JP2006085103A - Image information apparatus and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image information apparatus or the like with which print setting can be automatically carried out to eliminate troublesomeness and both print setting and print charge desired by a user can be easily made compatible. <P>SOLUTION: In the image information apparatus provided with a copying machine 1 for printing taken-in image data and a charging device 2 for performing charging processing for print by the copying machine 1, a plurality of pieces of print setting information and respective pieces of print charge information are associated with one another and are stored in advance in a system controller 12 and a print setting charge storage part 21. During the print, the system controller 12 is made to input desired print charge information through an operation part 11 and is made to automatically select print setting correlated with print charge information matching the inputted desired print charge information, from the plurality of pieces of print setting information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image information apparatus having a printing function (image forming function), such as a copying machine, a printer, and a digital composite copying machine having the functions thereof and a facsimile machine function, and in particular, performs a charging process according to a print setting. The present invention relates to an image information device and a printing system.

In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor technology and information processing technology, copying machines have become more multifunctional and digitized, and image data read from a document by a scanner is stored once in a hard disk storage device or memory, and the image data is processed. Since then, printing methods have increased. The same applies to a copying machine equipped with a billing device, and attempts are being made to reduce the printing fee by using such a function. For example, by processing image data, you can reduce the number of print sheets used by consolidating and printing multiple images on one sheet of paper, or printing on both sides, thus reducing the copying fee. is there. Further, it is possible to print at a low cost by making a full-color original into monochrome or making it into two colors. Such a situation is the same in the printer.
Further, there are the following conventional techniques in the billing process according to the present invention.
First, “Network Printer Billing System and Method” disclosed in Patent Document 1, however, in this prior art, a print job can be created by changing the billing calculation method for some of the available printers. It is possible to avoid concentrating on a single printer.
Further, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 provides a billing management apparatus capable of performing fair billing management according to the usage pattern of the user.
Further, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3, before issuing a print execution instruction from the application, based on preset print setting information that can be output, the print price from the application and the number of print settings are set. The print setting information that can be set by the user is clearly indicated to the user.
JP 2001-043053 A JP 2000-148436 A JP 2002-189576 A

However, the above-described prior art has a problem that the print setting is not automatically performed and is troublesome, and a problem that the print setting desired by the user and the print charge cannot be easily made compatible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem of the prior art, and specifically, an image information apparatus capable of eliminating troublesome users by automatically performing print settings. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image information apparatus and a printing system that can easily achieve both a print setting desired by a user and a printing fee.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image information comprises image forming means for printing the captured image data, and charge processing means for performing charge processing for printing by the image forming means. In the apparatus, a print setting fee storage means for storing a plurality of print setting information in association with each print fee information in advance, a print fee input means for inputting desired print fee information at the time of printing, and a desired input And a print setting means for automatically selecting a print setting associated with the print charge information matching the print charge information from a plurality of print setting information.
Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, the print setting fee storage means stores each print setting information in association with a printing fee per printing sheet, The print setting unit causes the operation unit to specify a printing fee per printing sheet when performing printing, and the printing fee per specified printing sheet and the printing sheet stored in the printing setting fee storage unit The print setting is made based on the print fee for each print setting per sheet.
In the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, when printing is possible, whether or not printing is executed by displaying automatically set print setting information before starting printing. It was configured to be able to confirm.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the automatic print setting operation of the print setting unit can be validated or invalidated in advance.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image information apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that prints captured image data; and a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for printing by the image forming unit. Print setting fee storage means for storing information and each printing fee information in advance in association with each other, and at the time of printing, the print setting information is ordered in the order of low price or high price according to the input operation by the operation means. And print setting display means for sequentially displaying.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, comprising the image forming unit, the print setting fee storage unit, and the print fee input unit. The image forming apparatus includes a charging device including the charging device, the charging processing unit, and the print setting fee storage unit, and a connection unit that connects the image forming apparatus and the charging device so that they can communicate with each other.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the printing fee input means is further provided in the charging device.
In the printing system in which the information processing apparatus transmits a print request via a network and the image information apparatus that receives the print request performs printing, the image information apparatus includes a plurality of information. Print setting fee storage means for storing print setting information and each printing fee information in association with each other, and at the time of printing, the printing setting information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus in the order of low price or high price of printing fee. And a receiving unit that receives the print setting information transmitted by the transmitting unit, and a print setting display unit that displays the print setting information.

According to the present invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the captured image data is printed, and charging processing for the printing is performed, a plurality of print setting information is associated with each print fee information in advance. You can memorize and input the desired print fee information at the time of printing, and the print settings associated with the print fee information that matches the input desired print fee information can be automatically selected from multiple print setting information The troublesome print setting can be eliminated.
Further, in the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, each print setting information is stored in association with a printing fee per printing paper, and when printing is performed, per printing paper. The print setting can be specified, and the print setting can be made based on the specified print charge per print sheet and the print charge for each print setting stored per print sheet. There is no need to store the print setting information and the print fee for each.
In the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, when printing is possible, whether or not printing is executed by displaying automatically set print setting information before starting printing. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where printing is performed with print settings that the user does not want.
Further, in the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, it is possible to set in advance whether the automatic print setting operation is enabled or disabled, so that the user can respond according to the situation. .

In the invention according to claim 5, when the captured image data is printed, and charging processing for the printing is performed, a plurality of print setting information and each print fee information are stored in advance in association with each other. When printing, the print setting information can be sequentially displayed in the order of low price or high price according to the input operation, so that the user can easily achieve desired print settings and print charges at the same time.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, comprising an image forming unit, a print setting fee storage unit, and a print fee input unit. , A billing device having a billing processing means and a print setting fee storage means, and a connecting means for connecting the image forming apparatus and the billing device so that they can communicate with each other. It can be used as a means.
Further, in the invention described in claim 7, in the invention described in claim 6, since the printing fee can also be input from the charging device, the charging device is stored in the charging device, so that the charging device can be connected to another image. When connecting to a forming device or when multiple image forming devices are connected to a charging device, when printing using one of the image forming devices, reset the desired printing fee. The set printing fee can be applied without any changes.
In the invention according to claim 8, a plurality of print setting information and respective print fee information are stored in advance in the image information apparatus in association with each other, and a print request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus via the network. When printing is performed by the image information apparatus that has received the print request, the print setting information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus in the order of the low price or the high price of the printing fee, and the information processing apparatus can display the received print setting information. Therefore, similarly to the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can easily achieve both desired print settings and print charges.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative positions, and the like described in this embodiment are not merely intended to limit the scope of this description unless otherwise specified, but are merely illustrative examples. .
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an image information system showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an overview diagram. As shown in the figure, this image information system includes a copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus 2, which are connected by a cable 3. The copying machine 1 includes an operation unit 11 including an operation panel and a panel control unit that controls the operation panel, a system controller 12 that has a CPU to control the entire copying machine, an image reading unit that reads an image on a document, An image input / output unit 13 including a printing unit that performs printing on paper and an image input / output control unit that controls the image reading unit and the printing unit is provided.
The charging device 2 is called, for example, a coin rack that is frequently used, and a print setting fee storage unit 21 that stores the print fee in association with various print settings (print conditions). The printing fee calculation unit 22 that obtains the printing fee of the printing setting instructed from the copying machine 1 using the printing fee stored in the printing setting fee storage unit 21, and the obtained printing fee for at least the next one sheet A print permission / non-permission determination unit 23 that determines whether or not printing is possible according to whether or not the charging device 2 has been inserted, an input amount display unit 24 that displays the amount of money that has been input, and an amount input unit that allows the user to input a desired printing fee when setting the print 25. A balance display unit 26 for displaying a balance, etc., which is the difference between the printing fee of the executed printing and the input amount, and the like.
With such a configuration, the system controller 12 in the copying machine 1 transmits printing conditions such as print setting information to the printing fee calculation unit 22 of the charging apparatus 2 via the image input / output unit 13 before printing. As a result, in the charging apparatus 2, the printing fee calculation unit 22 acquires the printing fee related to the designated printing setting from the printing setting fee storage unit 21, calculates the printing fee for one sheet of the designated printing setting, and is calculated. Depending on whether or not the printing fee has been charged, the printability determination unit 23 determines whether or not printing is possible, and transmits the determination result to the system controller 12 via the image input / output unit 13 of the copying machine 1. In this way, when printing is possible, the system controller 12 transmits a charging signal instructing charging to the printing permission determination unit 23 via the image input / output unit 13 to start printing.
The amount input from the amount input unit 25 is transmitted to the image input / output unit 13 of the copier 1 as one of the printing condition signals via the printing fee calculation unit 22.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed block diagram of the control system of the copying machine 1. Hereinafter, the control system of the copying machine will be described with reference to this block diagram.
In FIG. 3, an operation unit 11 is a device for displaying setting inputs and the state contents of the copying machine. The system controller 12 has functions of a plurality of applications such as a copy application, a facsimile application, and a printer application, and controls the entire system. The image input / output unit 13 reads a document image and writes an image on a transfer sheet by a known electrophotographic technique. The image data bus / control command bus 14 is a bus through which image data and control commands are transferred in a time division manner.
In the operation unit 11, the CPU 111 controls the operation unit 11 according to a control program. The ROM 112 stores the control program. A RAM 113 is a working memory used by the CPU 111. The input device 114 is a device for the user to input settings for the copying machine, and the display device 115 is a device for displaying them so that the user can confirm the setting contents and status of the system.
In the system controller 12, the CPU 121 is in charge of the control performed by the system controller 12 according to the control program. The control program is written in the ROM 122, and the RAM 123 is a working memory used by the CPU 121. The NVRAM 124 is a non-volatile memory, and stores information on the entire copying machine such as print setting information with a printing fee, sub-scan magnification adjustment value, and main-scan magnification adjustment value. The external device communication control unit 125 performs facsimile communication control and communication control with other external devices.
A system I / F (interface) unit 126 controls transfer of facsimile data and printer data processed in the copying machine in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 121. A work memory 127 is a working memory for image development when the copying machine is used as a printer. The frame memory 128 is a working memory that stores image data (image data) read by the image input / output unit 13 and image data to be printed, and stores encoded data in addition to dot images.

The FIFO buffer memory 129 is a memory for converting the data transfer speed when the input image data is written to the frame memory 128. Similarly, the FIFO buffer memory 130 is used when the image data in the frame memory 128 is transferred as output image data. This is a memory for performing speed conversion. The memory controller 131 controls image data input / output between the frame memory 128 and the HDDC (Hard Disk Storage Device Controller) 132 and the bus without the control of the CPU 121. The HDDC 132 controls data input / output with respect to the HDD.
In the image input / output unit 13, the CPU 141 controls the image input / output unit 13 according to a control program. The ROM 142 stores the control program, and the RAM 143 is a working memory used by the CPU 141. The image writing unit 144 is a known optical writing unit that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member by scanning with a polygon scanner while turning on laser light at a pixel frequency. The image reading unit 145 is a known optical scanner unit that reflects lamp light on a document and reads it by a CCD.
The electrophotographic process unit 146 is a well-known electrophotographic image forming unit that converts an electrostatic latent image written on a photoconductor with a laser beam into a real image with toner, and transfers and fixes it on a sheet. The transfer paper conveyance control unit 147 performs conveyance control of the paper on which the image is transferred by the electrophotographic process unit 146. A billing device interface (I / F) unit 148 connects the image input / output unit 13 and the billing device 2, and converts a command of the CPU 141 into a signal of the dedicated I / F of the billing device 2. A signal and a billing signal are transmitted, and a print permission signal is received.

Each example will be described below.
[Example 1]
FIG. 4 shows an operation flow of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described. In this embodiment, various print setting information, for example, print setting information such as an A4 size monochrome image or an A3 size full color image is associated with the print fee, and is stored in the NVRAM 124 and the charging device 2 in the copying machine 1. Are stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21.
In this embodiment, first, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In such a state, the CPU 121 on the system controller 12 side instructs the CPU 111 to display a file list of accumulated image data on the display device 115, and the image data to be printed is input from the input device 114. (S1). Further, the CPU 111 causes the input device 114 to input a desired printing fee (S2).
When the input printing fee is acquired in this way, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 acquires the print setting information corresponding to the printing fee from the NVRAM 124, and uses it as the print setting information for printing to be performed (S3).

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S4). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee for one sheet from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and whether or not printing is possible. The determination unit 23 determines whether or not printing is possible depending on whether or not the printing fee for at least one sheet has been inserted (S5). Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the determination result to the copying machine 1 by a print permission signal. Note that when printing is possible within a predetermined time, the printing availability determination unit 23 notifies printing permission at that time.
In the copying machine 1 that has received the print propriety signal, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 confirms the print feasibility by the print propriety signal, and if printing is not possible after waiting for a predetermined time (No in S5), the printing is continued. (Yes in S8), the process returns to step S1. If printing is not continued (No in S8), this operation flow is terminated.
On the other hand, if printing is possible (Yes in S5), printing is started in accordance with the automatically set print settings (S6). Further, the CPU 121 requests execution of the charging process by issuing a charging signal to the charging device 2 via the charging device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S7). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
Note that FIG. 4 shows the case where the image data is one sheet, but when there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S5.
In the above description, the designated printing fee and the registered (stored) printing fee are, for example, the amount of money per sheet to be printed (the same applies to the following embodiments).
Thus, according to this embodiment, the print setting is automatically performed only by inputting the desired print fee, so that the troublesome operation of the print setting operation by the user can be eliminated.

[Example 2]
FIG. 5 shows an operation flow of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, at the time of print setting, the print setting contents are sequentially displayed in ascending order of printing charges. In this embodiment, various print setting information is stored in the NVRAM 124 in the copying machine 1 and the print setting fee storage unit 21 in the charging apparatus 2 in association with the printing fee. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described.
First, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In such a state, the CPU 121 on the system controller 12 side instructs the CPU 111 to display a file list of accumulated image data on the display device 115, and the image data to be printed is input from the input device 114. (S11). Further, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 selects a print fee with the lowest print fee from a plurality of print settings that can be set for the image data selected by the user (S12). Is set as the print fee information (S13), the print setting information corresponding to the set print fee is set, and the CPU 111 is instructed to display the print setting information and the print fee information on the display device 115 (S14). .

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S15). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee for one sheet from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and prints. The availability determination unit 23 determines whether or not printing is possible based on whether or not a printing fee for at least one sheet has been inserted (S16). When the print setting information displayed in step S14 is not accepted, it is possible to intentionally not incur a printing fee. Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the copier 1 of the determination result by a print permission signal.
In this way, if the result of determination is not printable (No in S16), the system controller 12 can set the image data from a plurality of print charges corresponding to the print settings stored in the NVRAM 124. If there is a next low printing fee (Yes in S20), the printing fee is selected (S21), and the process is repeated from step S13. On the other hand, if there is no next lowest printing fee (No in S20), if printing is continued (Yes in S22), the process returns to step S11, and if printing is not continued (No in S22). This operation flow ends.
On the other hand, if the determination result of the print permission determination unit 23 is printable (Yes in S16), the CPU 121 starts printing according to the print setting at that time (S17). Further, the CPU 121 requests execution of the charging process by issuing a charging signal to the charging device 2 via the charging device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S18). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
FIG. 5 shows the case where the image data is for one sheet, but if there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S16.
Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily achieve both the print setting desired by the user and the print fee.

Example 3
FIG. 6 shows an operation flow of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, when displaying the print setting contents, the print setting contents are sequentially displayed in descending order of the printing fee. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described.
First, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In such a state, the CPU 121 on the system controller 12 side instructs the CPU 111 to display a file list of accumulated image data on the display device 115, and the image data to be printed is input from the input device 114. (S31). Further, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 selects the print fee with the highest print fee from a plurality of print settings that can be set for the image data selected by the user (S32). Is set as print fee information (S33), print setting information corresponding to the set print fee is set, and the CPU 111 is instructed to display the print setting information and the print fee information on the display device 115 (S34). . A plurality of print settings corresponding to the print fee are set in advance by the input device 114 and stored in the NVRAM 124.

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S35). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee for one sheet from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and prints. The availability determination unit 23 determines whether or not printing is possible based on whether or not a printing fee for at least one sheet has been inserted (S36). Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the copier 1 of the determination result by a print permission signal.
In this way, in the system controller 12, for example, when the user does not accept the displayed printing fee, the printing fee is not charged and the determination result cannot be printed (No in S 36), and is stored in the NVRAM 124. When the next highest printing charge that can be set for the image data is searched from a plurality of printing charges corresponding to the print setting, and there is the next highest printing charge (Yes in S40), The printing fee is selected (S41), and the process is repeated from step S33. On the other hand, if there is no next highest printing fee (No in S40), if printing is continued (Yes in S42), the process returns to step S31, and if printing is not continued (No in S42). This operation flow ends.
On the other hand, if the determination result of the print permission determination unit 23 is printable (Yes in S36), the CPU 121 starts printing according to the print setting at that time (S37). Further, the CPU 121 requests execution of the billing process by issuing a billing signal to the billing device 2 via the billing device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S38). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
FIG. 6 shows the case where the image data is for one sheet, but when there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S36.
Thus, according to this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, it is possible to easily achieve both the print setting desired by the user and the print fee.

Example 4
FIG. 7 shows an operation flow of the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer transmits a print request via a network, and the copying machine that receives the print request performs printing. Configure print settings. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described.
First, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In this state, the user selects an image information apparatus (connected to the network) for printing from the information processing apparatus connected to the network (S51). Then, for example, from the copying machine 1 of the selected image information device, a file list of image data stored in the image information device is acquired via the network, displayed on the display device in the information processing device, and printed from there Data is selected (S52). At this time, the user selects whether to select the print settings in order from the print setting with the lowest price, or to select the print setting from the highest price. Then, information indicating the selection result is notified to the copying machine 1 (in this example).
Subsequently, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 has the lowest print price or the highest print charge from among a plurality of print settings that can be set for the image data selected by the user. Select a printing fee (by selection) (S53), set it as printing fee information (S54), set printing setting information corresponding to the set printing fee, and process the print setting information and the printing fee. The print setting information and the print fee are displayed on the display device in the information processing apparatus (S55). A plurality of print settings corresponding to the print fee are set in advance by the input device 114 and stored in the NVRAM 124.

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S56). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and determines whether or not to allow printing. Determines whether or not printing is possible depending on whether or not a printing fee for at least one sheet has been inserted (S57). Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the copier 1 of the determination result by a print permission signal.
In this way, in the system controller 12, for example, if the user does not accept the displayed print setting or print fee, the print fee is not input and the determination result cannot be printed (No in S57), and is stored in the NVRAM 124. The next lowest or higher price that can be set for the image data is searched from the multiple printing charges that correspond to the print settings, and then there is the next lowest or higher price. If so (Yes in S60), the printing fee is selected (S61), and the process is repeated from step S54. On the other hand, if there is no next lower or higher printing fee (No in S60), if printing is to be continued (Yes in S62), the process returns to step S52, and if printing is not continued (S62). No) This operation flow ends.
On the other hand, if the determination result of the print permission determination unit 23 is printable (Yes in S57), the CPU 121 starts printing according to the print setting at that time (S58). Further, the CPU 121 requests execution of the billing process by issuing a billing signal to the billing device 2 via the billing device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S59). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
FIG. 7 shows the case where the image data is for one sheet, but if there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S57.
Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily achieve both the print setting desired by the user and the print fee using the information processing apparatus.

Example 5
FIG. 8 shows an operation flow of the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the printing fee is designated by the operating means of the charging device 2. Further, when printing is possible, it is possible to confirm whether or not to execute printing by displaying print setting information before starting printing. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described.
First, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In such a state, the CPU 121 on the system controller 12 side instructs the CPU 111 to display a file list of accumulated image data on the display device 115, and the image data to be printed is input from the input device 114. (S71).
Subsequently, the user inputs the desired amount for one sheet of printing paper by the amount input unit 25 of the charging apparatus 2 (S72). Then, the amount of money is sent to the copying machine 1 as a printing fee (S73), and in the copying machine 1, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 corresponds to one desired printing sheet from among various printing settings registered in advance. Print setting information having a value matching or close to the printing fee is extracted and used as the print setting content (S74). Note that the print settings corresponding to the print fee are set in advance by the input device 114 and stored in the NVRAM 124.

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S75). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and is the same as in the above embodiments. Then, the printability determination unit 23 determines whether or not printing is possible (S76). Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the determination result to the copying machine 1 by a print permission signal.
In the copying machine 1 that has received the print propriety signal, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 confirms the print feasibility by the print propriety signal, and if printing is not possible after a predetermined time (No in S76), the printing is continued. (Yes in S80), the process returns to step S1. If printing is not continued (No in S80), this operation flow is terminated.
On the other hand, if printing is possible (Yes in S76), whether or not to execute printing by displaying the automatically set print setting information at that time is confirmed (S77). If the print is not executed (No in S77), the process is repeated from Step S72. If the print is executed (Yes in S77), printing is started according to the print setting (S78). Further, the CPU 121 requests the execution of the billing process by issuing a billing signal to the billing device 2 via the billing device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S79). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
FIG. 8 shows the case where the image data is for one sheet, but if there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S76.
Thus, according to this embodiment, the desired printing fee can be set even from the charging device, so that the charging device can be connected to another image forming device by storing the printing fee in the charging device. Set without using the desired printing fee again when printing using one of the image forming devices when using the printer or when multiple image forming devices are connected to the billing device The printing fee can be applied.

Example 6
FIG. 9 shows an operation flow of the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, in the first or fifth embodiment (the operation flow shown in FIG. 9 is shown in the case of the fifth embodiment), the automatic print setting operation can be selected to be valid or invalid. Hereinafter, this operation flow will be described.
First, an image to be printed is read by the image reading unit 145, and the image data is stored in the HDD by the HDDC 132. The image data stored in the HDD can be printed at a desired print setting when desired.
In such a state, the CPU 121 on the system controller 12 side instructs the CPU 111 to display a file list of accumulated image data on the display device 115, and the image data to be printed is input from the input device 114. (S81).
Subsequently, the user is made to input the amount of money desired for one sheet of printing paper by the amount input unit 25 of the charging apparatus 2 (S82). Then, the amount is sent as a printing fee to the copying machine 1 (S83). In the copying machine 1, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 determines whether the print setting is enabled or disabled according to the amount of money per printing sheet (S84), and is set to enabled. If yes (S84: Yes), the print setting is performed based on the print fee per print sheet as in the fifth embodiment (S85). If it is set as invalid (No in S84), a plurality of registered (storing) print setting information is displayed and one of them is selected by the input device 114. Print settings are made (S86).

Next, the CPU 121 transmits a printing condition signal including the set print setting information to the charging apparatus 2 via the charging apparatus I / F unit 148 (S87). In this way, in the charging apparatus 2 that has received the print setting information, the print fee calculation unit 22 obtains the print fee from the print setting information stored in the print setting fee storage unit 21 and the received print setting information, and the print availability determination unit 23 Whether or not printing is possible is determined in the same manner as in the above embodiments (S88). Then, the printability determination unit 23 notifies the determination result to the copying machine 1 by a print permission signal.
In the copying machine 1 that has received the print propriety signal, the CPU 121 in the system controller 12 confirms the print feasibility by the print propriety signal. If printing is not possible (No in S88), the printing is continued (Yes in S92). Return to step S82. If printing is possible (Yes in S88), the print setting at that time is displayed to confirm execution of printing (S89). If printing is not executed (No in S89), the process is repeated from Step S82. If printing is executed (Yes in S89), printing is started according to the print settings (S90). Further, the CPU 121 requests the execution of the billing process by issuing a billing signal to the billing device 2 via the billing device I / F unit 148 in the image input / output unit 13 (S91). The part 24 displays the amount of money calculated from the input amount as the remaining amount, and the remaining amount is set as the input amount at that time.
FIG. 9 shows the case where the image data is for one sheet, but if there are a plurality of sheets, the process is repeated from step S88.
Thus, according to this embodiment, since the automatic print setting operation can be selected to be valid or invalid, an apparatus use environment suitable for the user can be provided.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an image information system showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an overview of an image information system showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a detailed block diagram of a copier control system showing an embodiment of the present invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 1st Example of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 3rd Example of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 4th Example of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 5th Example of this invention. The operation | movement flowchart of the image information system which shows the 6th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier, 2 Billing apparatus, 11 Operation part, 12 System controller, 13 Image input / output part, 21 Print setting charge storage part, 22 Print charge calculation part, 23 Print availability determination part, 24 Input amount display part, 25 Input of amount Unit, 26 balance display unit, 111 CPU, 114 input device, 115 display device, 121 CPU, 124 NVRAM, 145 image reading unit, 148 accounting device interface unit

Claims (8)

  In an image information apparatus including an image forming unit that prints captured image data and a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for printing by the image forming unit, a plurality of print setting information and corresponding print fee information are associated with each other. Print setting fee storage means for storing in advance, printing fee input means for inputting desired printing fee information at the time of printing, and print settings associated with the printing fee information that matches the inputted desired printing fee information An image information apparatus comprising: a print setting unit that automatically selects a plurality of print setting information.   2. The image information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print setting fee storage means stores each print setting information in association with a print fee per sheet of printing paper, and the print setting means performs printing. When performing, the operation unit designates the printing fee for each printing paper, and the printing fee for each designated printing paper and the printing setting for each printing paper stored in the printing setting fee storage unit are set. An image information apparatus having a configuration for performing print settings based on a print fee.   3. The image information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when printing is possible, it is possible to check whether or not to execute printing by displaying automatically set print setting information before starting printing. An image information device characterized by the above.   3. The image information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automatic print setting operation of the print setting unit can be set to be valid or invalid in advance.   In an image information apparatus including an image forming unit that prints captured image data and a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for printing by the image forming unit, a plurality of print setting information and corresponding print fee information are associated with each other. Print setting fee storage means for storing in advance, and print setting display means for sequentially displaying the print setting information in order of low price or high price according to the input operation by the operation means at the time of printing. An image information apparatus characterized by that.   6. The image information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes the image forming unit, the print setting fee storage unit, and the print fee input unit, and the charging processing unit. An image information apparatus comprising: a charging device including the print setting fee storage unit; and a connection unit that connects the image forming apparatus and the charging device so as to communicate with each other.   7. The image information apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising the printing fee input means in the billing device. In a printing system in which an information processing apparatus transmits a print request via a network and an image information apparatus that has received the print request performs printing, a plurality of print setting information and respective print fee information are included in the image information apparatus. A print setting fee storage means for storing the information in advance, and a transmission means for transmitting the print setting information to the information processing apparatus in the order of a low price or a high price of the print fee at the time of printing. A printing system comprising: a receiving unit that receives the print setting information transmitted by the transmission unit; and a print setting display unit that displays the print setting information.

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