JP2007096818A - Job execution device, job execution method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably cope with an abnormality that an estimated amount calculated beforehand cannot be guaranteed. <P>SOLUTION: While this job execution device calculates the estimated amount of a charge accompanied by the execution of a job requested from a user beforehand, presents it to the user, collects it from the user and activates the job, in preparation for the occurrence of an abnormality that a prior estimated amount cannot be guaranteed in such a manner, it simply registers action after the occurrence of the abnormality intended by the user in a service providing device by a service unit. When the abnormality that the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed occurs while the service providing device provides a service, the intervention of the user is reduced and processing desired by the user is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a job execution apparatus, a job execution method, and a computer program in which an operation procedure for executing a job and collecting a charge for the job is introduced, such as a network printer or a multifunction copying machine. In particular, the present invention relates to a job execution apparatus, a job execution method, and a computer program to which a prior estimate calculation is applied with respect to a fee charged when a service is provided along with job execution.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a job execution apparatus, a job execution method, and a computer program that deal with an abnormality that a prior estimate cannot be guaranteed, and more particularly, to the abnormality that a prior estimate cannot be guaranteed. The present invention relates to a job execution apparatus, a job execution method, and a computer program that execute a process desired by a user while reducing user intervention.

  It has been a long time since image forming services such as copying, printing, and facsimile transmission have become established in society at convenience stores and print labs. Recently, a variety of services have been provided using job execution devices such as network printers and multi-function copiers.

  Since this type of job execution apparatus is installed in an unattended environment, an operation procedure is generally introduced in which a user puts cash into a coin kit and collects a fee before starting the service. Recently, there is an increasing number of cases where a user estimates a fee and informs the user before executing image formation.

  From the user's standpoint, there is a desire to obtain an estimate of the fee charged at the time of service execution accompanying job execution in order to obtain printed materials quickly and inexpensively. When there are a plurality of businesses that provide image forming services, it is possible to place an order at a business or store that is more suitable in terms of fees and location by comparing the estimated fees of each business.

  For example, a user terminal requesting image formation requests an image forming process based on the image forming specification and selection information corresponding to the specification via a network, and a charging device installed on the network responds to this request. An image forming system that calculates the current image forming fee corresponding to the required specification selection information has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the system, an estimated amount according to the user's specification selection is presented, so that the user can determine whether or not to execute image formation after grasping the image formation fee.

  However, there is a problem that the estimated amount calculated in advance is not necessarily guaranteed. For example, when a parameter abnormality related to charging, such as running out of paper or toner, occurs during image output, the image output can be continued if the parameter is changed to an alternative value, but the fee is the estimated amount presented in advance. It will change. As for the image forming apparatus, since an operation procedure of collecting a charge first and then starting a job has been introduced (described above), if the user cannot be assured of the payment of the charge, a job, that is, an image output Is not implemented.

  If the user goes to the installation location and puts cash into the coin kit like a copier, when the actual fee exceeds the estimate, the user can continue the job depending on whether or not to put more cash. You can direct instructions. On the other hand, in the case of network printers and multi-function copiers, when the user is absent and an abnormality occurs in which the charge exceeds the estimated amount during image output, the user instructs the subsequent behavior. There is no way to do it.

  For example, a proposal has been made for a print system that prevents trouble related to a charge by calculating a charge for the received PDL data, calculating an expected charge, and confirming it to the user (for example, , See Patent Document 2). However, in this system, the expected fee is notified to the user, and the upper limit is set in advance. When the upper limit is exceeded, the operation of the printer is stopped. The job cannot be continued as intended by the user.

  Also, in a multi-function copying machine that can provide various services, for example, a content download that combines a job of downloading desired content from an external content server and a job of outputting the downloaded content as an image, etc. Multiple jobs can be requested. In such a case, if an abnormality exceeding the estimated amount occurs, simply stopping the job will cause the user to lose the purchased content or the history of purchasing the content. You will suffer a disadvantage.

JP 2003-67832 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-20957

  The object of the present invention is to apply an operation procedure for collecting a fee for executing a job and collecting a fee to be charged for the job, such as a network printer or a multi-function copying machine, and to charge a fee charged when the job is executed in advance. It is an object to provide an excellent job execution apparatus, job execution method, and computer program that can be estimated to the following.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent job execution device, job execution method, and computer program that can suitably cope with an abnormality in which an estimated amount calculated in advance cannot be guaranteed.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent job execution device and job execution method capable of executing a process desired by a user by reducing user intervention with respect to an abnormality in which a prior estimate cannot be guaranteed, And providing a computer program.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. The first aspect of the present invention is that job execution means for executing a job requested by a user, and the job execution means for executing a job requested by the user. The estimated amount of charge associated with the execution is calculated in advance based on the charging conditions input at the time of requesting the job, and the estimated amount calculated by the estimated amount of charge calculated by the user Estimated amount presenting means to present, an abnormal processing instruction registering means for registering an abnormal processing instruction describing an abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed during job execution, and a job is started At the time, an abnormality processing instruction to be applied when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected cannot be guaranteed can be specified from those registered in the abnormality processing instruction registration means. And an abnormal processing instruction specified by the abnormal processing instruction specifying means when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during execution of the job by the job executing means cannot be guaranteed. A job execution apparatus comprising an abnormality processing unit that reads out and executes an instructed abnormality processing method.

  The present invention relates to a job execution apparatus represented by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a network printer, and a composite copying machine, in which an operation procedure for executing a job after collecting a fee is introduced. In response to a user's request, the job execution apparatus requires individual jobs individually, and also requires a multi-job that combines two or more jobs such as scan + print and content download + print. There is also. When the image forming apparatus executes a job, a service is provided to the user, and the user is charged for the service (in this sense, “job execution” and “service in the image forming apparatus”). "Providing" is almost synonymous). In this type of job execution device, by introducing a mechanism that calculates the estimated price and presents it to the user before providing the service, the user knows the charge and then executes the job. It can be determined whether or not it is possible.

  However, if a parameter related to accounting, such as running out of paper or toner, occurs when the requested job is started and an image is output, changing the parameter to an alternative value does not necessarily guarantee the estimated amount in advance. There is a problem. By stopping the job when the fee exceeds the estimated amount, troubles related to the fee with the user can be prevented. However, some users may want to continue the job as intended without bothering them.

  Therefore, in the job execution device according to the present invention, the estimated amount of the charge associated with the execution of the job requested by the user is calculated in advance and presented to the user, and this is collected from the user and the job is collected. On the other hand, the behavior after the occurrence of the abnormality intended by the user is simply registered in the job execution apparatus in units of jobs in preparation for the case where an abnormality occurs in which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed in advance.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed while the job execution device is providing a job, the user's intervention is reduced and the processing desired by the user is executed. be able to.

  The job execution apparatus according to the present invention, for example, a multi-function copying machine that mainly performs printing jobs such as copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, mail, media printing, content printing, etc., in response to a job request from a user It is. In such a case, the estimated amount is calculated on the basis of at least one charging condition parameter among the number of sheets to be printed, the sheet size, the distinction between color or black-and-white prints, and the amount of data to be printed when a job is requested. be able to.

  The abnormal process instruction registration unit accepts registration of an abnormal process instruction for each user. The abnormal processing instruction specification means displays a list of registered abnormal processing instructions, and the user can specify a desired abnormal processing instruction from the list when starting the job. it can.

  The abnormal processing instruction specification means may display a list of abnormal processing instructions on the operation screen of the job execution device situation where the user requests a job, or an external network connected to the job execution device. An abnormality processing instruction that can be specified on the display screen of a terminal (for example, a personal computer or a portable terminal owned by the user) may be displayed and output.

  In addition, the job execution apparatus according to the present invention uses the charge used to calculate the estimated amount so that the specified size paper is cut when outputting the image, or the color / toner runs out and only monochrome printing is possible. When an abnormality occurs in the conditions, an estimated amount recalculation unit may be further provided that recalculates the estimated amount by correcting the parameter of the charging condition and compares the estimated amount with the initial estimated amount. If the estimated amount recalculated by the estimated amount recalculating unit cannot guarantee the initial estimated amount, the abnormal processing unit reads the abnormal processing instruction specified by the abnormal processing instruction specifying unit. The instructed abnormality processing method may be performed.

  The abnormality processing instruction register registering unit can set one of the behavior of job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage as an abnormality processing method. The abnormality processing means analyzes the abnormality processing instruction designated by the abnormality processing instruction designation means when an abnormality occurs that the collected estimated amount cannot be guaranteed, cancels the job for each job, Save or continue.

  For example, when requesting multi-jobs such as a content download that combines a job to download desired content from an external content server and a job to output the downloaded content as an image, an error exceeding the estimated amount at the time of job execution Even if this occurs, the purchased content can be saved, or a history that the content has been purchased can be saved.

  When job continuation is specified as a processing method at the time of abnormality, a continuation condition for determining whether or not to continue the job is set. As the continuation condition here, either setting priority or price priority can be selected, and the job is continued up to a predetermined amount using either one of the selected priority as a continuation condition. When setting priority is selected, a billing condition setting close to the first setting is selected, and the job is continued up to a predetermined amount. If price priority is selected, the job is continued up to a predetermined amount with the setting of the charging condition closest to the price for which the first estimate was made. When continuation is selected and the continuation condition is set as described above, job cancellation or job storage can be set as the behavior when the continuation condition is exceeded.

  The job execution apparatus according to the present invention includes job storage means for storing a job. When job storage is set as the abnormality processing method, the job is stored in the job storage unit when an abnormality occurs. Thereafter, the job stored in the job storage means can be executed in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  When the job requested by the user is a multi-job composed of a combination of two or more jobs, the abnormality processing instruction registration unit may accept registration of the abnormality processing method for each job. For example, when a user requests execution of a job executed by a combination of an upstream process job and a downstream process job, the abnormal processing method is set to, for example, cancel the upstream process job and save the downstream process job. can do.

  When a user requests a multi-job consisting of an upstream process job and a downstream process job, and an abnormal processing instruction is specified that cancels the upstream process job and saves the downstream process job. The abnormality processing means does not save the job of the downstream process when an abnormality occurs while executing the job of the upstream process. For example, if a multi-job is required to process and print scanned data on an external server, and the abnormal processing instruction is set to cancel scanning and save processing / printing on the external server, If an abnormality occurs during scanning, the job on the external server is not saved because there is no entity, regardless of the setting contents of the abnormality processing instruction.

  In addition, a job can be executed on an external server through the job execution apparatus according to the present invention. When the abnormal processing instruction is specified by the abnormal processing instruction designating unit as the abnormal processing method for the job executed on the external server, the abnormal processing unit executes the job. When an abnormality occurs, the processing in the external server is terminated and the job is stored in the storage unit in the job execution apparatus.

  In addition, when submitting a job, the user may not specify any abnormality processing instruction, but in such a case, the abnormality processing means may perform user intervention notification. Then, the abnormality processing instruction specification means can accept the specification of the abnormality processing instruction from the user after the user intervention notification, and perform the abnormality processing according to the specified abnormality processing instruction.

  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 job execution operation on a computer system, and is collected from the computer system during job execution. An abnormal processing instruction registration procedure for registering an abnormal processing instruction describing the abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs in which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed, and an estimated amount of charge associated with executing the job requested by the user A fee estimate calculation procedure for calculating in advance based on the charging conditions input at the time of requesting the job, and an estimate presentation procedure for presenting the estimate calculated by the fee estimate calculation procedure to the user, The job startup procedure for starting the requested job after collecting the estimated amount of the fee, and the estimate collected when starting the job Abnormal processing instruction specification procedure for specifying an abnormal processing instruction to be applied when an abnormality occurs in which the amount cannot be guaranteed from among those registered by the abnormal processing instruction registration procedure, and collection during job execution When an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed, the abnormality processing instruction specified by the abnormality processing instruction specification procedure is read and the abnormality processing procedure for executing the specified abnormality processing method is executed. Is a computer program characterized by

  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 job execution according to the first aspect of the present invention. The same effect as the apparatus can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, the fee charged when the job is executed is applied in advance by applying the operation procedure of starting the job after collecting the fee, such as a network printer or a multi-function copying machine. Therefore, it is possible to provide an excellent job execution apparatus, job execution method, and computer program that can be estimated as follows.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent job execution device, job execution method, and computer program that can suitably cope with an abnormality that an estimated amount calculated in advance cannot be guaranteed.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an excellent job execution apparatus and job execution method capable of reducing the user's intervention and executing the process desired by the user with respect to an abnormality in which a prior estimate cannot be guaranteed. As well as computer programs.

  In the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied, when the estimated amount initially presented cannot be guaranteed due to the occurrence of an accounting parameter abnormality such as out of paper or out of toner at the time of image output, after the occurrence of the abnormality intended by the user Can be easily registered for each job. Therefore, it is possible to continue the job as intended by the user without annoying the user's hand for the abnormality that the prior estimate cannot be guaranteed.

  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.

  The present invention relates to a job execution apparatus in which an operation procedure for executing a job and collecting a charge for the job is introduced. A typical example of this type of job execution apparatus is an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a network printer, or a composite copying machine. In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, centering on embodiments applied to a multifunction machine.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the overall configuration of a fee estimation system in which a user requests a job such as image output from a multifunction peripheral, and an estimated fee amount associated with job execution is calculated in advance and presented to the user. Is shown. The system shown in the figure is connected to a number of image forming apparatuses that are connected to a network and installed in a convenience store, a user terminal that requests execution of image formation via the network, and when a job is executed on each image forming apparatus A billing estimate server that performs the billing estimate processing, and an instruction book pool server.

  The image forming apparatus can execute jobs such as copy, print, network print, scan, facsimile, mail, media print, and content print in response to a job request from a user. In addition to requesting individual jobs independently, multi-jobs combining two or more jobs such as scan + print and content download + print may be required. When the image forming apparatus executes a job, a service is provided to the user, and the user is charged for the service (in this sense, “job execution” and “service in the image forming apparatus”). "Providing" is almost synonymous). In this embodiment, each time an image forming apparatus changes its capability or status information, the image forming apparatus notifies the charging estimation server of such information, and further displays history information and charging information of the executed job. It is configured to notify the accounting server after the job is completed. In addition, the job instruction sheet and the abnormality processing instruction sheet created via the operation screen of the image forming apparatus are registered in the image forming apparatus or in the instruction sheet pool server.

  The accounting estimate server is configured using a general computer system such as a personal computer (PC), for example, and activates a predetermined server application for performing accounting estimation processing. The charge estimation server collectively manages various data for estimating a charge charged according to job execution in each image forming apparatus installed on the network. Various data for the price estimate includes the capability of each image forming apparatus and current status information. Of course, the charge estimation server function can be implemented on any of the image forming apparatuses. Alternatively, instead of centrally calculating the estimated amounts of a large number of image forming apparatuses in the billing estimation server, each image forming apparatus may independently calculate the estimated amount and present it to the user.

  The user terminal is composed of, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, and can issue a request for image formation via a network. The result of the estimation performed by the charge estimation server or the image forming apparatus is displayed and output on the display screen of the user terminal or the image forming apparatus. Also, job instructions and abnormality processing instructions for the image forming apparatus created or edited at the user terminal are registered in the image forming apparatus or instruction pool server. The registered instruction is security managed for its use (execution of instruction, copy of instruction, etc.) according to the security function set in the instruction.

  FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus applicable to the image forming system according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is a complex copying machine that is installed and used by a business operator in, for example, a convenience store or a print laboratory, and has a multifunction function such as scanning, printing, facsimile, and electronic mail.

  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. Describes the image forming operation according to the job instruction, the charge processing of the compensation associated with the image forming process and other job execution, the pre-estimation of the charge amount, and the processing method in case of an abnormality that cannot guarantee the estimated amount Main control is performed regarding the registration processing of the abnormality processing instruction, the abnormality handling processing according to the abnormality processing instruction, and the like. 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. The job execution operation such as network printing, the charge processing for the compensation associated with the job execution, the calculation processing for the estimated amount, and the abnormal amount for which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed Each firmware, fixed data, etc. for executing an abnormality processing instruction registration process describing a processing method in the case of occurrence of an abnormality and an abnormality handling process in accordance with the abnormality processing instruction are permanently written. The ROM 103 may be configured by a device capable of electrically rewriting stored data, such as a flash memory, and may perform firmware version update processing. The fixed data is unique information that does not need to be rewritten, such as a serial number, a manufacturing number, a manufacturing date, and a manufacturing factory name that physically identifies the multifunction peripheral 100.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory device, and loads a control program executed by the CPU 101 from the ROM 102, temporarily stores environment variables and system variables during program execution, and the like. Used as system memory for operation. 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 is used for security data, other non-volatile data, image quality adjustment, and billing processing. It is used to store various counters, various setting parameters, various histories at the time of job execution, histories charged for the price of the job, and the like.

  The HDD 106 is a large-capacity external storage device composed of a magnetic recording type fixed disk. The HDD 106 accumulates image data read from an original, stores various job histories when the image forming process is executed, and is executed by the CPU 101. Used to install programs to do. In this embodiment, the job instruction sheet, the abnormality processing instruction sheet, and the abnormality occurrence job designated to be stored as the abnormality processing method are stored in the HDD 106 by the user of the MFP 100.

  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. For example, the image processing unit 107 can be configured by using ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

  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 the UI interface 108. However, the CPU 101 may be configured to directly control the user interface 109 without using the UI interface 108.

  The user can directly input a job instruction such as copying, facsimile transmission / reception, and content download via the user interface 109, or can create a job instruction. Also, an abnormality processing instruction sheet for instructing a coping method when an abnormality occurs that the charge at the time of job execution exceeds the estimated amount can be created and edited via the user interface 109. In this case, an abnormality processing instruction is created according to the instruction content, and is registered in the multifunction peripheral 100, that is, stored in the HDD.

  Various external devices, network interfaces, and the like are connected to the bus 102 via the communication interface 112.

  The LAN interface 113 provides a LAN port for network connection of the MFP 100 according to a predetermined protocol defined by IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) such as 10/1000 Base-T. A wireless LAN can also be included. The multi-function device 100 can connect to an external network such as the Internet through a LAN and access a desired information resource. For example, it is connected to a billing estimation server on the Internet through the LAN interface 113. In addition, the multifunction peripheral 100 can perform various jobs 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. A job instruction defining the contents can be received, and the job can be executed according to the instruction. In addition, the abnormality processing instruction created on the external terminal can be received and registered via the network. In addition, the abnormality processing specified in the abnormality processing instruction can be executed by the external server over the network.

  The multi-function device 100 is equipped with an IC card read / write device to perform non-contact and short-range communication with the IC card, and is connected to the bus 102 via the RS232C or other serial interface 114. 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. The multi-function device 100 charges the price of the job from the IC card or charges the IC card.

  A USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 115 conforms to, for example, USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, and can be used by externally connecting peripheral devices.

  The 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 other various facsimiles. Provide functionality.

  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 or the amount currently collected.

  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.

  When the sheet printed by the printing apparatus unit 120 is discharged, it is stored in the discharged sheet storage unit 121. The discharge sheet storage unit 121 can also be configured using a general discharge tray.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows a software configuration for controlling operations on the multifunction machine. As shown in the figure, the control software includes an operating system (OS) layer, a middleware layer, a functional module layer, and an application layer.

  The OS is a built-in real-time OS, and a general-purpose one manufactured for a multi-function peripheral can be used.

  The middleware is a layer that mediates between the OS and the function module, and is positioned above the general-purpose OS, suppresses the influence specific to hardware, and has a common API (Application Programming Interface) for the upper module such as a job or a function module. This is a group of modules to be provided. By interposing such a software hierarchy, it is possible to suppress the influence of a change in the implementation to the functional module or the job level hierarchy when the hardware or OS in the multifunction peripheral 100 is changed.

  The system manager is a module that manages the core of the multifunction peripheral 100 such as status / resource management, job management, file management, buffer management, timer management, job log management, and various log management. Also provided to functional modules.

  The device driver and library are a group of modules that provide the functions of the external system and hardware to the function modules, and control various protocols and various devices at a lower level.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 100 manages a normal use state, a special state for maintenance, a special state for performing a diagnostic function, and the like based on the concept of mode. The mode library provides this management function to each function module.

  A mailer provides a general electronic mail protocol function, and performs, for example, transmission / reception of IFAX and communication with an FWS server.

  The DV library provides the number of printed DV sheets, that is, a counter control function. An accessory driver is a driver for an authentication device such as a card reader or a management device.

  The device driver and library further include modules (not shown) that perform interface control with facsimile communication modem control, LAN control, HDD access control, reading device 119, printing device 120, user interface 109, and the like. is there.

  The functional modules are configured by a module group that notifies request processing, communication processing with the user interface 109, image processing for realizing an application, and various states to a remote device. Hereinafter, individual modules of the functional module group will be described.

  A request manager performs a request process and a communication process between the user interface 109 and the request manager. The output device controller (Output Device Cont) controls the printing device. The input device controller (Input Device Cont) controls the reading device. A spool controller (SpoolCont) controls accumulation. The Decomposer prints print data and performs conversion processing to an intermediate representation. A report generator (Report Gen) performs various report creation processes such as a service report and a maintenance completion report at the end of the maintenance work. The facsimile controller (FaxCont) performs facsimile communication control. An authentication manager performs authentication management. The HTTP controller performs notification processing such as various states to a remote device using the HTTP protocol. An SNMP controller (SNP PC Controller) performs notification processing of various states and the like on a remote device by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The LAN controller (LANCont) performs communication control on the LAN.

  The application is a function processing layer provided to the user such as copying, facsimile, and scanner.

  For example, when performing authentication using an IC card, if there is a user authentication operation instruction from the accessory driver and an intermodule message notification regarding information in the IC card read by the card reader, the authentication driver is stored in the NVRAM 105. The user management table is accessed and authentication processing is performed.

  After that, when a copy is instructed by the user, the request manager that has received the instruction via the user interface 109 checks the set values such as the document size and the paper size and sets them as copy job activation information. The system manager API is used to check system information necessary for starting the copy, such as status / resource management information. If there is no problem, the system manager is requested to start the application. The system manager performs scheduling control and starts an application according to a predetermined schedule.

  As a result, the copy of the application layer is activated, and the copy performs a current reading control instruction to the input device controller, an instruction to store the read image data to the spool controller, and a print control instruction to the output device controller. Thus, a copy function is provided to the user.

  FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration of an apparatus applicable as a charge estimate server and an instruction book pool server in the charge estimate system according to the present embodiment. The illustrated server 200 can be configured by a general computer system such as a personal computer.

  The CPU 201 is a central controller that comprehensively controls the operation in the server, and executes various programs such as a billing estimate server application and an instruction pool server application in an execution environment provided by the operating system. . The CPU 201 is interconnected with each device in the apparatus via the bus 202.

  The ROM 203 is a read-only semiconductor memory device in which firmware such as input / output basic operation (BIOS) and self-diagnosis (POST), fixed data, and the like are permanently written. Of course, the ROM 203 may 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.

  The RAM 204 is composed of a rewritable semiconductor memory device, and loads a control program executed by the CPU 201 from the ROM 202 or the HDD 206, temporarily stores work data during program execution, and the like. Used as.

  The NVRAM 205 is composed of a rewritable memory such as a flash memory that does not lose its stored contents even when there is no power supply, and is used for storing security data, other nonvolatile data, image quality adjustment, various setting parameters, and the like. .

  The HDD 206 is a large-capacity external storage device composed of a magnetic recording type fixed disk. The HDD 206 installs programs to be executed by the CPU 201 such as an OS and an estimate server application, and stores various data such as amount calculation information and consideration management information. Used to

  Various peripheral devices are connected to the bus 202 via an input / output (I / O) interface 207.

  The display 208, the keyboard 209, and the mouse 210 are well-known user interfaces, and can of course be replaced with other devices.

  The USB interface 211 conforms to, for example, USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, and can externally connect various USB devices such as a printer, a scanner, a hard disk, and a USB memory.

  A network interface (NIC) 212 connects the devices to the network according to a predetermined protocol such as 10/100 / 1000Base-T. A wireless LAN can also be included.

  In each image forming apparatus, an operation procedure is introduced in which a job is executed and a fee to be paid is collected. In addition, the billing estimation server or individual image forming apparatus calculates the estimated amount of the charge and presents it to the user before executing the requested job as a network print or other complex copying machine. A mechanism has been introduced. Thus, the user can determine whether or not the job can be executed after grasping the fee.

  However, there is a problem that, for example, when a parameter abnormality related to a charging condition occurs at the time of image output, the estimated amount in advance is not always guaranteed when the parameter that is the charging condition is changed to an alternative value. This kind of anomaly related to the estimated amount is specifically due to out-of-paper only high-cost paper, only high-cost toner or ink, processing factors on the external server (the amount of data to be processed is the first More than estimated, service period ended due to time lag, etc.).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the behavior after the occurrence of the abnormality intended by the user is simply registered in the MFP 100 in units of jobs in preparation for such an abnormality that the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed in advance. ing. As a result, when an abnormality occurs that makes it impossible to guarantee an estimate during execution of a job in the multifunction peripheral 100, the processing specified in the abnormality processing instruction is started, so that the user's hand is not troubled. The job can continue as intended.

  The user of the MFP 100 sends an abnormality processing instruction describing an abnormality processing method when an abnormality occurs in which an estimated amount presented in advance at the time of job execution cannot be guaranteed to the MFP 100 (or instruction pool server). Can be registered. The abnormality processing instruction can be described using a structured description language such as XML (extensible Markup Language), for example. Then, when an abnormality in which the fee exceeds the estimated amount actually occurs, the multifunction device 100 reads the corresponding abnormality instruction and executes an abnormality handling process according to the description content, thereby bothering the user. The job can be continued as intended by the user.

  The MFP 100 can execute a plurality of jobs such as copy, print, scan, facsimile, mail, media print, content print, etc., but the fee for abnormal processing instructions exceeds the estimated amount for various jobs. Specifies the behavior of the device when an abnormality such as this occurs. In one abnormality processing instruction, common items common to all jobs (that is, services) and behavior for each job can be registered as a coping method when abnormal processing occurs.

  The user can directly input a countermeasure method when an abnormality occurs via the user interface 109 of the multifunction peripheral 100, and can register an abnormality processing instruction according to the instruction content. Of course, an abnormality processing instruction created on a user's terminal such as a personal computer can be registered in the multifunction peripheral 100. The procedure of this registration process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a list display screen of abnormality processing instruction sheets displayed on the display unit 110 of the user interface 109. In the illustrated screen, a menu item is provided for each abnormality processing instruction. The unregistered menu is an abnormality processing instruction sheet for which an abnormality processing instruction has not yet been registered. Menu items that have already been given names are registered abnormal processing instructions. If any abnormality processing instruction menu is selected and the enter button is pressed, when an abnormality occurs during job execution, the selected abnormality processing instruction is applied. Also, when an abnormal processing instruction is selected and then the details / setting button is pressed, registration processing for the abnormal processing instruction corresponding to the menu item or correction / change processing for the registered content is entered.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a display screen when the process proceeds to a new registration process for an abnormal process instruction. As can be seen from the figure, as a method for registering the abnormality processing instruction, a simple registration, a copy of an existing registration instruction, or a customized registration can be selected.

  In simple registration, for example, only common items that are necessary for dealing with anomalous processing are set through a screen that anyone can easily operate according to a wizard or the like. In addition, when copying an existing registration instruction, an existing instruction can be selected and a new abnormality processing registration instruction can be registered with the same settings. Also, in customization registration, common items and settings for each job and detailed settings can be made, and it is possible to decide in detail how to deal with an abnormality for each user. After creating and registering an abnormality processing instruction by any one of these setting methods, the setting can be changed for each job.

  For example, when a detail / setting button is pressed after selecting an unregistered menu on the display screen shown in FIG. 5, a procedure for customizing and registering a new abnormality processing instruction is entered. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a display screen for setting the abnormality processing instruction in detail. As shown in the figure, common items common to all jobs, copy, print, scan, facsimile, mail, media print, content as a countermeasure when an abnormality occurs in one abnormality processing instruction -The behavior for each job such as printing (that is, the processing method in case of abnormality) can be registered. When the common item menu is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 and the detail / setting button is pressed, the process enters the procedure for registering the common item of the abnormality processing instruction or correcting / changing the registered content. Also, select individual jobs such as copy, print, scan, facsimile, mail, media print, content print, etc. and press the Details / Set button to register or register the behavior of each abnormal processing instruction for each job. Enter the procedure to correct or change.

  When the common item menu is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 and the details / setting button is pressed, the common item registration or registration contents of the abnormality processing instruction shown in FIG. 8 is corrected or changed. Switch to the display screen.

  On this screen, a common item common to all jobs can be set to any one of job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage. In the example shown in FIG. 8, continuation of a job is designated as a countermeasure method when an abnormality occurs. When the “continuation” behavior is selected, the continuation condition is further set. As the continuation condition mentioned here, either setting priority or price priority can be selected, and the job is continued up to the amount entered here on the condition of the selected one. When setting priority is selected, a setting that is close to the initial setting is selected, and the job is continued up to the amount entered here. If price priority is selected, the job is continued up to the amount entered with the setting closest to the price for which the first estimate was made. When continuation is selected and the continuation condition is set as described above, job cancellation or job storage can be set as the behavior when the continuation condition is exceeded.

  At this time, the security function can be set as another common item of the abnormality processing instruction. As security functions, it is possible to set ID / password settings, presence / absence of access restrictions on the abnormality processing instruction, and access restrictions on saved jobs (when job saving is set as a coping method).

  In addition, when an individual job is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 and the detail / setting button is pressed, the abnormal processing related to the selected job in the abnormal processing instruction as shown in FIGS. Switch to a display screen for correcting or changing the registration of the method or registered contents. For jobs that you want to behave in the same way as other jobs instead of common items, you can save the registration effort by selecting the job at the time of setting. In this case, in the abnormal processing instruction, as a common item handling method when an abnormality occurs, one of the following functions can be set: job suspension, job continuation, and job storage. .

  9, 10, and 11 show examples of screen configurations for setting job cancellation and job continuation, as with common items, as countermeasures when an abnormality occurs during copying. When “same as common item” is selected, processing is performed with the contents registered in the common item (see FIG. 8). When a new abnormality processing instruction is created, “same as common items” is set as the default abnormality processing method, so the user only needs to change the job he / she needs. In addition, when “Continue” is selected as the behavior when an abnormality occurs for each job in the abnormality processing instruction sheet, either setting priority or price priority can be selected as the continuation condition (same as above). .

  In addition, when an abnormal processing method button is pressed on the display screen for registering the abnormal processing method for each job shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, processing for abnormal time for each job as shown in FIG. The screen for setting the method is called. On this operation screen, as with the common item, the method for dealing with anomalies regarding the job can be selected from job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage. In addition, when continuation is specified, each button for specifying a processing method when the continuation condition cannot be satisfied is activated, and job cancellation or job storage is set as a processing method when the continuation condition cannot be satisfied. be able to.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, price priority is selected, and if an abnormality occurs, the job is continued up to the amount entered in this window with the setting closest to the price that was initially estimated. . When continuation is selected by selecting continuation, job cancellation or job storage can be set as the behavior when the condition is exceeded (same as above).

  Of course, the user does not directly input the abnormality processing instruction on the multifunction peripheral 100 through the operation screens as shown in FIGS. 5 to 12 but uses the abnormality processing instruction registration application with an external client on the network. By doing so, it is also possible to create / edit an abnormality processing instruction, transfer the file via the network, and register it in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In addition, when an external server is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 and the details / setting button is pressed, registration of an abnormality processing instruction regarding abnormality handling processing executed in the corresponding external server as shown in FIG. 13 is performed. Or, the screen is switched to a display screen for correcting / changing registered contents.

  When an abnormality handling process for a certain job is performed by an external server, the external server is identified by, for example, an IP address in the corresponding job item of the abnormality processing instruction sheet. Also, as with the common item, a processing method for an abnormality can be selected from job cancellation, job storage, and job continuation. In this case as well, the setting of the abnormality processing method for each job is the same. However, the processing method of saving a job means that processing is performed to the end on the server side, and data is saved in the requesting multifunction peripheral 100.

  When the server is specified and registered in the abnormal processing instruction of the external server, the abnormal processing instruction shown in FIG. 5 is registered so that the next external server can be registered in the form of external server A, external server B. Will be added sequentially to the list of jobs. In the external server B added after the external server A, the server is not specified and the processing method at the time of abnormality is newly created as the same as the common item.

  When the behavior for each job is registered in the abnormality processing instruction sheet, the registration procedure can be selected from simple registration, customized registration, and copy from the registration list as shown in FIG. When the simple registration is selected, the setting items of the common items described above are registered in the wizard format. Further, in the customization registration, it is possible to set all items as desired by the user. In addition, copying from the registration list copies contents other than the name by selecting an already registered abnormality processing instruction. However, if security is applied to the abnormal processing instruction to be copied, it cannot be copied unless the ID / password verification is matched. All items can be changed later even if an abnormal processing instruction is registered by a simple registration or copying procedure from the registration list.

  The created abnormality processing instruction is stored in the storage area of the HDD 106 in the multifunction peripheral 100 and can be reused once registered. Alternatively, the abnormality processing instruction can be stored in an external server, and once registered, it can be reused.

  Of course, the abnormal processing instruction may be registered in the multifunction peripheral 100 by using an abnormal processing instruction registration application in an external client on the network. Furthermore, the abnormal processing instruction created by the external client is registered in a predetermined instruction pool server via the network, and the abnormal processing instruction is downloaded from the instruction pool server to the MFP 100 that is the job request destination. You can also

  FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure for creating an abnormal processing instruction and registering it in the multifunction device 100 (or the instruction pool server) in the form of a flowchart. However, it is assumed here that the user performs customization registration.

  The user creates an abnormality processing instruction on his or her own terminal such as a PC or a portable terminal (step S1-1), or issues an abnormality processing instruction through the user interface 109 of the multifunction peripheral 100 as a registration destination. Create (step S1-2).

  When an unregistered instruction is selected on the abnormal processing instruction selection screen shown in FIG. 5, the screen shifts to the abnormal processing instruction registration screen shown in FIG. On this screen, the method for registering the abnormality processing instruction can be selected from simple registration, copying of an existing registration instruction, and customization registration.

  Here, when the customization registration is selected as a method for registering the abnormality processing instruction, the screen shifts to a screen for selecting items to be registered in the abnormality processing instruction shown in FIG. On this screen, first, when a common item is selected, the screen shifts to a narrow item setting screen shown in FIG. 8, and a common item common to all jobs is set (step S2). On the same screen, first, the name of the abnormality processing instruction is input, and then the security function is set. Then, when the processing method button at the time of abnormality is pressed, a transition is made to the abnormality processing method setting screen, and any one of job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage is set. Here, when the “continue” behavior is selected, either the setting priority or the price priority is further selected as the continuation condition, and the job is canceled or the job is saved as the behavior when the continuation condition is exceeded. Set.

  Subsequently, individual jobs such as copying and printing are selected, and detailed settings are made for each item (step S3). That is, when an individual job is selected on the menu screen shown in FIG. 7 and the details / setting button is pressed, the abnormal processing related to the selected job in the abnormal processing instruction as shown in FIGS. Switch to a display screen for correcting or changing the registration of the method or registered contents. When an abnormal processing method button is pressed on these operation screens, a screen for setting an abnormal processing method for each job as shown in FIG. 12 is called. On this operation screen, the above-mentioned coping method for the job can be selected from job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage, as with common items. In addition, when continuation is specified, each button for specifying the processing method when the continuation condition cannot be satisfied is activated, and as a processing method when the continuation condition cannot be satisfied, the job is canceled or saved. Can be set. However, since “same as common items” is set as a default as an abnormality processing method for each job, it is not necessary to repeat the setting operation for every job.

  When the abnormal process instruction is created by the above-described operation procedure, it is registered in the multifunction peripheral 100 (or the instruction pool / server) (step S4), and the entire process routine is terminated.

  FIG. 15 shows a processing procedure in which the MFP 100 executes a job using an abnormal processing instruction in the form of a flowchart.

  When the user requests a job from the multifunction device 100 (step S11), an estimated amount of a fee required to execute the job is calculated on the charge estimation server or the multifunction device 100 (step S12). Present to the user.

  When the user inserts cash into the coin kit 117 or reads the electronic money stored in the IC card from the card read / write device, the estimated amount is charged (step S13). Then, execution of the requested job is started (step S15). The job referred to here includes a job to be requested to an external server such as a processed print of scan data, in addition to a job performed on the multifunction peripheral 100 such as copy, print, scan, facsimile, mail, media print, content print, etc. Is also included.

  In addition, the user selects an abnormal processing instruction via the abnormal processing instruction list screen shown in FIG. 5 before starting execution of the job (step S14), so that the estimated amount at the time of executing the job is obtained. It is possible to set an abnormality processing method when an abnormality exceeding the limit occurs.

  During execution of the job, for example, every time an image of one page is output, it is checked whether or not an abnormality in which the actual fee exceeds the estimated amount has occurred (step S16). When the image output for all pages is completed without any abnormality, the entire processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in which the actual fee exceeds the estimated amount, the abnormality processing instruction sheet registered by the user is referred to (step S17). Alternatively, the user's abnormal processing instruction is downloaded from the instruction pool server and referenced. Then, abnormality processing according to the description content is executed (step S18).

  However, if the user has not designated an abnormality processing instruction in advance in step S14, a user intervention notification is given to the user through the user interface 109 or the like (step S19). The user who has received the user intervention notification selects the abnormal intervention instruction on the user intervention, that is, the abnormal processing instruction list display screen shown in FIG. 5 (step S20), and processes the abnormality currently occurring. You can set the method.

  FIG. 16 shows the procedure of the abnormality process performed in step S18 in the form of a flowchart. However, it is assumed that the job requested in step S11 is a multi-job composed of a combination of three jobs A to C.

  First, it is determined what the job was when the abnormality occurred (step S31). The abnormality processing instruction sheet is analyzed to check whether individual abnormality processing has been set for the job (step S32).

  In the present embodiment, as the abnormality processing method, one of behaviors of job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage is set. In addition, an abnormal processing method can be specified for each job in one abnormal processing instruction. In the case of multi-jobs, the job can be canceled, saved, or continued in units of jobs (that is, A, Different abnormality processing methods can be designated for the B and C jobs) (step S33).

  For a job that is set to cancel or save a job as an abnormal processing method, the job is stopped or saved in step S38, and then this processing routine ends.

  Specifically, the job storage destination is the HDD 106 in the multifunction peripheral 100. Also, in the case of a job requested to an external server, the job is stored in the HDD 106 in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Also, if an abnormal processing instruction is specified that is canceled for an upstream process job and saved for a downstream process job as an abnormal processing method, and if an abnormality occurs during execution of an upstream process job, the downstream process Do not save process jobs. For example, if a multi-job is required to process and print scanned data on an external server, and the abnormal processing instruction is set to cancel scanning and save processing / printing on the external server If an abnormality occurs during scanning, the job on the external server is not saved regardless of the setting contents of the abnormality processing instruction.

  For a job for which continuation is set as the abnormality processing method, the charging condition parameter is corrected and the estimated amount is recalculated (step S34), and it is checked whether the continuation condition is satisfied (step S35).

  As the continuation condition here, either setting priority or price priority can be selected, and the job is continued up to a predetermined amount using either one of the selected priority as a continuation condition. When setting priority is selected, a billing condition setting close to the first setting is selected, and the job is continued up to a predetermined amount. If price priority is selected, the job is continued up to a predetermined amount with the setting of the charging condition closest to the price for which the first estimate was made.

  If the continuation condition is satisfied, the job is continued using the charging condition parameters modified with setting priority or price priority (step S36). On the other hand, if the continuation condition is not satisfied, the abnormal processing method for canceling or saving the job, which is set as the behavior when the continuation condition is exceeded, is executed (step S37), and this processing routine is executed. Exit.

  If the individual abnormal processing is not set for each job for the multi-job, the abnormal processing set as a common item is executed (step S37).

  A specific operation procedure of the abnormality process will be described with reference to FIGS. However, in this case, regarding the job composed of a combination of four jobs A to D, the jobs A to C can be operated in parallel, but the job D is a job executed as a result of the completion of the job C. Is instructed by the job instruction.

  First, parallel execution of the three jobs A to C is started according to the job instruction.

  Here, it is assumed that an abnormality in which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed for job A due to factors such as running out of the target sheet. In response to this, the specified abnormality processing instruction is analyzed.

  In the abnormal processing instruction, it is set to continue as the abnormal processing method for job A, continue the job up to the XXX circle with setting priority as the continuation condition, and cancel the job if the continuation condition cannot be satisfied. In addition, job cancellation is set as an abnormality processing method for job B. In addition, it is set that the job C is continued as an abnormal processing method, the job is continued up to XXX yen as a continuation condition with price priority, and the job is stored if the continuation condition cannot be satisfied. Also, the job cancellation is set as the abnormality processing method for job D.

  In accordance with the above-described abnormality processing instruction, abnormality processing is performed for each of the jobs A to B that have been executed in parallel. As a result, the job A continues the job and finishes to the end, the job B cancels the job, the job C tries to continue the job but does not satisfy the continuation condition, and is canceled, and the job is stored in the HDD 106. Since job D is executed based on the result of job C, job C is positioned in the upstream process for job D. Here, since job C as the upstream process is canceled, job D in the downstream process does not need to be stored even if storage is designated.

  As already described, the job saved by the abnormal process can be executed again. Thereafter, when the user instructs execution of the stored job C, the job C is taken out from the HDD 106 and is continuously executed from the time when the job C is stopped. When the job is resumed in this way, the contents of the abnormal processing instruction sheet are not taken over, and the abnormal processing instruction sheet may be designated again.

  When job C is completed successfully, job D is started based on the job execution result.

  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 applied to the charge estimation associated with job execution in the image forming apparatus has been mainly described, but the gist of the present invention is not limited to this. Even in the case where the charge is estimated to the user in advance in the job execution apparatus of another form, the same effect can be obtained in the aspect that the charge exceeds the estimated amount at the time of job execution by applying the present invention. Obtainable.

  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 showing the overall configuration of a charge estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a software configuration for controlling operations on the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a device applicable as a billing estimation server. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for selecting an abnormality processing instruction. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen for selecting a registration method of an abnormality processing instruction. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for selecting an item to be registered in the abnormality processing instruction sheet. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for setting common items of the abnormality processing instruction sheet. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a default screen for setting the behavior for each job of the abnormality processing instruction. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen for setting the behavior for each job of the abnormality processing instruction sheet. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen for setting the behavior for each job of the abnormality processing instruction sheet. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for setting details of a processing method at the time of abnormality for each job in the abnormality processing instruction sheet. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a screen for registering or correcting / changing registered content of an abnormal processing instruction sheet for a job that performs processing for dealing with an abnormality in an external server. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for creating an abnormal processing instruction and registering it in the multi-function device 100 (or instruction pool server). FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in which the multi-function device 100 executes a job using an abnormal processing instruction. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the abnormality process. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation procedure of the abnormality processing. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation procedure of the abnormality process.

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 121 ... Ejected paper storage unit 202 ... Bus 203 ... ROM
204 ... RAM
205 ... NVRAM
206 ... HDD
207 ... Input / output interface 208 ... Display 209 ... Keyboard 210 ... Mouse 211 ... USB interface 212 ... Network interface card

Claims (41)

A job execution means for executing a job requested by the user;
An estimated charge amount calculating means for calculating in advance an estimated amount of a charge associated with execution of the job requested by the user by the job executing means based on a charging condition input at the time of requesting the job;
Estimated amount presenting means for presenting the estimated amount calculated by the fee estimated amount calculating means to the user;
An abnormal processing instruction registration means for registering an abnormal processing instruction describing an abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs in which the estimated amount cannot be guaranteed during job execution;
Abnormal processing instruction specification that specifies the abnormal processing instruction to be applied when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected cannot be guaranteed when starting a job from those registered in the abnormal processing instruction registration means Means,
When an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during execution of the job by the job execution unit cannot be guaranteed, the abnormal processing instruction specified by the abnormal processing instruction specification specifying unit is read and the specified abnormal processing is performed. An anomaly processing means for carrying out the method;
A job execution apparatus comprising: The job execution means executes a job related to printing such as copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, mail, media printing, content printing, etc. in response to a job request,
The fee estimated amount calculating means calculates an estimated amount based on a billing condition parameter including at least one of the number of sheets to be printed, sheet size, color or black-and-white print, and the amount of data to be printed.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The abnormality processing instruction registration means accepts registration of an abnormality processing instruction for each user.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The abnormal process instruction designation means displays a list of specifiable abnormal process instructions,
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The abnormal processing instruction specification means displays a list of abnormal processing instructions that can be specified on the display screen of the device, or an abnormal processing instruction that can be specified on the display screen of an external terminal connected to the device over a network. Display and output
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Estimated amount recalculating means that recalculates the estimated amount and compares it with the initial estimated amount when an abnormality occurs in the billing conditions used when the estimated amount is calculated by the estimated fee amount calculating means during job execution Further comprising
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: If the estimated amount recalculated by the estimated amount recalculating unit cannot guarantee the initial estimated amount, the abnormal processing unit reads the abnormal processing instruction specified by the abnormal processing instruction specifying unit and instructs Implement the error handling method,
The job execution apparatus according to claim 6. The abnormality processing instruction registration means sets one of behaviors among job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage as an abnormality processing method.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The abnormality processing means analyzes the abnormality processing instruction specified by the abnormality processing instruction specifying means when an abnormality occurs that the estimated estimated amount collected cannot be guaranteed, and cancels, stores a job for each job, Or continue,
The job execution apparatus according to claim 8. The abnormality processing instruction registration means sets a continuation condition for determining whether or not to continue the job when continuation of the job is set as the abnormality processing method.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 8. The abnormality processing instruction registration means selects either setting priority or price priority as a continuation condition when continuation of a job is set as a handling method of abnormality processing for each service,
The abnormality processing means continues the job up to a predetermined amount with any one of the selected conditions as a continuation condition.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 10. If the setting priority is selected as the continuation condition, the abnormality processing means continues the job by selecting the charging condition setting that is close to the initial setting, and if the price priority is selected, the first estimate Continue the job with the billing condition setting closest to the price
The job execution apparatus according to claim 11, wherein: When the abnormality processing instruction register registration unit selects continuation and sets a continuation condition, as an abnormality processing method when the continuation condition cannot be satisfied, the job cancellation or job storage is set.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 10. When job storage is set as an abnormality processing method, the abnormality processing unit includes a job storage unit that stores a job when an abnormality occurs.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 8. The job execution unit executes a job stored in the job storage unit in accordance with an instruction from a user;
The job execution apparatus according to claim 14, wherein When the job requested by the user is a multi-job composed of a combination of two or more services, the abnormal process instruction registration unit accepts registration of an abnormal process method in units of jobs.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 8. When a user requests a multi-job consisting of an upstream process job and a downstream process job, and an abnormal processing instruction is specified that cancels the upstream process job and saves the downstream process job. The abnormality processing means does not execute the saving of the job in the downstream process when an abnormality occurs while executing the job in the upstream process.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 16. The job execution means can execute a job on an external server,
When the abnormal processing instruction specification means specifies an abnormal processing instruction that is set to be stored as an abnormal processing method for a job executed on an external server, the abnormal processing means is executing the job. When an abnormality occurs, the processing on the external server is terminated and the job is stored in the storage unit.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 14, wherein The abnormality processing means performs user intervention notification when any abnormality processing instruction is not specified when an abnormality occurs.
The job execution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The abnormal processing instruction specification means accepts specification of an abnormal processing instruction from a user after the user intervention notification,
The job execution apparatus according to claim 19, wherein An abnormal processing instruction registration step for registering an abnormal processing instruction describing an abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during job execution cannot be guaranteed;
A charge estimate calculation step for calculating in advance an estimate of a charge associated with execution of a job requested by a user based on a billing condition input when the job is requested;
An estimated amount presenting step of presenting the estimated amount calculated in the fee estimated amount calculating step to the user;
A job start step for starting the requested job after collecting the estimated amount of the charge;
Abnormal processing instruction specification that specifies the abnormal processing instruction to be applied when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected cannot be guaranteed when starting a job from those registered in the abnormal processing instruction registration step Steps,
When an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during job execution cannot be guaranteed, the abnormality processing instruction specified in the abnormal processing instruction specification step is read and the specified abnormality processing method is executed. Processing steps;
A job execution method. In response to a job request, a user accepts a job request for printing such as copying, printing, scanning, facsimile, mail, media printing, content printing, etc.
In the fee estimated amount calculating step, an estimated amount is calculated based on a billing condition parameter including at least one of the number of sheets to be printed, the sheet size, the distinction between color or monochrome prints, and the amount of data to be printed.
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal process instruction registration step, the registration of the abnormal process instruction is accepted for each user.
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal process instruction designation step, a list of specifiable abnormal process instructions is displayed.
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal processing instruction specification designation step, a list of abnormal processing instructions that can be specified is displayed on the display screen of the device, or an abnormal processing instruction that can be specified on the display screen of an external terminal connected to the device over a network Display and output
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: Estimated amount recalculation step that recalculates the estimated amount and compares it with the initial estimated amount when an abnormality occurs in the accounting conditions used when calculating the estimated amount in the estimated amount of charge calculation step during job execution Further comprising
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal processing step, when the estimated amount recalculated in the estimated amount recalculating step cannot guarantee the initial estimated amount, the abnormal processing instruction specified in the abnormal processing instruction specifying step is read and indicated. Implement the error handling method,
27. The job execution method according to claim 26. In the abnormal processing instruction registration step, as the abnormal processing method, one of behavior of job cancellation, job continuation, and job storage is set.
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal processing step, when an abnormality occurs that the collected estimated amount cannot be guaranteed, the abnormal processing instruction specified in the abnormal processing instruction specifying step is analyzed, and the job is canceled or saved for each job. Or continue,
The job execution method according to claim 28, wherein: In the abnormality processing instruction registration step, when continuation of the job is set as the abnormality processing method, a continuation condition for determining whether or not to continue the job is set.
The job execution method according to claim 28, wherein: In the abnormal processing instruction registration step, as a continuation condition when job continuation is set as a handling method of abnormal processing for each job, either setting priority or price priority is selected,
In the abnormality processing step, the job is continued up to a predetermined amount with any one of the selected conditions as a continuation condition.
The job execution method according to claim 30, wherein: In the abnormality processing step, when setting priority is selected as the continuation condition, the billing condition setting close to the first setting is selected and the job is continued, and when price priority is selected, the first estimate is made. Continue the job with the billing condition setting closest to the price
32. The job execution method according to claim 31, wherein: In the abnormal process instruction registration step, when continuation is selected and the continuation condition is set, as the abnormal process method when the continuation condition is not satisfied, job cancellation or job storage is set.
The job execution method according to claim 30, wherein: When job storage is set as the abnormality processing method, the abnormality processing step stores the job in a device that executes the job when an abnormality occurs.
The job execution method according to claim 28, wherein: A step of executing the job stored in the abnormality processing step according to an instruction from the user;
The job execution method according to claim 34, wherein: When the job requested by the user is a multi-job composed of a combination of two or more jobs, the abnormality processing instruction registration step accepts registration of an abnormality processing method in units of jobs.
The job execution method according to claim 28, wherein: When a user requests a multi-job consisting of an upstream process job and a downstream process job, and an abnormal processing instruction is specified that cancels the upstream process job and saves the downstream process job. In the abnormality processing step, if an abnormality occurs during the execution of the job in the upstream process, the saving of the job in the downstream process is not executed.
37. The job execution method according to claim 36, wherein: In the job starting step, a job can be executed on an external server,
In the abnormal processing instruction specification step, when an abnormal processing instruction that is set to be stored as an abnormal processing method is specified for a job executed on an external server, the job is being executed in the abnormal processing step. When an abnormality occurs, the processing on the external server is terminated and the job is stored in the device that executes the job.
The job execution method according to claim 34, wherein: In the abnormality processing step, when any abnormality occurs, if any abnormality processing instruction is not designated, a user intervention notification is performed.
The job execution method according to claim 21, wherein: In the abnormal process instruction designation step, after the user intervention notification, designation of an abnormal process instruction from a user is accepted.
40. The job execution method according to claim 39. A computer program written in a computer readable format to execute job execution operations on a computer system, the computer system having:
An abnormal processing instruction registration procedure for registering an abnormal processing instruction describing an abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during job execution cannot be guaranteed,
A charge estimate calculation procedure for calculating in advance a charge estimate associated with execution of a job requested by a user based on a charge condition input when the job is requested;
An estimated amount presentation procedure for presenting the estimated amount calculated by the fee estimated amount calculation procedure to the user;
A job start procedure for starting the requested job after collecting the estimated amount of charge;
Abnormal processing instruction specification that specifies the abnormal processing instruction to be applied when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected cannot be guaranteed when starting a job from those registered by the abnormal processing instruction registration procedure Procedure and
Abnormality that reads the abnormal processing instruction specified by the abnormal processing instruction specification procedure and executes the specified abnormal processing method when an abnormality occurs that the estimated amount collected during job execution cannot be guaranteed Processing procedure and
A computer program for executing

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