JP2005333490A - Multifunction machine with charging function, and servicing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunction machine with a charging function capable of accepting a request for servicing from a user, resulting in high profitability. <P>SOLUTION: The multifunction machine with a charging function which general public can use includes at least a printing means and a scanner means, and capable of presenting various services including those which utilizes the printing means or scanner means. The machine comprises a plurality of charging means, a parallelable service information managing means that manages combination information for parallelable process of services that can be presented, a presentable service presenting means that presents a kind of presentable service at that time point according to the managing information and the kind of presented service, and a servicing charge taking means that takes a charge for servicing by applying the charging means which is not yet used when a servicing among the kinds of services presented is requested. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device with a billing function used by an unspecified person installed in a convenience store, a copy center or the like, and a service providing method using the multifunction device, for example, a multifunction device having a recording medium (media) access function. It can be applied to.

  Billing devices are provided in association with multifunction machines and copiers installed in convenience stores and copy centers (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The amount is withdrawn according to the amount used, and if the balance remains at the end of use, the money for the balance is returned.

Recently, as a multifunction device installed in a convenience store, a copy center, or the like, a multifunction device having a recording medium (media) access function has been studied (Patent Document 3). For example, the multifunction peripheral performs a service for printing out image data or the like recorded on a recording medium. Naturally, charging is also performed for a service of a multifunction peripheral having access to such a recording medium.
JP 2003-85454 A JP 10-143033 A JP 2003-92714 A

  By the way, it is considered that the more services that can be provided by a multifunction device installed in a convenience store or copy center, the more users of the multifunction device will increase. Will often overlap. Also, the usage time of the multifunction device by one user varies, but other users who overlap with the user who uses the multifunction device for a long time may have a longer waiting time, and other convenience It may be moved to a store or a copy center. Multifunction machines installed in convenience stores, copy centers, etc. are required to have high profitability, and there are many problems with canceling one user's use due to overlapping of desired use times.

  Therefore, a multifunction device with a charging function that accepts the use of services of many users and has high profitability is desired, and a service providing method suitable for such a multifunction device with a charging function is also desired.

  In order to solve this problem, the first aspect of the present invention can be used by an unspecified person who has at least a printing unit and a scanner unit and can provide various services including a service using the printing unit or the scanner unit. (1) a plurality of billing means, (2) parallelizable service information management means for managing combination information that can be processed in parallel, and (3) this parallel possibility Provideable service presenting means for presenting service types that can be provided at that time according to the management information of the service information management means and the service types being provided, and (4) Service provision among the presented service types Service provision that takes account of the service provision by applying an unused billing means from among the plurality of billing means when requested And having a capturing means.

  The second aspect of the present invention includes at least a printing unit, a scanner unit, and a plurality of charging units, and can be used by unspecified persons who can provide various services including services using the printing unit or the scanner unit. This is a service providing method for a multifunctional machine with a billing function, in which (1) combination information that can be provided in parallel can be stored in advance and (2) combination information that can be provided in parallel that can be provided And a provisionable service presentation step of presenting a service type that can be provided at that time according to the type of service being provided, and (3) when service provision in the presented service type is requested, And a service provision fee capturing step of capturing a service provision fee by applying an unused charging unit among the plurality of charging units. To.

  According to the present invention, since a plurality of charging means are provided and a plurality of services can be simultaneously provided, it is possible to increase the number of states in which a user's service provision request can be received and to improve profitability.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a multifunction device with a billing function and a service providing method for a multifunction device with a billing function according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine 1 with a charging function according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing detailed configurations of the multifunction machine main body 2 and the media access device 3.

  In FIG. 1, a multifunction device 1 with a charging function according to this embodiment includes a multifunction device main body 2 (the tray portion of the printed paper is not visible in FIG. 1), a media access device 3, and two monetary processes. Machine 4 and 5.

  The MFP main body 2 includes a control unit 20, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 21, a scanner unit 22, a printer unit 23, an operation panel 24, an HDD 25, a communication line interface 26, and money processing connected to the control unit 20. A machine interface 27, a media access device interface (MAD interface) 28, etc., and functions to provide a service using at least one of the scanner unit 22 and the printer unit 23.

  The control unit 20 temporarily stores a CPU that controls the entire MFP 2, a ROM that stores software and data for controlling the operation of the MFP 2, and image data and other operational data. It is composed of a RAM or the like.

  The automatic document feeder 21 and the scanner unit 22 are general ones as a configuration for realizing a copying function in a multifunction machine. The printer unit 23 not only prints the original read image data by the scanner unit 22 but also the image data received by the communication line interface 26 from the network side, and the image data received by the MAD interface 28 from the media access device 3 side. Printing is performed.

  The operation panel 24 is used as a display input unit composed of a liquid crystal display unit with a built-in touch panel and hard keys such as a numeric keypad. Instructions such as various operations and settings are input by the touch panel and the hard keys, and the liquid crystal display unit The operation guide, billing information, error contents, etc. are displayed on the screen.

  The HDD 25 is an external storage device represented by a hard disk in which image data to be used for printing is stored. The HDD 25 stores not only image data read by the scanner unit 22 but also received image data as appropriate.

  The communication line interface 26 executes an interface with a communication line at the time of facsimile transmission, facsimile reception, data reception from the network, data transmission to the network, or the like.

  The money handling machine interface 27 performs an interface with the first money handling machine 4. The money processor interface 27 takes in the data of money input to the first money processor 4 and gives the first money processor 4 data instructing the discharge of change.

  The MAD interface 28 is responsible for exchanging data with the media access device 3 side.

  The media access device 3 includes a control unit 30, an operation panel 31 connected to the control unit 30, a plurality (three in this case) of media access units 32 to 34, an HDD 35, a money handling machine interface 36, and a multifunction machine main body. It has an interface (MFP interface) 37 and the like, and functions to provide a service for accessing media.

  The control unit 30 is a CPU that performs overall control of the media access device 3, a ROM that stores software and data for operation control of the media access device 3, and image data and other operational data are temporarily stored. It is composed of a RAM or the like. In the relationship with the control unit 20 of the multifunction device main body 2, there is a relationship in which the control unit 20 of the multifunction device main body 2 is the main and the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 is the sub.

  The operation panel 31 is used as, for example, a display input unit configured by a liquid crystal display unit with a built-in touch panel. Instructions such as various operations and settings are input from the touch panel, and operation guidance and operations are performed on the liquid crystal display unit. Billing information and error details are displayed.

  The plurality of media access units 32 to 34 access different media (recording media) (there may be ones that handle the same media), and the media can be attached and detached as shown in FIG. . For example, media that can be accessed are memory cards (for example, smart media), CD-Rs, flexible disks, and the like.

  The HDD 35 is an external storage device typified by a hard disk that stores large-capacity data or the like that is taken from or written to any medium.

  The money handling machine interface 36 takes in the data of money input to the second money handling machine 5 and gives the second money handling machine 5 data instructing the discharge of change.

  The MFP interface 37 is responsible for exchanging data with the MFP main body 2 side.

  The first and second money processing machines 4 and 5 respectively take in money for service provision and discharge change. As described above, the first money processing machine 4 is directly accommodated in the MFP main body 2, and the second money processing machine 5 is directly accommodated by the media access device 3 as described above. Yes. The billing apparatus is configured by the money processors 4 and 5 and the billing software in the control units 20 and 30.

  The services that can be provided to the user by the MFP 1 with the charging function of this embodiment can be classified into three types depending on whether the MFP body 2 and the media access device 3 operate. That is, (1) a first type service in which only the MFP main body 2 operates such as a copy service from original paper, and (2) a data copy service from the first medium to the second medium. A second type of service in which only the media access device 3 operates; and (3) a third type of service in which the MFP main body 2 and the media access device 3 operate together to print out image data read from a certain medium. Can be classified.

  In this embodiment, since there are two money processors 4 and 5 (thus, two charging means), two types of services can be provided simultaneously.

  The consideration for the first type of service described above is basically taken in by the billing function using the first money processing machine 4, and depending on the state of the MFP 1 with the billing function when the service provision request is made, It takes in with the billing function using the second money processing machine 5. The compensation for the second type of service described above is basically captured by the billing function using the second money processing machine 5, and depending on the state of the multifunction device 1 with the billing function when the service provision is requested, The billing function using the first money processing machine 4 is used. The compensation for the third type of service described above is basically taken in by a billing function using the first money processing machine 4, and depending on the state of the multifunction device 1 with the billing function when the service provision is requested, It takes in with the billing function using the second money processing machine 5.

  Each of the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 and the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 internally stores information on combinations of services that can be simultaneously provided.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 1 with the charging function of this embodiment will be described from such a charging aspect.

  If there is a first type and / or a third type of service that can provide services at that time, the control unit 20 of the multifunction device main body 2 causes the operation panel 24 to display the services as those that can be provided, If there is a second type of service that can provide a service at that time, the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 causes the operation panel 31 to display that the service can be provided.

  Here, for example, the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 can provide other first type and / or third type services during the operation of providing a certain first type or third type service. A service that can be provided in parallel on the other divided display surface by dividing the display surface of the operation panel 24 into two parts, displaying a message relating to operation guidance or charging regarding the service being provided on one divided display surface Display the type of. In addition, a person who desires to provide the second type of service on the other split display surface may display guidance for operating the operation panel 31 of the media access device 3. In addition, “services that can be provided in parallel” not only can execute all processes in parallel, but some of them can be executed in parallel, and the rest of the processes are no longer being provided. Something that can be executed after that. A similar display is also performed on the operation panel 31 of the media access device 3.

  For example, a copy service from document paper (first type of service) and a service for recording content received from the network side on any medium (third type of service) can be executed in parallel. . Also, for example, a data copying service from the first medium to the second medium (second type service) and a service for printing image data read from the third medium (third type service) are in parallel. And can be executed.

  FIG. 3 shows a case where the user requests the operation panel 24 of the MFP main body 2 to provide a new service (first type or third type service) (for example, when a service type icon is operated). It is a flowchart which shows the process started at (1). FIG. 3 is mainly shown from the accounting side.

  When the control unit 20 of the multifunction device main body 2 starts the process shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 20 checks whether or not the first money processing machine 4 is in use (S100), and the first money processing machine 4 is in use. If there is not, the operation panel 24 displays that the service usage fee (scheduled amount) is to be input to the first money processing machine 4 (S101), and if the first money processing machine 4 is in use, the second It is displayed on the operation panel 24 that the service usage fee (scheduled amount) is to be input to the money processing machine 5 (S102), and the notification of the input is given from the corresponding money processing machine 4 or 5 and designated. Provision of the first type or third type service is started (S103), and the media access device 3 is notified that the service provision has started (S104). In the state where the accepted service is displayed, at least one of the first or second money handling machine 4 or 5 is not used. The notification from the second money processing machine 5 is naturally given via the media access device 3.

  Further, when the first type or third type service provision is requested, it is determined whether or not the MFP main body 2 is providing another service (first type or third type service) (S105). If the service is being provided, the display on the operation panel 24 is updated to indicate that the service using the MFP main body 2 is not currently accepted (S106). The display on the operation panel 24 is updated so that provision and supply of other services using the MFP main body 2 whose operation does not collide with other services can be accepted (that is, when there is no such service) (S107). ).

  Thereafter, the control unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 2 executes the service providing operation instructed this time. If another service is already being provided, the control unit 20 of the multifunction device main body 2 executes the service providing operation instructed this time by parallel processing.

  The control unit 30 of the media access device 3 that has received the notification of the start of the first type or the third type of service in step S104 described above reviews the second type of service that can be provided at this time, although the flowchart is not shown. The display of the second type of service that can be provided by the operation panel 31 is updated according to the review result.

  FIG. 4 is started when the user requests the operation panel 31 of the media access device 3 to provide a new service (second type of service) (for example, when the service type icon is operated). It is a flowchart which shows a process. FIG. 4 is mainly shown from the accounting side.

  When the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 starts the process shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 30 checks whether or not the second money processing machine 4 is in use (S200), and the second money processing machine 5 is in use. If there is not, the operation panel 31 displays that the service fee (scheduled amount) is to be input to the second money processing machine 5 (S201), and if the second money processing machine 5 is in use, the first It is designated on the operation panel 31 that the service usage fee (scheduled amount) is to be input to the money processing machine 4 (S202) and a notification of the input is given from the corresponding money processing machine 5 or 4 The provision of the second type of service is started (S203), and the MFP body 2 is notified that the service provision has been started (S204). In the state where the accepted service is displayed, at least one of the second or first money handling machine 5 or 4 is not used. The notification from the first money processing machine 4 is naturally given via the multifunction machine main body 2.

  Further, when the second type service provision request is made, it is determined whether or not the media access device 3 is providing another service (second type or third type service) (S205). If it is in the middle, the display on the operation panel 24 is updated so that the service using the media access device 3 is not currently accepted (S206). The display on the operation panel 24 is updated so that provision and supply of other services using the media access device 3 that does not collide can be accepted (if no such service is accepted) (S207).

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 executes the service providing operation instructed this time. If another service is already being provided, the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 executes the service providing operation instructed this time by parallel processing.

  The control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 that has received the notification of the start of the second type of service in step S204 described above reviews the first type or third type of service that can be provided at the present time, although illustration of the flowchart is omitted. The display of the first type or third type of service that can be provided by the operation panel 24 is updated according to the review result.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a stop operation of a service (first type or third type service) provided by the user is executed on the operation panel 24 of the multifunction device main body 2 (for example, a service stop icon is operated). And the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 is a flowchart showing processing that is started when it is recognized that the termination condition of the service being provided is satisfied. FIG. 5 shows mainly from the accounting side. An example of a case where the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 recognizes that the termination condition of the service being provided has been established is, for example, when the facsimile transmission is terminated in the facsimile transmission service.

  When the process shown in FIG. 5 is started, the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 recognizes the money processing machine 4 or 5 related to the charge for the first type or third type service (consideration) to be completed. Later (S300), it is determined whether or not the remaining amount needs to be returned (S301), and if the remaining amount needs to be returned, the corresponding money processor 4 or 5 returns the money (S302).

  Thereafter, the control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 notifies the media access device 3 that the service provision has ended (S303). Further, even when the service providing operation is terminated, it is determined whether or not the other first type or third type service providing operation is continued (S304), and the provision of another service is continued. If there is, the display on the operation panel 24 is updated so that the first type and the third type of service that can be processed in parallel with the continuous service are accepted (S305). The display on the operation panel 24 is updated to indicate that one type and third type services can be accepted (except for the first type and third type services that are being provided and are affected by the second type service). (S306).

  Thereafter, the control unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 2 waits for a new service provision request and continues to provide the service if another service is being provided. In addition, although it is a service providing operation period for another service, if the operation has been temporarily suspended for the service related to the current end, the service providing operation is resumed. When the third type of service for transmitting data read from the media to the communication line is completed, the facsimile transmission service (first type of service) accepted for reservation is resumed.

  The control unit 30 of the media access device 3 that has received the notification of the end of the provision of the first type or the third type of service in step S303 described above omits the flowchart, but the second type of service that can be provided at the present time And the display of the second type of service that can be provided by the operation panel 31 is updated according to the result of the review. In addition, although it is the provision operation period of the second type of service, if the operation is temporarily suspended for the third type of service related to the end of this time, the provision operation of the second type of service is performed. Let it resume.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a case where a stop operation of a service (second type service) provided by the user is executed on the operation panel 31 of the media access device 3 (for example, when a stop icon of the service is operated) 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing that is started when the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 recognizes that a termination condition for a service being provided is satisfied. FIG. 6 is mainly shown from the accounting side. As a case where the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 recognizes that the termination condition of the service being provided has been established, for example, data copying is terminated in the data copying service from the first medium to the second medium. When

  When the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 starts the process shown in FIG. 6, after recognizing the money processing machine 5 or 4 related to the charge for the second type of service (consideration) that ends (S400) Then, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount needs to be returned (S401). If the remaining amount needs to be returned, the corresponding money processor 5 or 4 is made to refund (S402).

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 notifies the multifunction device main body 2 that the service provision has ended (S403). In addition, even when the service providing operation is terminated, it is determined whether or not another second type or third type service providing operation is continued (S404), and the provision of another service is continued. If there is, the display on the operation panel 31 is updated so that the second type of service that can be processed in parallel with the continued service is accepted (S405). If there is no service to be provided, all the second type of services are provided. The display on the operation panel 31 is updated so as to be accepted (except for the second type service that is being provided and affected by the first type service) (S406).

  Thereafter, the control unit 30 of the media access device 3 waits for a new service provision request and continues to provide the service if another service is being provided. In addition, although it is a service providing operation period for another service, if the operation has been temporarily suspended for the service related to the current end, the service providing operation is resumed.

  The control unit 20 of the MFP main body 2 that has received the notification of the end of provision of the second type of service in step S403 described above omits the flowchart, but the first type or third type of service that can be provided at the present time. And the display of the first type or third type of service that can be provided by the operation panel 24 is updated according to the result of the review. In addition, although it is the providing operation period of the first type or the third type service, when the operation is temporarily interrupted for the second type service related to the end of this time, the first type or the third type service is provided. The operation of providing three types of services is resumed.

  According to the MFP with billing function and the service providing method of the above embodiment, depending on the type of service required to be provided, a plurality of services can be provided in parallel at the same time. Opportunities that can be increased and a multifunctional machine with a billing function with high profitability can be realized. For example, even if a user who has come to a convenience store for a copy of an original and a user who has come to a convenience store for a data copy between media overlap, the user's request can be answered at the same time.

  In the above embodiment, since there are two billing implementation configurations, simultaneous provision of a plurality of services as described above can be easily realized. In addition, a plurality of services (for example, facsimile transmission service and media data transfer service) related to processing that may be interrupted due to some functions being the same type can be accepted as services related to simultaneous provision, This also improves the convenience for the user.

  Although there is a method of increasing the number of multifunction peripherals as a method of responding to simultaneous requests of a plurality of users, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to provide a plurality of services simultaneously while maintaining the same number of multifunction peripherals as before. .

(B) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, two billing function implementation configurations are shown. However, three or more billing function implementation configurations are provided, and three or more services are executed in parallel. May be.

  In the above embodiment, two types of billing functions for two types of services are realized using two money processing machines. However, only one money processing machine is used, and two types of services are processed by software processing. A service charging function may be realized. The billing is not limited to taking in money, and may be another billing method, for example, a billing method using a credit card, a debit card, or the like. In the above-described embodiment, the money processing machine is shown as a separate one, but it may be incorporated in a multifunction machine main body or the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the one in which the planned amount of the usage fee is input after selecting the service is shown. Also good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the parallel processing of the first type service and the third type service and the parallel processing of the second type service and the third type service are shown. Only parallel processing of one type of service and the second type of service may be permitted.

  The rule of which of the two types of charging functions is applied is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, the first type of service is charged using the first money processing machine 4, and the second type and third type of service is charged using the second money processing machine 5. In such a case, the second type and third type services cannot be processed in parallel.

  In the above-described embodiment, two operation panels and two control units are shown. However, only one operation panel may be provided, or only one control unit may be provided. In short, any service that can accept or execute the simultaneous provision of a plurality of services may be used.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine with a charging function according to an embodiment. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the MFP main body and the media access device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when a service provision request is made in the MFP main body according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of the service provision request | requirement in the media access apparatus of embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the end of service provision in the MFP main body according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of completion | finish of provision of the service in the media access apparatus of embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP with charging function, 2 ... MFP main body, 3 ... Media access device, 4, 5 ... Money processing machine, 20 ... Control unit, 21 ... Automatic document feeder (ADF), 22 ... Scanner unit, 23 ... Printer unit, 24 ... operation panel, 25 ... HDD, 26 ... communication line interface, 27 ... money processor interface, 28 ... media access device interface, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... operation panel, 32-34 ... media access unit, 35... HDD, 36... Money processing machine interface, 37.

Claims (5)

In a multifunction device with a charging function that can be used by an unspecified person and that can provide various services, including at least a printing unit and a scanner unit, and services that use the printing unit or the scanner unit.
Multiple billing means;
A concurrent service information management means for managing combination information that can be processed in parallel, which can be provided;
Provideable service presenting means for presenting service types that can be provided at that time according to the management information of the concurrent service information managing means and the service types being provided;
A service provision fee capturing means for applying the unused billing means of the plurality of billing means and capturing the consideration for the service provision when the service provision in the presented service type is requested A multifunction device with a charging function.   2. The multifunction device with a charging function according to claim 1, wherein the service that can be provided includes a service that requires access to a removable recording medium.   3. The multifunction device with a charging function according to claim 2, wherein a charging unit for taking in consideration for provision of a service that requires access to the recording medium is determined among the plurality of charging units.   The parallel service information management unit is configured to cause the printing unit to print the first type service that does not use any recording medium, the second type service that transfers data between different recording media, and the recording medium. The third type service that partially uses the recording medium that records the data obtained by the scanner unit on the recording medium, the first type service, and the second type service are managed as those that can be processed in parallel. The first type of service and the third type of service, and the second type of service and the third type of service can be processed in parallel with a combination of components that do not overlap when two types of service are provided. 4. The multifunction device with a charging function according to claim 2, wherein the multifunction device is managed. A multifunction device with a charging function that can be used by an unspecified person and that can provide various services including at least a printing unit, a scanner unit, and a plurality of charging units, including a service that uses the printing unit or the scanner unit. A service providing method comprising:
In addition to storing in advance combination information that can be provided in parallel for the services that can be provided,
Provideable service presentation step of presenting service types that can be provided at that time according to combination information that can be processed in parallel and available service types;
A service provision fee capturing step of applying the unused billing means of the plurality of billing means and capturing the price of the service provision when the service provision in the presented service type is requested A service providing method for a multifunction peripheral with a billing function.

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