JP2007026114A - Charging device and charging method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform charging from a contactless medium with high precision by controlling operations of jobs for charging and providing service and the timing of the charging. <P>SOLUTION: A hybrid machine once detecting an IC card generates an ID for identifying a charging unit, saves it on the IC card, and performs charging in charging units. When service in the charging units is successful, IDs stored in the hybrid machine itself and the IC card are erased. When processing is interrupted halfway, an old ID is left on the IC card, so that the hybrid machine recognizes the occurrence of an abnormality and the interruption of the processing when detecting the same IC card, and can perform abnormality repair processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a billing apparatus and billing method for billing a user who has enjoyed a service, and a computer program. In particular, the present invention uses a service providing apparatus in an unattended environment such as a multifunction machine installed in a convenience store. The present invention relates to a charging apparatus and a charging method for charging a user for a service, and a computer program.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-contact medium such as an IC card in a service providing apparatus in which an operation procedure for starting a service after collecting a charge is introduced, such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging apparatus, a charging method, and a computer program for charging from recorded value information, and in particular, by controlling the operation of a job for executing charging and service, and the timing of charging with high accuracy from a non-contact medium. The present invention relates to a charging apparatus, a charging method, and a computer program.

  In recent years, sales of goods and provision of printed materials in an unattended environment, such as vending machines installed on the street, ticket machines at stations, etc., copying machines, facsimile transceivers, and multifunction machines installed in convenience stores Service providing apparatuses that perform services such as the above and charge users for a fee are widely used. As a form of collecting a fee from a user in this type of unattended environment, there are a cash collection by a coin kit and a collection by a prepaid card.

  In the case of a vending machine or a ticket vending machine, the charge is determined when the user selects a product or a destination (or fare), and therefore it is easy for the user to become familiar with any charge collection method, that is, a charge method. For example, when a coin kit is used, the charge is reduced with respect to the inserted amount and the change is returned. This is just a replacement of the form of commerce with a coin kit, and almost all users have no sense of incongruity.

  In the case of an image forming service such as a copying machine, a facsimile transmitter / receiver, or a multi-function machine that provides a printed material by operating an image forming process such as copying, the user collects the charge first by charging the fee. Then, the operation procedure of starting the service is introduced. That is, the service cannot be activated unless a fee is collected first, and the fee is not fixed before the service is activated, so the situation differs from vending machines and ticket machines. For example, when a coin kit is used, the service cannot be activated unless a fee is collected first. Further, when a prepaid card is used, a method is known in which the card is taken into the apparatus, a fee corresponding to the provided service is collected, and then the card is returned.

  In recent years, a fee collection system using a non-contact medium represented by an IC card has begun to spread rapidly because of its high tamper resistance in non-contact / proximity communication and ease of operation.

  When applying a system that uses a non-contact medium to collect tolls for trains, passengers always pass through the ticket gate when getting on and off the train. It is possible to collect the minimum fare and collect the difference between the regular fare and the minimum fare when leaving (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In addition, when applied to a vending machine, a user can select a desired product and then hold the non-contact type medium so that the fee can be collected from the non-contact type medium in a state where the fee is fixed.

  In the case of a billing system using an IC card, it is not necessary to carry coins, no change occurs, and it is possible to add value to the service using user information stored in the IC card. There is a feature of high. In addition, from the service provider side, there is an effect of promoting the use of services.

  However, when applying a fee collection system using a non-contact medium to the image forming service, an operation procedure is introduced in which the user collects the fee first and then activates the service. Therefore, since the charge is not fixed before the service is started, it is not possible to collect the charge that is not fixed just by holding it like a non-contact type medium.

  In consideration of the fact that the service being executed has failed due to a failure or abnormality, and there is no charge for the service, in the fee collection system such as a coin kit, Since charging is performed after the end of the service by holding in the apparatus, no particular problem occurs. On the other hand, if a billing system that charges before service execution with an IC card is applied, it is necessary to charge the IC card for the purpose of refunding the collected fee. In order to perform charging reliably, there is a problem that a mechanism for physically mounting an IC card on a service providing apparatus such as a copying machine is required.

  An information processing service system that takes out only customer identification information from an IC card and performs electronic payment through the Internet in order to deal with the problem of correctly refunding the IC card when the execution of the process fails in this way. It has been devised (for example, see Patent Document 3). In this system, when the IC card approaches the copying machine and communication starts, a configuration operation is performed. The copying machine recognizes that the other communication device is an IC card and receives a personal information identifier from the IC card. . Based on this ID information, the copying machine displays a confirmation message on whether or not to use the function on the operation unit together with the ID information. When the user confirms the message, the copier makes an inquiry to the electronic payment authentication server for authentication of personal information via the Internet. If the result is OK, the copier performs processing for permitting use of the copier.

  According to this information processing service system, it is possible to improve the convenience by eliminating physical operations such as the user inserting money or inserting a card. However, in order to use this service, the user needs to make a contract with a financial institution or service provider and register customer information in advance. There is a sense of resistance, which can be a barrier to the introduction of services. Further, there is a problem that electronic payment cannot be performed unless a device that provides services such as a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, and a vending machine is connected to the Internet, and there is a restriction on the installation location of the device.

JP-A-6-96318 JP-A-8-242930 JP 2002-132726 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent charging apparatus and charging method capable of accurately charging a service charge to a user who uses a service providing apparatus in an unattended environment such as a multifunction machine installed in a convenience store. And providing a computer program.

  A further object of the present invention is to record on a non-contact medium such as an IC card in a service providing apparatus in which an operation procedure of starting a service after collecting a charge first is introduced, such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral. It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent charging apparatus, charging method, and computer program capable of accurately charging from the obtained value information.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent charging apparatus and charging method, and a computer capable of charging with high accuracy from a non-contact medium by controlling the operation of the job for executing charging and service and the timing of charging.・ To provide a program.

  A further object of the present invention is to charge a service using an IC card in a service in which an operation procedure of starting a service after collecting a charge first, such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine, is introduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent charging apparatus, charging method, and computer program capable of correctly refunding an IC card when processing execution fails.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a charging device that charges a fee for a service provided in a service providing device, which is owned by a user of the service. Non-contact medium read / write means for performing read / write operations on a non-contact medium storing a token equivalent to cash, and charging for controlling an operation for charging a service used by a user from a token stored in the non-contact medium An operation control means, wherein the service providing means provides a service for each predetermined charging unit, and the charging operation control means identifies each non-contact medium when a non-contact medium possessed by a service user is recognized. A charging device that generates information and charges a charging unit from a non-contact medium.

  The charging operation control means stores the charging unit identification information in the contactless medium when charging the charging unit from the contactless medium, and when the service is successfully executed, the service user's contactless medium The corresponding identification information is erased from. The identification information may be encrypted when the identification information of the billing unit is stored in the contactless medium.

  Further, when the service providing device fails to execute the service, the charging operation control means charges the charging unit already charged from the contactless medium of the user of the service to the contactless medium, The corresponding identification information is erased from.

  Therefore, any identification information remaining in the user's non-contact medium means that the process has been interrupted due to an abnormality occurring during the previous service execution or the accompanying billing process.

  In such a case, the charging operation control means stores the processing status of the corresponding service for each identification information, so that the identification information is left in the non-contact medium recognized by the non-contact medium read / write means. In this case, it is possible to repair an abnormality that occurred during the transaction with the non-contact medium by continuously executing the processing of the corresponding service.

  In other words, when the identification information remains in the newly recognized non-contact medium, the billing device can investigate at which point in the processing procedure the abnormality occurred, continue the billing process again, It is possible to perform an abnormality repair process by refunding the charge for a service that has been executed.

  For example, the billing operation control means may be configured in a situation where the processing of the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the non-contact medium has been successfully executed, but the deletion process of the identification information from the non-contact medium has been interrupted. In some cases, the identification information may be erased from the non-contact medium.

  Further, the charging operation control means interrupts the process of charging the non-contact medium with the charging unit that has already been charged due to the service execution failing to execute the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the non-contact medium. In such a situation, the charging unit may be charged to the non-contact medium and then the identification information may be deleted from the non-contact medium.

  The present invention relates to a charging apparatus for collecting a fee from a user in an unattended environment, and more particularly to a charging apparatus using a non-contact medium such as an IC card.

  A system using a non-contact medium represented by an IC card is rapidly spreading because of its high tamper resistance in non-contact / proximity communication and ease of operation. In the case of a billing system using an IC card, it is not necessary to carry coins, no change occurs, and it is possible to add value to the service using user information stored in the IC card. high. However, there are some inconveniences when applying a fee collection method using a non-contact medium to a system that starts a service after collecting a fee first by a user.

  For example, when a service being executed fails due to a failure or abnormality and no charge is made for the service, it is necessary to charge the IC card for the purpose of refunding the collected fee. In order to perform charging reliably, there is a problem that a mechanism for physically mounting an IC card on a service providing apparatus such as a copying machine is required.

  On the other hand, the billing apparatus according to the present invention charges a service providing apparatus in which an operation procedure of starting a service after collecting a charge first is introduced before executing the service with an IC card. Although a charging method is adopted, an ID is generated for each minimum charging unit of the provided service, and the ID is held by both the IC card and the charging device.

  Therefore, if the process fails, matching of the charging procedure is performed by collating the IDs between the two, and the IC card can be refunded without fail. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform charging with high accuracy from a non-contact medium by controlling the operation of the job for executing charging and service and the timing of charging.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for charging a fee for a service provided by a service providing apparatus on a computer system. The service providing means provides a service for each predetermined charging unit, and generates identification information for each charging unit when the computer system recognizes a non-contact medium possessed by the user of the service. Management of identification information generation procedure, identification information storage procedure for storing the generated identification information in a contactless medium, a charging procedure for charging a charging unit from a contactless medium, and a processing state of a service corresponding to each identification information In response to the completion of the processing status management procedure and the processing related to the service, the identification information is deleted from the non-contact medium. Executes an information erasure procedure and an abnormality repair procedure that erases the identification information after completing the processing of the corresponding service when the identification information remains in the newly recognized contactless medium It is a computer program characterized by making it carry out.

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on a computer system. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention in the computer system, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer system, and the charging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. The same effect can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, in a service providing apparatus in which an operation procedure for starting a service after collecting a charge first is introduced, such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine, the information is recorded on a non-contact medium such as an IC card. It is possible to provide an excellent charging apparatus and charging method, and a computer program capable of accurately charging from the value information.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an excellent charging apparatus and charging method capable of performing charging with high accuracy from a non-contact medium by controlling the operation of the job for executing charging and service and the timing of charging, and A computer program can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when charging is performed using an IC card in a service in which an operation procedure of starting a service after collecting a charge first, such as a copier or a multifunction machine, is introduced. It is possible to provide an excellent charging apparatus, charging method, and computer program capable of correctly refunding an IC card when the execution of the process fails.

  According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to physically mount the IC card on the service providing apparatus in order to perform charging reliably, it is possible to reduce the distrust of the user, and the card accompanying the mounting. Physical wear and wear can be avoided.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

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

  According to the present invention, in a service providing apparatus installed in an unattended environment, charging is performed with good convenience for a user by using a coin kit or an IC card reader. In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking, as an example, a multifunction machine that performs a complex service such as a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a network print function as a service providing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, each part in the apparatus 100 will be described.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 is a central controller that comprehensively controls the operation in the apparatus 100, and controls programs under an execution environment provided by the operating system, such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, and network printing. The main control is performed regarding various service providing operations and billing processing for compensation associated with the service provision. In the present embodiment, the charging process includes an abnormality repair process when the process is interrupted due to the occurrence of an abnormality and the charging process for the IC card is not completed. Details of this point will be described later. The CPU 101 is interconnected with each device in the apparatus 100 via the bus 102.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 103 is composed of a read-only semiconductor memory device, and each control program and fixed data for performing service providing operations such as network printing and billing processing associated with service execution are permanent. Has been written. Of course, the ROM 103 can also be configured using a device capable of electrically rewriting stored data, such as a flash memory, and the program and fixed data may be updated as necessary.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory device, and is used for program operations such as loading a control program to be executed by the CPU 101 from the ROM 102 and temporarily storing work data being executed. Used as system memory. The RAM 104 can be used as a page memory for image processing.

  NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 105 is composed of a rewritable memory such as a flash memory that does not lose its stored contents even in a non-powered state, and includes security data and other nonvolatile data, image quality adjustment, various setting parameters, services Used to store various histories at the time of execution, histories charged for service charges, and the like.

  The HDD 106 is a large-capacity external storage device composed of a magnetic recording type fixed disk. The HDD 106 stores image data read from a document, stores various histories at the time of service execution, and further installs a program to be executed by the CPU 101. Used to do.

  The image processing unit 107 performs various kinds of image processing such as expansion / compression processing and image quality adjustment on image data read from a document or image data downloaded via a network.

  The multi-function device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a display unit 110 including a liquid crystal display as a user interface 109 and a hardware key such as a start / stop / ten key (or a touch panel that also functions as the display unit 110). A unit 111 is provided, and these are connected to the bus 102 via a UI interface. However, the CPU 101 may be configured to directly control the user interface 109 without using the UI interface 108.

  Various external devices and network interfaces are bus-connected via the communication interface 112.

  The LAN interface 113 connects the MFP 100 to the network according to a predetermined protocol such as 10/1000 Base-T. A wireless LAN can also be included.

  The MFP 100 according to the present embodiment can connect to an external network such as the Internet through a LAN and access a desired information resource. In addition, the multifunction device 100 can perform various services such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, content search and other content processing, and network printing from a personal computer (PC) or a portable terminal (none of which is shown) used by the user. The service can be executed according to the instruction received by receiving the instruction defining the contents.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment is equipped with an IC card read / write device to perform non-contact / short-range communication with the IC card, and is connected to the bus 102 via the RS232C or other serial interface 114. ing.

  Between the IC card and the IC card read / write device, non-contact and short-distance communication is carried out while maintaining high tamper resistance through a predetermined mutual authentication process on a transmission path using electromagnetic coupling, electromagnetic induction, or radio wave communication. be able to. However, since the non-contact communication method using an IC card itself is not directly related to the gist of the present invention, it will not be further described here. In this embodiment, the MFP 100 charges for the service from the IC card or charges the IC card. This will be described in detail later.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 115 conforms to, for example, USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, and can be used when locally connected to a personal computer or the like.

  A modem 116 is a modem that performs mutual conversion between signals on the computer and signals on the public line. The modem 116 connects to a public line such as a facsimile, and performs normal facsimile transmission / reception, time designation transmission, and the like. Provides various facsimile functions.

  The coin kit 117 has a receiving port for receiving cash such as coins and banknotes, a cash storage unit for storing the cash inserted through the receiving port, a counter for the amount charged and collected after counting the amount of the input and the remaining amount And a display unit for displaying the remaining amount.

  The device interface 118 is composed of, for example, RS422, and implements an interface protocol for connecting various devices constituting the multi-function peripheral 100 to the bus 102.

  Examples of the devices constituting the multifunction peripheral include a reading device unit 119 that reads an image from a document, and a printing device unit 120 that prints and outputs an image on a sheet.

  The reading device unit 119 is generally configured by a combination of a platen on which a document is placed and a scan for reading an image, and may be an automatic document reading device. The read image is appropriately subjected to image processing in the image processing unit 107 and output to the printing apparatus unit 120 or stored in the HDD 106.

  The printing apparatus unit 120 includes, for example, an electrophotographic print engine unit. The electrophotographic process includes a plurality of sub-processes such as charging of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, exposure of a scanned original image, development, that is, toner superimposition on the photosensitive member, toner transfer and fixing on a sheet, and cleaning of the photosensitive member. However, the configuration of the print engine itself is not directly related to the gist of the present invention and will not be described further here.

  The multifunction device 100 is installed in, for example, a convenience store, and is used for unspecified users in an unattended environment. As means for collecting charges from the user in an unattended environment, for example, a coin kit 117 and a card read / write device can be used in combination. However, the following description will focus on the case where a fee collection system using a non-contact medium such as an IC card is applied.

  As in the conventional image forming service, the MFP 100 has an operation procedure in which the service is collected after the user has charged a fee and then the service is activated. For this reason, a billing system is adopted in which billing is performed before service execution with an IC card.

  In the case of such a billing method, for example, when a service being executed fails due to a failure or abnormality, and the service is not charged, the IC card is charged for the purpose of refunding the collected fee. There is a need to. In order to perform charging reliably, there is a problem that a mechanism for physically mounting an IC card on a service providing apparatus such as a copying machine is required.

  On the other hand, the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment generates an ID for each minimum charging unit of the service to be provided, and holds the ID in both the IC card and the charging apparatus, so the processing has failed. In some cases, matching the billing procedure by collating the IDs between the two makes it possible to refund the IC card without fail.

  FIG. 2 shows a processing procedure in the case of using the service of the multifunction device 100 using an IC card in the form of a flowchart. This processing operation is actually realized in a form in which the CPU 101 in the multifunction peripheral 100 loads a predetermined control program stored in the ROM 103 onto the RAM 104 and executes it. In addition, the multifunction peripheral 100 can perform the service continuously, but in the following description, it is assumed that the service is executed for each predetermined charging unit.

  First, if a user's non-contact IC card is found through the IC card read / write device (step S1), a connection with the IC card is established.

  Note that access to the IC card requires procedures such as mutual authentication processing between the IC card and the card read / write device and establishment of a connection in non-contact communication, which are not directly related to the gist of the present invention. Then, explanation is omitted.

  Subsequently, it is checked whether or not an old ID remains in the IC card (step S2).

  If any ID remains in the IC card, it means that an abnormality has occurred in the middle of the previous service execution or the accompanying billing process, and the process was interrupted. In this case, it is necessary to continue the billing process again or perform an abnormality repair process for refunding the billing of the service that has not been executed. The details of the processing operation in this case will be described later.

  If the old ID does not remain in the recognized IC card (or the abnormal repair process for the old ID is completed), an ID that can uniquely identify the accounting unit is issued (step S3). This ID is stored in the MFP 100 in association with the accounting unit, and is notified to the IC card and written in a predetermined memory area in the IC card (step S4). Then, charging processing, that is, subtraction of the token of the charging unit from the IC card is performed (step S5). At this time, the ID written in the memory area of the IC card may be encrypted with the encryption key held in the ROM 103 or the HDD 106.

  When a service request from the user is generated (step S6), a service corresponding to the billing unit is executed (step S7).

  The service mentioned here is a service that can be provided by the multi-function peripheral 100 such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, and network printing. For example, the user can instruct the content of the requested service via the operation unit 111.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the service of the accounting unit has been successfully executed (step S8).

  If the execution of the service is successful, a notification to that effect is sent to the IC card via the card read / write device (step S9). When this notification is successful (step S10), the terminal itself deletes the ID in the accounting unit and also deletes the ID on the IC card (step S11), and ends the processing routine.

  On the other hand, when the service success notification fails due to reasons such as the IC card being unrecognizable, the user associates the ID corresponding to the accounting unit with this state (that is, the service execution was successful but the notification failed). (Step S12), and this processing routine ends.

  If the execution of the service fails (step S8), a notification to that effect is sent to the IC card via the card read / write device (step S13).

  If this service failure notification is successful (step S14), the amount charged from the IC card in step S5 is refunded or charged (step S15). Then, the CPU itself deletes the ID corresponding to the charging unit, and also deletes the ID on the IC card (step S16), and ends this processing routine.

  On the other hand, if the service failure notification also fails, it stores the ID in the accounting unit in association with this state (that is, the service execution failed and the notification failed) (step S17), and this processing routine is executed. finish.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality repair process performed when an old ID remains in the IC card. This processing operation is actually realized in a form in which the CPU 101 in the multifunction peripheral 100 loads a predetermined control program stored in the ROM 103 onto the RAM 104 and executes it.

  First, if the user's contactless IC card is found via the IC card read / write device (step S21), a connection with the IC card is established. Access to the IC card requires procedures such as mutual authentication processing between the IC card and the card read / write device and establishment of a connection in non-contact communication. However, these are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and are described here. Is omitted.

  Subsequently, it is checked whether an old ID remains in the newly recognized IC card (step S22). The remaining ID means that the process has been interrupted due to an abnormality occurring during the previous service execution or billing process. In this case, it is necessary to carry out an abnormality repair process that continues the billing process again or refunds the charge of the service that has not been executed. At this time, if the old ID remaining in the IC card is encrypted, it may be decrypted with the decryption key held in the ROM 103 or the HDD 106. In the symmetric key cryptosystem, this decryption key is the same key as the encryption key, and in the asymmetric key cryptosystem, a key that is mathematically calculated asymmetrically with the encryption key is used.

  If the old ID remains, the processing status of the service for the corresponding charging unit that is stored with the ID is checked (step S23).

  If the processing in the billing unit has been completed normally, the IC card is notified again of the successful execution of the service (step S24), and the device itself erases the ID in the billing unit and stores it on the IC card. Is also deleted (step S25), and this processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the processing in the accounting unit has not been completed normally, the IC card is notified again that the service execution has failed (step S26). Then, in order to execute a service as a charging unit, the amount previously charged from the IC card is refunded, that is, charged (step S27). Then, the user deletes the ID in the accounting unit and also deletes the ID on the IC card (step S28), and ends the processing routine.

  FIG. 4 shows an operation sequence when the service of the multifunction peripheral 100 is used using an IC card. In the example shown in the figure, the service serving as a charging unit has been successfully executed without any abnormality. However, it is assumed that the multifunction peripheral 100 executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS.

  When the multifunction peripheral 100 finds the user's non-contact IC card via the IC card read / write device, the MFP 100 establishes a connection with the IC card and issues an ID that can uniquely identify the accounting unit.

  The multi-function device 100 stores the ID in association with the charging unit and notifies the IC card of the ID and requests a service fee as a charging unit.

  The IC card side receives the ID notification and saves it in a predetermined area of the memory in the card, and subtracts the charge equivalent amount from the token held in response to the charge request, and sends a charge completion notification to the multifunction device 100 side. return.

  In response to the notification of charging completion, the multi-function device 100 executes processing in units of charging for the service requested by the user.

  When the process execution of the service ends, the multi-function device 100 sends a process end notification to the IC card with an ID corresponding to the charging unit.

  In response to the processing end notification, the IC card deletes the ID from the card memory. In addition, the MFP 100 also deletes the ID.

  In FIG. 5, when using the service of the MFP 100 using an IC card, the process fails during service execution, and the MFP 100 receives an abnormal termination and refunds the charge to the IC card. The operation | movement sequence is shown. However, it is assumed that the multifunction peripheral 100 executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS.

  When the multifunction peripheral 100 finds the user's non-contact IC card via the IC card read / write device, the MFP 100 establishes a connection with the IC card and issues an ID that can uniquely identify the accounting unit.

  The multi-function device 100 stores the ID in association with the charging unit and notifies the IC card of the ID and requests a service fee as a charging unit.

  The IC card side receives the ID notification and saves it in a predetermined area of the memory in the card, and subtracts the charge equivalent amount from the token held in response to the charge request, and sends a charge completion notification to the multifunction device 100 side. return.

  In response to the notification of charging completion, the multi-function device 100 executes processing in units of charging for the service requested by the user.

  Here, if the service process execution fails, the multi-function device 100 sends an abnormal termination notification with an ID corresponding to the charging unit to the IC card, and refunds or charges the amount charged in advance from the IC card. .

  Then, the IC card returns the charge completion notification with the ID corresponding to the charging unit, and erases the ID from the memory in the card. In addition, the MFP 100 also deletes the ID.

  FIG. 6 shows an abnormality in which when the service of the MFP 100 is used using an IC card, the service execution is successful, but the IC card becomes unrecognizable when the IC card is notified of the end of processing. An operation sequence of an abnormality repair process performed upon completion is shown. However, it is assumed that the multifunction peripheral 100 executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS.

  The IC card side receives the ID notification and saves it in a predetermined area of the memory in the card, and subtracts the charge equivalent amount from the token held in response to the charge request, and sends a charge completion notification to the multifunction device 100 side. return.

  In response to the notification of charging completion, the multi-function device 100 executes processing in units of charging for the service requested by the user. When the process execution of the service ends, the multi-function device 100 sends a process end notification to the IC card with an ID corresponding to the charging unit.

  Here, when the process end notification for the IC card fails due to the reason that the IC card cannot be recognized or the like, the old ID remains in both the MFP 100 and the IC card.

  The remaining ID means that the process has been interrupted due to an abnormality occurring during the previous service execution or billing process. In this case, it is necessary to carry out an abnormality repair process that continues the billing process again or refunds the charge of the service that has not been executed.

  In the example of the operation sequence shown in FIG. 6, when the multifunction device 100 can recognize the IC card again, the IC card returns the old ID it possesses to the multifunction device 100 via the card read / write device.

  When the MFP 100 receives the old ID from the IC card, it recognizes that the service execution in the accounting unit has succeeded but the notification has failed. Then, the multi-function device 100 attaches an ID corresponding to the accounting unit to the IC card and sends a processing end notification. In response to the processing end notification, the IC card deletes the ID from the card memory. In addition, the MFP 100 also deletes the ID.

  FIG. 7 shows that when using the service of the MFP 100 using an IC card, the service execution has failed, and the IC card has become unrecognizable when notifying the IC card of abnormal termination. The operation sequence of the abnormality repair process performed upon receipt is shown. However, it is assumed that the multifunction peripheral 100 executes the processing procedure shown in FIGS.

  When the multifunction peripheral 100 finds the user's non-contact IC card via the IC card read / write device, the MFP 100 establishes a connection with the IC card and issues an ID that can uniquely identify the accounting unit.

  The multi-function device 100 stores the ID in association with the charging unit and notifies the IC card of the ID and requests a service fee as a charging unit.

  The IC card side receives the ID notification and saves it in a predetermined area of the memory in the card, and subtracts the charge equivalent amount from the token held in response to the charge request, and sends a charge completion notification to the multifunction device 100 side. return.

  In response to the notification of charging completion, the multi-function device 100 executes processing in units of charging for the service requested by the user.

  Here, when the service process execution fails, the multi-function device 100 sends an abnormal termination notification with an ID corresponding to the charging unit to the IC card. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the multifunction peripheral 100 further fails to notify the abnormal termination to the IC card due to reasons such as being unable to recognize the IC card. In this case, the old ID remains in both the multifunction peripheral 100 and the IC card.

  The remaining ID means that the process has been interrupted due to an abnormality occurring during the previous service execution or billing process. In this case, it is necessary to carry out an abnormality repair process that continues the billing process again or refunds the charge of the service that has not been executed.

  In the operation sequence example shown in FIG. 7, when the multifunction device 100 can recognize the IC card again, the IC card returns the old ID it possesses to the multifunction device 100 via the card read / write device.

  When the MFP 100 receives the old ID from the IC card, it recognizes that the service execution in the billing other mark has failed and the abnormal termination notification has also failed. Then, the multifunction device 100 attaches an ID corresponding to the accounting unit to the IC card, sends an abnormal end notification again, and refunds or charges the amount charged in advance from the IC card.

  Then, the IC card returns the charge completion notification with the ID corresponding to the charging unit, and erases the ID from the memory in the card. In addition, the MFP 100 also deletes the ID.

  As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to physically mount the IC card on the service providing apparatus in order to perform charging reliably, the distrust of the user can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to avoid physical wear and wear of the card due to mounting.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the present specification, the embodiment in which the charging apparatus is applied to the image forming apparatus has been mainly described, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. Even in other forms of service providing devices such as vending machines and ticket vending machines, according to the present invention, when an IC card is used for charging, if the execution of the process fails, the IC card is correctly refunded. This can be performed and the convenience of the user can be improved.

  In short, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the description of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims should be taken into consideration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the service of the multifunction peripheral 100 is used using an IC card. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an abnormality repair process performed when an old ID remains in the IC card. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when using the service of the multifunction peripheral 100 using an IC card. FIG. 5 shows an abnormal repair process in which, when using the service of the MFP 100 using an IC card, the process fails during service execution, and the MFP 100 receives an abnormal termination and refunds the charge to the IC card. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement sequence. FIG. 6 shows an abnormal end when the service of the MFP 100 is used using an IC card, but the service execution is successful, but the IC card becomes unrecognizable when the end of processing is notified to the IC card. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement sequence of the abnormality repair process performed by receiving. FIG. 7 shows that when using the service of the MFP 100 using an IC card, the service execution failed and the IC card became unrecognizable when notifying the IC card of abnormal termination. It is the figure which showed the operation | movement sequence of the abnormality repair process performed by this.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... MFP 101 ... CPU
102 ... Bus 103 ... ROM
104 ... RAM
105 ... NVRAM
106 ... HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 107 ... Image processing part 108 ... UI interface 109 ... User interface 110 ... Display part 111 ... Operation part 112 ... Communication interface 113 ... LAN interface 114 ... Serial interface 115 ... USB interface 116 ... Modem 117 ... Coin kit 118 ... Device * Interface 119: Reading device unit 120 ... Printing device unit

Claims (21)

A billing device that charges for a service provided by a service providing device,
A non-contact medium read / write means for performing a read / write operation on a non-contact medium stored in a token corresponding to cash possessed by a user of the service;
Charging operation control means for controlling an operation for charging a service used by a user from a token stored in a contactless medium;
The service providing means provides a service for each predetermined charging unit,
The charging operation control means generates identification information for each charging unit and charges the charging unit from the non-contact medium when the non-contact medium possessed by the service user is recognized.
An accounting apparatus characterized by the above. The charging operation control means stores the charging unit identification information in the contactless medium when charging the charging unit from the contactless medium.
The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The charging operation control means encrypts the identification information when storing the identification information of the charging unit in the contactless medium.
The charging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The charging operation control means deletes the corresponding identification information from the non-contact medium of the user of the service when the service providing device succeeds in executing the service;
The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the service providing apparatus fails to execute the service, the charging operation control means charges the charging unit already charged from the contactless medium of the user of the service to the contactless medium, and responds from the contactless medium. Delete the identification information
The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The charging operation control means stores a processing state of a corresponding service for each identification information.
The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the identification information is left in the non-contact medium recognized by the non-contact medium reading / writing means, the billing operation control means continues the processing of the corresponding service, and the identification information is displayed after the process is completed. to erase,
The accounting apparatus according to claim 6. The billing operation control means is in a situation where the processing of the service corresponding to the identification information remaining on the non-contact medium has been successfully executed, but the erasure processing of the identification information from the non-contact medium has been interrupted To erase the identification information from the non-contact medium,
The charging apparatus according to claim 7. In the charging operation control means, the processing of the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the non-contact medium has been interrupted, and the process of charging the non-contact medium with the charging unit that has already been charged due to the execution of the service has been suspended If it is a situation, charge the charging unit to the non-contact medium and then delete the identification information from the non-contact medium.
The charging apparatus according to claim 7. A billing method for charging a price for a service provided in a service providing device, wherein the service providing means provides a service for each predetermined charging unit,
An identification information generation step for generating identification information for each charging unit when a non-contact medium possessed by a user of the service is recognized;
An identification information storing step for storing the generated identification information in a non-contact medium;
A billing step of charging a billing unit from a contactless medium;
A billing method comprising: In the identification information storing step, the identification information is encrypted when the identification information of the charging unit is stored in the contactless medium.
The charging method according to claim 10. An identification information erasure step of erasing the corresponding identification information from the non-contact medium of the user of the service when the service providing device succeeds in executing the service;
The charging method according to claim 10. When the service providing apparatus fails to execute the service, the charge unit already charged from the non-contact medium of the user of the service is charged to the non-contact medium and the corresponding identification information is erased from the non-contact medium Further comprising steps,
The charging method according to claim 10. A processing state management step for managing the processing state of the corresponding service for each identification information;
The charging method according to claim 10. When the identification information remains in the newly recognized non-contact medium, it further includes an abnormality repair processing step of continuing the processing of the corresponding service and deleting the identification information after the processing is completed.
The charging method according to claim 10. When the process for the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the newly recognized non-contact medium has been successfully executed, but the deletion process of the identification information from the non-contact medium has been interrupted Deletes the identification information from the non-contact medium in the abnormality repair processing step,
The charging method according to claim 15. A situation in which the processing for the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the newly recognized contactless medium has been interrupted due to the execution of the service failing and charging the already charged billing unit to the contactless medium If this is the case, the charging unit is charged to the non-contact medium, and then the identification information is deleted from the non-contact medium.
The charging method according to claim 15. A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute a process for charging a price of a service provided in a service providing apparatus on a computer system, wherein the service providing means is provided for each predetermined charging unit. Service to the computer system,
An identification information generation procedure for generating identification information for each charging unit when a non-contact medium possessed by a service user is recognized;
An identification information storage procedure for storing the generated identification information in a non-contact medium;
A billing procedure for charging a billing unit from a contactless medium;
A processing state management procedure for managing the processing state of the corresponding service for each identification information;
In response to the completion of processing related to the service, the identification information erasure procedure for erasing the corresponding identification information from the non-contact medium,
When the identification information remains in the newly recognized non-contact medium, the abnormality repair processing procedure for erasing the identification information after continuing the processing of the corresponding service and completing the processing;
A computer program for executing In the identification information storing procedure, the identification information is encrypted when storing the identification information of the charging unit in the contactless medium.
The computer program according to claim 18. In the identification information erasure procedure, when the service providing device succeeds in executing the service, the corresponding identification information is erased from the contactless medium of the user of the service,
In the abnormality repair processing procedure, the processing of the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the newly recognized non-contact medium has been successfully executed, but the deletion process of the identification information from the non-contact medium is interrupted. The identification information is erased from the non-contact medium
The computer program according to claim 18. In the identification information erasing procedure, when the service providing apparatus fails to execute the service, the charging unit already charged from the non-contact medium of the user of the service is charged to the non-contact medium, and then the non-contact medium is used. Delete the corresponding identification information,
In the abnormality repair processing procedure, the process of the service corresponding to the identification information remaining in the newly recognized non-contact medium charges the non-contact medium with the billing unit that has already been charged due to the service execution failure. Is deleted from the non-contact medium after charging the non-contact medium with a charge unit,
The computer program according to claim 18.

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