JP2006201557A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus designed such that a printing charge is found out before printing, by calculating the printing charge from a printing method specified by a user and such that when money received from a user is more than the charge calculated from an amount of toner used, the difference is refunded to the user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes an image forming means by which image data read from a document is formed into images according to an image forming method specified by an operator, and a charging means for charging for printing, according to a charge for an amount of toner used by the image forming means. The image forming apparatus is characterized by including: a charge calculating means for temporarily stopping an image forming operation and calculating a charge from the image forming method specified by the operator; a charge displaying means for displaying the charge calculated; a charge displaying method for displaying the charge calculated; and a control means for controlling the image forming means so as to resume the image forming operation with a timing specified by an operator to resume the image forming operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs charging according to a charge calculated from the amount of toner used.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine employs a method in which charging management is performed for each user based on the usage status of image processing, and charging is performed for each user who has performed image formation. In such an image forming apparatus, when charging is performed for printing, the charging is performed according to the paper size used and the number of printed sheets. However, in order for the user of the copying machine to pay a fee fairly, it is desirable to make a fine charge according to the amount of toner used.

An example of a print system that performs charging in consideration of the amount of toner used is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. This conventional printing system is configured to charge for an operator who wants to save and use toner in test printing for confirming a layout or the like according to a designated print density.
JP 2002-32199 A

  However, according to the prior art described in Patent Document 1, since printing is performed when printing is performed by a printing unit, the printing fee is not known until printing is performed, and a user such as a convenience store cannot obtain the printing fee. There is a problem that it cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus that can be used only after a fee is charged.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs charging according to a charge calculated from the amount of toner used. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus in which the printing fee is determined before printing by temporarily interrupting the image forming operation and calculating the printing fee from the printing method designated by the user. The second object of the present invention is to refund the difference to the user when the fee collected from the user is greater than the amount calculated from the amount of toner used for printing. Therefore, it is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs a fair charge.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image reading unit that reads image data from a document, an image forming unit that forms an image of the image data read by the image reading unit according to an image forming method instructed by an operator, In an image forming apparatus having charging means for charging according to a charge calculated from the amount of toner used in the image forming means, the image forming operation is temporarily interrupted, and the charge is calculated from the image forming method designated by the operator Control unit for controlling the image forming unit to restart the image forming operation at a timing when the operator instructs the resumption of the image forming operation. And means.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control means controls the image forming means so as to stop the image forming operation at a timing when the operator instructs to stop the image forming operation.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a fee collection unit that collects the fee calculated by the fee calculation unit from an operator before resuming the image forming operation, and the amount collected by the fee collection unit is the amount of toner used in the image forming unit. And a refunding means for refunding the difference to the operator when the charge is higher than the charge calculated from the usage amount.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus that charges according to the charge calculated from the usage amount of the toner, the image forming operation is temporarily interrupted, and printing is performed from the printing method designated by the user. By calculating the fee, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the printing fee can be determined before printing.

  In addition, when the fee collected from the user is larger than the amount calculated from the amount of toner used for printing, the difference is refunded to the user, thereby charging the user more evenly. And the like.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus includes an image input / output system 100 and a fee collection device 260.

  In the figure, 260 is a fee collection device (hereinafter referred to as a coin vendor), a coin slot (not shown) for inserting coins, and a return button (not shown) for requesting the return of coins inserted by the operator. , A coin return slot (not shown) that returns coins when there is a change to the total amount of coins inserted, or when the return button is pressed, and a display unit that displays the total amount of coins inserted (Not shown), and a fee is collected from the operator for a print instruction received in the image input / output system 100.

  A reader unit (reader device or image input device) 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  Reference numeral 300 denotes a printer unit (printer apparatus or image output apparatus) that conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper outside the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feeding unit 360 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto recording paper, and a notebook for recording and stapling the printed recording paper. And a paper discharge unit 370 having a function of outputting to the outside.

  A control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the coin vendor 260, and further connected to the host computers 170 and 180 via the network 400.

  The control device 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function. In addition, a scanner function that converts image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits the code data to the host computers 170 and 180 via the network 400, and code data received from the host computers 170 and 180 via the network 400. A printer function for converting the image data into an image data and outputting the image data to the printer unit 300 is provided. Further, the control device 110 controls the coin vendor 260 to transmit / receive fee amount information.

  An operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and is configured by a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating configurations of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  In the reader unit 200, a document feeding unit 250 feeds documents one by one onto the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 after the document reading operation is completed.

  When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, and the movement of the optical units 213 and 221 by the motor 219 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215 and 216 and a lens 217. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 218.

  Image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the control device 110 after being subjected to predetermined processing. An image processing circuit unit 222 processes the read image information as an electrical signal and outputs it as a print signal.

  In the printer unit 300, reference numeral 317 denotes a laser driver that drives the laser light emitting units 313, 314, 315, and 316. Laser light corresponding to the image data output from the control device 110 is emitted from the laser light emitting units 313, 314, 315 and 316 are caused to emit light and output. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, 328 by mirrors 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, and the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327 are irradiated. A latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed at 328. Reference numerals 321, 322, 323, and 324 are developing units for developing a latent image with black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toners, respectively. Is transferred to paper and printed out in full color.

  Reference numerals 329, 330, 331, and 332 denote readable and writable developing device memories that are mounted on the developing devices 321, 322, 323, and 324, respectively, and store data indicating the remaining amount of each toner. In the present embodiment, by reading data from the developing device memories 329, 330, 331, and 332 before and after printing, the usage amount of each toner actually used can be measured.

  A sheet fed from one of the sheet cassettes 360 and 361 and the manual feed tray 362 passes through a registration roller 333 and is sucked onto a transfer belt 334 and conveyed.

  Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 360 or the cassette 361 and conveyed to the transfer belt 334, and the development adhered to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, and 328. The agent is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 335, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 335. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 335 is discharged by the discharge roller 336, and the paper discharge unit 370 sorts the recording paper by bundling the discharged recording paper, or staples the sorted recording paper and discharges the tray 371. To discharge.

  If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 336 and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 336 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 by the flapper 337. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 is fed to the transfer belt 334 at the timing described above.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 110 shown in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a main controller, which is mainly composed of a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

  The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the control device 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the host computer and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration at the time of bus contention and control of DMA data transfer.

  The ROM 114 has a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. The ROM 114 stores fee information tables as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, and the CPU 112 refers to the fee information table and is calculated from the image forming method instructed by the operator. The amount of charge (hereinafter referred to as an estimated amount) and the amount of charge calculated from the amount of toner used (hereinafter referred to as charge amount) are determined.

  In FIG. 3, a DRAM 116 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM I / F 117, and a work area for the CPU 112 to operate, an area for storing image data, an input amount, an estimated amount, a charging amount, and the like. Used as an area for accumulating information about the amount of money.

  The Codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a method such as MH7MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely decompresses the code data compressed and stored into raster image data. The SRAM 119 is used as a temporary work area of the Codec 118. The Codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 120, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred.

  The image processing unit 135 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116. The SRAM 136 is used as a temporary work area of the image processing unit 135. The image processing unit 135 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 137, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  A network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 through an I / F 123 and is connected to an external network through a connector 122. The network is generally Ethernet (registered trademark), but other networks such as a token ring may be used.

  An expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 125. A general-purpose high-speed bus is a PCI bus.

  The I / O control unit 126 is equipped with two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. F circuits 140 and 145 are connected.

  The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131 and includes an I / F for displaying on the liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Is done.

  The operation unit 150 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached to the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input from the touch panel or hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display unit displays image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display unit displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus.

  The real-time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE interface 161 is for connecting an external storage device. In this embodiment, the hard disk drive 160 is connected via this I / F, and image data is stored in the hard disk 162 or image data is read from the hard disk 162. The connectors 142 and 147 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 shown in FIG. 1, respectively, and have a synchronized step synchronization serial I / F (143, 148) and a video I / F (144, 149). The connector 261 is connected to the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG.

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the reader unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 via the connector 142 and is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and a predetermined amount of an image received from the reader unit 200 is determined. And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 141. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  The printer I / F 145 is connected to the printer unit 300 shown in FIG. 1 via the connector 147, and is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146, and the image data output from the main controller 111 is transferred to the printer unit. And a function of outputting a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 146. In the present embodiment, the CPU 112 calculates the estimated amount by counting the number of pixels of image data accumulated in the DRAM 116 before being output from the main controller 111 to the printer unit 300.

  Transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113 and DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of unit price for each paper size, and is stored in the ROM 114 as a fee information table. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of unit price per pixel for each toner, and is registered in the ROM 114 as a charge information table. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the unit price per 1 mg for each toner, and is stored in the ROM 114 as a charge information table.

  The CPU 112 determines the estimated amount from the unit price of the paper size, the number of printed sheets, the unit price per pixel, and the total number of pixels of the image data. For example, when the paper size is A4, the number of printed sheets is 5, the number of yellow pixels is 2000000, the number of magenta pixels is 4000000, the number of cyan pixels is 1000000, and the number of black pixels is 7000000. ¥ 10 × 5 sheets + ¥ 0.000002 × 2000000 pixels + ¥ 0.000002 × 1000000 pixels + ¥ 0.000002 × 4000000 pixels + ¥ 0.000001 × 7000000 pixels = ¥ 71

  Further, the CPU 112 determines a charge amount from the unit price of the paper size, the number of printed sheets, the unit price per mg, and the usage amount of each toner. As described above, the usage amount of each toner is measured by the CPU 112 reading the remaining amount of toner from the developing device memories 329, 330, 331, and 332 shown in FIG. For example, in the above example, when the usage amount of the toner actually used is 0.04 mg for yellow, 0.06 mg for magenta, 0.02 mg for cyan, and 0.1 mg for black, the charge amount is ¥ 10 × 5 sheets + ¥ 100 × 0.04 mg + ¥ 100 × 0.06 mg + ¥ 100 × 0.02 mg + ¥ 50 × 0.1 mg = ¥ 67.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the key arrangement of the operation unit 150 shown in FIG.

  A power switch 501 controls energization to the main body. A preheat key 502 is used to turn on / off the preheat mode. A copy A mode key 503 is used to select the copy A mode from a plurality of functions. A copy B mode key 504 is used to select a copy B mode from a plurality of functions. Copy A and Copy B have the same copy function, but when one of the copies has been read by the scanner, the next copy can be input. It is divided into.

  A box key 505 is used to select a box mode from a plurality of functions. The box function is a function that has a storage area in the memory in the copying machine for each user or department, puts PDL or a scanned image therein, and outputs it at any time. Reference numeral 506 denotes an expansion key, which is used when performing an operation on the PDL. These keys 503 to 506 are also used when a function screen of an LCD touch panel 516 described later is called, and the status of each job can be viewed on the LCD touch panel 516.

  Reference numeral 507 denotes a start key which is used to instruct the start of copying or the restart of an interrupted copying operation. Reference numeral 508 denotes a stop key which is used when copying is interrupted or stopped. A reset key 509 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby.

  Reference numeral 510 denotes a guide key which is used when it is desired to know each function. A user mode key 511 is used when the user changes the basic setting of the system. 512 is an interrupt key, which is used to interrupt and copy during copying. Reference numeral 513 denotes a numeric keypad which is used when inputting numerical values. A clear key 514 is used to clear a numerical value.

  An ID key 515 is used when shifting to an ID input mode when using a copying machine. Reference numeral 516 denotes an LCD touch panel composed of a combination of a liquid crystal screen and a touch sensor. An individual setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be made by touching the drawn keys. It also displays the operation status of each job.

  Reference numeral 517 denotes a tally lamp that indicates a communication state of the network. The tally lamp is usually green. An ACS (auto color select) key 518 is used to automatically determine whether the copy original is color or black and white, and is used to set a mode for scanning in color if it is color, or in black if it is black and white.

  A full color mode key 519 is used to set a full color scan mode regardless of the copy original. A black mode key 520 is used to set a mode for scanning with a black color regardless of a copy original. Each of these keys 518 to 520 performs a toggle operation, and one of them is always selected, and the selected key is lit.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen in the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and is displayed on the operation panel 516 shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is activated on the copy standard screen as a default when the power is turned on.

  In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a message line, which displays the status of the copy job as a message. Reference numeral 602 denotes a magnification display, which displays a magnification that is automatically determined according to a set magnification or a copy mode as a percentage. A sheet size display 603 displays the selected output sheet. If automatic sheet selection is set, a message “auto sheet” is displayed. Reference numeral 604 denotes a numerical display indicating how many copies are made.

  Reference numeral 605 denotes a reduction key, which is used when a reduction copy is desired. Reference numeral 606 denotes an equal magnification key which is used when it is desired to return to the same magnification when reduction or enlargement is set. Reference numeral 607 denotes an enlargement key which is used when an enlarged copy is desired. Reference numeral 608 denotes a zoom key, which is used when it is desired to perform reduction copy or enlargement copy by setting a magnification in fine units.

  A sheet selection key 609 is used to specify an output sheet. A finisher key 610 is used to set a sort or staple mode. Reference numeral 611 denotes a double-sided key, which is used when setting the double-sided mode.

  Reference numeral 612 denotes a density display, which shows the current density. The density on the left side is light and the density on the right side is high. In addition, the density display 612 changes display in conjunction with the light key 613 and the light key 615. A light key 613 is used when it is desired to reduce the density. Reference numeral 614 denotes an automatic key which is used when a mode for automatically determining density is used. Reference numeral 615 denotes a rich key which is used when it is desired to increase the density.

  Reference numeral 616 denotes a character key which is used to set a character mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a character document. Reference numeral 617 denotes a character / photo key, which is used to set a character / photo mode that is automatically set to a density suitable for copying a document in which photographs are mixed.

  Reference numeral 618 denotes an application mode key which is used to set various copy modes that cannot be set on the copy standard screen. Reference numeral 619 denotes a system status key, which is used when it is desired to check the status of printing or scanning currently performed in the image input / output system 100. The system status key 619 always appears at this position as well as the copy standard screen, and the system status can be viewed at any time by pressing this key.

  Although not shown in the figure, an area 620 is a status line for displaying a low-priority alarm that does not need to be displayed on the message line 601 and an execution status of other functions.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy interruption screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is displayed on the LCD touch panel 516 when the estimated amount is calculated to be ¥ 71. At this time, the copy operation is temporarily suspended. When the stop key 508 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the copy operation is stopped and the screen shifts to the copy standard screen shown in FIG. Further, when a coin equal to or larger than the estimated amount is inserted into the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG. 1, a transition to a copy resumable screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a copy resumable screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. When a coin with an estimated amount of ¥ 71 or more is inserted into the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG. Is displayed. At this time, the copy operation is temporarily suspended. When the stop key 508 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the copy operation is stopped and the screen shifts to the copy standard screen shown in FIG. Further, when the start key 507 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed, the copy operation is resumed, and a transition is made to a copy completion screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy completion screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is displayed on the LCD touch panel 516 when the copy operation is completed and the charge amount is calculated as ¥ 67. Here, when a return button (not shown) is pressed in the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG. 1, the difference between the amount inserted by the operator and the charge amount is refunded to the operator.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 12, a charging procedure for the copy operation in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the accounting procedure for the copy operation in this embodiment. Note that the processing in this flowchart is executed by the CPU 112 shown in FIG. 3 based on a program stored in the ROM 114 or other storage medium (not shown). In addition, S1201 to S in the figure indicate each step.

  First, in step S1201, a printing method is received from the operator from the operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 7, and the process proceeds to step S1202.

  In step S1202, it is determined whether or not the start key 507 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. If it is determined that the start key 507 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1203. If it is determined that the start key 507 is not pressed, the process waits in step S1202.

  In step S1203, the reader unit 200 shown in FIG. 1 reads the image data from the document, stores the image data in the DRAM 116 shown in FIG. 3, and then the process proceeds to step S1204.

  In step S1204, the image processing unit 135 shown in FIG. 3 performs image processing on the image data stored in the DRAM 116 according to the printing method accepted from the operator, and the process advances to step S1205.

  In step S1205, the total number of pixels of the image data stored in the DRAM 116 is counted, and the process proceeds to step S1206.

  In step S1206, an estimated amount is calculated from the number of documents read by the reader unit 200, the number of copies set by the operator and the paper size, and the total number of pixels of the image data, and the process proceeds to step S1207.

  In step S1207, as shown in FIG. 9, the estimated amount is displayed on the copy interruption screen of the LCD touch panel 516, and the process proceeds to step S1208.

  In step S1208, money amount information input by the operator is acquired from the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG. 1, and the flow advances to step S1209.

  In step S1209, it is determined whether or not the input fee is equal to or greater than the estimated amount. If it is determined that it is not equal to or greater than the estimated amount, the process returns to step S1208. .

  In step S1210, as shown in FIG. 10, a copy resumable screen is displayed on the LCD touch panel 516, key input from the operator is accepted from the operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 7, and the process proceeds to step S1211.

  In step S1211, it is determined whether the start key 507 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. If it is determined that the start key 507 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S1212. If it is determined that the start key 507 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1213.

  In step S1212, it is determined whether or not the stop key 508 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. If it is determined that the stop key 508 is not pressed, the process returns to step S1210. The copy standard screen is displayed on the LCD touch panel 516, and the process ends.

  In step S1213, the remaining amount of each toner is read from the developing device memories 329, 330, 331, and 332 shown in FIG. 2, stored in the DRAM 116, and the process proceeds to step S1214.

  In step S1214, the image data stored in the DRAM 116 is output to the printer unit 300. After the printer unit 300 prints an image on a sheet, the process proceeds to step S1215.

  In step S1215, the remaining amount of each toner is read again from the developer memories 329, 330, 331, and 332 shown in FIG. 2, and each toner is calculated from the difference from the remaining amount of toner before printing stored in the DRAM 116. , And the process proceeds to step S1216.

  In step S1216, a charge amount is calculated from the number of sheets discharged to the paper discharge unit 370 shown in FIG. 2, the paper size, and the usage amount of each toner, and the process advances to step S1217.

  In step S1217, as shown in FIG. 11, a copy completion screen is displayed on the LCD touch panel 516, and the process proceeds to step S1218.

  In step S1218, it is determined whether the amount of money input is equal to or greater than the charge amount. If it is determined that the amount is not equal to or greater than the charge amount, the process ends. If it is determined that the amount is equal to or greater than the charge amount, the process proceeds to step S1219. .

  In step S1219, the difference between the amount entered and the billing amount is calculated, the difference information is transmitted to the coin vendor 260 shown in FIG. 1, and the operator presses a return button (not shown) so that the difference is given to the operator. Will be refunded and processing will end.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the reader part and printer part which were shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a unit price for each paper size. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a unit price per pixel for each toner. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a unit price per 1 mg for each toner. It is a top view which shows the keyboard layout of the operation part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a copy standard screen in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy interruption screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy resumable screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a copy completion screen in the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image Input / Output System 110 Control Device 150 Operation Unit 170 PC
180 PC
200 Reader unit 210 Scanner unit 250 Document feed unit 260 Coin vendor 300 Printer unit 310 Marking unit 360 Paper feed unit 370 Paper discharge unit 400 Network

Claims (5)

An image reading unit that reads image data from a document, an image forming unit that forms an image of the image data read by the image reading unit according to an image forming method instructed by an operator, and a usage amount of toner used in the image forming unit In an image forming apparatus having a charging means for charging according to the charged fee,
A charge calculating means for temporarily interrupting the image forming operation and calculating a charge from the image forming method instructed by the operator;
Charge display means for displaying the charge calculated by the charge calculation means;
Control means for controlling the image forming means so as to resume the image forming operation at the timing when the operator instructs the resumption of the image forming operation;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to stop the image forming operation at a timing when the operator instructs to stop the image forming operation. A fee collection unit for collecting the fee calculated by the fee calculation unit from an operator before resuming the image forming operation;
Refund means for refunding the difference to the operator when the amount collected by the charge collection means is greater than the charge calculated from the amount of toner used in the image forming means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging unit calculates the fee from the amount of toner used in the image forming unit, the number of printed sheets, and the paper size and charges the fee. .   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fee calculating means calculates a fee from the number of pixels of image data generated by an image forming method designated by an operator, the number of printed sheets, and a sheet size. Forming equipment.

Images