JP2006228031A - Apparatus, method and program product for executing programs as well as apparatus and program product for managing processing capacity - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance usability for users in an apparatus, a method and a program for executing programs as well as an apparatus and a program for managing a throughput. <P>SOLUTION: A user specifies a unit (a process executing unit 24 installed in an office A) as a transfer destination by inputting an ID and the like into a printer 20 in a convenience store 10, and then executes a printing process by the printer 20. The printer 20 transfers the number of printing sheets to the process executing unit 24 via a communication terminal 22. The process executing unit 24 increases the number of the printing sheets of transferred sheets. The store clerk reports the number of sheets calculated by subtracting the number of transferred sheets from the number of accumulated printing sheets to a billing account. In the process executing unit 24, a staff reports the number of total sheets by adding the number of accumulated printing sheets to the number of transferred sheets to the billing account. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing execution device, a processing execution method, a processing execution program, a processing amount management device, and a processing amount management program. More specifically, the processing execution executes predetermined processing and counts the processing amount of the predetermined processing. The present invention relates to an apparatus, a process execution method, a process execution program, and a throughput management apparatus and a throughput management program for managing a throughput of a predetermined process.

  Conventionally, a copy machine is installed in a convenience store, and a copy machine is used for shopping at a convenience store.

  By the way, the purpose of using a copy machine at a convenience store is generally a private copy, not a copy related to a user's work. Of course, a copy machine is also used at a convenience store for work-related copying. When using a copy machine at a convenience store for copying related to work, after receiving payment for the use of the copy machine, get a receipt from the convenience store, and then liquidate to the company etc. Will do. However, since the liquidation of the use of the copy machine at the convenience store is generally a small liquidation, the liquidation at the company is troublesome for the user and the liquidation person in charge at the company side. Under these circumstances, the purpose of using a copy machine at a convenience store is generally a private copy.

  Also, in a company, there is a case where a person in a certain department visits another department and wants to use a copy machine in another department for the work of his / her own department. However, even within the same company, a budget is determined for each department, and if each department is operating within the determined budget, a copy machine is used for the work of the other department. The available budget will be cut. Therefore, there is a problem that even in the same company, the copy machine in another department cannot be used or is difficult to use because of the work of its own department.

  As a related technique, a method has been proposed in which charging is performed on a sender when receiving a mail (see Patent Document 1). However, it is also changed for the sender who cannot change the charge.

Further, as one of the telephone services, a collect call in which a call charge is exchanged with the other party of the call is conventionally performed. However, this requires that the user contact the operator and specify the replacement destination verbally. In this way, the replacement destination must be explained verbally, which is inconvenient.
JP-A-5-268216

  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a processing execution device, a processing execution method, a processing execution program, a processing amount management device, and a processing amount management program capable of improving usability. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the processing execution apparatus according to claim 1 is an input unit that inputs information relating to a destination to which a processing amount of a predetermined process is changed, an execution unit that executes the predetermined process, and the execution Counting means for counting the processing amount of the predetermined processing by execution of the means, and communication for transmitting the processing amount calculated by the counting means to the replacement destination based on the information regarding the replacement destination input by the input means Means.

  That is, the input means inputs information related to a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined process is to be changed. Note that the information regarding the replacement destination is not limited to the information about the replacement destination, but can be information that can identify the replacement destination.

  The execution means executes a predetermined process, and the counting means counts the processing amount of the predetermined process by the execution means. The communication unit transmits the processing amount calculated by the counting unit to the replacement destination based on the information regarding the replacement destination input by the input unit.

  In this way, if information related to a destination for changing the processing amount of a predetermined process is input, the processing amount is automatically transmitted to the destination, so that the usability can be improved.

  By the way, as the predetermined process, for example, a print process for printing an image on a printing medium can be used as in claim 2. In this case, the processing amount is the number of print media on which images are formed by the execution unit.

  The predetermined process is not limited to the printing process, and for example, a facsimile transmission process for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document or the like can be similarly applied. In this case, the processing amount can be the number of read originals or the time required for transmission.

  By the way, if the replacement of the processing amount as described above is abused, the economic loss of the transmission destination becomes great. Therefore, as in claim 3, the input means further inputs authentication information, and the communication means transmits the authentication information input by the input means to a predetermined authentication processing execution device, and authentication is performed from the authentication processing execution device. The execution unit may receive the result, and the execution unit may execute the predetermined process based on the authentication result received by the communication unit.

  Note that the authentication processing execution apparatus may be the above-described replacement destination apparatus, not the replacement destination, and may be, for example, a processing amount management apparatus that manages a processing amount.

  Moreover, it may not be preferable to allow an unlimited amount of processing to be replaced. Therefore, as in claim 4, the communication means receives the upper limit value of the processing amount of the predetermined process, and the execution means executes the predetermined process within the range of the upper limit value received by the communication means. Good.

  For example, an upper limit value is determined in advance based on the information about the input replacement destination and the authentication information, and is stored in the replacement destination apparatus or the processing amount management apparatus. Such devices are communicated to receive the upper limit value as described above.

  Furthermore, there are cases where it is desirable to separate the execution of processing for work and private use. Therefore, as in claim 5, the input means selectively inputs information of either the transmission mode for transmitting the processing amount or the non-transmission mode for not transmitting, and the communication means receives the information on the transmission mode by the input means. When input, the counted processing amount may be transmitted to the replacement destination. Note that when non-transmission mode information is input, the execution apparatus may not execute or may execute the information, but do not replace it (do not transmit the processing amount to the destination). May be.

  A processing execution device according to a sixth aspect of the invention (the replacement destination) includes a communication unit that receives the processing amount from the processing execution device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and a predetermined process. Executing means for executing the processing, counting means for counting the processing amount of the predetermined processing by the executing means, processing amount coefficientd by the counting means, and management means for managing the processing amount received by the communication means And.

  That is, the communication unit receives the processing amount from the processing execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

  Note that this replacement destination apparatus also includes execution means for executing predetermined processing and counting means for counting the amount of processing of the predetermined processing by the execution means.

  Then, the management unit manages the processing amount calculated by the counting unit and the processing amount received by the communication unit. For example, the processing amount coefficientd by the counting means and the processing amount received by the communication means are managed separately, or the processing amount coefficientd by the counting means and the processing amount received by the communication means are added. You may manage it.

  As described above, since the processing amount received from the processing execution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is managed at the replacement destination, the processing amount can be collectively managed at the replacement destination. Can be effective.

  By the way, in the invention described above, the processing amount is transmitted to the replacement destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be transmitted to a place different from the replacement destination as follows. Good.

  That is, the processing execution apparatus according to claim 7 is an input unit that inputs information regarding a destination to which a processing amount of a predetermined process is changed, an execution unit that executes the predetermined processing, and a processing amount of the predetermined processing by the execution unit Counting means, and a communication means for designating a replacement destination of the processing amount calculated by the counting means and transmitting it to a predetermined transmission destination.

  In this way, the processing execution device designates the replacement destination and transmits the coefficient processing amount to a predetermined transmission destination, so that the usability can be improved.

  A processing amount management device can be used as the transmission destination. That is, the invention according to claim 8 is a communication unit that receives the processing amount of the predetermined process transmitted from the process execution device that executes the predetermined process, a management unit that manages the processing amount received by the communication unit, A processing amount management apparatus comprising: the processing unit receives the processing amount transmitted by the processing execution device according to claim 7 specified by the replacement destination; and the management unit includes the replacement unit. The processing amount transmitted with the destination specified is transferred to the specified replacement destination and managed.

  As described above, since the processing amount management apparatus performs batch management, the replacement process can be effectively performed.

  In addition, since invention of Claim 9-16 and Claim 17-24 has the effect | action and effect similar to invention of Claim 1-8, respectively, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As described above, the present invention automatically improves the usability because the processing amount is automatically transmitted to the replacement destination or the predetermined transmission destination when the information regarding the replacement destination of the processing amount of the predetermined processing is input. .

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, a convenience store (hereinafter referred to as a convenience store) 10 includes a printer 20 and a communication terminal 22 as communication means. The printer 20 and the communication terminal 22 constitute a processing execution device. The printer 20 and the communication terminal 22 are not limited to being provided separately, and may be realized as one device.

  The communication terminal 22 of the convenience store 10 is connected to the processing execution device 24 of the A office 12, the processing execution device 26 of the B office 14, and the authentication processing execution device 28 in the server system 16 via the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 20 includes a CPU 30, a ROM 34, a RAM 36, a printing unit 38 as an execution unit, an input unit 40 as an input unit, a display unit 42, and an interface (I / F) connected to the communication terminal 22. 44 are connected to each other via a bus 46. The communication terminal 22 is configured by a personal computer. The communication terminal 22 includes a communication unit for connecting to the Internet.

  The processing execution device 24 and the B operation processing execution device 26 in the A office 12 have the same configuration as the printer 20 and the communication terminal 22 provided in the convenience store 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the authentication processing execution device 28 is configured by connecting a CPU 52, ROM 54, RAM 56, interface (I / F) 58, and storage device 60 to each other via a bus 62.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the storage device 60 stores an authentication information management table. In the authentication information management table, the office, name, registration information (ID), password, and replacement destination are stored correspondingly. That is, for example, the name XXX is assigned to the office A, 0001 is assigned as the registration information ID, and ***** is assigned as the password. Since the name XXXXX originally belongs to the A office, the replacement destination described later is assigned A 1, that is, the processing execution device 24 of the A office 12. The specific configuration content of the authentication information management table can be changed.

  The printer 20 stores a process management table (see FIG. 5). The processing management table includes an area R1 for storing the total number of sheets printed by the printer 20, and an area R2 for accumulating the number of replacement sheets described later. The process execution device 24 and the B site process execution device 26 in the A office 12 also store this process management table.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. An example in which the user identified by the name XXX is using the printer 20 provided in the convenience store 10 will be described.

  First, when a start button (not shown) in the input unit 40 of the printer 20 is turned on, a display for inquiring whether the print mode is a public print mode or a private print mode is displayed on the display unit 42. The user selects either the public print mode or the private print mode according to his / her purpose and touches the display unit. When the display unit is touched in such a state, the main routine shown in FIG. 6 is started, and it is determined in step 82 whether or not the printing is for official use.

  If the public printing mode is selected, an affirmative determination is made in step 82, and the public printing process is executed in step 84. If the private print mode is selected, a negative determination is made in step 82, and in step 86, a private print process, which is a print process similar to the conventional one, is executed.

  Next, the official printing process in step 84 of FIG. 6 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, the public printing process inputs authentication information in step 102. That is, for example, the user with the name XXX is input the ID (0001) and the password (***) as the authentication information via the input unit 40.

  When the authentication information is input, the authentication information is transmitted to the authentication processing execution device 28 in step 104. The authentication processing execution device 28 receives the authentication information, determines whether the corresponding information is stored in the authentication information management table (see FIG. 4), and if it is determined that the corresponding information is stored, Send permission signal. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information corresponding to the authentication information management table is not stored, the authentication processing execution device 28 outputs a non-permission signal.

In step 106 in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the permission signal is received from the authentication processing execution device 28. If it is determined that the permission signal has not been received, in step 112, a message to that effect is displayed. Display a message and exit this program.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the permission signal has been received from the authentication processing execution device 28, the printing process is executed in step 108. In the next step 110, the number of printed sheets is transmitted to the replacement destination.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, since the replacement destination of what is identified by the name XXX is set to A1, the processing execution device 24 at the A office 12 identified by the replacement destination A1 The number of printed sheets, which is the processing amount of the printing process executed in 108, is transmitted.

  As a result, the number of printed sheets is input to the processing execution device 24 of the A office 12, and the processing execution device 24 starts the program shown in FIG. 8, and the processing execution device 24 uses the processing amount management table (see FIG. 5). ) Increase the number of replacements by the received replacement amount.

  By the way, charging for printing is performed as follows. That is, the store clerk at the convenience store turns on a predetermined print button of the printer 20. Thereby, the information of the processing amount management table stored in the printer 20 is printed. Therefore, the store clerk at the convenience store can recognize the cumulative number of printed sheets and the number of replacement sheets. Therefore, the store clerk at the convenience store reports the number of prints obtained by subtracting the number of replacement sheets from the cumulative number of prints.

  On the other hand, in the processing execution device 24 of the replacement destination, for example, the A office 12, the attendant turns on a predetermined print button in the processing execution device 24. Thereby, the information of the processing amount management table stored in the processing execution device 24 is printed. Therefore, the clerk can recognize the cumulative number of printed sheets and the number of replacement sheets. Therefore, the clerk reports the total number obtained by adding the cumulative number of printed sheets and the number of replacement sheets to the billing destination.

  In the above description, the clerk or the attendant himself / herself individually corresponds to the billing destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer 20 and the communication terminal 22, and the processing execution devices 24 and 26 are automatically performed. You may make it perform the said calculation and transmit a calculation result to an accounting destination.

  Incidentally, an upper limit value of the number of replacement sheets may be set for each user. That is, the upper limit value of the replacement amount per month is stored for each user in the authentication information management table shown in FIG. This upper limit value is subtracted every month when it is replaced in units of one month.

  In the printing process (step 108 (see FIG. 7)), the process shown in FIG. 9 may be executed. That is, in step 122, the number of replaceable sheets is displayed on the display unit 42, and in step 124, a printing process is executed to determine whether the number of printed sheets has reached the number of replaceable sheets. If it is determined that the printing process has not been reached, it is determined in step 132 whether or not the printing process has been completed. If it is determined that the printing process has not been completed, the process returns to step 124. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of printed sheets has reached the replaceable number, the display unit 42 displays that the number of printed sheets has reached the replaceable number in step 128, and the printing process is stopped in step 130. End this program. When the printing process is completed, that is, when the designated number of sheets is printed, the process proceeds to step 130.

  By the way, in the example, the case where the printer 20 in the convenience store 10 is used has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a user belonging to the A office visits the B office, The processing shown in the above examples (the processing shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9) may also be executed when the business processing execution device 26 is used.

  In each example described above, the user manually inputs ID (0001) and password (****) as authentication information via the input unit 40. The present invention is not limited to this, and a reader is provided that reads a card in which ID (0001) and password (***) are stored. The user causes the reader to read his / her card, and An ID (0001) and a password (***) may be input.

  In each of the above examples, the processing amount (number of replacements) is transmitted to the replacement destination. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and from the printer 20 and the communication terminal 22 and the processing execution devices 24 and 26. The replacement destination may be designated and transmitted to the charging apparatus (centralized management apparatus), and the charging apparatus (centralized management apparatus) may add the replacement amount for each specified replacement destination and perform the above charging.

  In each of the above examples, the processing amount is the number of printed sheets. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a facsimile transmission process for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document or the like is similarly applied. can do. In this case, the processing amount can be the number of read originals or the time required for transmission.

It is a block diagram of a process execution system. It is a block diagram of a printer and a communication terminal. It is a block diagram of an authentication process execution apparatus. It is a figure which shows an authentication information management table. It is a figure which shows a processing amount management table. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine executed by the printer 20. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of step 38 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the program which a process execution apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of step 108 of FIG. 7 in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

20 Printer (Processing execution device)
22 Communication terminal (Processing execution device)
24, 26 processing execution device

Claims (24)

An input means for inputting information regarding a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined process is to be replaced;
Execution means for executing the predetermined process;
Counting means for counting the processing amount of the predetermined process by execution of the execution means;
Communication means for transmitting the processing amount counted by the counting means to the replacement destination based on information about the replacement destination input by the input means;
A processing execution apparatus comprising: The predetermined process is a print process for printing an image on a print medium;
The processing amount is the number of print media on which images are formed by the execution unit.
The processing execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The input means further inputs authentication information,
The communication means transmits authentication information input by the input means to a predetermined authentication processing execution device, receives an authentication result from the authentication processing execution device,
The process execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the predetermined process based on an authentication result received by the communication unit. The communication means receives an upper limit value of the processing amount of the predetermined processing;
The process execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit executes the predetermined process within a range of an upper limit value received by the communication unit. The input means selectively inputs either information of a transmission mode for transmitting the processing amount and a non-transmission mode for not transmitting,
The processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication unit transmits the counted processing amount to the replacement destination when transmission mode information is input by the input unit. Execution device. Communication means for receiving the processing amount from the processing execution apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Execution means for executing predetermined processing;
Counting means for counting the processing amount of the predetermined process by the execution means;
Management means for managing the processing amount counted by the counting means and the processing amount received by the communication means;
A processing execution apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting information regarding a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined process is to be replaced;
Execution means for executing the predetermined process;
Counting means for counting the processing amount of the predetermined process by the execution means;
A communication unit that designates a replacement destination for the processing amount counted by the counting unit and transmits the processing amount to a predetermined transmission destination;
A processing execution apparatus comprising: A communication means for receiving the processing amount of the predetermined process transmitted from the process execution device for executing the predetermined process;
Management means for managing the amount of processing received by the communication means;
A processing amount management apparatus comprising:
The communication means receives a processing amount transmitted by designating the replacement destination by the processing execution device according to claim 7,
The management means manages the processing amount transmitted with the replacement destination specified, by replacing it with the specified replacement destination.
A processing amount management apparatus characterized by that. A step of inputting information relating to a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined processing is to be replaced by an input means;
Executing the predetermined process by execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined processing by the execution means by a counting means;
Transmitting the processing amount counted by the counting means to the replacement destination based on the information about the replacement destination input by the input means;
A process execution method comprising: The predetermined process is a print process for printing an image on a print medium;
The processing amount is the number of print media on which images are formed by execution of the execution unit.
The process execution method according to claim 9. In the input step, authentication information is further input,
In the transmission step, the authentication information input by the input means is transmitted to a predetermined authentication process execution device, and an authentication result is received from the authentication process execution device.
The process execution method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, in the execution step, the predetermined process is executed based on an authentication result received by the communication unit. A step of receiving, by the communication means, an upper limit value of the processing amount of the predetermined processing;
The process execution method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, in the execution step, the predetermined process is executed within a range of an upper limit value received by the communication unit. In the input step, information on either the transmission mode for transmitting the processing amount or the non-transmission mode for not transmitting is selectively input,
13. The transmission step according to claim 9, wherein when the transmission mode information is input by the input unit, the counted processing amount is transmitted to the replacement destination. Processing execution method. Receiving the processing amount from the processing execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 by communication means;
Executing predetermined processing by an execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined processing by the execution means by a counting means;
Managing by the management means the processing amount counted by the counting means and the processing amount received by the communication means;
A process execution method comprising: A step of inputting information relating to a replacement destination of a processing amount of a predetermined process by an input means;
Executing the predetermined process by execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined processing by the execution means by a counting means;
A step of transmitting a processing amount counted by the counting unit to a predetermined transmission destination by specifying a replacement destination by the communication unit;
A process execution method comprising: Receiving the processing amount of the predetermined process transmitted from the process execution device for executing the predetermined process by the communication means;
Managing the processing amount received by the communication means by the management means;
A processing amount management method comprising:
In the communication step, the processing execution device according to claim 7 receives the processing amount transmitted by designating the replacement destination,
In the management step, the processing amount transmitted with the replacement destination specified is replaced with the specified replacement destination and managed.
A processing amount management method characterized by the above. A process execution program for causing a computer to execute the following process execution process,
The process execution process is:
A step of inputting information relating to a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined processing is to be replaced by an input means;
Executing the predetermined process by execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined process by the execution of the execution means by a counting means;
Transmitting the processing amount counted by the counting means to the replacement destination based on the information about the replacement destination input by the input means;
A process execution program comprising The predetermined process is a print process for printing an image on a print medium;
The processing amount is the number of print media on which images are formed by the execution unit.
The processing execution program according to claim 17, wherein: In the input step, authentication information is further input,
In the transmission step, the authentication information input by the input means is transmitted to a predetermined authentication process execution device, and an authentication result is received from the authentication process execution device.
The process execution program according to claim 17 or 18, wherein, in the execution step, the predetermined process is executed based on an authentication result received by the communication unit. A step of receiving, by the communication means, an upper limit value of the processing amount of the predetermined processing;
The process execution program according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein, in the execution step, the predetermined process is executed within a range of an upper limit value received by the communication unit. In the input step, information on either the transmission mode for transmitting the processing amount or the non-transmission mode for not transmitting is selectively input,
21. The transmission according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, in the transmission step, when the transmission mode information is input by the input unit, the counted processing amount is transmitted to the replacement destination. Processing execution program. A process execution program for causing a computer to execute the following process execution process,
The process execution process is:
Receiving the processing amount from the processing execution device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 by communication means;
Executing predetermined processing by an execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined processing by the execution means by a counting means;
Managing by the management means the processing amount counted by the counting means and the processing amount received by the communication means;
A process execution program comprising A process execution program for causing a computer to execute the following process execution process,
The process execution process is:
A step of inputting information relating to a destination to which the processing amount of the predetermined processing is to be replaced by an input means;
Executing the predetermined process by execution means;
Counting the amount of the predetermined processing by the execution means by a counting means;
A step of transmitting a processing amount counted by the counting unit to a predetermined transmission destination by specifying a replacement destination by the communication unit;
A process execution program comprising A processing amount management program for causing a computer to execute the following processing amount management processing,
The throughput management process includes:
Receiving the processing amount of the predetermined process transmitted from the process execution device for executing the predetermined process by the communication means;
Managing the processing amount received by the communication means by the management means;
With
In the communication step, the processing execution device according to claim 7 receives the processing amount transmitted by designating the replacement destination,
In the management step, the processing amount transmitted with the replacement destination specified is replaced with the specified replacement destination and managed.
A processing amount management program characterized by that.

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