JP2008269093A - Charging device for image formation device and image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending machine for an image formation device automatically issuing a receipt for allowing easy acquisition of the receipt by a learner, having a compact size as a whole of the device and needing a small installation area, surely preventing theft of sales money and breakage, and easily complying with low price setting such as a domination minimum unit, and to provide an image formation device having the vending machine for the image formation device. <P>SOLUTION: The charging device for the image formation device is provided with a cover member 1 covering the inside of a machine body, an image formation device connection means 2 arranged on the outside of the cover member 1 for connection with the image formation device 100 forming a record image, an outside operation part 3 operated from the outside of the cover member 1, a valuables insertion port 4 from which a valuable is inserted to the inside of the cover member 1, a valuable return port 5 through which the valuable is returned from the inside of the cover member 1, and a receipt issue port 6 through which an receipt is issued from the inside of the cover member 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a copy charging apparatus related to a copying service for an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus including a charging apparatus for the image forming apparatus.

In a conventional charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus, charging when an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is used is performed by attaching an electromagnetic counter to the copying machine. When a removable electromagnetic counter is attached to the copier, copying is permitted, and each time a copy is taken, the number of copies, etc., is counted up. The receipt was issued.
However, gradually, there has been a growing need from the checkout method at this cash register to the settlement with unattended sales, and charging devices using the same interface circuit as the electromagnetic counter have come to be used.
Further, in order to set different charges depending on the difference in size and color, the interface of the electromagnetic counter has been developed to have a size and color signal added. Furthermore, an image forming and sales apparatus that performs charging other than charging based on a charge table in the charging apparatus has also been proposed (see Patent Document 5).

For example, in the field of POS (Point of Sales), an electronic cash register that is used as a POS terminal or the like and registers sales of products is used. Regarding this electronic cash register, there has been proposed an electronic cash register that issues a statement after sales registration is completed and can also issue a receipt (see Patent Document 1). Similarly, regarding a sales management device such as a POS terminal, a sales management device having a receipt issuing function has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).
There has also been proposed a receipt issuing system in which a printing device is provided separately from a register, and a receipt can be automatically issued based on the contents of sales entered in the register even when payment is not made. (See Patent Document 4).
Furthermore, a vending system including a billing device used in combination with an information processing device having a function of transmitting information such as a message has been proposed (see Patent Document 3).
Recently, copiers that customers can use have been installed at convenience stores and other stores, but since only copiers are not linked to POS and registers, customers requested receipts. In such a case, the store clerk has to issue a receipt separately, and a billing device for a copying machine is desired, in which a receipt is issued that makes it easier for the store clerk to issue a receipt.
Therefore, recently, a charging device for a copying machine which has an external printer and is compatible with issuing a receipt has also been released. However, since it is externally attached, the area occupied by the billing device is large and large, it is damaged by the user, etc., and the sales amount is stolen.
The denominations that can be handled by current billing devices are generally 10 yen units, but the unit price of copy units tends to be lower, and the minimum unit of price due to differentiation from other stores is from 10 yen units to 1 yen units. There is also a problem that it is not possible to easily set a low price of 1 yen unit, which is the minimum unit of denomination, due to the growing needs for and responding to changes in consumption tax.
Japanese Patent No. 3472501 JP 2001-236570 A JP 2001-307191 A JP 2001-338346 A JP 2002-92733 A

In a conventional image forming apparatus charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus charging apparatus, even if a receipt is automatically issued, a place where the receipt is issued is issued from any position of the charging apparatus. There was a tendency that it was confusing to obtain receipts by users receiving copy services. In addition, the entire device is large and has a large footprint, and there is a high risk of sales theft and damage by users, etc., and it cannot be easily adapted to low price settings such as the minimum unit of denomination. There was a problem.
The object of the present invention is to solve such problems. In other words, it is easy for beginners to obtain a receipt automatically issued, and the layout of the device is compact, the exclusive area is small, and the sales amount etc. is surely prevented from being stolen or damaged. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus billing apparatus that can easily cope with low price setting such as a minimum unit, and an image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus billing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention described in claim 1 is a charging device for an image forming apparatus attached to the image forming apparatus in order to charge a price associated with the use of the image forming apparatus. A cover member that accommodates components, connection means that connects between the image forming apparatus, an outer operation unit that is disposed outside the cover member, and a valuable material input that inputs a valuable material into the cover member It comprises a mouth, a valuables return port for returning valuables from the inside of the cover member, a receipt issuing port for issuing a receipt from the inside of the cover member, and a control unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to the first aspect, the receipt issuing port is provided between the valuable input port and the valuable return port.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the outer door that opens and closes the opening provided in the cover member, and the inner door that can be opened and closed are arranged. And an inner door.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the outer door includes an outer door opening / closing restriction member for restricting opening / closing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the inner door includes an inner door opening / closing restriction member for restricting opening / closing.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the outer door includes the valuable material input port, the valuable material return port, and the receipt. It is characterized by having an issue port.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the outer door includes the receipt issuing port that is sequentially arranged downward from the valuable input port, and the valuable return. A mouth is provided.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus charging apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the valuable image input from the valuable input slot satisfies a sales condition. An operation permission signal output means for outputting a permission signal that enables the image forming operation is provided.
A ninth aspect of the present invention is the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the number of image forming sheets / size storing means for storing the number of image forming sheets and size data from the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by providing.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the number of image forming sheets of the image forming apparatus is added or subtracted from the upper limit number of sheets. Comprises a charge signal output means for outputting the current remaining frequency or the remaining money to the image forming apparatus.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the image forming operation for prohibiting the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus when the remaining amount or the remaining frequency is insufficient. An operation prohibiting unit is provided.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a balance / remaining frequency display means for displaying a remaining balance or a remaining frequency is provided.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes a valuable resource return unit that returns a valuable resource after the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is completed. It is characterized by.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the outer operation section is provided on an upper surface of the cover member.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the outer operation unit includes a fee display unit that displays a fee.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the fee display unit includes a display unit other than the fee display.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the fee display unit includes a display unit that alternately displays.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to the fifteenth, sixteenth, or seventeenth aspect, the charge display section includes an amount display section that displays the amount of the balance entered.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to the eighteenth aspect, the amount display unit includes a display unit other than the display of the input balance amount.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, the amount display unit includes a display unit for the number of counters at the time of confirming the counter in addition to displaying the amount of balance input. Features.
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the fifteenth to twentieth aspects, the fee display unit displays the display contents of the amount display unit in addition to displaying the image formation fee. A display unit is provided.
According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects, the valuable material input port includes a bill input port for inserting a bill or a card. To do.
According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects, the valuable material insertion slot inserts a coin disposed on the outer operation unit. A mouth is provided.
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-third aspects, the valuable material input port includes the banknote input port capable of setting the number of accepted bills. Features.
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects, the valuable material input port is provided when a plurality of bills are inserted and returned. The valuables return port for returning the remainder with coins is provided.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-fifth aspects, the valuables input port changes a set number of accepted banknotes according to a change situation. It is characterized by that.
A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is the charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-sixth aspects, wherein the valuable return port is a returnable money different from a denomination that can be received at the valuable input port. It is characterized by comprising a seed.
According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to twenty-seventh aspects, the valuables return port is set in accordance with a setting of a payout denomination to be returned from the additional change storage unit. A charge table to be set is provided.
According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing device according to the twenty-eighth aspect, the valuables return port has a mismatch between the setting of the payout denomination returned from the additional change storage unit and the setting of the fee table. The charge display unit for displaying an error in the display is provided.
According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirty-ninth aspects, the charge display unit displays the total sales for a certain period.
A thirty-first aspect of the invention is the image forming apparatus billing device according to any one of the first to thirty-third aspects, further comprising the receipt issuing printer for counting and printing sales for a certain period. .
A thirty-second aspect of the invention is the image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to any one of the first to thirty-first aspects, comprising the image forming apparatus billing apparatus setting tool for totaling sales for a certain period. To do.

An image forming apparatus according to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming a recorded image on a recording medium, and charges an image forming unit for forming the recorded image on the recording medium and a recorded image formed by the image forming unit. 33. The image forming apparatus charging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connection unit that connects the image forming apparatus charging apparatus to the image forming apparatus charging apparatus. .
According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirty-third aspect, the image forming unit forms a recorded image of toner by an electrophotographic image forming process.
According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the thirty-third or thirty-fourth aspect, the connection means with the charging device for the image forming apparatus is a signal for transmitting the number of image formation, size data, color information, and other information The image forming apparatus charging device is connected to the image forming apparatus charging device.
A thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the thirty-third, thirty-four, or thirty-fifth aspect, wherein the connecting means with the image forming apparatus billing apparatus can perform an image forming operation from the connected image forming apparatus billing apparatus Image forming operation permission means for permitting the image forming operation only when the permission signal is received.
A 37th aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the 33rd to 36th aspects, wherein the connection means with the charging apparatus for the image forming apparatus is for the image forming apparatus to be connected during the image forming operation. In-operation signal output means for outputting a signal notifying the charging apparatus that an image forming operation is in progress is provided.

  According to the present invention, even a beginner can easily obtain a receipt that is automatically issued in a charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and the entire image forming apparatus including the charging apparatus is compact and has a small exclusive area and sales amount, etc. Theft and damage are reliably prevented. Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus billing apparatus that can easily cope with low price setting such as a minimum denomination unit, and an image forming apparatus including the image forming apparatus billing apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basic configuration of a charging apparatus 10 for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the connecting means 2 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the image forming apparatus 100 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 102. is there.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of the outer operation unit 3 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention with the outer door 11 opened.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention with the outer door 11 opened and the inner door 12 closed.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 6, an image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 connected to an image forming apparatus and charges according to the number of copies and the like includes a cover member 1 that accommodates various components therein. A connecting unit 2 is provided outside the cover member 1 and connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a connection cable 26, and an outer operation unit 3 is provided on the upper surface of the cover member 1. Further, the valuable material insertion port 4 for inserting coins, coins, banknotes, cards (prepaid cards, IC cards, etc.) as valuable materials into the cover member 1 and the valuable materials from the inside of the cover member 1 are returned. A valuables return port 5 and a receipt issuing port 6 for issuing a receipt from the inside of the cover member 1 are provided.
The cover member 1 includes a receipt issuing port 6 between the valuable material input port 4 and the valuable material return port 5. The cover member 1 has an outer door 11 that is pivotally supported so that the front opening can be opened and closed, and the outer door 11 is locked by an outer door opening / closing restriction member 13. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an inner door 12 is pivotally supported inside the outer door 11 so as to be opened and closed, and is configured to be locked by an inner door opening / closing limiting member 13.
The outer door 11 is provided with a receipt issuing port 6 and a valuable material return port 5 that are sequentially arranged downward from the upper valuable material input port 4.
Accordingly, since the receipt issuing port 6 for discharging the receipt is provided between the valuable input port 4 for valuables and the valuable return port 5 such as change or card, even a first-time user can use the receipt issuing port 6. Can be easily found. Since the receipt issuing port 6 and the valuable return port 5 are sequentially arranged downward from the valuable input port 4 above, the entire apparatus is compact and the exclusive area is narrow.
Furthermore, the lock when the outer door 11 and the inner door 12 are closed can be strictly managed by the outer door opening / closing restriction member 13 and the inner door opening / closing restriction member 14, and it is possible to reliably prevent theft or breakage of sales. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 100 are connected to the parallel I / O by the connection means 2 of the control unit 7 with the image forming apparatus and the connection means 102 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus. Connection is possible via F72. On the other hand, the image forming apparatus charging apparatus setting tool 200 can be connected to a personal computer (PC) via the serial I / F 73.
The connection unit 2 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 with the image forming apparatus includes an operation permission signal output unit 20, an image formation number / size storage unit 21, a charge signal output unit 22, and an image formation operation prohibition unit 23. . Furthermore, a balance / remaining frequency display means 24 and a valuables return means 25 are also provided.
The operable signal output means 20 outputs a permission signal that enables the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 when the valuables inserted from the valuables input port 4 satisfy the sales conditions (authenticity, balance, remaining frequency, etc.). Output.
The image forming sheet number / size storage unit 21 stores the image forming sheet number and size data from the image forming apparatus 100.

The charge signal output means 22 adds or subtracts the number of images formed by the image forming apparatus 100 from the upper limit number, and outputs the current remaining number or balance to the image forming apparatus 100 when subtracting.
The image forming operation prohibiting unit 23 prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 when the balance or the remaining frequency is insufficient.
The balance / remaining frequency display means 24 displays the balance or the remaining frequency.
The valuable material return means 25 returns the valuable material after the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is completed.
The connection unit 102 includes a transmission unit 120, an image forming operation permission unit 121, and an in-operation signal output unit 122.
The transmission unit 120 transmits a signal that conveys the number of image formations, size data, color information, and other information to the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10.
The image forming operation permission unit 121 permits the image forming operation only when the permission signal enabling the image forming operation is received from the image forming apparatus charging device 10.
The in-operation signal output unit 122 outputs an image forming operation in-progress signal notifying the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 that the image forming operation is in progress during the image forming operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer operation unit 3 on which the fee display unit 30 is arranged is arranged on the upper surface of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped cover member 1, so that the display of the fee display unit 30 is easy to check and easy to see. A coin can be reliably and easily inserted into the insertion slot 41.
The outer operation unit 3 can display the charge amount in the charge display unit 30 that can display alternately and displays the charge amount in real time. The unit 32 is provided.
The monetary amount display unit 31 can also display the number of counters at the time of confirming other counters in addition to the displayed balance amount. The image formation fee display unit 32 can also display the display contents of the current amount display unit 31 in the middle of providing other copy services, in addition to displaying the image formation fee.

Next, the case where the image forming apparatus 100 is a copying machine will be described in more detail using a combination as an example.
The image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 handles cash, and can use coins of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen, and 1000 yen bills by inserting them into the valuables input slot 4. And
The valuables insertion port 4 is arranged on the outer operation unit 3 with a bill insertion port 40 disposed above the outer door 11 into which bills or cards such as 1000 yen bills are inserted, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, A coin insertion slot 41 for inserting coins, coins and the like of 500 yen is provided.
It is assumed that 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen coins and 10 yen, 100 yen, or 5 yen coins can be returned from the valuables return port 5 from the reserve tube as the payout amount.
When a key is inserted into the outer door opening / closing restriction member 13 to release the lock and the outer door 11 is opened in the direction of the arrow (A) in the figure, the fuse 80 of the power source 8 is turned on / off (OFF / ON) downward. A switch 81 is arranged.
The control unit 7 controls the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 as a whole and communicates with the image forming apparatus 100.

The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 has the following configuration.
The change / return button 52 is used when changing the change and releasing the coin jam. When there is a remaining amount in the amount display unit 31 of the charge display unit 30, the balance is returned to the valuables return port 5 by pressing this change / return button 52.
The control unit 7 includes a mode switch 74, an address switch 75, a set amount switch 76, and a set / count switch 77.
The mode switch 74 is a switch for entering a change mode of the charge table 71 of the control unit 7 shown in FIG. The address switch 75 is a switch for selecting the size, color, and the like of a recording sheet that is a recording medium.
The set amount switch 76 is a switch that sets a unit price in the charge table 71 of the control unit 7 and can also set a sales method. The unit price set by the set amount switch 76 is stored in the RAM 70 in the control unit 7. The RAM 70 includes a backup battery, and data is retained even when the power supply from the power supply 8 of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 is cut off.
The set / count switch 77 is used to display a total count or a count for each size of recording paper as a recording medium.

The coin identification device constituting the coin mechanism 43 determines the authenticity of a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 41 of the valuable article insertion slot 4, and informs the control unit 7 of the insertion amount if the coin is genuine. In this embodiment of the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10, it is possible to discriminate between 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins, and valuable coins when coins or medals of other denominations are inserted. Return to return slot 5.
The change storage unit 50 stores 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins as change in advance. Further, the additional change storage unit 51 arranged in the change storage unit 50 is a change storage unit that can only be returned, and in this embodiment of the charging apparatus 10 for the image forming apparatus, a 5-yen coin is inserted.
The bill validator constituting the bill burr 44 determines the authenticity of the bill to be inserted, and informs the control unit 7 of the amount of money to be inserted if the bill is authentic. Further, a bill storage unit 42 that can store up to 100 1000 yen bills is also arranged.
The banknote storage part 42 can be opened and closed by a banknote storage part opening / closing lever 45. In this embodiment of the charging apparatus 10 for image forming apparatus, only 1000 yen bills can be accepted, and the number of sheets that can be accepted in one sale can be set.
The coin storage box 46 is a box that stores and stores coins that overflow from the change storage unit 50 and cannot be received.

The switch key 33 can switch the usage state between pay and free. By using the switching key 33, it is possible to switch between single use of the image forming apparatus 100 that can output without inputting money into the valuables input slot 4, and linked use with the charging apparatus 10 for image forming apparatus. When the switch key 33 is set to the handling side, a copy or print can be output for a fee. On the maintenance side, copies or prints can be output free of charge.
The usable lamp 34 is turned on when valuable coins and bills are inserted from the bill insertion slot 40 and the coin insertion slot 41 of the valuable input slot 4 and the copy amount or print charge of the set amount is exceeded. After the usable lamp 34 is turned on, a copy or print instruction is issued from the copy machine main body of the image forming apparatus 100 or the personal computer application of the charging apparatus vending machine setting tool 200 for the image forming apparatus. When the usable lamp 34 is not lit, it cannot be used.
The 10-yen change lamp 35 lights up when there is no change in 10-yen coins. The 100-yen change lamp 36 lights up when there is no change of 100-yen coins.
The current amount display unit 31 can also display the number of counters at the time of confirming other counters in addition to displaying the amount of balance input. The image formation fee display unit 32 can also display the display contents of the current amount display unit 31 other than the display of the image formation fee.

The receipt issuing printer 60 is attached to the inside of the outer door 11 inside the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 and includes a thermal printer, an ink jet printer, or the like. The receipt issuing printer 60 prints a receipt or the like according to an instruction from the control unit 7 and discharges it to the receipt issuing port 6. Since the receipt issuance printer 60 is disposed inside the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10, the entire apparatus is compact, has a small exclusive area, and can reliably prevent damage.
Among the signals exchanged between the connection means 2 and the connection means 102 are the following.
From the image forming apparatus 100 side, there are a size signal indicating the size of the recording medium and a mode signal indicating copying conditions such as full color, black and white, single-sided or double-sided. Further, there are an operation signal indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus 100 is in operation, a charging instruction signal output at a timing at which the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 is charged.
From the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 side, there is a permission signal indicating whether or not the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 is in a chargeable state.
In the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10, several copy charges are set in the charge table 71 of the RAM 70 on the substrate of the control unit 7 depending on the image forming conditions, the size of the recording paper, the mode, and the like.

Next, a case where only copy charging is performed will be described.
When the coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 41, the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 displays the current insertion amount on the current amount display unit 31 of the fee display unit 30. The copying machine of the image forming apparatus 100 notifies the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 of a mode signal and a size signal based on the copy condition selected by the operation unit 103.
The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 refers to the charge table 71 from the mode signal and the size signal, and compares the unit price with the amount of money input. When the amount of money entered exceeds the unit price and it is in a state where change can be returned, for example, when 100 yen hardening is entered at a unit price of 80 yen, it is determined whether 10 yen change is insufficient. To do. Then, the permission signal is turned on (ON) and notified to the copying machine of the image forming apparatus 100.

On the image forming apparatus 100 side, copy start is not performed unless the permission signal is output from the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10.
If it is not authorized, a warning to the effect that a charge should be made is displayed. Even if the start key lamp is turned red and the start key is pressed, the copy operation is not performed.
In case of permission, cancel the charge warning display. Further, the start key lamp is made green, and the copy operation is started when the start key is pressed. When the copying operation is started, the image forming apparatus 100 turns on the operation signal, and outputs a charging signal to the charging apparatus 10 for the image forming apparatus at the timing of feeding and discharging the recording medium. .
The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 checks the balance at the paper feed timing, and if the balance exceeds the unit price, it continues to turn on the permission signal.
However, if the remaining money falls below the unit price, the permission signal is immediately turned off.
Even if the input amount exceeds the unit price, if the change / return button 52 is pressed, the permission signal is immediately turned off. As a result, the subsequent recording medium is not fed.
When all the image formation on the recording medium of the recording medium that has started feeding is completed and discharged, the operation signal is turned off (OFF), and it is determined that the user has completed the work, and the image forming conditions are set to the default state. return.
The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 confirms that the operation signal is turned off (OFF), and starts the return operation.
In addition, there are known print charges, facsimile transmission charges, and the like.

Next, a 5-yen coin dedicated to return will be described.
Denominations accepted at current vending machines such as canned beverages and cigarettes are generally 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen coins, and 1000 yen bills, and 1 yen, 5 yen I don't see much that can accept each coin.
In contrast, the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 can accept coins of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen from the coin insertion slot 41, and 1000 yen bills from the banknote insertion slot 40. . An example in which a 5-yen coin can be set exclusively for return in the additional change storage unit 51 attached to the coin mechanism 43 will be described.
At the time of normal sales, coins of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen received from the coin insertion slot 41 of the valuables insertion slot 4 are stocked in the change storage unit 50 for change. Anything that cannot fit in the change storage 50 is placed in the coin storage box 46.

In addition to the coins inserted in this way, an additional change storage 51 for return is arranged. A 5-yen coin is set in the additional change storage unit 51 and used for returning from the valuables return port 5.
By such a method, it is possible to easily sell products with a low unit price or less that can be accepted.
The additional change storage unit 51 can be set for any one of 5 yen coins, 10 yen coins, and 100 yen coins. However, sales can be made in units of 5 yen only when the additional change storage 51 is set to 5 yen coins.
In order to sell a product with a unit price of 5 yen, the user inserts coins of 10 yen or more for a unit price or more. For example, when selling a 15-yen item, if the user inserts two 10-yen coins, after the billing is finished, the 5-yen coin is discharged from the additional change storage unit 51 to the valuables return port 5 and returned. To do.
Therefore, since the valuables return port 5 is provided with a depreciable denomination of a lower unit price than the acceptable denomination at the coin insertion port 41 of the valuables input port 4, it is possible to easily sell a smaller amount than the accepted amount. .

Next, setting of the charge table 71 will be described.
The administrator of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 needs to change the charge table 71 before starting charging and at the time of charge revision.
The mode switch 74 enters the change mode for the charge table 71. Then, the unit price in the charge table 71 is changed using the charge display unit 30, the address switch 75, and the set amount switch 76. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 may be connected to a personal computer (PC) of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus setting tool 200 or the like.
The charging device 10 for the image forming apparatus places a limit on the unit price that can be set in the fee table 71 depending on whether or not the setting of the additional change storage unit 51 of the coin mechanism 43 is a 5-yen coin.
If the additional change storage unit 51 is set at 5 yen, the minimum unit price that can be set in the charge table 71 is 5 yen. If the additional change storage unit 51 is set at 10 yen, the minimum unit price that can be set in the charge table 71 is 10 yen.
When the unit price is set by the set amount switch 76, the unit price increases every time the set amount switch 76 is pressed. In the case of 5 yen setting, it will increase to 5 yen, 10 yen, 15 yen, 20 yen, etc. In the case of 10 yen setting, it will increase to 10 yen, 20 yen, 30 yen, 40 yen, etc.

When the charge table 71 is set on the personal computer (PC) of the charging apparatus setting tool 200 for the image forming apparatus, if the additional change storage unit 51 is set to 10 yen, the unit price in units of 5 yen is input. In such a case, a warning is issued to set the price in units of 10 yen.
In addition, there is a restriction when the setting of the additional change storage unit 51 of the coin mechanism 43 is changed from, for example, 10 yen to 5 yen or vice versa. There is no limit when changing from 10 yen to 5 yen.
However, if the price is changed from 5 yen to 10 yen, the unit price in the charge table 71 is checked, and if there is a price of 5 yen unit, an error is displayed.
The administrator of the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 corrects the charge table 71 and cancels the error when the price in units of 5 yen is lost, or when the additional change storage unit 51 is set to 10 yen again. To do.
That is, the valuables return port 5 includes a fee table 71 that is set in accordance with the setting of the payout denomination to be returned from the additional change storage unit 51. The fee display unit 30 displays an error when there is a discrepancy between the setting of the payout denomination to be returned from the additional change storage unit 51 and the setting of the fee table 71.
Accordingly, the charge table 71 can be set in accordance with the payout denomination setting. If there is a mismatch between the payout denomination and the charge table 71, an error is displayed. Price setting mistakes can be prevented.

Next, the receipt issuing printer 60 will be described.
The receipt issuing printer 60 is installed between the outer door 11 and the inner door 12 inside the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10. For example, the user cannot touch the paper supply button 61, but since the store clerk has the key of the outer door opening / closing restriction member 13 that opens and closes the outer door 11, the user can supply paper.
In addition, since the receipt issuing port 6 for discharging the receipt from the receipt issuing printer 60 is provided between the bill input port 40 of the valuable material input port 4 and the valuable material return port 5, even a user who uses it for the first time, It is possible to easily find the receipt issuing port 6.

Next, the configuration of the outer door 11 and the inner door 12 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, an outer door 11 is provided in a portion that can be operated by the user of the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 and a portion of the receipt that can be replenished, and a coin storage box in which coins and the like are stocked. An inner door is provided between 46 and the like.
A user who comes to the store and uses the charging apparatus 10 for the image forming apparatus has a bill insertion port 40 and a coin insertion port 41 of the valuable material insertion port 4 outside the cover member 1 and the outer door 11, a valuable material return port 5, You can touch the receipt issuing port 6. Furthermore, the change / return button 52 and the receipt issue button 62 on the outer operation unit 3 can be operated.
The first manager such as a convenience store clerk can open and close the outer door 11 using the key of the outer door opening / closing restriction member 13 and check the operation between the outer door 11 and the inner door. Operations such as removing coins can be performed. Further, the paper supply button 61 of the receipt issuing printer 60 is pressed to supply the paper, confirm the remaining change in the change storage unit 50 and the additional change storage unit 51, and turn on (OFF) the main switch 81 of the power supply 8. Etc. can also be operated.
The outer door 11 is opened using the key of the outer door opening / closing restriction member 13, and the inner door 12 is opened using the key of the inner door opening / closing restriction member 14. For example, a second manager such as a store manager of a convenience store Can be aggregated. Furthermore, it is possible to collect money from the coin storage box 46 and the like, and to supply change to the change storage unit 50 and the additional change storage unit 51.
Accordingly, by providing the outer door 11 and the inner door 12, the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 can reliably prevent mischief and theft.

Next, handling of banknotes such as 1000 bills in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 will be described.
Generally, a normal inexpensive bill validator can return only one bill. In order to be able to return a plurality of sheets, a device such as a ticket vending machine or an ATM installed in a station or the like becomes large.
In addition, in a convenience store or the like, the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 is required to be small.
However, the image forming apparatus 100 is used not only for copying a document but also for issuing an expensive item such as a ticket issuance.
The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 of the present invention can set the number of banknotes received from the valuable material insertion slot 4. Furthermore, when the number of sheets that can be received from the valuables input slot 4 is set to a plurality, it is possible to limit the number of sheets that can be received according to the change of coins.

When a bill is inserted from the bill insertion slot 40 of the valuable material insertion slot 4, the bill burr 44 stocks once at an intermediate point between the bill insertion slot 40 and the banknote storage section 42, and moves to the banknote storage section 42 upon completion of sales. .
If the change / return button 52 is pressed without performing any copying operation after the banknote is inserted, the banknote stocked at the intermediate point is returned as it is. Moreover, the number of sheets that can be stocked at this intermediate point is one.
In general, the bill burr 44 of a mechanism that can return only one sheet and a mechanism that can store only one sheet at an intermediate point also accepts one sheet from the bill insertion slot 40 of the valuable resource insertion slot 4.
This is because if the user who accepts a plurality of banknotes presses the change / return button 52 without performing any copying operation, the amount of money must be returned. However, the banknote once inserted in the banknote storage part 42 cannot be returned by a shutter between the banknote insertion slot 40 to prevent theft.

Moreover, even if the shutter can be opened and closed, a new separating mechanism for returning the banknotes in the banknote storage unit 42 one by one must be mounted, resulting in a large size.
Therefore, it is impossible to return the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 40 of the valuable resource insertion slot 4 as it is.
If it is accepted, it is necessary to return only one piece in banknotes and the rest in coins.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 of the present invention, the number of accepted banknotes can be automatically changed according to the change situation of 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins.
For example, a case where the maximum number of thousand yen bills that can be received can be set to one or two will be described.
In the case of setting one piece, if the change of 100 yen coins is out, it is not accepted. Also, if there is a change of 500 yen coins and there is a change of 100 yen coins, it will be accepted.
In the case of setting two sheets, if the change of 100 yen coins is out, it is not accepted. If there is a change of 100 yen and 500 yen coins, 2 coins will be accepted. If there is a change of 500 yen coins or a change of 100 yen coins, one piece is accepted.
Therefore, in the charging apparatus 10 for an image forming apparatus of the present invention, the number of banknotes received into the banknote insertion slot 40 of the valuable material insertion slot 4 can be set. When a plurality of bills are received when a plurality of bills are received, when returning from the valuables return port 5, one is returned with bills and the rest is returned with coins.
Furthermore, even if the number of banknotes received into the banknote insertion slot 40 is set to a plurality, the number of banknotes received is changed according to the change of the change, so that it is possible to easily charge an expensive one at low cost.

The image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 according to the present invention can easily and inexpensively add up sales for a certain period of time with the following three configurations and methods without installing a new apparatus or the like.
First, sales for a certain period are totaled and displayed on the charge display unit 30 of the outer operation unit 3.
The date and the amount are displayed on the current amount display unit 31 and the image formation fee display unit 32.
However, since the number of digits is insufficient, it can be displayed as follows.
When the sales are ¥ 123,456 and the total start date is January 1, 2007, -12 and 3456 are alternately displayed on the amount display unit 31. Then, 2007 and 0101 are alternately displayed on the image formation fee display section 32. “-” Indicates that the upper 3 digits are displayed.
Next, the receipt issuing printer 60 totals and prints the sales for a certain period. The collected result can be printed together with the display of the charge display unit 30 by the receipt issuing printer 60 installed.
Further, log data can be collected using a setting tool installed in a personal computer (PC) of the charging apparatus setting tool 200 for the image forming apparatus, and sales for a certain period can be totaled using spreadsheet software or the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, the charging apparatus 10 for image forming apparatus charges the image formed by connecting to the image forming apparatus 100 by the control unit 7 as follows.
At the start, it is confirmed that coins or bills of valuables have been inserted from the banknote input 40 or coin insertion port 41 of the valuables input slot 4 (step 1), and the current input amount is displayed at the current amount display section. 31 (step 2).
On the other hand, based on the copy condition selected by the image forming apparatus 100, the charge table 71 is referred to from the mode signal and the size signal, and the charge is compared with the input amount input from the valuable material input port 4 (step 3). If the input amount is less than the charge in (Step 3), the permission signal is turned off (Step 4), and then to (Step 8).
When the amount inserted in (Step 3) exceeds the charge and the change can be returned, the permission signal is turned on (ON) to notify the copier of the image forming apparatus 100 (Step 3). 5).
After notifying permission signal ON (ON) in (Step 5), it is determined whether or not there is a count signal from the image forming apparatus 100 (Step 6). If there is no count signal in (Step 6), the process proceeds to (Step 8), and if there is a count signal, it is subtracted in accordance with the charge table 71 and the input amount is redisplayed on the current amount display part 31 of the charge display part 30 ( Step 7). Then, it is determined whether the change / return button 52 is pressed and turned on (step 8). If the change / return button 52 is not pressed and turned on (ON), the process returns to step 1). . However, if the change / return button 52 is pressed and turned on (ON), the operation stop of the image forming apparatus 100 is confirmed (step 9), the balance is returned to the valuables return port 5, and a permission signal is immediately sent. It is turned off (step 10) and ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the switching operation of the additional change storage unit 51 of the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 controls the switching operation of the additional change storage unit 51 by the control unit 7 as follows.
At the start, it is determined whether or not the additional change storage unit 51 has been switched (step 11). If the switching has not been performed, the process ends. If the switching has been performed, the setting becomes a 5-yen coin. (Step 12). If the setting is a 5-yen coin in (Step 12), the process is terminated. If the setting is not a 5-yen coin, it is determined whether there is a 5-yen unit in the fee table 71 (step 13).
If there is a 5-yen unit setting in the charge table 71 in (Step 13), it is determined whether or not a 10-yen coin has been switched (Step 14). If a 10-yen coin has not been switched, an error is displayed. Then, from (Step 15) to (Step 13). However, if the 10-yen coin has been switched in (Step 14), go to (Step 16). If the charge table 71 is not set in units of 5 yen in (Step 13), the error display is erased (Step 16), and the process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining 1000-yen banknote control of the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 performs 1000-yen banknote control by the control unit 7 as follows.
At the start, it is confirmed that a 1000 yen bill has been inserted from the bill insertion slot 40 (step 21), and the maximum acceptable number of 1000 yen bills can be set to one or two. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step 22). If it is set to 2 in (Step 22), it is determined whether or not 100 yen coins are changed in the change storage unit 50 (Step 23). The acceptance of 1000 yen bills from the bill insertion slot 40 is prohibited (step 24), and the process is terminated.
However, if there is a change of 100 yen coin in (Step 23), it is determined whether the change of the 500 yen coin is out of the change storage unit 50 (Step 25). Two bills of 1000 yen bills are received from the bill insertion slot 40 of the mouth 4 (step 26), and the process is terminated. However, if the change of the 500-yen coin is out in (step 25), one banknote of 1000-yen bills is accepted from the banknote slot 40 of the valuables slot 4, and the second and subsequent banknotes are not accepted. (Step 27), the process ends.
If the maximum accepted number of 1000-yen banknotes is set to 1 in (Step 22), it is determined whether or not 100-yen coins are changed in the change storage unit 50 (Step 28). If the change of 100-yen coin is out in (Step 28), go to (Step 24), and if there is a change of 100-yen coin, one banknote of 1000-yen bill is accepted from the banknote insertion port 40 of the valuables input port 4. Then, the second and subsequent banknotes are not accepted (step 29), and the process ends.

FIG. 10 is a basic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 including the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 including the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, an image forming apparatus 100 that forms a recorded image on a recording medium includes an image forming unit 101 that forms the recorded image on the recording medium (P), and charges each of the recorded images formed by the image forming unit 101. The image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 according to any one of the embodiments is provided with a connection unit 102 between the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 connected to the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10.
An image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 that charges an image formed by the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a side portion of the image forming apparatus 100.
A document image reading unit 106 is placed on the image forming unit 101. The image forming unit 101 is held on an upper part of a recording medium feeding device 107 that feeds the recording medium.

The image forming unit 101 is formed by transferring a high-quality, high-quality toner recording image onto a recording medium or the like with excellent convenience and versatility in an electrophotographic image forming process.
The light source 161 moves the document (O) placed on the document table 160 of the document image reading unit 106 in the direction of the arrow (B) shown in the figure. At this time, the document image surface of the document (O) is illuminated by the light source 161. The original image is read by the reading optical system 162. A document image read by the reading optical system 162 is written on the drum-shaped photosensitive drum 110 by the writing unit 112 of the image forming unit 101 via the image processing unit 104.
The photosensitive drum 110 rotates clockwise in the direction of the arrow (C) shown in the figure. At this time, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 111, and the original image is written on the charged surface by the writing unit 112. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 110, and this latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 113.
On the other hand, the recording medium (P) is conveyed from the recording medium feeding device 107 toward the photosensitive drum 110, and the recorded image of the toner on the photosensitive drum 110 is transferred to the recording medium (P) by the transfer device 114.
The recording medium (P) passes through the thermal fixing unit 115, and the recorded image of the transferred toner is thermally fixed on the recording medium (P). Then, the recording medium (P) is sent to and stored in the paper discharge tray 116.
The connected image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 charges the image to be formed. The toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 110 is removed by the cleaning unit 117 and prepared for the next process.

In FIG. 11, the image forming apparatus 100 charges the image formed by the control unit 105 to the image forming apparatus charging apparatus 10 via the connection cable 26 as follows.
At the start, a copy condition is input through the operation unit 103 (step 101), and the copy condition is output to the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 (step 102). Then, it is determined whether the permission signal is on (ON) (step 103). If the permission signal is on (ON), the “please put a fee” on the display unit 130 of the operation unit 103 is turned off and the start button 131 is turned on. Is green (step 104). If the permission signal is not turned on (ON) in (Step 103), “please put a fee” is displayed on the display unit 130 of the operation unit 103, the start button 131 is turned red (Step 106), and then (Step 101). Return. In (Step 104), it is determined whether the start button 131 is green and the start button 131 is pressed (Step 105). If the start button 131 is not pressed, the process returns to Step 101. However, if the start button 131 is pressed in (Step 105), output is started and a count signal is output (107), and completion of the output is confirmed (Step 108), and the process returns to (Step 101).
Accordingly, even a beginner can easily obtain a receipt that is automatically issued, and the entire apparatus is compact and has a small exclusive area, which reliably prevents theft and damage of sales amounts. Further, it is possible to provide the image forming apparatus 100 including the image forming apparatus billing apparatus 10 that can easily cope with the low price setting such as the minimum denomination unit.
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus billing apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus and charges for unattended sales of a copying service, etc., but issuance of a certificate used at a ticketing machine or a university installed in a convenience store or the like It can also be applied to machines.

1 is a perspective view of a basic configuration of a charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a connection unit between an image forming apparatus charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an upper surface enlarged view of the outer side operation part of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with an outer door opened. It is a perspective view of the state which opened the outer door and closed the inner door of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the control part of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the switching operation | movement of the additional change storage part of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining 1000 yen banknote control of the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a charging device for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an image forming apparatus provided with the charging device for image forming apparatuses concerning the embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cover member, 2 Connection means with image forming apparatus, 3 Outer operation part, 4 Valuable material input port, 5 Valuables return port, 6 Receipt issue port, 7 Control part, 8 Power supply, 10 Image forming apparatus charging apparatus , 11 outer door, 12 inner door, 13 outer door opening / closing restricting member, 14 inner door opening / closing restricting member, 20 operation permission signal output means, 21 image forming number / size storage means, 22 fee signal output means, 23 image forming operation prohibition Means, 24 Remaining amount / remaining frequency display means, 25 Valuables return means, 26 Connection cable, 30 Charge display section, 31 Current amount display section, 32 Image formation charge display section, 33 Switch key, 34 Usable lamp, 35 10 yen change change lamp, 36 100 yen change change lamp, 40 bill insertion slot, 41 coin insertion slot, 42 bill storage part, 43 coin mechanism, 44 bill validator, 45 bill storage opening / closing lever, 46 coin storage box, 50 change storage, 51 additional change storage, 52 change / return button, 60 receipt issuing printer, 61 paper supply button, 62 receipt issuing button, 70 RAM, 71 Charge table, 72 Parallel I / F, 73 Serial I / F, 74 Mode switch, 75 Address switch, 76 Set amount switch, 77 Set / count switch, 80 Fuse, 81 Main switch, 100 Image forming device, 101 Image forming unit, 102 Connection means with vending machine for image forming apparatus, 103 operation unit, 104 image processing unit, 105 control unit, 106 original image reading unit, 107 recording medium feeding device, 110 photosensitive drum, 111 charging Device, 112 write Knit, 113 Developing unit, 114 Transfer device, 115 Thermal fixing unit, 116 Paper discharge tray, 117 Cleaning unit, 120 Transmission unit, 121 Image forming operation permission unit, 122 In-operation signal output unit, 130 Display unit, 131 Start button, 160 Document table, 161 Light source, 162 Reading optical system, 200 Vending machine setting tool for image forming apparatus

Claims (37)

  In a charging device for an image forming apparatus attached to the image forming apparatus in order to charge a price associated with the use of the image forming apparatus, a cover member that houses various components is connected to the image forming apparatus. A connection means, an outer operation portion arranged outside the cover member, a valuable material input port for inputting a valuable material into the cover member, and a valuable resource return port for returning the valuable material from the inside of the cover member. And a receipt issuing port for issuing a receipt from the inside of the cover member, and a control unit.   2. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receipt issuing port is provided between the valuable material input port and the valuable material return port.   The charging device for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer door that opens and closes an opening provided in the cover member; and an inner door that is arranged to be opened and closed inside the outer door. A charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus.   4. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outer door includes an outer door opening / closing restriction member that restricts opening and closing.   5. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inner door includes an inner door opening / closing restriction member for restricting opening / closing.   6. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the outer door includes the valuable material input port, the valuable material return port, and the receipt issue port. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   7. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outer door includes the receipt issuing port arranged sequentially downward from the valuable input port, and the valuable return port. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   8. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can perform an image forming operation when a valuable material input from the valuable resource input port satisfies a sales condition. An image forming apparatus billing apparatus, comprising: an operation permission signal output means for outputting a permission signal to be output.   9. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming sheet number / size storing unit for storing the image forming sheet number and size data from the image forming apparatus. Charge device for image forming apparatus.   10. The charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the image forming number of the image forming apparatus is added or subtracted from an upper limit number and subtracted, the current remaining number or remaining amount is calculated. A charge signal output means for outputting the information to the image forming apparatus.   11. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming operation prohibiting unit that prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus when the remaining amount or the remaining frequency is insufficient. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   12. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a balance / remaining frequency display means for displaying a balance or a remaining frequency.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a valuable resource return unit that returns a valuable resource after the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is completed. Billing device.   14. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer operation section is provided on an upper surface of the cover member.   15. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer operation unit includes a fee display unit that displays a fee.   16. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the charge display unit includes a display unit other than the charge display.   17. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the charge display unit includes a display unit that alternately displays the charge display unit.   18. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the charge display unit includes an amount display unit for displaying the amount of the balance entered.   19. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the money amount display unit includes a display unit other than the displayed balance amount.   20. The image forming apparatus billing apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the money amount display section includes a display section for the number of counters when the counter is confirmed, in addition to the display of the input balance amount. Billing device.   21. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the charge display unit includes a display unit for displaying contents of the amount display unit in addition to displaying a charge for image formation. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   The charging device for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the valuable material input port includes a bill input port for inputting a bill or a card. .   23. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuables insertion slot includes a coin insertion slot for inserting coins disposed on the outer operation unit. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   24. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable input slot includes the banknote slot that can set the number of accepted banknotes. Billing device.   25. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the plurality of banknotes are inserted and returned, the valuables input port returns one sheet as a banknote and the rest as a coin. A charging device for an image forming apparatus, comprising the valuables return port.   26. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable input slot changes a set number of accepted banknotes according to a change situation. Device billing device.   27. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valuable resource return port includes a returnable denomination different from an acceptable denomination at the valuable resource input port. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   28. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the valuable return port includes a fee table that is set in accordance with a setting of a payout denomination to be returned from the additional change storage unit. A charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus.   29. The fee display for an image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the valuables return port displays an error when there is a discrepancy between the setting of the payout denomination returned from the additional change storage unit and the setting of the fee table. A charging device for an image forming apparatus.   30. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 29, further comprising the fee display unit that aggregates and displays sales for a certain period.   31. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the receipt issuing printer that counts and prints sales for a certain period.   32. The charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the charging apparatus setting tool for the image forming apparatus that totals sales for a certain period. .   33. An image forming apparatus for forming a recorded image on a recording medium, wherein the image forming unit for forming the recorded image on the recording medium and the recorded image formed by the image forming unit are charged. An image forming apparatus comprising: a connecting unit between the image forming apparatus charging apparatus described above and the image forming apparatus charging apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus charging apparatus.   34. The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the image forming unit forms a recorded image of toner by an electrophotographic image forming process.   35. The image forming apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the connection unit with the charging apparatus for the image forming apparatus connects a signal for transmitting the number of image formations, size data, color information, and other information. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the information to a billing apparatus.   36. The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, 34, or 35, wherein the connection means with the image forming apparatus billing apparatus receives a permission signal enabling an image forming operation from the image forming apparatus billing apparatus to be connected. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming operation permission unit that permits an image forming operation only when the image forming apparatus is on.   37. The image forming apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the connection unit with the image forming apparatus billing device is performing an image forming operation on the image forming apparatus billing device to be connected during the image forming operation. An image forming apparatus comprising: an in-operation signal output means for outputting a signal notifying that

Images