JP2008283371A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing technique counting the number of uses for each function added by plug-in operation. <P>SOLUTION: A counter control part 200 includes a function for counting processing frequency in each image processing and the number of uses in each function achieved by a plug-in module 201, and manages the counted values by using a counter table. A download management part 204 controls the download of the plug-in module in accordance with an operation input from a user which is accepted through a user interface control layer 21. The plug-in module 201 has property information concerned with a function which is achieved by the plug-in module 201, and determines whether the number of uses of the function is to be counted in the case of executing processing for achieving the function on the basis of the property information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing technique for performing image processing, and particularly to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of adding functions in the image processing by plug-ins.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are image processing apparatuses that perform various types of image processing such as printing functions such as copying and printing, facsimile (FAX) communication functions, and reading functions. Among such image processing apparatuses, there is an apparatus that counts (counts) the number of times of processing for each image processing such as the number of copies and the number of faxes. Further, in such an image processing apparatus, an image processing unit that has a counter storing a counter for counting the number of times of processing for each image processing, and can centralize the processing for updating the counter. There is also an apparatus (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-229592 A

  However, in the technique in Patent Document 1, the number of times of use cannot be counted for each function added by a plug-in. For this reason, an image processing apparatus capable of counting the number of uses for each function added by a plug-in has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of counting the number of uses for each function added by a plug-in.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus for providing image processing means for executing image processing and an additional function in the image processing. An acquisition unit for acquiring a program from the outside, an execution unit for executing the program acquired by the acquisition unit to realize the additional function, and the additional function when the execution unit realizes the additional function. And a count control unit that counts the number of times of use with respect to and stores the number of times of use and the additional function in association with each other in the storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the number of uses is determined for the additional function realized by executing the program based on information included in the program acquired by the acquiring unit. A first judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to count,
The counting control means stores counting information for counting the number of times of use for the additional function in the storage means when the judgment result of the first judging means is affirmative.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the execution means executes the program to realize the additional function, the addition of the program is performed based on information included in the program. A second determination unit configured to determine whether to count the number of times of use for the function; and the count control unit counts the number of times of use for the additional function when the determination result of the second determination unit is affirmative. The number of uses is stored in the count information corresponding to the additional function.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising operation input reception means for receiving an operation input from a user, wherein the acquisition means instructs acquisition of the program. When the operation input accepting unit accepts an operation input to be performed, the program is acquired.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from a user, wherein a plurality of the additional functions provided by the program are provided. And the execution means realizes the at least one function when the operation input accepting means accepts an operation input instructing realization of at least one of the additional functions, and the counting control means The number of uses for the at least one function realized by the execution unit is counted, and the number of uses and the additional function are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from a user, wherein the operation input for instructing the realization of the additional function is performed. When the operation input receiving unit receives the instruction, the execution unit is instructed to realize the additional function, and the image processing corresponding to the additional function is identified and the image processing is performed. Control means for instructing, and when the image processing means performs the image processing, the counting control means counts the number of times of the image processing, and associates the number of times of the processing with the image processing. It is stored in the storage means.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the program includes property information including charging form information indicating a charging form for use of the additional function realized by execution of the program. Whether the determination means needs to count the number of times of use for the additional function according to the charging form indicated by the charging form information included in the property information included in the program acquired by the acquiring unit. It is characterized by judging.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the program includes property information including charging form information indicating a charging form for use of the additional function realized by execution of the program. 2 Judgment means counts the number of times of use for the additional function according to the charging form indicated by the charging form information included in the property information included in the property information included in the program that provides the additional function realized by the execution means. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the program includes free period information indicating a period during which the use of the additional function that can be realized by executing the program is free, and the second determination unit Determines whether the execution means realizes the additional function corresponds to a period indicated by the free period information included in the property information included in the program, and the determination result is negative If the number of times of use for the additional function is counted, it is determined that the number of times of use for the additional function is counted.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the charge form indicated by the charge form information included in the property information is a pay-as-you-go system, a flat-rate system, a sell-out system, It is at least one of the prepayment systems.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the image processing means prints an image on a paper medium, and displays an image represented on the paper medium. At least one of a reading process for reading and a transmission process for transmitting an image by facsimile communication is executed.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in an image processing method for executing image processing, an acquisition step for acquiring a program for providing an additional function in the image processing is acquired from outside, and the program acquired in the acquisition step is executed. The execution step for realizing the additional function, and when the additional function is realized in the execution step, the number of uses for the additional function is counted, and the number of uses and the additional function are associated with each other and stored. And a counting control step to be stored.

  The invention according to claim 13 is an image processing program, wherein the image processing method according to claim 12 is executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, the number of uses can be counted for each function added by a plug-in.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration <Configuration of image processing system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. A multifunction device (MFP) 1 is connected to a plug-in server 2 via a network NT. The MFP 1 is an image processing apparatus having a combination of various functions related to image processing, such as a printing function such as image copying and printing, a FAX communication function for performing facsimile communication with other apparatuses, and an image reading function. . The network NT is a network such as a LAN, an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), or the Internet. The MFP 1 realizes various functions by downloading a plug-in module from the plug-in server 2 via the network NT and executing it. The plug-in module is a program for providing an additional function to various application programs. Here, a program for performing image processing is handled as an application program.

<Configuration of MFP 1>
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1 will be described. The MFP 1 includes a control unit 10, a counter table storage unit 11, a program storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a reading device 14, a printing device 15, a transmission device 16, and a network interface 17. The control unit 10 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire MFP 1 by executing a program stored in the program storage unit 12. Further, the control unit 10 has a timer (not shown), and the timer measures the current time. The program storage unit 12 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like, and stores various programs such as a control program and various application programs for performing various image processing. The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and accepts an operation input from a user. The reading device 14 includes a scanner (not shown) and the like, and reads an image recorded on a paper medium. The printing device 15 includes a printer engine (not shown) and the like, and prints an image on a paper medium. The transmission device 16 includes an FCU (Fax Control Unit) (not shown) and the like, and transmits an image to another apparatus. The network interface 17 controls communication with other devices via the network NT. The counter table storage unit 11 stores a counter table that stores counter information described later.

  Next, the software configuration of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the MFP 1. The software configuration of the MFP 1 includes a mechanism layer 20, a user interface control layer 21, an application layer 22, and a device control layer 23. The entity of each layer is realized by the CPU of the MFP 1 executing various programs stored in the program storage unit 12. The mechanism layer 20 includes a counter control unit 200 and provides a function shared by the user interface control layer 21, the application layer 22, and the device control layer 23. Here, the counter control unit 200 has a function of counting the number of times of processing for each image process and the number of times of use for each function realized by the plug-in module 201, and manages the counted value using a counter table. The counter control unit 200 has a function of measuring the current time. The user interface control layer 21 controls the operation unit 13. The application layer 22 includes a function setting unit 202, a job control unit 203, a download management unit 204, and a plug-in module 201. The application layer 22 receives an operation input from the operation unit 13 via the user interface control layer 21, Controls the realization of various functions according to the input. The download management unit 204 controls the download of the plug-in module according to the operation input from the user received via the user interface control layer 21. The job control unit 203 generates a job when executing various programs and manages the job. The plug-in module 201 is downloaded from the plug-in server 2 by the download management unit 204, and is a program for realizing various functions. The plug-in module 201 has property information to be described later regarding functions that can be realized by the plug-in module 201, and the number of times the function is used when executing processing for realizing the function based on the property information. It is determined whether or not to count. The function setting unit 202 performs settings necessary when executing processing for realizing various functions. The device control layer 23 includes a reading device control unit 205, a printing device control unit 206, a transmission device control unit 207, and a network control unit 208, and controls each device included in the MFP 1. The reading device control unit 205 controls the reading device 14, the printing device control unit 206 controls the printing device 15, the transmission device control unit 207 controls the transmission device 16, and the network control unit 208 includes a network interface. 17 is controlled.

  Here, the property information that the plug-in module 201 has will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of property information that the plug-in module 201 has. The property information shown in the figure has a function name, a fee system, and a free period. The function name indicates the name of each function realized by the plug-in module 201, for example. The function realized by the plug-in module 201 may be one or plural. Here, the functions added by the plug-in module are “divided copy”, “enlarged copy”, and “reduced copy”, and these functions are added to the copy process (print process) as image processing. Indicates that this is a function. The charge system indicates a billing form for using the function. Examples of billing modes include a pay-as-you-go system, a flat-rate system, and a prepayment system. The pay-as-you-go system is a form of charging according to the number of times the function is used. The fixed amount system is a form in which a certain amount is charged for a certain period. The prepaid system is a kind of sell-off system that charges only when the plug-in module 201 is introduced, and is a form in which charging is made in advance for the use of the function. The free period is a period during which no charge is charged for the use of the function. When a period is not set in the free period, it indicates that a period during which no charge is charged for the use of the function is not set.

  Next, the counter table stored in the counter table storage unit 11 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of a counter table stored in the counter table storage unit 11. The counter table shown in the figure stores counter information (counting information) CT1 to CT5 indicating the number of times each function is used. The counter information includes a function name indicating the name of the target function and the number of times the function is used. The counter information CT1 to CT3 shown in the figure indicates the number of times of processing for each image processing, that is, the number of times of use of each function realized by each image processing performed by the reading device 14, the printing device 15, and the transmitting device 16. This is counter information. The counter information CT4 to CT5 is counter information indicating the number of times the function realized by the plug-in module 201 is used. More specifically, the counter information CT4 indicates the number of times the “aggregation” function is used among the functions realized by the plug-in module 201, and the counter information CT5 is the function realized by the plug-in module 201. This indicates the number of times the “address limited transmission” function is used.

<Configuration of plug-in server 2>
Next, the configuration of the plug-in server 2 will be described. The plug-in server 2 connects a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD (Compact Disk) drive device, and a communication interface. And a hardware configuration using a normal computer (not shown). The external storage device stores a plug-in module to be provided to the MFP 1. Note that the number of plug-in modules stored in the external storage device may be one or plural. When the plug-in server 2 is requested to transmit the plug-in module from the MFP 1 via the network NT, the plug-in server 2 transmits the plug-in module stored in the external storage device to the MFP 1 in accordance with the request.

(2) Operation Next, a plug-in module download processing procedure performed by the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a plug-in module download process performed by the MFP 1. In the following, the processing procedure will be described mainly with respect to each layer and each part of the software configuration of the MFP 1 (see FIG. 2), but these entities execute various programs stored in the program storage unit 12 by the CPU of the MFP 1. Therefore, the subject of processing is the CPU of the MFP 1.

  When the user operates the operation unit 13 of the MFP 1 and inputs an instruction to download a desired plug-in module, the user interface control layer 21 accepts the input (step S1), and download management of the plug-in module is downloaded. Request is made to the unit 204 (step S2). When receiving the request, the download management unit 204 requests the network control unit 208 to download the plug-in module (step S3). Upon receiving the request, the network control unit 208 accesses the plug-in server 2 via the network NT, downloads the plug-in module from the plug-in server 2, and stores it in the program storage unit 12 (step S4). . Then, the network control unit 208 requests the downloaded plug-in module to register counter information (step S5). Upon receiving the request, the plug-in module 201 performs a counter registration determination process (step S6).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the counter registration determination process. The plug-in module 201 refers to the property information as shown in FIG. 3 (step S60), and for each function realized by the plug-in module 201, it is necessary to count the number of times the function is used. Whether or not to register counter information in the counter table stored in the counter table storage unit 11 is determined for each function. Specifically, the plug-in module 201 first refers to the function name recorded at the top in the property information, and determines whether or not the fee system corresponding to the function name is a pay-as-you-go system (step S61). If the determination result is affirmative, the plug-in module 201 determines that the counter information is registered in the counter table (step S61: YES), and requests the counter control unit 200 to register the counter information (step S61). S62), the process proceeds to step S63. If the determination result of step S61 is negative, the process proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the plug-in module 201 determines whether or not the processing has been completed for all the functions whose function names are recorded in the property information. When the determination result is negative, the plug-in module 201 refers to the function name recorded next in the property information (step S64), and repeats the processing after step S61. If the determination result in step S63 is affirmative, the plug-in module 201 ends the counter registration determination process. As described above, the plug-in module 201 performs counter registration determination processing for each function.

  On the other hand, returning to FIG. 5, when the registration of counter information is requested from the plug-in module 201 (step S7: YES), the counter control unit 200 accepts the request and performs a counter registration process (step S8). Specifically, the counter control unit 200 uses the function name of the function added by the requested plug-in module 201 in the counter table stored in the counter table storage unit 11 and the use count (here, “0”). ")" Is registered. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration when the counter information CT6 is newly registered in the counter table shown in FIG. In the figure, it is shown that the counter information CT6 of the “split copy” function of the plug-in module 201 is newly registered in the counter table.

  Next, processing procedures when various functions are realized by the plug-in module 201 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when various functions are realized by the plug-in module 201.

  When the user performs an operation input for instructing execution of image processing and an operation input for setting a function realized in the image processing via the operation unit 13 of the MFP 1, the user interface control layer 21 receives the operation input. (Step S20), the job control unit 203 is requested to start a job (Step S21). Here, for example, it is assumed that an operation input for instructing execution of a copy process (print process) is performed as image processing, and an operation input for realizing divided copy is performed in the copy process. When the job control unit 203 receives the request, the job control unit 203 requests the plug-in module 201 to execute a process for realizing a function corresponding to the operation input received by the user interface control layer 21 (step S22). . When requested to execute the process, the plug-in module 201 receives the request, executes the process (step S23), and then performs a count-up determination process (step S24). Here, processing for realizing the division copy function is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the count-up determination process. The plug-in module 201 refers to the property information (step S240), and determines whether or not the charge form of the function that executed the process in step S23 is a pay-as-you-go system (step S241). If the determination result is affirmative, the plug-in module 201 refers to the property information and determines whether or not the current date and time is within the free period for the function that executed the process in step S23 (step S242). . If the determination result is negative, the plug-in module 201 requests the counter control unit 200 to count up (step S243). If the determination results in steps S241 and S242 are negative, the process ends.

  On the other hand, returning to FIG. 8, when the counter control unit 200 requests a counter up from the plug-in module 201 (step S25: YES), the counter control unit 200 receives the request and performs a counter up process (step S26). Further, the plug-in module 201 passes a completion notification indicating the end of the counting process to the job control unit 203 (step S27). Upon receiving the completion notification, the job control unit 203 then requests the device control unit that controls the device that performs the image processing associated with the realization of the function set in step S23 to execute the image processing. Here, since the function set in step S <b> 23 is divided copy, and the image processing accompanying the realization of the function is a print (copy) process, the job control unit 203 performs print processing on the print device control unit 206. Execution is requested (step S28). Note that if the image processing that has received the execution input in step S20 is a reading process, the job control unit 203 requests the reading device control unit 205 to execute the image processing. If the image processing that has received the operation input for execution in step S20 is FAX transmission processing, the job control unit 203 requests the transmission device control unit 207 to execute image processing.

  When receiving the print processing execution request, the printing device control unit 206 controls the printing device 15 to print on the paper medium (step S29). As a result, here, a printing function corresponding to the printing process in the image processing is realized, and further, a divided copy function is realized. Then, the printing device control unit 206 requests the counter control unit 200 to count up (Step S30). When the counter control unit 200 receives the request, the counter control unit 200 performs a count-up process (step S31). That is, the counter control unit 200 performs image processing performed by the device control unit (here, the printing device control unit 206) that requested the count-up in step S30 in the counter table stored in the counter table storage unit 11. The number of uses corresponding to the function name corresponding to is incremented by “1”. Here, the number of uses corresponding to the function name “print” is incremented by “1”. In addition, the printing device control unit 206 passes a completion notification indicating the end of the count-up process to the job control unit 203 (step S32).

  As described above, when a plug-in module is downloaded to the MFP 1, counter information of functions that can be realized by the plug-in module is registered in the counter table, thereby saving a memory area for counting the number of times of use. be able to.

  In the counter table, counter information for counting the number of times of use of functions (reading, printing, transmission) originally realized in the MFP 1 and for counting the number of times of use of functions added by the plug-in module 201 are also shown. By separately having the counter information, it is possible to separately charge for the function originally realized in the multifunction device 1 and the function added by the plug-in module 201.

  In addition, various billing modes such as a pay-as-you-go system, a flat-rate system, a sell-out system, and a prepayment system can be handled as the billing mode for the plug-in module, and can cope with various sales modes assumed for the plug-in module. .

  In addition, the plug-in module 201 has property information, and the property information includes the name of the function to be charged (function name), so that each function in the plug-in module corresponds to the counter information in the counter table. Can be easily attached.

  In addition, since the property information includes a charge form for use of the function, the number of times the function is used can be counted according to the charge form. For example, wasteful counting processing can be omitted by counting the number of times the function is used only when the billing mode is a pay-as-you-go system. For example, when the billing mode is a fixed amount system, a fixed amount is charged regardless of the number of times the function is used. In this case, it may be useless to perform the counting process for counting the number of times the function is used. is there. In addition, when the free period is set in the property information for the use of the function, it is determined whether the current date and time when the function is used is in the free period, and if the determination result is affirmative, the function By not counting up the number of times of use, it is possible to prevent fraudulent charges and to eliminate unnecessary counting processing. In addition, since the counter information corresponding to the billing form or period that does not require the counting process is not registered in the counter table, memory resources can be saved.

  Further, when registering the counter information in the counter table, the plug-in module 201 has a function of requesting the counter control unit 200 to register the counter information with reference to the property information, so that the MFP 1 can be used in the future. Even when the data configuration of property information of a new plug-in module to be downloaded is changed, the operation of the counter control unit 200 and the data configuration of the counter table are not changed, and the new plug-in module 201 is changed. Can also perform the same counter registration process as described above.

(3) Modifications Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

<Modification 1>
Various programs executed by the MFP 1 according to the above-described embodiment are stored in the program storage unit 12 including a ROM, an HDD, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be installed or executed. These files may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and the like.

<Modification 2>
In the embodiment described above, the MFP 1 is configured to receive a program (plug-in module) for providing an additional function in image processing from the plug-in server 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the plug-in module is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise so that it may acquire by reading a plug-in module from this storage medium.

  As described above, the present invention is suitable for use in an image processing technique in which functions in image processing can be added by plug-ins.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the MFP 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the data structure of the property information which the plug-in module 201 concerning the embodiment has. It is a figure which illustrates the data structure of the counter table memorize | stored in the counter table storage part 11 concerning the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a plug-in module download process performed by the MFP 1 according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the counter registration determination process concerning the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration when new counter information CT6 is registered in the counter table illustrated in FIG. 4 according to the embodiment; It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a process in case various functions are implement | achieved by the plug-in module 201 concerning the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the count-up determination process concerning the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (MFP)
2 Plug-in server 10 control unit (counting control means, first judgment means, second judgment means, execution means, control means)
11 Counter table storage unit 12 Program storage unit 13 Operation unit 14 Reading device (image processing means)
15 Printing device (image processing means)
16 Transmission device (image processing means)
17 Network interface 20 Mechanism layer 21 User interface control layer 22 Application layer 23 Device control layer 200 Counter control unit (counting control means)
201 Plug-in module (first determination means, second determination means)
202 Function setting unit 203 Job control unit (control means)
204 Download management unit (reception means)
205 Reading Device Control Unit 206 Printing Device Control Unit 207 Transmission Device Control Unit 208 Network Control Unit (Reception Unit)
NT network

Claims (13)

Image processing means for executing image processing;
Acquisition means for acquiring a program for providing an additional function in the image processing from the outside;
Execution means for executing the program acquired by the acquisition means to realize the additional function;
When the execution means realizes the additional function, the execution means includes a count control means for counting the number of times of use for the additional function and storing the number of times of use and the additional function in association with each other in the storage means. An image processing apparatus. First determination means for determining whether or not it is necessary to count the number of uses for the additional function realized by execution of the program based on information included in the program acquired by the acquisition means; Prepared,
The count control means stores the count information for counting the number of times of use for the additional function in the storage means when the judgment result of the first judgment means is affirmative. An image processing apparatus according to 1. When the execution means executes the program to realize the additional function, a second determination is made to determine whether to count the number of times the program is used for the additional function based on information included in the program With means,
The counting control unit counts the number of times of use for the additional function and stores the number of times of use in the counting information corresponding to the additional function when the determination result of the second determination unit is affirmative. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. Comprising an operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from a user;
The said acquisition means acquires the said program, when the said operation input reception means receives the operation input which instruct | indicates acquisition of the said program. The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image processing device. Comprising an operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from a user;
There are a plurality of the additional functions provided by the program,
The execution means realizes the at least one function when the operation input acceptance means accepts an operation input instructing realization of at least one of the additional functions,
The counting control unit counts the number of uses for the at least one function realized by the execution unit, and stores the number of uses and the additional function in association with each other in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Comprising an operation input receiving means for receiving an operation input from a user;
When the operation input accepting unit accepts an operation input instructing the realization of the additional function, the operation input accepting unit instructs the execution unit to realize the additional function, specifies the image processing corresponding to the additional function, and Control means for instructing the image processing means to perform processing;
When the image processing unit performs the image processing, the counting control unit counts the number of times of the image processing, and stores the number of the processing times and the image processing in association with each other in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The program includes property information including charging form information indicating a charging form for use of the additional function realized by executing the program,
Whether the first determination unit needs to count the number of times of use for the additional function according to the charging form indicated by the charging form information included in the property information included in the program acquired by the acquiring unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not. The program includes property information including charging form information indicating a charging form for use of the additional function realized by executing the program,
The second determination means determines the number of times of use for the additional function according to the charging form indicated by the charging form information included in the property information included in the property information included in the program that provides the additional function realized by the execution means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not to count. The program includes free period information indicating a period during which use of an additional function that can be realized by executing the program is free;
The second determination unit determines whether the execution unit realizes the additional function corresponds to a period indicated by the free period information included in the property information included in the program; The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein if the determination result is negative, it is determined to count the number of times of use for the additional function. 10. The billing form indicated by the billing form information included in the property information is at least one of a pay-as-you-go system, a fixed-price system, a sell-off system, and a prepayment system. The image processing apparatus according to item. The image processing means executes at least one of a printing process for printing an image on a paper medium, a reading process for reading an image represented on the paper medium, and a transmission process for transmitting the image by facsimile communication. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. In an image processing method for executing image processing,
An acquisition step of acquiring a program for providing an additional function in the image processing from outside;
When the program acquired in the acquisition step is executed to realize the additional function, and the additional function is realized in the execution step, the number of uses for the additional function is counted, and the number of uses and the And a count control step of storing the additional function in association with the storage means.   An image processing program causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 12.

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