unit 71 receives the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13. It is checked whether the acquired fingerprint information matches the fingerprint information stored in the memory 72 in step S306 (step S310).

  When the fingerprint information matches in step S310, the control unit 71 determines that the use is by the owner of the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24, that is, the use by the authorized user of the prepaid card. Returning to step S307, the instruction operation process is performed in the same manner as described above, and it is checked again whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed (step S308).

  If the acquired fingerprint information does not match the stored fingerprint information in step S310, the control unit 71 uses the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24, that is, the prepaid card is authorized. It is determined that the unauthorized use is not a user, and the instructed operation process is stopped, and a fingerprint mismatch notification indicating that the fingerprints do not match is displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus 70 or the charging apparatus 80, A loudspeaker is output from the speaker or a notice is given to the administrator of the copying apparatus billing system 60 (step S311), and the process returns to step S308 to check again whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed (step S311). S308). Therefore, even if a third party other than a legitimate user who has inserted the prepaid card into the card reader 24 tries to perform a copying operation using the inserted prepaid card, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is used first. Since the registered fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint information collected by the third party who tried to copy by operating the start key and fingerprint authentication device 13 this time, the copy is not executed and the unauthorized use is prevented. be able to.

  In step S308, when the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is not pressed, the control unit 71 operates the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 to acquire the fingerprint information and memory acquired by the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73. 72 is checked whether the fingerprint information stored in 72 matches (step S312). If the fingerprint information matches, the use of the copying apparatus 10 is terminated and the prepaid card is discharged by the authorized user of the prepaid card. The control unit 81 determines that it is requested, and outputs a control signal instructing the discharge of the prepaid card to the control unit 81 of the charging apparatus 80, and the control unit 81 controls the card reader 24 to insert the prepaid card inserted. Is discharged, and the process is terminated (step S313).

  In step S312, if the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is not operated or if the fingerprint information acquired by the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 does not match the fingerprint information in the memory 72, the control unit 71 It is checked whether a preset forgetting time has elapsed (step S314). If the forgetting time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S308, and the above-described check of pressing of the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is performed again. The same processing is performed (steps S308 to S314).

  If the forgetting time has elapsed in step S314, the control unit 71 checks whether the card storage 25 is full via the control unit 81 (step S315), and if the card storage 25 is not full, The prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24 is moved to the card storage 25 and shifted to the forgetting mode for storing (step S316), and the card discharge key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed to perform the fingerprint authentication operation. It is checked whether it has been received (step S317).

  When the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is not pressed in step S317, the control unit 71 ends the process while continuing the forgetting mode for the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25, and a new prepaid card. The charge copy processing by this is enabled.

  In step S317, when the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is pressed and the fingerprint information that matches the fingerprint information acquired by the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 is in the memory 72, the memory corresponding to the fingerprint information is stored. 23, the controller 81 of the charging device 80 is instructed to discharge the prepaid card with the card number stored in the card 23, and the controller 81 discharges the prepaid card from the card storage 25 through the card reader 24 and returns the prepaid card. Then, the process ends (step S318). Therefore, when a third party tries to take out the prepaid card illegally using the card ejection key / fingerprint authenticator 73 of the copying apparatus 70, since the fingerprint information does not match, the prepaid card cannot be taken out. It is possible to prevent the prepaid card from being taken out.

  In step S315, if the card storage box 25 is full, the control unit 71 stops the new process, and a predetermined full process, for example, the authorized owner of the prepaid card takes out the prepaid card. Until the card storage 25 is empty, or until the administrator removes the prepaid card in the card storage 25 by contacting the administrator of the copying apparatus charging system 60. A full process for stopping the operation is performed (step S319).

  As described above, the charging system 60 for the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying apparatus 70 by the charging apparatus 80 and also copies the copying apparatus 70 from the prepaid card to be inserted. When performing a charging process for subtracting a charge for the operation, the copying apparatus 70 is provided with two fingerprint authentication devices 13 and 73 and a memory 72 for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication device 13. When a prepaid card is inserted, a card reader 24 is provided to execute a billing process in a state where the inserted prepaid card cannot be taken out, and a fingerprint authentication operation by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is requested when a copy operation start request is made The prepaid card in which the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is inserted into the card reader 24 Is stored in the memory 72 together with the card information to be determined, and the copying operation is permitted / not permitted based on the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 at the time of the copying operation start request and the fingerprint information in the memory 72 and the card information. In addition to performing copy operation control processing and billing processing, in response to a request for returning a prepaid card of the card reader 24, the card discharge key / fingerprint authentication machine 73 of the copying apparatus 70 is requested to perform fingerprint authentication, and the card discharge key / fingerprint authentication machine Based on the fingerprint information acquired in 73, the fingerprint information in the memory 72, and the card information, it is determined whether or not the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the prepaid card inserted into the card reader 24. Return control processing is performed to determine whether or not to return.

  Accordingly, the prepaid card is based on fingerprint authentication with a simple configuration in which only the mechanism required for charging is provided in the charging device 80 and other means are integrated in the copying device 70 without using a management device or the like connected via a network. Only authorized users who have entered the card can be permitted to use the copying apparatus 70, and unauthorized use of the prepaid card by anyone other than authorized users can be prevented. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent an appropriate copying operation and unauthorized acquisition of a prepaid card by a person.

  10 to 12 are diagrams showing a fourth embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows the copying apparatus 100 to which the fourth embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a block block diagram.

  In this embodiment, the copying apparatus 100 incorporates a charging section (charging means) 120 in addition to the copying section 110. In the description of this embodiment, the charging system for the copying apparatus of the first embodiment is used. Components substantially the same as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The copying apparatus 100 includes a copying unit 110 and a charging unit 120. The copying unit 110 and the charging unit 120 are connected by a cable or the like and can communicate with each other.

  The copying unit 110 includes a copying mechanism unit (copying mechanism) 11, a control unit 12, a start key / fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authenticating unit) 13, and the like similar to the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. It has the same function as the copying apparatus 10 of the first embodiment.

  The charging unit 120 includes a control unit 21, a fingerprint authenticator (fingerprint authentication unit) 22, a memory (storage unit) 23, a card reader (charging object input mechanism) 24, and a card similar to those of the charging device 20 of the first embodiment. A storage (storage means) 25 is provided, and has the same function as the charging device 20 of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The copying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with fingerprint authentication devices 13 and 22 in the copying unit 110 and the billing unit 120, respectively. In addition to providing the use of the copying apparatus 100, the prepaid card that has been forgotten to be returned to the owner appropriately without any manual intervention.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the copying apparatus 100, the copying unit 110 is in a standby state, that is, after the user has normally terminated use (step S401), the user uses the prepaid card as a charging unit. When inserted into the card reader 24 of 120 (step S402), the control unit 21 of the charging unit 120 causes the card reader 24 to read the necessary card information of the prepaid card and stores the card information in the memory 23. It is checked whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed or whether the fingerprint authentication operation to the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging unit 120 is performed (steps S403 and S404), and the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed. If the fingerprint authentication operation is performed at the fingerprint authenticator 22, the card reader 24 determines that it is a card ejection request. It was drained prepaid card control to have been inserted to return to step S402 (step S405). When the prepaid card is inserted into the card reader 24, the copying apparatus 100 shifts to a state where the prepaid card cannot be physically removed unless a return request with fingerprint authentication described later is made.

  When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed in step S403, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 acquires the fingerprint information of the pressed finger and passes it to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 receives the fingerprint. The information is stored in the memory 23 in association with the card information such as the card number of the prepaid card read by the card reader 24 (step S406).

  When the control unit 21 stores the fingerprint information in the memory 23, the control unit 21 outputs a control signal instructing operation permission to the control unit 12 of the copying unit 110. The control unit 12 controls the copying mechanism unit 11, An instruction operation instructed by the operation unit of the copying apparatus 10, for example, a copy operation of a predetermined number of copies of a predetermined number of documents is processed (step S407).

  When the instruction operation in the copying unit 110 is completed and a signal indicating the completion of the instruction operation process is input from the control unit 12, the control unit 21 starts again a new operation as shown in FIG. It is checked whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed to instruct (step S408). When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is pressed. Fingerprint information is acquired and passed to the control unit 21 (step S409).

  Next, the control unit 21 checks whether the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 matches the fingerprint information stored in the memory 23 in step S406 (step S410). It is determined that the prepaid card inserted in is used by the authorized owner, that is, is used by the authorized user of the prepaid card, and the process returns to step S407 to perform the instruction operation process in the same manner as described above. It is checked again whether the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 has been pressed (step S408).

  If the acquired fingerprint information does not match the stored fingerprint information in step S410, the control unit 21 uses the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24, that is, the prepaid card is authorized. It is determined that the use is not an unauthorized use, and a control signal indicating prohibition of the operation process is output to the control unit 12 of the copying unit 110 to stop the instructed operation process and that the fingerprint information is inconsistent. The fingerprint mismatch notification is displayed on the display unit of the copying apparatus 100, output loudly from the speaker, or notified to the administrator of the copying apparatus 100 (step S411), and the process returns to step S408 and the start key again. It is checked whether or not the fingerprint authentication device 13 is pressed (step S408). Therefore, even if a third party other than a legitimate user who has inserted the prepaid card into the card reader 24 tries to perform a copying operation using the inserted prepaid card, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is used first. Since the registered fingerprint information does not match the fingerprint information collected by the third party who tried to copy by operating the start key and fingerprint authentication device 13 this time, the copy is not executed and the unauthorized use is prevented. be able to.

  When the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is not pressed in step S408, the control unit 21 checks whether a fingerprint authentication operation has been performed on the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging unit 120 (step S412). When the fingerprint authentication operation is performed, the use of the copying unit 110 is terminated, and it is determined that the prepaid card is required to be ejected, and the card reader 24 is controlled to eject the inserted prepaid card. Then, the process ends (step S413).

  When the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed at the fingerprint authenticator 22 in step S412, the control unit 21 checks whether a preset forgetting time has elapsed (step S414), and the forgetting time has elapsed. If not, the process returns to step S108, and the same processing as above is performed again from the check of pressing of the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 (steps S408 to S414).

  When the forgetting time has elapsed in step S414, the control unit 21 checks whether the card storage 25 is full (step S415). If the card storage 25 is not full, it is inserted into the card reader 24. The prepaid card is moved to the card storage 25 and is transferred to the forgetting mode (step S416), and it is checked whether the fingerprint authentication operation has been performed by the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the charging unit 120 (step S417).

  In step S417, when the fingerprint authentication operation is not performed, the control unit 21 ends the process while continuing the forgetting mode for the prepaid card stored in the card storage 25, and charges copying processing with a new prepaid card. Is possible.

  When a fingerprint authentication operation is performed in step S417, fingerprint acquisition is performed by the fingerprint authenticator 22, and it is checked whether fingerprint information that matches the acquired fingerprint information is stored in the memory 23, and there is matching fingerprint information. Then, the prepaid card with the card number stored in the memory 23 corresponding to the fingerprint information is discharged from the card storage 25 through the card reader 24, the prepaid card is returned, and the process is terminated (step S418). Therefore, when a third party tries to take out the prepaid card illegally using the fingerprint authenticator 22 of the billing apparatus 20, the fingerprint information does not match and cannot be taken out, thereby preventing the illegal prepaid card from being taken out. be able to.

  If the card storage 25 is full in step S415, the control unit 21 stops the new process, and a predetermined full process, for example, the authorized owner of the prepaid card takes out the prepaid card. The full processing to stop the operation of the copying apparatus 100 until the card storage 25 is empty or until the administrator of the copying apparatus 100 is contacted and the administrator removes the prepaid card in the card storage 25 Is performed (step S419).

  As described above, the copying apparatus 100 according to this embodiment controls the permission / non-permission of the copying operation in the copying mechanism unit 11 and incorporates the charging unit 120 for subtracting the charge for the copying operation from the inserted prepaid card. When the prepaid card is inserted and the inserted prepaid card cannot be taken out, the card reader 24 for executing the charging process, the fingerprint authenticator 22, and the fingerprint information acquired by the start key and fingerprint authenticator 13 are stored. When a user who has inserted a prepaid card into the card reader 24 performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13, the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 detects the fingerprint information of the user. The billing unit 120 receives the fingerprint information acquired by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 in the card reader 24. Is stored in the memory 23 together with card information for identifying a prepaid card to be stored, and when a copy operation start request is made, a fingerprint authentication operation by the start key / fingerprint authenticator 13 is requested, Based on the fingerprint information and the card information in the memory 23, the copying operation control process and the charging process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation are performed, and the fingerprint in the fingerprint authenticator 22 in response to the prepaid card return request of the card reader 24 Whether the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the prepaid card inserted in the card reader 24 based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authenticator 22, the fingerprint information in the memory 23, and the card information. A return control process for determining whether or not to return the prepaid card is performed.

  Therefore, without using a network-connected management device, etc., only a legitimate user who has inserted a prepaid card based on fingerprint authentication has a simple configuration with built-in means necessary for billing processing involving fingerprint authentication. The use of the apparatus 100 can be permitted, and unauthorized prepaid card removal by a person other than the authorized user can be prevented, and the use of the appropriate copying operation by the authorized user and the use of the prepaid card can be inexpensively performed. Unauthorized acquisition can be surely prevented.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where a prepaid card such as a magnetic card or an IC memory card is used as the charge object has been described. However, the charge object is not limited to the prepaid card, for example, The same applies to money itself. In this case, as management information stored together with fingerprint information in the memory 23 or the like, information such as the amount of money, the storage location of money, and the like can be used.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to a billing system and a copying apparatus of a vending copying machine using money such as banknotes and coins or a prepaid card.

1 is a block diagram of a charging system for a copying apparatus to which a first embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus of the present invention is applied. 3 is a flowchart showing charging / forgetting control processing by the copying apparatus charging system of FIG. 1; The flowchart which shows the process following the charge and forgetting control process of FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a charging system for a copying apparatus to which a second embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus of the present invention is applied. 5 is a flowchart showing charging / forgetting control processing by the copying apparatus charging system of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the accounting / forgetting control processing of FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a charging system for a copying apparatus to which a third embodiment of the charging system and the copying apparatus of the present invention is applied. 8 is a flowchart showing charging / forgetting control processing by the copying apparatus charging system of FIG. 7; 9 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the accounting / forgetting control processing of FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a copying apparatus to which a fourth embodiment of a charging system and a copying apparatus according to the present invention is applied. 11 is a flowchart showing charging / forgetting control processing by the copying apparatus of FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to the accounting / forgetting control processing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copying machine charging system 10 Copying machine 11 Copying mechanism part 12 Control part 13 Start key and fingerprint authentication machine 20 Charging apparatus 21 Control part 22 Fingerprint authentication machine 23 Memory 24 Card reader 25 Card storage 30 Copying apparatus charging system 40 Copying Device 41 Start key 50 Charging device 51 Control unit 60 Copying device billing system 70 Copying device 71 Control unit 72 Memory 73 Card ejection key and fingerprint authentication device 80 Charging device 81 Control unit 100 Copying device 110 Copying unit 120 Charging unit

Claims (11)

  A copying apparatus for copying an image on paper, and connected to the copying apparatus to communicate with the copying apparatus to control permission / non-permission of copying operation in the copying apparatus, and money or money to be inserted And a charging device that performs a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as a medium corresponding to the copying apparatus, wherein the copying apparatus has one or more fingerprint authentication means. A charging object input mechanism for executing the charging process in a state in which the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out; and at least one fingerprint authentication unit And a storage means for storing at least fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus, and a user who has inserted the charging object into the charging object input mechanism is the copying apparatus When the fingerprint authentication unit performs the fingerprint authentication operation, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging device inputs the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit into the charging object input mechanism. Information stored in the storage means together with the management information for specifying the billing object, and when the copy operation start request is issued, a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication means of the copying apparatus is requested and acquired by the fingerprint authentication means Based on the fingerprint information and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means, the copying operation control process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation and the charging process are performed, and the charging object return request of the charging object input mechanism is performed. Requesting fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication means of the charging device, and based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means Billing object return indicating whether or not to return the billing object by determining whether or not the return request is a return request by the authorized owner of the billing object that has been input to the billing object input mechanism A billing system characterized by performing control processing.   A copying apparatus for copying an image on paper, and connected to the copying apparatus to communicate with the copying apparatus to control permission / non-permission of copying operation in the copying apparatus, and money or money to be inserted A charging apparatus that performs a charging process of subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as a medium corresponding to the charging apparatus, and the charging apparatus is configured to insert the charging object A charging object input mechanism for executing the charging process in a state in which the charged charging object cannot be taken out, one or more fingerprint authentication means, and a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means And when a user who has inserted the charging object into the charging object input mechanism performs a fingerprint authentication operation with the fingerprint authentication unit, the user acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit Fingerprint information is stored in the storage unit together with management information for specifying the charging target that has been input to the charging target input mechanism, fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit, and fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit The copying operation control process for permitting / not permitting the copying operation and the charging process are performed based on the above, and the fingerprint authentication unit performs fingerprint authentication in response to the charging object return request of the charging object input mechanism The request is returned by the authorized owner of the billing object entered into the billing object input mechanism based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. A billing system for performing billing object return control processing for determining whether or not to return a billing object by determining whether or not the request is a request.   A copying apparatus for copying an image on paper, and connected to the copying apparatus to communicate with the copying apparatus to control permission / non-permission of copying operation in the copying apparatus, and money or money to be inserted A charging apparatus that performs a charging process for subtracting a charge for a copying operation in the copying apparatus from a charging object such as a medium corresponding to the copying apparatus, wherein the copying apparatus includes one or more fingerprint authentication means; Storage means for storing at least the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means, and the charging device is in a state where the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out. A charging object input mechanism for executing a charging process is provided, and a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication unit is requested at the time of requesting to start the copying operation. The fingerprint information is stored in the storage unit together with the management information for identifying the billing object that has been input to the billing object input mechanism, and the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit at the time of a copy operation start request and the storage unit The copying apparatus performs the copying operation control process for permitting / not permitting the copying operation and the charging process based on the fingerprint information and management information of the charging object, and responds to the charging object return request of the charging object input mechanism The charge authentication is requested by the fingerprint authentication means, and the return request is input to the charge object input mechanism based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage means. A charge object return control process for determining whether or not to return the chargeable object by determining whether or not it is a return request by the authorized owner of the object. System.   A copying mechanism for copying images on paper, and permission / non-permission of copying operation in the copying mechanism, and charge for the copying operation from charged objects such as inserted money or medium equivalent to money A charging object charging mechanism for executing the charging process in a state in which the charging object is inserted and the charged charging object cannot be taken out, At least one fingerprint authentication means, and at least a storage means for storing fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication means, and a user who has put the charge object into the charge object input mechanism is the fingerprint authentication means When the fingerprint authentication operation is performed, the fingerprint authentication unit acquires the fingerprint information of the user, and the charging unit uses the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit as the charging object input device. Stored in the storage unit together with management information for identifying the billing object that is input to the fingerprint, requesting a fingerprint authentication operation by the fingerprint authentication unit at the time of requesting to start the copying operation, and acquiring the fingerprint acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit Based on the information and the fingerprint information and the management information of the storage means, the copying operation control process for permitting / disallowing the copying operation and the charging process are performed, and the charging object input mechanism returns a request for returning the charging object The fingerprint authentication unit is requested to perform fingerprint authentication, and the return request is input to the billing object input mechanism based on the fingerprint information acquired by the fingerprint authentication unit and the fingerprint information and management information of the storage unit. A billing object return control process is performed to determine whether or not the billing object is a return request by a legitimate owner and whether or not the billing object is to be returned. That the copying apparatus.   The charging system or the copying apparatus receives a human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range and the charging object input to the charging object input mechanism from the charging object input mechanism and temporarily stores them. And when the charging object is inserted into the charging object input mechanism, the copying operation is not performed for a predetermined waiting time, and the human body sensor does not detect the human body. 4. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein a storage process is performed in which the charging object input to the charging object input mechanism is moved to and stored in the storage unit. 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 4.   When there is a request to return the billing object stored in the storage unit, the charging system or the copying apparatus determines whether or not it is a legitimate owner based on fingerprint authentication by the fingerprint authentication unit. The charging system or the copying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the return of the charging object is controlled.   The charging system or the copying apparatus stores the fingerprint information and the management information in the storage unit while the charging object remains in the charging object input mechanism or the storage unit, and the charging object is discharged. 7. The charging system or the copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint information and the management information of the discharged charging object in the storage unit are deleted.   The billing system or the copying apparatus displays and outputs information related to the billing object input to the billing object input mechanism or the billing object stored in the storage unit on a predetermined display unit. The charging system or copying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   9. The billing system or the copying apparatus notifies the manager of the billing system or the copying apparatus when the storage means is full of the billing object. The charging system or copying apparatus according to any one of the above.   10. The charging system or the copying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the storage unit is full of the charging object, the charging object is stopped from being stored. Billing system or copier. The charging system or the copying apparatus includes a human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a human body within a predetermined range, and a means for contacting the administrator of the charging system or the copying apparatus. In a state where the charging object is inserted, the copying operation is not performed for a predetermined waiting time, and if the human body sensor does not detect a human body, it is determined that the charging object is forgotten, 11. The charging system or the copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact means notifies the administrator that the forgetting to collect a charging object has occurred.

Images