JP2006048282A - Image processing system, application program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase flexibility in fee setting in comparison with a conventional one, in charging a user with a service fee for an image processor, such as a composite machine. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing system is provided with an information processing unit part B, operating a predetermined application program and an image processing unit part A serving as a composite machine. A coin rack is connected to the information processing unit part B for performing charging and the application program calculates the amount of fee to be charged, according to a service offered by the image processing unit part A and makes the coin rack perform charging. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system including an information processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus and executes predetermined processing relating to an image, an application program that operates on the information processing apparatus of the image processing system, The present invention also relates to a storage medium storing this application program.

  Existing convenience stores provide color copying services using digital full-color multifunction devices as copying services. As a recent trend, there are many cases where a network-compatible multifunction peripheral is connected to a convenience store network system to provide a multimedia content output service or the like. A proposal of such a system corresponding to a change in the environment is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

  The provision of services at convenience stores is generally performed for a fee. However, if only a copy service is used as before, the charge calculation can be easily done by summing up elements such as “color / monochrome”, “paper size”, and “number of sheets”, but other functions of the multifunction device are used. In such a case, it is problematic to process the charges by simple calculations as in the past. For example, in the case of using only the scanner, the printing process is not performed, so the cost of “toner” or “paper” should not be charged. In the case of a combined function such as printing and FAX, the image reading operation needs to be performed once. Therefore, the amount of less image reading operation should be reduced. Furthermore, there are cases where it is desired to differentiate from other stores in the vicinity by setting a special discount fee as desired by the convenience store manager.

  On the other hand, in the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, such a billing process is also proposed. For example, an information processing terminal dedicated to billing is connected to the outside of the multi-function device, and complicated billing processing can be executed in conjunction with a billing device.

JP 2002-189945 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, even if complicated charging processing is enabled by the information processing terminal, only processing that is preset in the information processing terminal is possible. Processing cannot be retrofitted, and there is still a problem that the degree of freedom in setting the price is still low.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting a fee when charging a user for a service usage fee for an image processing apparatus such as a multi-function peripheral.

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined application program is operating, an image processing apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus and executes predetermined processing relating to an image, and a charging apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus and performs charging And the application program calculates an amount of the charge according to a service provided by the image processing apparatus and causes the charging apparatus to execute the charge.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is connected to the information processing apparatus according to a service provided by the image processing apparatus that operates on the information processing apparatus and executes predetermined processing related to the image. The application program calculates the amount of the billing in the billing device that performs billing and causes the billing device to execute the billing.

  According to the present invention, the application program performs the process of calculating the amount of billing and causing the billing device to perform billing. Therefore, when billing the service usage fee of an image processing device such as a multifunction peripheral to the user, Compared to this, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the fee.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view when the multifunction device of the present embodiment in which the multifunction device main body 1 and the coin rack 60 are connected is installed in a convenience store or the like. The multifunction machine of this embodiment implements the image processing system of the present invention. Actually, as shown in FIG. 2, the coin rack 60 serving as a billing apparatus is connected to various interfaces 43 of the multifunction machine main body 1 via a serial signal line 69. The multifunction machine main body 1 is connected to a LAN 51 in the store via the HUB 19. In addition, a store terminal 52 and a barcode device 53 are connected to the LAN 51. The LAN 51 is connected to the Internet 56 via an ADSL router modem 50. As a result, the MFP main body 1 can communicate with the content server 54 and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the internal structure of the multifunction machine main body 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the structure of the MFP main body 1 is roughly divided into an image processing unit A and an information processing unit B, and the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 are divided into the image processing unit A. The operation panel P and the external media input / output device 9 belong to the information processing unit B. The image processing unit A is an image processing device that executes predetermined processing relating to an image, and the information processing unit B is an information processing device.

  First, the image processing unit A will be described. The image processing unit A including the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 includes an image processing control unit 10 that performs overall control of image processing in the image processing unit A. The image processing control unit 10 includes a printing unit. A print control unit 11 that controls the apparatus 7 and an image reading control unit 12 that controls the image reading apparatus 8 are connected.

  The print control unit 11 outputs a print instruction including image data to the printing apparatus 7 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and causes the printing apparatus 7 to form and output an image on a medium such as transfer paper. The printing device 7 is capable of full-color printing. In addition to the electrophotographic method, the printing method includes various methods such as an inkjet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver salt photography method, a direct thermal recording method, and a melt type thermal transfer method. Can be used.

  The image reading control unit 12 drives the image reading device 8 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and reflects the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the surface of the document to a light receiving element (for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)) using a mirror and a lens. Light is collected and read, and A / D converted to generate 8-bit RGB digital image data.

  Such an image processing control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 which is a main processor and an SDRAM (Synchronous) which temporarily stores image data read from the image reading device 8 for image formation by the printing device 7. Dynamic Random Access Memory) 14, ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 storing a control program, NVRAM 16 capable of holding data even when the power is turned off to record system log / system setting / log information, The microcomputer is configured with a bus connection.

  Further, the image processing control unit 10 includes an image processing unit via an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17 serving as a storage device for storing a large amount of image data and a job history, and a HUB 19 which is a concentrator provided inside the device. A LAN control unit 18 for connecting the part A to the LAN 2 and a FAX control unit 20 for performing FAX control are connected. The FAX control unit 20 is connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) 22 that communicates with the public telephone network 21, and the MFP main body 1 can communicate with a remote facsimile machine.

  In addition, a display control unit 23 and an operation input control unit 24 are connected to the image processing control unit 10. The display control unit 23 outputs an image display control signal to the information processing unit unit B via the communication cable 26 connected to the control panel I / F 25 under the control of the image processing control unit 10. The image display is controlled on the operation panel P. Further, the operation input control unit 24 connects an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P of the information processing unit B to the control panel I / F 25 by the control of the image processing control unit 10. Input via the communication cable 26. In other words, the image processing unit A is configured to be able to directly monitor the operation panel P of the information processing unit B via the communication cable 26.

  Accordingly, the image processing unit A is configured such that the communication cable 26 is connected to the image processing unit provided in the conventional image processing apparatus, and the operation panel P of the information processing unit B is used. That is, the display control unit 23 and the operation input control unit 24 of the image processing unit A operate as if they are connected to the operation panel P.

  With this configuration, the image processing unit A analyzes the print data that is image information from the outside (server computer 3, client computer 4, facsimile, etc.) and a command that instructs printing, and uses the print data as output image data. The bitmap is developed so that it can be printed, and the print mode is analyzed from the command to determine the operation. The print data and command are received and operated through the LAN control unit 18 or the FAX control unit 20.

  Further, the image processing unit A externally print data stored in the SDRAM 14 or the HDD 17, document reading data, output image data processed for output, and compressed data obtained by compressing them externally (server computer 3, Client computer 4, facsimile, etc.).

  Further, the image processing unit A transfers the read image data of the image reading device 8 to the image processing control unit 10, corrects signal deterioration due to quantization to the optical system and digital signals, and stores the image data in the SDRAM 14. Write. The image data stored in the SDRAM 14 in this way is converted into output image data by the print control unit 11 and output to the printing apparatus 7.

  Next, the information processing unit B including the operation panel P will be described. The information processing unit part B has a microcomputer configuration controlled by a general-purpose OS (Operating System) used in an information processing apparatus generally called a personal computer. The information processing unit section B has a CPU 31 that is a main processor, and the CPU 31 includes a memory unit that includes a ROM that is a read-only memory that stores a RAM that is a work area of the CPU 31, a startup program, and the like. 32 and a storage device control unit 35 that controls input / output of data to / from a storage device 34 such as an HDD that stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs are connected via a bus.

  The CPU 31 is connected to a LAN control unit 33 for connecting the information processing unit unit B to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19. The IP address that is the network address assigned to the LAN control unit 33 is different from the IP address assigned to the LAN control unit 18 of the image processing unit A described above. That is, two IP addresses are assigned to the MFP main body 1 of the present embodiment. That is, the image processing unit part A and the information processing unit part B are connected to the LAN 2 and can exchange data between the image processing unit A and the information processing unit part B. Yes.

  Since the MFP main body 1 is connected to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19, it seems that only one IP address is assigned. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance is not impaired, and handling such as connection can be facilitated.

  Further, a display control unit 36 and an operation input control unit 37 that control the operation panel P are connected to the CPU 31. The operation panel P includes a display device 40 that is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation input device 41. The display control unit 36 outputs an image display control signal to the display device 40 via the control panel I / F 38 and causes the display device 40 to display predetermined items corresponding to the image display control signal. On the other hand, the operation input control unit 37 receives, via the control panel I / F 38, an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator in the operation input device 41.

  In addition, a control panel communication unit 39 connected to the control panel I / F 25 of the image processing unit A via the communication cable 26 is connected to the CPU 31. The control panel communication unit 39 receives the image display control signal output from the image processing unit unit A, and receives the input control signal according to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P. Forward to. Although details will be described later, the image display control signal from the image processing unit A received by the control panel communication unit 39 is subjected to data conversion processing for the display device 40 of the operation panel P and then output to the display control unit 36. The input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P is input to the control panel communication unit 39 after being subjected to data conversion processing in a format according to the specifications in the image processing unit A. .

  As described above, the storage device 34 stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs executed by the CPU 31. In this sense, the storage device 34 functions as a storage medium that stores application programs. In the multifunction machine main body 1, when the user turns on the power, the CPU 31 activates the activation program in the memory unit 32, reads the OS from the storage device 34 into the RAM in the memory unit 32, and activates the OS. Such an OS activates a program, reads information, and stores information in accordance with a user operation. As a representative OS, Windows (registered trademark) and the like are known. These operation programs running on the OS are called application programs. The OS of the information processing unit unit B is the same OS as the information processing apparatus (server computer 3, client computer 4 and the like), that is, a general-purpose OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark) and the like).

  As described above, the MFP main body 1 according to the present embodiment has a storage medium M storing various program codes (control programs) such as an OS, device drivers and various application programs, image data, and the like, that is, Flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO), semiconductor media A flexible disk drive device, an optical disk drive device, an MO drive device, which is a device that reads program codes, image data, etc. stored in a storage medium M such as External media such as media drive devices Bed and breakfasts input and output device 9 are mounted. Such an external media input / output device 9 is controlled by an input / output device control unit 42 connected to the CPU 31 by a bus.

  Therefore, the application program stored in the storage device 34 may be one in which the application program recorded in the storage medium M is installed. Therefore, the storage medium M can also be a storage medium that stores application programs. Further, the application program may be imported from the outside via, for example, the Internet network 6 and the LAN 2 and installed in the storage device 34.

  The input / output device control unit 42 is also connected with various interfaces 43 such as USB, IEEE 1394, SCSI, and the like, and various devices (such as digital cameras) can be connected via the various interfaces 43.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the coin rack 60.

  As shown to Fig.4 (a), the coin slot 61 is a part into which a user inserts a coin. The return button 62 is pushed down for return when there is a balance of the inserted coin when the user finishes the operation. The control circuit 63 controls the internal operation of the coin rack 60. The coin return unit 64 is a return port for returning the remaining coins and delivering them to the operator.

  The coin counting unit 65 discriminates the type of coins inserted from the coin slot and counts the amount of coins inserted. The memory 66 holds the value calculated by the coin counting unit 65. The port 67 is a temporary storage device used for communication with the host side. The coin rack I / F 68 is an interface for connecting to a host device, and can convert a serial signal and a parallel signal to each other. The serial signal 69 is a signal line for mutually transmitting information between the coin rack 60 and the host side device.

  FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the numerical storage of the memory 66, and FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram for explaining the port 67.

  Next, the operation of the coin rack 60 will be described.

  When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 61, the coin counting unit 65 quantifies the amount to be inserted according to the type of coin. For example, if the amount of money is converted into a numerical value with 10 yen as one unit, when 230 yen of coins are inserted, it becomes 23 points. This value is held by the coin counting unit 65. Each time a coin is inserted, points are added, but 63 points or more cannot be held. The excess is returned through the coin return unit 64. When the return button 62 is depressed, the control circuit 63 senses the return button signal a and activates the coin return signal e. When the coin return unit 64 senses the coin return signal a, it returns the balance.

  The control circuit 63 can be operated by sending a control command to the upper 2 bits of the port 67. That is, the operation is controlled with a value of 00 to 11 as a 2-bit value. This is defined as follows, for example.

  “00 (no operation)” ... No operation occurs at this time. The value in the memory 66 is invalid.

  “01 (memory value update)”... At this time, the memory update signal K is activated. The memory counting unit 65 writes the latest count value held in response to the memory update signal K to the memory 66 via the memory R / W signal line d.

  “10 (count minus 1)” At this time, the minus count signal b is activated. The memory counting unit 65 negatively counts the latest count value held in response to the memory update signal K.

  "11 (coin return)" ... At this time, the coin return signal e is activated.

  Here, the entire port 67 is composed of 8 bits, with the upper 2 bits being the control command and the lower 6 bits being the value of the memory 66. The memory 66 is used as a count table. The coin rack I / F 68 is connected to the port 67 by a port data signal h. During this time, the width of the signal line is 8 bits, but the host side and the coin rack I / F 68 are connected by a serial signal 69. That is, serial / parallel signal conversion is performed in the coin rack I / F 68.

  The coin rack 60 can be operated with a simple input / output command. However, if a routine that directly operates for each application is provided, the correction work becomes complicated when the program is improved or reused.

  Therefore, if a coin rack module program (charging device control program) is created as a program for controlling the coin rack 60 and provided as a program component, the development efficiency is improved. Then, a billing amount for use of the multifunction device main body 1 is calculated, and an application program for executing billing from the coin rack 60 by the coin rack module program (in the following description, simply referred to as “application program”, this application program is Are provided by the storage medium M, installed in the storage device 34, and executed by the CPU 31.

  The relationship between the application program and the coin rack module is summarized into two requests. That is, basically, “balance inquiry” and “application billing instruction” may be used. In “balance inquiry”, an argument (binary) N is set to 00 and an FF value is set to M. When a balance point is set in the argument M and returned from the coin rack module, a charging point value is set in N and an FF value is set in M in the “application charging instruction”. From the coin rack module, the balance point is set in the argument M and returned. When returning coins from the application side, set FF to N of the argument (binary).

  Next, the operation of the coin rack module will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The coin rack module processes the following steps S10 to S19. First, when called from an application, a control command 00 is set (step S10). The control command 00 means “no operation”. Actually, the binary value 00 is written in the upper 2 bits of the input / output port. The input / output port (inside the billing interface board) 67 is connected to the coin rack 60 via the coin rack I / F 68 and the serial signal line 69. The coin rack I / F 68 is also provided on the coin rack 60 side. Various procedures can be adopted for the procedure between the I / F (I / F 43 and 63) between the coin rack 60 and the MFP main body 1 (for example, USB, RS-232C, SCSI, etc.). This is because it is sufficient that the coin rack module can write to and read from the port 67 of the coin rack 60. Regarding the coin rack I / F 68, it is generally necessary for the operation system to recognize the driver software. However, since these are well-known matters, description thereof will be omitted.

  After setting the control command, the process is interrupted for a predetermined period and a waiting operation is performed (step S11). This is sufficient time for the value of the port 67 on the coin rack 60 side to be rewritten and the processing on the coin rack 60 side to end. The end of processing on the coin rack 60 side may be detected using an interrupt method or the like, but the hardware may be complicated. In any case, the method to be adopted is not limited. Subsequently, it is determined what processing the application program has requested, and a control command suitable for each is set. (Steps S12 to S17). Subsequently, similarly to step S11, a waiting operation for a predetermined time is performed (step S18). After the predetermined time has elapsed (Y in step S18), the value of the input / output port 67 is read out, edited into the argument M, and set (step S19). This value is always the latest balance point value.

  Next, an example in which the accounting process is performed from the application program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, a menu screen of a service provided to the user is displayed on the panel P of the multifunction machine main body 1 (step S20). In this menu screen, for example, “color print service”, “facsimile communication service”, “scanner service”, “electronic mail service”, and the like are provided. Here, when an icon is selected on the menu screen of the panel P that is a touch panel (Y in step S21), the display is switched to the menu screen of each service (step S22). For example, when “scanner service” 50 is selected, the contents of FIG. 8 are displayed. Here, the next service is selected (Y in step S23). For example, when the icon 51 is selected, the “memory writing” process is started. Depending on the function, the screen development differs. In the present embodiment, since the services to be further provided are different, the following screens are displayed (FIGS. 9 and 10).

  In FIG. 9, it is possible to select which type of memory the image data obtained by the “scanner process” is to be written out. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of screen display contents when “Compact Flash” (registered trademark) is selected on the screen of FIG. The “scanner process” can be realized by combining the units (FIG. 3) of each unit of the multifunction machine main body 1. That is, the image of the document can be read by the cooperative operation of the image reading device 8, the image processing unit 12, and the image processing control unit 14. This is the “scanner process”. The image is temporarily stored in the HDD 17, but is transferred to the memory unit 32 of the information processing unit B via the LAN control unit 18 for memory writing. Actual memory writing is performed using the external media input / output device 9 or the like.

  Such an internal operation is provided as a program executed on a general-purpose OS running on the information processing unit B. Similarly, the other services displayed by the icons in FIG. 7 are also provided as application programs that operate in combination by combining the units in the multifunction machine main body 1.

  In the present application, the purpose is not to explain the program that realizes such a service, but to clarify the billing process, and the explanation of the program that realizes each service is omitted.

  Here, when the scanner process is selected, an operation of internally confirming whether the selected process can be executed is performed (step S24). For example, whether a document is set in the image reading device 8, a writing memory is installed in the external media input / output device 9, or there is no failure in mechanical operation. This is because the billing must be stopped when there is a malfunction or the like.

  Next, the charge for the function selected in step S23 is calculated (step S25). For example, when the selected function is “write to compact flash memory” or “read with color high-definition (600 dpi)”, it is 2 MB (megabytes) as judged from the paper size of the document. Then, the calculation result of the charge “400 yen” is obtained.

  This embodiment is characterized in that such a billing idea can be incorporated into an application program. There are various other ways of thinking about this billing. Since the information processing unit B of the MFP 1 can easily incorporate an application program, the fee system that has been conventionally deployed at all stores must be set individually for each store. Is also possible.

  Next, the calculated fee is displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (step S26). If the user is satisfied with this fee, the user touches the execution icon 54 (Y in step S27). If there is no selection within the predetermined time (N in step S27), the process ends.

  Subsequently, the application program sets a condition for passing the process to the coin rack module and causing the accounting process to be performed. In this example, the fee is 400 yen, which is 40 points when charging in units of 10 yen (step S28).

  Next, a process for actually operating the coin rack 60 is performed (step S29). This process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the balance is confirmed (step S40). Here, since it is 40 points, 40 points are set as an argument and the process is passed to the coin rack module. As described above, steps S10 to S19 are executed, and the balance is returned. If the balance is insufficient, the process ends. If the balance is sufficient, the process proceeds to the next (step S41). Here, a billing instruction is issued, and the process is passed to the coin rack module. In this embodiment, this billing instruction is repeated until 40 points are reached (steps S42 to S44).

  In this way, when the billing to the coin rack 60 is normally completed, the process returns to FIG. 6 to execute the selected function (steps S30 to S31).

  It should be noted that the billing instructions and execution of functions listed here are merely examples, and how they are combined are not limited to the present embodiment, but can of course be set freely by a program. For example, the accounting process (steps S28 to S29) can be performed after executing the selected function. In addition, it may be determined not to charge under certain conditions.

  In the present embodiment, the coin rack 60 is described as an example of the charging device. However, if the operations in S20 to S31 shown in FIG. The device can be implemented as a billing device. For example, the present invention can be implemented using various devices for charging with a credit card, debit card, electronic money, various prepaid cards, etc. as a charging device. However, in this case, steps SS28 to S29 in which an application program issues an instruction to the charging device, a program (steps S40 to S44) operating in response thereto, and a step of executing the basic operation of the coin rack 60 It is necessary to change the module corresponding to SS10 to S19 corresponding to the device. In addition, the billing apparatus may be capable of using not only one type but also a plurality of types of devices for one multifunction device main body 1.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the image processing unit A, which is a multifunction peripheral, is provided as an image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing apparatus may be a printer. Various apparatuses that execute predetermined processing for handling images, such as a facsimile and a scanner, can be used.

1 is an external perspective view in a case where a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a network to which a multifunction peripheral is connected. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an internal structure of a multifunction device main body. FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining a coin rack structure. It is a flowchart of the basic operation | movement of the process performed with a coin rack module. It is a flowchart explaining the example in the case of performing an accounting process from an application program. It is explanatory drawing of a menu screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of screen display contents when “scanner service” is selected on the menu screen. It is explanatory drawing of the screen which selects what kind of memory the image data obtained by "scanner process" is written out. It is explanatory drawing of the screen display content when "compact flash" is selected. It is explanatory drawing of the screen display content which displays the calculated charge. It is a flowchart used as the subroutine of step S29.

Explanation of symbols

60 Billing device A Image processing device B Information processing device M Storage medium

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined application program is running;
An image processing apparatus that is connected to the information processing apparatus and executes predetermined processing relating to an image;
A billing device connected to the information processing device for billing;
With
The image processing system, wherein the application program calculates the amount of billing according to a service provided by the image processing device and causes the billing device to execute the billing. In the information processing apparatus, a charging device control program for controlling the charging device is operating,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the application program causes the charging device control program to execute the processing that causes the charging device to execute the charging.   Billing in a billing device connected to the information processing device and charged according to a service provided by an image processing device that operates on the information processing device and is connected to the information processing device and executes predetermined processing relating to an image An application program that calculates the amount of money and causes the charging device to execute the charging.   The application program according to claim 3, wherein the charging apparatus control program that operates the information processing apparatus and controls the charging apparatus is caused to execute the processing that causes the charging apparatus to execute the charging. A storage medium storing the application program according to claim 3.

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