JP2008059232A - Cooperative processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform proper accounting processing even when a processing interruption due to abnormality or the like occurs during cooperative processing between an image forming device and an external device. <P>SOLUTION: In this cooperative processor, a processing interruption detection part 150 detects the processing interruption with user instructions or the abnormality occurring in its own device or a cooperating other device possibly occurring when performing the cooperative processing between the plurality of devices. When the processing interruption detection part 150 detects that the processing interruption occurs, a cooperative processing adjustment control part 170 disposes of all or a part of data related to a cooperative processing job left in the own device or the cooperating other device from a data holding part 140, or performs control to return the data to a state before the processing interruption. An accounting control part 180 performs processing related to the accounting processing such as adjustment processing or value calculation to the cooperative processing on the basis of data related to the cooperative processing (including the data adjusted by the cooperative processing adjustment control part 170), or issues accounting processing instructions to the other device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  According to the present invention, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printer apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction machine having these functions cooperates with an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus. Further, the present invention relates to a mechanism for realizing a predetermined process that cannot be realized with only one apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for dealing with a billing process such as a compensation calculation or a settlement process for a cooperation process when a process interruption (for example, due to an abnormality or a user instruction) occurs in any device during the cooperation process.

  There is an external cooperation system in which a plurality of devices (devices) cooperate to perform predetermined processing, thereby performing various processing that cannot be provided by only one device.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a network billing management system in which an image forming apparatus and a network billing server device are connected via a network.

JP 2002-261997 A

  In the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, when an abnormality that has occurred with the network billing server device is detected, for example, the job is interrupted or billing information relating to a job being executed is stored in the billing information storage means. If the abnormality is canceled and the abnormality is canceled, the stored accounting information is transmitted to the network accounting server apparatus, so that an abnormality occurs in the accounting management server apparatus or the network system during the job execution of the image forming apparatus. Even in the event of occurrence, accounting is performed correctly in accounting management.

  However, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the job is interrupted by detecting an abnormality that has occurred with the network billing server device. In an external cooperation system comprising an image forming apparatus, a network charging server apparatus, and other cooperative processing apparatuses (excluding the network charging server apparatus) that perform predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus, It is not possible to cope with an abnormal time that occurs with another cooperation processing apparatus. In addition, there is no disclosure about how to perform billing control during the process, such as how to charge a process that has already been performed when the process is interrupted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a mechanism in which billing processing can be performed without any inconvenience even when processing interruption occurs due to an abnormality in any of the devices during linkage processing. The purpose is to provide.

  The first cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls to return information related to the billing process to a state before the process when an interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation process.

  The second cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls to present to the user information related to the billing process regarding the process required so far when an interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation process. It was.

  The third cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that performs control so that a charging process related to the mutual cooperation processing is performed when the mutual cooperation processing ends normally.

  The fourth cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls so that the charging process related to the mutual cooperation process is performed when the last process other than the charging process in the mutual cooperation process is completed. .

  The fifth cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention charges the processing required so far when the mutual cooperation processing ends normally or when the last processing other than the charging processing in the mutual cooperation processing ends. A control unit that controls to present information related to processing to the user is provided. When a process interruption instruction is received after presentation, the contents processed so far are canceled, and when a process interruption instruction is received, not all of the mutual linkage processes but the billing process for the processes processed so far It is better to control so that Note that “cancel the contents processed so far” includes stopping the presentation of the processing result and discarding the intermediate teacher file.

  The sixth cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls the information related to the charging process for the mutual cooperation processing to be presented to the user prior to the start of the mutual cooperation processing.

  Note that the control unit that performs control related to the billing process in each cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by software using an electronic computer (computer), and each cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by using the electronic computer. It is also possible to extract as a invention a program suitable for being realized by software using a computer or a computer-readable storage medium storing this program.

  According to each cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention, “an external cooperation comprising an image forming apparatus and another cooperation processing apparatus (excluding a charging apparatus) that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus. Since various control processes related to the charging process are performed for the “system”, it is possible to flexibly cope with the charging process for the mutual cooperation process with other cooperation processing apparatuses. For example, it is possible to cope with an interruption caused by an abnormality occurring with another cooperation processing apparatus without any inconvenience.

  Also, according to the first cooperation processing apparatus of the present invention, if an interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation processing, the information related to the charging processing is returned to the state before the processing. Even if an interruption occurs, it is possible to prevent mis-charging.

  Further, according to the second cooperation processing apparatus of the present invention, when an interruption occurs in the middle of the mutual cooperation processing, information related to the billing processing for the processing required so far is presented to the user. It is possible to charge after the user confirms and confirms a series of charged information of the system.

  In addition, according to the third and fourth cooperation processing apparatuses according to the present invention, when the mutual cooperation processing ends normally, or when the last processing other than the billing processing in the mutual cooperation processing is finished, the mutual cooperation processing is performed. Since the billing process related to is performed, it is possible to prevent the billing from being performed when the cooperation system is interrupted.

  Further, according to the fifth cooperation processing apparatus of the present invention, it has been required up to that point when the mutual cooperation processing is normally completed or when the last processing other than the billing processing in the mutual cooperation processing is finished. Since information related to the billing process for the process is presented to the user, the user can be charged after confirming and convincing the series of billed information of the cooperation system. For example, if there is a problem with looking at the billing amount in the future processing even though it has been partly processed, the billing amount required in the future can be prevented from being charged.

  Also, according to the sixth cooperation processing apparatus of the present invention, information related to the billing process for the mutual cooperation process is presented to the user prior to the start of the mutual cooperation process. Regardless of this, after the user confirms and agrees in advance, the processing can be executed and billing can be performed.

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

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an external cooperation system in which an image forming apparatus which is an example of a cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention and an external apparatus are connected to a network.

  The external cooperation system 1 reads an image, performs a printing process based on the read image, and performs a printing process based on print data received from a client terminal, and the image forming apparatus 5. Then, an external device 7 that performs predetermined data processing that cannot be dealt with is connected via a network 9. As the external device 7, three types of external devices 7_1, 7_2, and 7_3 are prepared in this example.

  The image forming apparatus 5 can start a predetermined cooperative processing job by a user operation from a user interface device provided in the main body.

  In the external cooperation system 1 having such a configuration, various processes that cannot be provided by only one apparatus can be performed by performing predetermined processes in cooperation with each other.

  An image input terminal 3 is connected to the image forming apparatus 5 so that data to be processed is input. For example, the image input terminal 3 creates a digital document (hereinafter simply referred to as a document) DOC and performs processing such as editing, for example, a personal computer 3a, a color scanner 3b, a digital camera 3c, or a hard disk device or optical Any number of image input sources such as a data storage device 3d such as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device, and a FAX device 3e may be included. The Web server 3 f on the Internet can also be an image input source for inputting a digital document such as a home page to the image forming apparatus 5.

  Each of the image input terminals 3 incorporates an application program for creating a document DOC. For example, electronic data representing a document DOC prepared on the image input terminal 3 side is described in an image format (for example, JPEG, BMP, PNG, etc.) that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 5.

  Further, for example, a document file created by the personal computer 3a is printed in a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) in which enlargement, rotation, deformation, etc. of figures, characters, etc. can be freely controlled in order to be printed out by, for example, a printer. The data is sent to the image forming apparatus 5 as described data. The image forming apparatus 5 that has received the PDL data renders the image data for each output unit (one page) before printing, and then outputs the raster data to the image output unit (printer engine unit).

  The image forming apparatus 5 is, for example, a so-called multi-function machine (multifunction machine) having a copying function, a page printer function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function, and is configured as a digital printing apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 5 roughly includes a controller having an image reading unit 10 that reads a document, an image processing function that performs desired image processing on input image data, and a control function that controls the operation of the entire terminal. Unit 20 and an image output unit 30 that forms and outputs a visible image on a predetermined output medium based on image data from the controller unit 20, and a built-in paper feed tray 82 (in the figure, three stages of 82a, 82b, and 83c) A paper feed unit 80 that conveys print paper as an output medium from either the manual feed tray 83 to the image output unit 30.

  The controller unit 20 is provided on a processing substrate 39 connected to the image reading unit 10 and the image output unit 30. Each of the paper feed trays 82 may be configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body during normal use (for example, except during maintenance), or may be detachable. Good.

  The image forming apparatus 5 is connected to a billing apparatus 70. The billing device 70 receives deposit of coins and banknotes, and not only performs billing processing such as compensation calculation and settlement processing for processing of the image forming device 5 alone such as copying and printing by cash settlement, but also the external linkage system 1 It is also possible to perform billing processing such as consideration calculation and settlement processing for the cooperative processing using the cash settlement.

  The image forming apparatus 5 can be connected to the image input terminal 3 and the external apparatus 7 via a connection cable or a network. For example, a CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) type LAN (Local Area Network; for example, IEEE802.3) or Gigabit (Giga Bit) based LAN (hereinafter collectively referred to as a wired LAN) image input terminal such as a personal computer 3 is connected. The wired LAN can be a wireless LAN.

  Alternatively, it is connected to an image input terminal 3 such as a FAX apparatus via a public switched telephone network (PSTN). Instead of the general subscriber telephone network (PSTN) 9, facsimile may be exchanged using ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Network) or other communication media including the Internet.

  The image forming apparatus 5 can be connected to, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394 standard device 3g or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2.0 standard device 3h. The digital image data can also be received from these devices 3g and 3h. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 5 can be controlled remotely via these devices 3g and 3h.

  With such a configuration, as described above, the image forming apparatus 5 is not limited to the printing function of the image read by the image reading unit 10, that is, the copying function, but from the image input terminal 3 such as a personal computer via the connection cable 90. A so-called print function for printing an image based on acquired document data or an image file, or a function for printing out based on FAX data or other image data acquired via a telephone line or other communication interface is also provided. Become.

  The image reading apparatus 10 also has a function of a platen cover, a document feeder (ADF (automatic document conveying) apparatus) 12 that conveys and discharges a document to a reading position on a reading table (platen glass) (not shown), and an apparatus used. A user interface unit 15 having an operation panel unit 15a for displaying guidance information, predetermined information processing results, management information, and the like, and an operation key unit 15b for receiving various instruction inputs from the operator to the apparatus. Yes. It should be noted that a user interface device 16 having a large user interface or a maintenance screen used in place of or together with the operation panel unit 15a and the operation key unit 15b may be provided. An ID card insertion slot 17 for performing user authentication is provided at the lower part of the operation panel 15a and on the front side of the apparatus.

  The image reading unit 10 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, an image on a document is read by irradiating light to the document sent to the reading position by using a full width array of CCD solid-state imaging devices. The red, green and blue analog video signals representing the read image are converted into digital signals and sent to the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  When the reading is completed in this way, the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20 performs black (K), yellow (based on the red, green, and blue image data R, G, and B from the image reading unit 10. Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) on / off binarized toner signals are obtained, and the respective toner signals are output to the image output unit 30.

  The image output unit 30 includes an image forming unit 32, a duplex copying unit 34, a paper discharge unit 36 including a plurality of paper discharge trays 36 from which normal transport paper (recorded paper) is discharged, and one or a plurality of paper output units. And a plurality of processing substrates 39 (illustrated as a plurality in the figure).

  The image forming unit 32 converts the image represented by the image signal obtained by the image reading apparatus 10 into an electrophotographic type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, an ink jet type, or a similar conventional image forming process, A visible image is formed (printed), that is, copied on plain paper or thermal paper. Therefore, the image forming unit 32 includes, for example, a raster output scan (ROS) based print engine for operating the image forming apparatus 5 as a digital printing system.

  The processing substrate 39 includes not only a processing unit for the image output unit 30 (particularly an image processing unit and a control unit) but also a circuit for performing various processes of the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20 and the entire image forming apparatus 5. Is installed. For example, the document feeder 12, which is a resource built in the image forming apparatus 5, the operation panel unit 15a, an image reading unit (scanner unit) (not shown) of the image reading unit 10, an image forming unit 32, a duplex copying unit 34, paper discharge, and the like. A circuit for controlling the unit 36 or the paper feed tray 82 is mounted. The processing board 39 is mounted with a semiconductor storage medium, and stores, for example, a processing program for a copying application, a printer application, a facsimile (FAX) application, or another application.

  For example, the image reading apparatus 10 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, by using a full-width array of a CCD solid-state imaging device and irradiating light on a document sent to a reading position, an image on the document The analog video signal representing the read image is converted into a digital signal and sent to the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  In synchronization with the reading of the image reading apparatus 10, when a sheet is fed from any one of a plurality of (A 4, B 4, A 3) sheet feeding trays 82 to the image output unit 30, the image of the image output unit 30 is displayed. The forming unit 32 forms a visible image on one surface of the paper based on the K, Y, M, and C toner signals sent from the image processing function unit of the controller unit 20.

  The duplex copying unit 34 turns over the sheet on which the image is formed on one side, and feeds the sheet to the image forming unit 32 again. As a result, an image read by the image reading device 10 is formed on the other side of the sheet, and double-sided copying is completed.

  The paper discharged from the image forming unit 32 or the double-sided copied paper is sorted sequentially or page by page by the paper discharge unit 36.

  The external apparatus 7 has a server function for performing predetermined data processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus 5. As an example, the first APS 7_1 that performs character recognition (OCR) processing based on the image data sent from the image forming apparatus 5 as the first external apparatus 7 is sent from the image forming apparatus 5 as the second external apparatus 7. The second APS 7_2 that performs translation processing based on the document data that has been recognized and the character data that has been character-recognized by the first APS 7_1, and compensation processing and settlement processing for cooperation processing using the external cooperation system 1 as the third external device 7 A billing server 7_3 for performing billing processing is provided.

  When the ID card is inserted into the ID card insertion slot 17 or the user ID is input through the operation key unit 15b, the image forming apparatus 5 has personal information registered in advance as user verification information. A database server (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 6 via a network or a database in which personal information provided in the image forming apparatus 6 is checked in advance to check whether the user is a legitimate user. When proper authentication is obtained, not only cash settlement by the billing device 70 but also user information is notified to the billing server 7_3 for billing processing such as consideration calculation and settlement processing for the linkage processing using the external linkage system 1. The billing server 7_3 can be used for account settlement and credit settlement using previously registered information. Further, the billing server 7_3 can perform billing processing for account settlement and credit settlement based on the account number and credit number input by the image forming apparatus 5 even when there is no user verification.

  As a result, for example, an image read by the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 5 or an image downloaded from the Web server 3f is sent to the first APS 7_1 for character recognition processing, and then the document data is sent to the second APS 7_2 for translation processing. And the processed document data is sent to the image forming apparatus 5 and a charging service for the cooperative processing is performed by the charging server 7_3 or the charging apparatus 70. Will be able to provide.

<Examples of basic configuration of various devices>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 5 and the external apparatus 7 (collectively referred to as a cooperation processing apparatus), paying attention to functional parts for performing charging processing such as compensation calculation and settlement processing for external cooperation processing. .

  The cooperation processing device such as the image forming apparatus 5 or the external device 7 includes an instruction receiving unit 110 that receives an operation instruction of the cooperation processing device, a display that displays an operation menu, an operation state of the device, and various information. Unit 120, a communication interface unit 130 that functions as an interface with the network, and a data holding unit 140 including a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device that holds data related to the cooperative processing job.

  In addition, each cooperation processing apparatus has a processing interruption detection unit 150 that detects a processing interruption triggered by the occurrence of an abnormality or a user instruction of the own apparatus or another apparatus connected to the network as a configuration unique to the present embodiment, When the processing interruption detection unit 150 detects that a processing interruption has occurred in the middle of the cooperation processing, the data relating to the charging processing held in the data holding unit 140 of the own device or another device to be linked is related to the cooperation processing job. Cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 that adjusts data, and processing related to charging processing such as compensation calculation and settlement processing based on data related to charging processing (including data adjusted by the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170) Or a charging control unit 180 that issues a charging processing instruction to another device. “Adjusting the data related to the cooperation processing job” means deleting (discarding) all or a part of the data, or returning the data to the state before the processing is interrupted.

  The image forming apparatus 5 and the image forming apparatus 5 are provided with a control unit that performs adjustment related to the mutual cooperation process and the control related to the billing process, which includes the process interruption detection unit 150, the collaboration process adjustment control unit 170, and the billing control unit 180. Then, other cooperative processing devices (first APS 7_1 and second APS 7_2 except for the billing server 7_3 in this example) and billing devices (in this example, the billing device 70 on the image forming device 5 side and the network side) that perform predetermined data processing that cannot be dealt with. Since various control processes related to the accounting process are performed for the external cooperation system 1 including the accounting server 7_3), the mutual cooperation process between the image forming apparatus 5 and another cooperation processing apparatus is performed. Can be flexibly dealt with, for example, in the event of an abnormality that occurs with another cooperative processing device or when a user intentionally instructs It can cope even without inconvenience against interruptions.

  For example, the processing interruption detection unit 150 detects the processing interruption that has occurred in its own device, or detects the processing interruption that has occurred in another device that cooperates by using the notification transmission / reception function. Any method can be used as long as it can detect that processing interruption has occurred in any of the external cooperation systems 1 during processing, and various known methods can be employed. Here, explanation of those specific mechanisms is omitted.

  It should be noted that when detecting that a processing interruption has occurred in any of the external cooperation systems 1 during the mutual cooperation processing, when there is no fixed response from at least one of the plurality of other devices operating in cooperation. Also, it can be determined that processing interruption has occurred.

  In addition, when determining that a processing interruption has occurred when there is no constant response from a plurality of other devices operating in cooperation, it is always determined that the processing has been interrupted when there is no constant response from any one of the devices. Is not essential, and it is also possible to determine whether or not it is determined that the processing is interrupted when there is no certain response in consideration of the characteristics of other devices. For example, it may be determined that the processing is interrupted when there is no fixed response from a device that becomes fatal in terms of security if data is left among a plurality of devices operating in cooperation. If there is no response from a device that is important as a data security measure, the data is discarded or restored in response to an abnormal system error by adjusting data such as data discarding or returning if the processing is interrupted. It is possible to avoid such a situation that data adjustment is performed.

  When the processing interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation processing, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 automatically deletes the data related to the cooperation processing job remaining in the device itself or restores the state before the processing interruption. The data holding unit 140 provided in the own apparatus is controlled so as to perform data adjustment.

  Alternatively, it is possible to perform data adjustment such as deleting data related to the cooperative processing job remaining in the other apparatuses to be linked from the data holding unit 140 provided in the other apparatuses or returning to the state before the processing interruption occurs. In addition, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 issues a processing interruption notification to the processing interruption detection unit 150 of another device that cooperates. In other cooperating apparatuses that have received this process interruption notification, the coordinating process adjustment control unit 170 deletes data related to the coordinating process job remaining in the data holding unit 140 in its own apparatus or returns to the state before the process interruption occurred. The data holding unit 140 provided in the own apparatus is controlled so as to perform data adjustment such as causing the data to be adjusted. Here, the process interruption notification to other apparatuses is performed via the cooperation process adjustment control unit 170, but the process interruption detection unit 150 may be configured to perform the notification.

  In other words, in the external cooperation system 1 of the present embodiment, when a process interruption occurs in at least one of a plurality of apparatuses that operate in cooperation, the cooperation processing job that remains in the own apparatus itself when the process interruption is detected. Data adjustments such as deleting the data related to the process or returning to the state before the processing interruption occurs, and other devices that have received the processing interruption notification also receive the processing interruption notification. Data adjustment such as deleting the data related to the cooperative processing job remaining in the other apparatus) or returning to the state before the processing interruption occurs is performed.

  In other devices that have received the processing interruption notification, when performing data adjustment such as deleting or restoring data relating to the cooperative processing job remaining in the other devices that operate in cooperation, the processing interruption notification is received. It is not absolutely necessary to perform the data adjustment process, and it is also possible to determine whether or not to perform the data adjustment process in consideration of the characteristics of the device that issued the process interruption notification. For example, data adjustment may be performed when processing interruption is notified from a device that becomes fatal in terms of security if data is left among a plurality of devices operating in cooperation. By performing data adjustment only when processing is interrupted in a device that is important as a data security measure, it is possible to avoid a situation where data adjustment is performed in response to processing interruption in various linkage devices.

  Further, as data related to the cooperative processing job to be adjusted when the process is interrupted, for example, a process in the image forming apparatus 5 for an image read by the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 5 or an image downloaded from the Web server 3f. There is an intermediate generation file that is intermediate data. In addition, there is an intermediate generation file that is document data that has undergone character recognition processing in the first APS 7_1, document data that has undergone translation processing in the second APS 7_2, or data that is being processed in the first APS 7_1 or the second APS 7_2. In addition, there are also billing information used for billing processing in the billing server 7_3 or the billing apparatus 70 and an intermediate generation file which is data during the billing process. The user information used in these external linkage processes is also an example of data related to a linkage process job that is a data adjustment target.

<Example of the configuration of a cooperation processing apparatus using an electronic computer>
In the present embodiment, the mechanism for performing the data discarding process when processing interruption occurs during external linkage processing is not limited to being configured by a hardware processing circuit, but based on a program code that realizes the function. It can also be realized in software using a (computer).

  Therefore, a program suitable for realizing an external cooperative processing method (particularly processing related to charging control), an image forming apparatus or a cooperative processing device (particularly functional part related to charging control) with software using an electronic computer (computer). Alternatively, a computer-readable storage medium storing this program can be extracted as an invention.

  When a series of external linkage processing (especially billing information adjustment processing) functions are executed by software on a computer, a computer (such as an embedded microcomputer) in which a program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, Alternatively, a system on a chip (SOC) that implements a desired system by mounting functions such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a logic circuit, and a storage device on one chip, or various programs It is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like that can execute various functions by installing.

  The recording medium causes a state change of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description contents of the program to the reading device provided in the hardware resource of the computer, and in the form of a signal corresponding to the change. The program description can be transmitted to the reader.

  For example, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk FD), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)), a DVD on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer. (Including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini Disc)), or package media (portable storage media) made of semiconductor memory, etc. It may be configured by a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in which a program is recorded, which is provided to the user in a state of being recorded.

  The program constituting the software is not limited to be provided via a recording medium, and may be provided via a wired or wireless communication network without using the recording medium.

  For example, a storage medium that records a program code of software that realizes an external cooperation processing function is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads the program code stored in the storage medium By executing this, the same effect as in the case of the hardware processing circuit is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the external cooperation processing function.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only a function of performing external linkage processing is realized, but also an OS (Operating Systems; basic software) running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code Or the like may perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the function of performing the external cooperation processing by the processing may be realized.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit may perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the function of performing the external cooperation processing by the processing may be realized.

  Note that the program is provided as a file describing a program code for realizing the function of performing external linkage processing. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file, and the hardware of the system configured by a computer Depending on the configuration, it may be provided as an individual program module.

  For example, FIG. 3 shows a cooperative processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus 5 or an external apparatus 7 having a function of performing external cooperative processing in software using a CPU or memory, that is, a computer (electronic computer) such as a personal computer. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a hardware configuration in the case of implement | achieving external cooperation processing like a software using the function of.

  Needless to say, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration using a computer, and a configuration in which external linkage processing is performed by a combination of dedicated hardware that performs processing of each functional unit of the image forming apparatus 5 and the external device 7 shown in FIG. It can also be. However, by adopting a mechanism for executing processing by software, it is possible to enjoy the advantage that the processing procedure can be easily changed without changing the hardware.

  For example, the computer system 900 reads and records data from a controller unit 901 and a predetermined storage medium such as a hard disk device, a flexible disk (FD) drive, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) drive, a semiconductor memory controller, or the like. A recording / reading control unit 902 (corresponding to the data holding unit 140).

  The controller unit 901 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 912, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 913 which is a read-only storage unit, and a RAM (Random Access) which can be written and read at any time and is an example of a volatile storage unit. Memory) 915 and RAM (described as NVRAM) 916 which is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit. The NVRAM 916 can store temporary data, for example. In this case, the NVRAM 916 functions as a temporary data storage unit.

  In the above description, the “volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in a form in which the stored content disappears when the main power of the cooperative processing apparatus is turned off. On the other hand, the “non-volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in a form that keeps stored contents even when the main power of the cooperation processing apparatus is turned off. Any memory device can be used as long as it can retain the stored contents. The semiconductor memory device itself is not limited to a nonvolatile memory device, and a backup power supply is provided to make a volatile memory device “nonvolatile”. You may comprise as follows. Further, the present invention is not limited to a semiconductor memory element, and may be configured using a medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. For example, a hard disk device can be used as a nonvolatile storage unit.

  In addition, the computer system 900 has an instruction input unit 903 (using an operation panel unit 941 provided in a cooperation processing apparatus including a keyboard, a mouse, a display panel unit 941a, and an operation key unit 941b as a function unit that forms a user interface. An instruction receiving unit 110), a display output unit 904 (equivalent to the display unit 120) for presenting predetermined information such as a guidance screen and a processing result at the time of operation, and an interface functioning as an interface function between each functional unit Part (IF part) 909.

  The display output unit 904 includes a display control unit 942 and a display device. As the display device, for example, an operation panel unit 941 provided in the cooperation processing device can be used. Alternatively, other display units 944 such as a CRT or LCD can be used. Note that by using the display unit 944 having the touch panel 943 on the display surface, the instruction input unit 903 for inputting predetermined information with a fingertip, a pen, or the like can be configured.

  When the image forming apparatus 5 is configured, the computer system 900 is also provided with a functional portion that performs predetermined data processing on data to be provided for external linkage processing. For example, an image forming unit 906 corresponding to the image output unit 30 that outputs an image in which a link destination address is encoded and embedded in a print image to a predetermined output medium (for example, print paper), and an image to be printed An image reading unit (scanner unit) 907 corresponding to the image reading unit 10 is provided.

  The image forming unit 906 is, for example, an electrophotographic type, thermal type, thermal transfer type, ink jet type, or similar conventional image based on the image represented by the image signal obtained by the image reading unit 907 or the received image data. Using the forming process, a visible image is formed (printed) on plain paper or thermal paper. Therefore, the image forming unit 906 includes an image processing unit 962 that generates print output data such as binary signals of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K, for example, a raster output scan base, an inkjet method, and the like. The print engine 964 is provided.

  The image reading unit 907 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, an image on a document is read by irradiating light to the document sent to the reading position by using a full width array of CCD solid-state imaging devices. The red R, green G, and blue B analog video signals representing the read image are converted into digital signals.

  As the interface unit 909, in addition to the system bus 991, which is a transfer path for processing data (including image data) and control data, for example, a scanner IF unit 997, an image forming unit 906, and an interface function with the image reading unit 907 are provided. It has a printer IF unit 996 that functions as an interface with other printers, and a communication IF unit 999 (corresponding to the communication interface unit 130) that mediates communication data exchange with a network such as the Internet.

  It should be noted that not all processing of each functional part for external cooperation processing is performed by software, but a processing interruption detection unit 150 or cooperative processing adjustment control unit 170 that performs a part of these functional parts by dedicated hardware. A processing circuit 908 for configuring the charging control unit 180 and the like may be provided. Although the mechanism performed by software can flexibly cope with parallel processing and continuous processing, the processing time becomes longer as the processing becomes complicated, so that a reduction in processing speed becomes a problem. On the other hand, it is possible to construct an accelerator system with a higher speed by using a hardware processing circuit. Even if the processing is complicated, the accelerator system can prevent a reduction in processing speed and can obtain a high throughput.

  In such a configuration, the CPU 912 controls the entire system via the system bus 991 and corresponds to a so-called controller unit. The ROM 913 stores a control program for the CPU 912 and the like. The RAM 915 is configured by SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like. The RAM 915 also stores an electronic document (not limited to character data but may include image data) acquired by a predetermined application program, image data acquired by the image reading unit 907 provided in the apparatus, and externally. An area for temporarily storing the acquired electronic document or the like is included.

  For example, a program that causes a computer to execute an external cooperation processing function is distributed through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, this program may be stored in the FD instead of the CD-ROM. In addition, an MO drive may be provided to store the program in the MO, or the program may be stored in another recording medium such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card such as a flash memory. Furthermore, the program may be downloaded from another server or the like via a network such as the Internet, or may be updated or updated.

  As a recording medium for providing the program, in addition to FD and CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as DVD, a magnetic recording medium such as MD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as PD, a tape medium, and a magnetic medium. A semiconductor memory such as a recording medium, an IC card, or a miniature card can be used. A part or all of functions for realizing the external cooperation processing function can be stored in an FD or a CD-ROM as an example of a recording medium.

  The hard disk device also includes an area for storing data for various processes by the control program and temporarily storing a large amount of image data acquired by the image reading unit 907 or image data received from the outside. It is out. The hard disk device, FD drive, or CD-ROM drive is used, for example, for registering program data for causing the CPU 912 to execute processing such as content acquisition, address acquisition, or address setting by software. .

<Processing Example; First Embodiment>
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a basic processing example (FIG. 4) and a modification processing example (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment of the external cooperation processing in the external cooperation system 1 having the above-described configuration. This first embodiment is intended to eliminate the inconvenience of billing processing due to processing interruption by performing billing when the mutual cooperation processing is normally completed.

  First, the image forming apparatus 5, the first APS 7_1, the second APS 7_2, and the accounting server 7_3 can notify each other of processing interruption notifications, and the processing interruption detecting unit 150 detects that processing interruption has occurred in the own apparatus. Then, the processing interruption detection unit 150 itself or the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 notifies the processing interruption detection unit 150 of another device that the processing interruption has occurred via the network 9.

  In the image forming apparatus 5 having a browser function such as downloading home page data from the Web server 3f and displaying it on the display screen of the operation panel unit 15a or the user interface device 16 or printing information on the home page on paper. Then, the document image read by the image reading unit 10 or the image downloaded from the Web server 3f is transferred to the first APS 7_1 that performs the character recognition service (S10).

  The first APS 7_1 recognizes a character portion existing in the image transferred from the image forming apparatus 5 to create document data composed of text information, transfers this document data to the image forming apparatus 5 (S12), and translates it. The data is also transferred to the second APS 7_2 that performs the service (S14). Further, the first APS 7_1 sends the load information (for example, processing time) required for the character recognition process to the accounting server 7_3 and the accounting device 70 on the image forming apparatus 5 side (S16).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 5 downloads home page data (an example of document data) from the Web server 3f and transfers it to the second APS 7_2 that provides the translation service (S18).

  The second APS 7_2 that performs the translation service converts (that is, translates) the document data transferred from the first APS 7_1 and the home page data transferred from the image forming apparatus 5 into document data of a different language system, and converts the translated document data. The image is transferred to the image forming apparatus 5 (S20). Further, the second APS 7_2 sends load information (for example, processing time) required for the translation processing to the accounting server 7_3 (S22).

  When all the processes are normally completed, the image forming apparatus 5 presents the cooperation processing result to the user. “Presenting the cooperation processing result to the user” means that the user can use the character-recognized document data from the first APS 7_1 and the translated document data from the second APS 7_2. It includes saving the document data in a predetermined storage medium, and displaying or printing out based on the document data.

  In addition, the charging control unit 180 issues a charging processing request to the charging device 70 or the charging server 7_3. For example, when the billing control unit 180 of the billing server 7_3 accepts a billing processing request for cooperation processing in the external cooperation system 1 from the image forming apparatus 5 (S30), the character recognition processing and translation transferred from the first APS7_1 and the second APS7_2 Based on the load information required for the processing, the accounting process for the linkage process in the external linkage system 1 is performed, and the intermediate generation file in the accounting process and the information of the accounting process result are notified to the image forming apparatus 5 (S32). In the image forming apparatus 5, the charging control unit 180 can present the charging amount to the user through the operation panel unit 15a or the like based on the information of the intermediate generation file and the charging process result.

  In other words, in the linkage system in which the image forming apparatus 5 having the browser function, the first APS 7_1 having the OCR server function, the second APS 7_2 having the translation server function, and the billing server 7_3 operate in cooperation, charging is performed when all the processes are normally completed. The server 7_3 is charged normally.

  On the other hand, as in the basic processing example shown in FIG. 4, for example, a document image read by the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 5 is recognized by the first APS 7_1 and then transferred to the second APS 7_2. When the cooperation process is interrupted due to the occurrence of an abnormality (S40), the second APS 7_2 deletes the intermediate generation file related to the translation process held in the data holding unit 140 in the own apparatus (S42), A processing interruption notification is sent to the image forming apparatus 5, the first APS 7_1, and the accounting server 7_3 (S44). At this time, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the second APS 7_2 notifies the first APS 7_1 and the image forming apparatus 5 of the charging cancellation information together with the ID number (job ID) for identifying the job.

  In the image forming apparatus 5 that has received this processing interruption notification, job ID, or charging cancellation notification, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 does not issue a charging processing request to the charging device 70 or the charging server 7_3. In addition, the user information for charging the character recognition service and the translation service corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 5 and the intermediate generation file related to charging are automatically deleted. It is assumed that there was not (S46).

  Further, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 5 corresponds to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 in the first APS 7_1 that is a cooperation ASP (an example of a remaining device) other than the second APS 7_2 in which the processing is interrupted. A request is made to the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the first APS 7_1, that is, a deletion request is made to delete the intermediate generation file and charging information related to the character recognition processing (S50). Upon receiving this request, the coordination processing adjustment control unit 170 of the first APS 7_1 receives the user information for charging the intermediate generation file and the translation service related to the character recognition processing corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the first APS 7_1. Or an intermediate generation file (for example, load information) related to billing is deleted (S52).

  Further, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 5 corresponds to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 in the accounting server 7_3 (an example of the remaining device) other than the second APS 7_2 that caused the processing interruption. Requesting the cooperative processing adjustment control unit 170 of the accounting server 7_3 to delete the charging information (for example, user information) and the intermediate generation file for charging the character recognition processing and translation processing to be performed, that is, request deletion. (S60). Upon receiving this request, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the accounting server 7_3 deletes the accounting information (for example, user information) and the intermediate generation file corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the accounting server 7_3 (S62). ).

  Note that in the basic processing example shown in FIG. 4, the first APS 7_1 that is an external device that cooperates with the image forming apparatus 5 when the processing interruption occurs in the second APS 7_2 in the middle of the mutual cooperation processing and the remaining in the accounting server 7_3. Although the discard processing of the data related to the cooperation processing job is performed after receiving the discard request from the image forming apparatus 5, it can also be performed after receiving the processing interruption notification from the second APS 7_2.

  In addition, as in the modified processing example shown in FIG. 5, the second APS 7_2 where the processing interruption such as an abnormality has occurred first notifies the charging server 7_3 of the processing interruption notification, the ID number (job ID) for identifying the job, and the charging cancellation information. The data discarding process in the image forming apparatus 5 and the first APS 7_1 can be controlled from the accounting server 7_3.

  In other words, after the document image read by the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 5 is recognized by the first APS 7_1 and transferred to the second APS 7_2, an interruption occurs in the second APS 7_2 that performs the translation service, and the cooperation process is interrupted. If this is the case (S40), the second APS 7_2 deletes the intermediate generation file related to the translation process held in the data holding unit 140 in the own apparatus (S42), and first sends a process interruption notification to the accounting server 7_3 (S74). ). At this time, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the second APS 7_2 notifies the accounting server 7_3 of the accounting cancellation information together with the ID number (job ID) for identifying the job.

  That is, the coordination processing adjustment control unit 170 of the second APS 7_2 is a character corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 in the accounting server 7_3 (an example of a remaining device) other than the second APS 7_2 that caused the processing interruption. A request is made to the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the accounting server 7_3 to delete the accounting information (for example, user information) for charging for the recognition processing and the translation processing and the intermediate generation file, that is, a deletion request is made.

  Upon receiving this processing interruption notification, job ID, or charging cancellation notification, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the charging server 7_3 stores charging information (for example, user information) corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the charging server 7_3. It is assumed that the intermediate generation files are deleted and there are no files (S76).

  Further, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the accounting server 7_3 notifies the first APS 7_1 and the image forming apparatus 5 of the accounting cancellation information together with the ID number (job ID) for identifying the job (S78). Upon receiving this notification, the coordination processing adjustment control unit 170 of the first APS 7_1 receives the user information for charging the intermediate generation file and the translation service related to the character recognition processing corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the first APS 7_1. Or an intermediate generation file (for example, load information) related to billing is deleted (S82).

  Similarly, in the image forming apparatus 5, the cooperation process adjustment control unit 170 does not issue a charging process request to the charging apparatus 70. In addition, the user information for charging the character recognition service and the translation service corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 5 and the intermediate generation file related to charging are deleted, and there is no such file. (S86).

  As described above, in both the basic processing example and the modified processing example of the first embodiment, when the linkage processing is suspended due to the occurrence of an abnormality, the intermediate generated files and data remaining in the middle of the processing in each device. Can be deleted, and high security can be maintained as the device itself. In addition, when the collaboration process is suspended, the intermediate files and data remaining in the other devices that are performing the collaboration process can be deleted, so that other devices can maintain high security. Can do.

  In addition, since the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 5 that has received the processing interruption notification does not issue a charging processing request to the charging device 70 or the charging server 7_3, an abnormality occurs in the cooperation system. If the processing is interrupted and the mutual cooperation processing does not end normally, the charging server 7_3 or the like is not charged.

  That is, in the cooperative system in which the image forming apparatus 5 having the browser function, the first APS 7_1 having the OCR server function, the second APS 7_2 having the translation server function, and the accounting server 7_3 operate in cooperation, the translation processing in the second APS 7_2 is not finished. Therefore, by deleting (discarding) various information related to the accounting process (including intermediate files), it is possible to prevent the accounting server 7_3 from being charged.

  Note that when the data discarding process is performed, the discarding process may not always be performed in some cases. For example, let us consider a case where when the character recognition processing result in the first APS 7_1 is transferred to the image forming apparatus 5, the image forming apparatus 5 presents the document data subjected to the character recognition processing to the user.

  In this case, of the series of linkage processing such as character recognition processing → presentation of character recognition processing → translation processing → presentation of translation processing results, the character recognition processing and the presentation of the character recognition processing results are not limited to the linkage processing. Even if an abnormality occurs and the cooperation process is interrupted in the middle, the value has already been provided to the user, and it is not appropriate not to charge for that amount at all.

  Therefore, in such a case, when processing interruption occurs due to an abnormality or the like in the middle of the mutual cooperation processing, the charging control unit 180 of the image forming apparatus 5 causes the final result of the cooperation processing (in this example, the translated document) Data) is not charged to the billing device 70 or the billing server 7_3, but is charged only for the cost corresponding to the processing required until the interruption occurs. You may make it request | require to the apparatus 70 or the accounting server 7_3. Here, the “expense amount commensurate with the processing required until the occurrence of the interruption” can be said to be “expense amount commensurate with the processing required so far”. In this example, character recognition processing or This is an expense amount commensurate with the user presentation of the character recognition processing result.

  In this way, if some processing has been completed, but future processing is not performed due to the occurrence of interruption, and there is a problem in the settlement processing with the total fee as a result of presenting the final result of the cooperation processing to the user, at least The billing amount after the interruption (in this example, the amount for presenting the translated document data, which is the final result of the cooperation process) to the user is not charged to the user.

  Further, in this case, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 causes the first APS 7_1 and the second APS 7_2 to delete all of the character recognition processing and translation processing intermediate generation files corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140. Rather, it retains the amount commensurate with the amount charged and requests that the rest be deleted. Receiving this request, each cooperative processing adjustment control unit 170 holds the amount corresponding to the billing amount among the character recognition processing and translation processing intermediate generation files corresponding to the job ID remaining in each data holding unit 140, Let the rest be deleted. In addition, the operation panel unit 15a or the like notifies the user that a part of the data corresponding to the billed amount is held (recovered) in the data holding unit 140 and the contents of the data.

  In other words, even if an abnormality occurs and the cooperation process is interrupted in the middle of a series of cooperation processes, if there is already a value that provided value to the user, `` ”Expense amount commensurate with the processed” and discard the processed data (translated document data in this example), but instead of discarding all of the intermediate generation files, the amount commensurate with the invoice amount Keep only the data. By doing this, the remaining data can be avoided except for the amount corresponding to the billing amount, regardless of the type of data, such as document data, billing information, user information related to billing processing, or intermediate generated files being processed. As a result, it is possible to alleviate the problem that the memory is occupied due to data accumulation and a processing load is imposed.

  In addition, since the data corresponding to the amount charged, that is, the data paid by the user is held in the data holding unit 140, when the user requests a continuation processing request again, the processing is performed from the beginning. Instead, the processing can be continued using the intermediate generation file held in the data holding unit 140. As a result, the time until completion of processing can be shortened compared to the case where processing is performed from the beginning, and it is possible to charge the user only for the continuation of the cost, thereby keeping the total cost low. it can.

<Example of Processing; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the external cooperation process in the external cooperation system 1 having the above configuration. The second embodiment is an example of a modification process for the first embodiment, and is similar to the first embodiment, assuming that charging is performed when the mutual cooperation process ends normally, and is normal. When the process is completed, the user is notified of information related to the billing process for the process required up to that point, waits for a continuation confirmation instruction from the user, presents the cooperation process result to the user, and performs the billing process. Have. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  When all the processes are completed normally, before the image forming apparatus 5 presents the cooperation processing result to the user, the charging control unit 180 issues a charging process request to the charging apparatus 70 or the charging server 7_3. The billing process request here is before the settlement process. Specifically, the fee calculation (corresponding to the intermediate generation file) for each process such as the character recognition process and the translation process, and the cooperation process result are obtained by the user. Request the calculation of the total fee when presented to.

  For example, when the charging server 7_3 receives a charging processing request for the cooperative processing in the external cooperative system 1 from the image forming apparatus 5 (S30), the load required for the character recognition processing and translation processing transferred from the first APS 7_1 and the second APS 7_2. Based on the information, charge processing (up to the calculation of the total charge) for the cooperation processing in the external cooperation system 1 is performed, and an intermediate generation file (charge calculation result for each process) of the charge processing process and information on the charge processing result (particularly, The calculation result of the total charge is notified to the image forming apparatus 5 (S32).

  Receiving the notification of the information related to the charging, the charging control unit 180 of the image forming apparatus 5 first displays the total charge when the cooperation processing result is presented to the user on the operation panel unit 15a or the like (S34), and further continues the processing. Confirmation of whether or not to perform (in this example, whether or not to present the cooperation processing result to the user) is requested from the user. Then, only when there is a continuation instruction, the translation result document data, which is the result of the cooperation process, is presented to the user, and the actual settlement process is requested to the charging apparatus 70 and the charging server 7_3. In this way, by presenting a series of charged information of the cooperation system to the user, it is possible to charge after confirmation and confirmation.

  On the other hand, when an instruction not to continue the process (process interruption instruction) is issued, such as when the user desires to cancel the process because the amount is too high, the cooperation process adjustment control unit 170 automatically It is assumed that the user information for charging the character recognition service and the translation service corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140 of the image forming apparatus 5 and the intermediate generation file related to charging are deleted and there are no such files (S142). ).

  In addition, the cooperative processing adjustment control unit 170 of the image forming apparatus 5 sends data to the first APS 7_1, the second APS 7_2, and the data holding unit 140 in the charging server 7_3, which are cooperative ASPs (an example of a residual device) other than the second APS 7_2 that caused the processing interruption. A request is made to each coordination processing adjustment control unit 170 to delete the intermediate generation file, billing information, the intermediate generation file, etc. related to the character recognition processing and translation processing corresponding to the remaining job ID, that is, a deletion request is made. (S144).

  Upon receipt of this request, each coordination processing adjustment control section 170 receives intermediate generation files related to character recognition processing and translation processing corresponding to the job ID remaining in each data holding section 140, and a user for charging processing for these processes. Information, etc., intermediate generation files (for example, load information) related to billing, etc. are deleted (S146).

  In other words, if the user is not satisfied with a series of charged information from the linked system that is presented to the user, all processed data and intermediate generation files will be used instead of no charge. Is discarded. In this way, if it does not continue (does not allow billing), the contents processed so far can be canceled, document data, billing information, user information related to billing processing, intermediate generated files being processed, etc. Regardless of the type of data, the remaining data can be avoided, and the problem that the memory is occupied due to data accumulation and becomes a processing burden does not occur.

  Alternatively, as another processing method, when an instruction to not continue (suspend) processing is issued, such as when the user desires to stop processing because the amount is too high, the image forming apparatus 5 performs cooperative processing adjustment control. The unit 170 controls the data holding unit 140 to hold data for “expense amount commensurate with the processing required so far” and delete the remaining data (S150), and the charging control unit 180 displays the cooperation processing result. Rather than requesting the billing device 70 or the billing server 7_3 for the settlement processing with the total fee when presented to the user, the billing device 70 or the billing server 7_3 performs the billing processing only for the amount of expenses corresponding to the processing required so far. May be requested (S151). As a result, the billing server 7_3 and the like settle the expenses (S152).

  Here, the “expense amount commensurate with the processing required so far” does not necessarily mean all the considerations for all the processing performed so far. The amount can be determined flexibly by the operation of the system administrator.

  By doing this, if there is a problem with looking at the billing amount in the future processing even though it has been partly processed, at least the billing amount that will be required in the future (in this example, the translated document data that is the result of the collaboration process will be The amount of money to be presented to the user is not charged to the user.

  Further, in this case, the cooperation processing adjustment control unit 170 causes the first APS 7_1 and the second APS 7_2 to delete all of the character recognition processing and translation processing intermediate generation files corresponding to the job ID remaining in the data holding unit 140. Instead, a request is made to retain the amount commensurate with the billed amount and delete the rest (S154). Receiving this request, each cooperative processing adjustment control unit 170 holds the amount corresponding to the billing amount among the character recognition processing and translation processing intermediate generation files corresponding to the job ID remaining in each data holding unit 140, The rest is deleted (S156). In addition, in this way, the user is notified that part of the data commensurate with the amount charged is held (recovered) in the data holding unit 140 and the contents of the data.

  In other words, when the user is not satisfied with a series of billed information from the linked system that is presented to the user, it is charged and processed as "expenses commensurate with the processing required so far." The data (translated document data in this example) is discarded, but not all of the intermediate generation file is discarded, but only the data corresponding to the charge amount is retained. By doing this, the remaining data can be avoided except for the amount corresponding to the billing amount, regardless of the type of data, such as document data, billing information, user information related to billing processing, or intermediate generated files being processed. As a result, it is possible to alleviate the problem that the memory is occupied due to data accumulation and a processing load is imposed.

  In addition, since the data corresponding to the billed amount, that is, the data paid by the user is held (recovered) in the data holding unit 140, when the continuation processing request is issued again from the user, the data is processed from the beginning. The processing can be continued using the intermediate generation file held in the data holding unit 140. As a result, the time until completion of processing can be shortened compared to the case where processing is performed from the beginning, and it is possible to charge the user only for the continuation of the cost, thereby keeping the total cost low. it can.

  It should be noted that the processing from step S150 onward in this second embodiment is a request and data commensurate with the expense amount in the processing of the first embodiment in that it charges “an expense amount commensurate with the processing required so far”. Similar to the process of holding. In other words, the billing and data retention processing commensurate with the expense in the processing of the first embodiment is a case where the cooperation processing is interrupted before the processing is completed due to an abnormality in the cooperation system, and the processing of the second embodiment. The processing in step S150 and after is a case where the user who has been presented with the charge information intentionally interrupts the cooperation processing before the completion of the processing. This is common in that the process is interrupted before completion.

<Processing Example; Third Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the external cooperation process in the external cooperation system 1 having the above configuration. This third embodiment is based on the premise that each time the individual processes in the mutual cooperation process are completed, the calculation for the cost required for the process is performed, and when the process is interrupted, the calculation result is returned to the original state. By reverting to, the inconvenience of the billing process due to the interruption of the process is to be solved. Note that “returning to the original state” means returning to a state up to an arbitrary process completion stage before the start of the cooperation process or before the interrupted process.

  In the image forming apparatus 5 having a browser function such as downloading home page data from the Web server 3f and displaying it on the display screen of the operation panel unit 15a or the user interface device 16 or printing information on the home page on paper. Then, the document image read by the image reading unit 10 or the image downloaded from the Web server 3f is transferred to the first APS 7_1 that performs the character recognition service (S10).

  The first APS 7_1 recognizes a character portion existing in the image transferred from the image forming apparatus 5 to create document data composed of text information, transfers this document data to the image forming apparatus 5 (S12), and translates it. The data is also transferred to the second APS 7_2 that performs the service (S14). Further, the first APS 7_1 sends information to the charging server 7_3 and the charging device 70 on the image forming apparatus 5 side that the processing or charging cannot be canceled regarding this character recognition processing (S16).

  The accounting server 7_3 and the accounting device 70 on the image forming apparatus 5 side perform the accounting process for the character recognition process based on the load information required for the character recognition process transferred from the first APS 7_1, and an intermediate generated file of the accounting process And information on the accounting process result is notified to the image forming apparatus 5 (S17).

  In the image forming apparatus 5, the charging control unit 180 can present the charging amount related to the character recognition processing to the user through the operation panel unit 15a or the like based on the information of the intermediate generation file and the charging processing result.

  In addition, the user may use the character-recognized document data from the first APS 7_1. However, this is not essential. For example, the character-recognized document data may be saved in a predetermined storage medium, or may be displayed or printed out based on the character-recognized document data. Further, the image forming apparatus 5 downloads home page data (an example of document data) from the Web server 3f and transfers it to the second APS 7_2 that provides the translation service (S18).

  The second APS 7_2 that performs the translation service converts (that is, translates) the document data transferred from the first APS 7_1 and the home page data transferred from the image forming apparatus 5 into document data of a different language system, and converts the translated document data. The image is transferred to the image forming apparatus 5 (S20). Also, the second APS 7_2 sends load information (for example, processing time, number of words to be processed, etc.) required for this translation process and information on the value for this translation process to the billing server 7_3 (S22).

  The accounting server 7_3 and the accounting device 70 on the image forming apparatus 5 side perform the accounting process for the translation process and the accounting process result for the cooperation process based on the load information required for the translation process transferred from the second APS 7_2. Information on the intermediate generation file of the process and information on the accounting process result is notified to the image forming apparatus 5 (S23).

  When all the processes are normally completed, the image forming apparatus 5 presents the cooperation processing result to the user. “Presenting the cooperation processing result to the user” means that the user can use the character-recognized document data from the first APS 7_1 and the translated document data from the second APS 7_2. It includes saving the document data in a predetermined storage medium, and displaying or printing out based on the document data.

  In the image forming apparatus 5, the charge control unit 180 sends the charge amount related to the translation process and the charge amount related to the series of linkage processes to the user through the operation panel unit 15 a or the like based on the information of the intermediate generation file and the charge processing result. Can be presented.

  That is, in the third embodiment, the cooperative processing is configured in the cooperative system in which the image forming apparatus 5 having the browser function, the first APS 7_1 having the OCR server function, the second APS 7_2 having the translation server function, and the accounting server 7_3 operate in cooperation. When each process is completed, the charging device 70 and the charging server 7_3 are charged. Even if the linkage process is interrupted in the middle due to an abnormality, etc., the accounting calculation process for the process up to that stage can be completed, and in some cases, the settlement process is completed each time the process is completed Can also be completed.

  On the other hand, for example, a document image read by the image reading unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 5 is recognized by the first APS 7_1 and then transferred to the second APS 7_2. If it occurs (S240), the second APS 7_2 deletes the intermediate generation file related to the translation process held in the data holding unit 140 in the own apparatus (S242), and notifies the image forming apparatus 5 and the first APS 7_1 of the process interruption. And sent to the accounting server 7_3 (S244).

  In the image forming apparatus 5 that has received this processing interruption notification, the charging control unit 180 performs compensation calculation and settlement processing for the cost required for each processing in the mutual cooperation processing at the charging device 70. In the case of charging by the charging device 70 on the image forming apparatus 5 side, the consideration for the processing that has been normally completed is counted, and the consideration for the processing in which an abnormality has occurred or the processing that has not actually been performed is counted. The billing information is corrected by canceling (S246). Further, using the operation panel unit 15a or the like, the user is notified of the fact and the corrected billing information (S247). By doing so, it is possible to indicate to the user the information to be charged and the corrected charging information in the case of a processing error in the cooperation system.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an external cooperation system in which an image forming apparatus which is an example of a cooperation processing apparatus according to the present invention and an external apparatus are connected to a network. It is a functional block diagram of the cooperation processing apparatus paying attention to the functional part for performing the accounting process for the external cooperation processing. It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions in the case of comprising a cooperation processing apparatus using an electronic computer. It is a figure explaining the example of a basic process of 1st Embodiment of an external cooperation process. It is a figure explaining the modification process example of 1st Embodiment of an external cooperation process. It is a figure explaining 2nd Embodiment of an external cooperation process. It is a figure explaining 3rd Embodiment of an external cooperation process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... External cooperation system, 3 ... Image input terminal, 5 ... Image forming apparatus, 7 ... External device, 7_1 ... 1st APS, 7_1 ... 2nd APS, 7_1 ... Billing server, 9 ... Network, 70 ... Billing device, 110 ... Instruction Reception unit, 120 ... display unit, 130 ... communication interface unit, 140 ... data holding unit, 150 ... processing interruption detection unit, 170 ... cooperation processing adjustment control unit, 180 ... billing control unit

Claims (9)

A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
A cooperation processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to return information related to the billing process to a state before the process when an interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation process. The cooperative processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so as to notify a user that information related to the accounting process has been returned to a state before the process. A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
A cooperation processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that controls to present to a user information related to the billing process regarding a process required so far when an interruption occurs during the mutual cooperation process. A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
A cooperation processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls so that a billing process related to the mutual cooperation process is performed when the mutual cooperation process is normally completed. A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
A cooperative processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform control so that a billing process related to the mutual cooperation process is performed when a final process other than the billing process in the mutual cooperation process ends. A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
When the mutual cooperation processing ends normally, or when the last processing other than the billing processing in the mutual cooperation processing is completed, information related to the billing processing regarding the processing required so far is presented to the user The cooperation processing apparatus characterized by including the control part which controls to do. The cooperation processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit, when receiving a process interruption instruction for presentation of information related to the accounting process, cancels the content processed so far. When the control unit receives a process interruption instruction for the presentation of information related to the accounting process, the accounting process for the processes processed so far is performed instead of all of the mutual cooperation processes. The cooperative processing device according to claim 6, wherein the cooperative processing device is controlled as follows. A cooperation processing device used in an external cooperation system comprising one device, the other device that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the one device, and a charging device,
The one cooperative processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus that handles images,
The other cooperative processing apparatus is an external apparatus that performs predetermined processing that cannot be handled by the image forming apparatus,
Prior to the start of the mutual cooperation process, the cooperation processing apparatus is characterized by including a control unit that controls the user to present information related to the billing process regarding the mutual cooperation process.

Images