JP2009187498A - Image processor, image processing system, and charge payment method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor etc. which can perform login for making an image processing function usable by a card that can pay a charge and which can easily settle charges paid with the card other than charging due to the use of the image processor. <P>SOLUTION: Payment history data of the card used for login is acquired from a card payment history server, a specifying means 11 compares the acquired card payment history data with contents of in-advance application about a payment plan and specifies card payment history data corresponding to the in-advance application. Payment history data of a payment target is selected from among the specified card payment history data, and a payment request for paying about the selected payment history data is transmitted to a payment system 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a cost settlement method that can easily perform cost settlement after using a card that can be paid for such as a credit card.

  When an individual pays expenses for personal purposes and expenses for public purposes using a credit card, etc., for those that need to be financially processed as expenses at the time of settlement, it is possible to apply with documents attached with a receipt, Generally done.

  However, it was cumbersome for each of us to investigate and settle afterwards whether it is a payment that is financially processed as an expense.

  On the other hand, there is known an image forming apparatus that can log in using a card such as a credit card or an IC card that can be paid for (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Therefore, it is highly useful and extremely convenient if it is possible to perform cost adjustment when it is necessary to perform expense processing using an image processing apparatus such as such an image forming apparatus and using a logged-in card.

Note that the image processing apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be charged for a copy usage fee with an IC card.
JP 2006-318153 A JP 2002-132726 A

  However, in the image processing apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, what can be settled with the IC card used for log-in is limited to charging by using the image processing apparatus itself, and costs other than the use of the image processing apparatus. It could not be applied to checkout.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and is an image processing apparatus capable of performing login for enabling use of an image processing function by a card capable of paying costs, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a cost settlement method that can easily settle a cost paid by a card in addition to charging by using an image processing apparatus.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) Login permission means for permitting login with a card capable of paying for payment, accepting means for accepting an input of a prior application regarding a payment schedule with a card before paying for the expense with the card permitted to log in, and used for the login Card payment history corresponding to the advance application by comparing the acquisition means for acquiring the payment history data of the received card from the card payment history server, the acquired card payment history data and the contents of the advance application relating to the payment schedule A specifying means for specifying data; a selecting means for selecting payment history data to be settled from the specified card payment history data; and a settlement request for performing settlement on the payment history data selected by the selecting means And a transmission means for transmitting the image to the settlement system. Processing apparatus.
(2) The image processing according to item 1 above, wherein a plurality of cards permitted to be logged in exist for one user, and the acquisition unit is capable of acquiring payment history data of each card from a card payment history server. apparatus.
(3) There are a plurality of cards that are permitted to be logged in for each user, and when logged in with any of the cards, the acquisition means, the payment history of all cards for which the user is permitted to log in Receipt data creation means for creating receipt data using the payment history data of the card acquired by the image processing device (4) acquisition means described in the preceding item 1 capable of acquiring data from the card payment history server An image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 3.
(5) The image according to any one of the preceding items 1 to 4, further comprising approval application data creation means for creating approval application data relating to expense settlement using payment history data of the card obtained by the obtaining means. Processing equipment.
(6) Registration means for registering a cost-payable card as an authentication card for login, login permission means for permitting login to the image processing apparatus with the card registered in the registration means, and the login permitted Storage means for storing the contents of a prior application relating to a payment plan by the card, which is input by the user to the image processing apparatus before payment by the card, and payment history data of the card used for the log-in, The identification means for identifying the card payment history data corresponding to the advance application by comparing the acquisition means acquired from the card payment history data acquired with the contents of the advance application related to the payment schedule stored in the storage means Payment history data to be settled from the means and the specified card payment history data. The image processing system characterized by comprising selecting means for-option, and a settlement unit that performs settlement for the payment history data selected by said selection means.
(7) a step of registering a card capable of paying the cost as an authentication card for login, a step of permitting login to the image processing apparatus by the registered card, and a cost payment by the card by the user permitted to log in A step of storing in a storage means the content of a prior application relating to a payment schedule by a card previously input to the image processing device; a step of acquiring payment history data of the card used for the login from a card payment history server; A step of identifying the card payment history data corresponding to the advance application by comparing the acquired card payment history data with the content of the advance application relating to the payment schedule stored in the storage means; Select payment history data for payment from the payment history data. -Up and cost settlement method characterized by comprising the steps of: performing a payment for the payment history data the selected.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (1), a user who logs in with a card that can pay a cost inputs in advance a pre-application regarding a payment schedule by the card before using the card. When you log in with the card again after payment with the card, the payment history data of the card is acquired from the card payment history server, and the acquired payment history data is collated with the contents of the pre-application regarding the payment schedule entered in advance The card payment history data corresponding to the advance application is specified. Payment history data to be settled is selected from the identified card payment history data, and a settlement request for performing settlement on the selected payment history data is transmitted to the settlement system.

  Therefore, for example, for a payment that is desired to be settled as an expense, by inputting a prior application in advance to the image processing apparatus, payment history data corresponding to the prior application can be easily identified, and the settlement can be performed smoothly. . For this reason, the user is relieved from the trouble of investigating and paying off afterwards whether or not the payment is financially processed as an expense, which is very convenient.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (2), the user can use any of a plurality of cards permitted to log in.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (3), when a user logs in with any of a plurality of cards permitted to log in, payment history data of all cards permitted to log in is acquired. There is no need to log in for each card to check out the cards.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (4), the receipt data can be created using the payment history data of the card acquired by the acquiring means.

  According to the invention described in item (5) above, approval application data relating to expense settlement can be created using the payment history data of the card acquired by the acquisition means.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (6), the user can easily specify the payment history corresponding to the advance application by inputting the advance application to the image processing apparatus in advance for the payment desired to be settled as an expense, for example. As a result, an image processing system that can smoothly perform settlement can be obtained. For this reason, the user is relieved from the trouble of investigating and paying off afterwards whether or not the payment is financially processed as an expense, which is very convenient.

  According to the invention described in the preceding paragraph (7), the user can easily specify the payment history corresponding to the advance application by inputting the advance application to the image processing apparatus in advance, for example, for the payment to be settled as an expense. As a result, payment can be made smoothly.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image processing system using an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image processing system of FIG. 1 includes an image processing device 1, an authentication server 2, a card payment history server 3, and an expense settlement system 4, which are connected to each other via a network.

  The image processing apparatus 1 uses an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) which is a multifunction digital image forming apparatus having a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and the like.

  The authentication server 2 registers data related to the user of the image processing apparatus 1 and the card, and authenticates a user who logs in to the image processing apparatus based on this data.

  The card payment history server 3 stores and manages payment history data for each user's card.

  The expense settlement system 4 is a system that settles the expense paid by the card based on the settlement application (settlement request) transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a scanner unit 14, a storage unit 15, a printer unit 16, an operation panel 17, a network controller (N1C) 18, a card reading unit 19, and the like. ing.

  In addition to the overall control of the entire image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 11 provides an authentication server for a user who logs in to the image processing apparatus 1 using a card capable of paying costs such as an IC card in this embodiment. Whether the login is permitted or not is determined based on the authentication result of 2, and the payment history data of the logged-in user's card is acquired from the card payment history server 3. Furthermore, before the payment with the card (before the card is used), the contents of the payment plan with the card applied in advance by the user and the payment history data acquired from the card payment history server 3 are compared, and the comparison result is determined. Processing is performed and processing such as creation of receipt application data and approval application data for expense settlement is performed using the payment history data of the card. Details of the specific processing will be described later.

  The ROM 12 is a memory for storing an operation program of the CPU 11 and the like.

  The RAM 13 is a memory that provides a work area when the CPU 11 executes an operation program.

  The scanner unit 14 reads an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) and converts it into image data.

  The storage unit 15 is configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 15 stores image data of a document read by the scanner unit 14, contents of a prior application regarding a payment schedule by a card input by a user, and the like.

  The printer unit 16 prints image data of a document read by the scanner unit 14, print data from a user terminal, the above-described receipt data, and the like according to an instructed mode.

  The operation panel 17 is used for various input operations or for displaying a screen, a message, and the like, and includes a key input unit such as a numeric keypad and a start key, and a display unit including a liquid crystal. .

  The network controller 18 controls communication between the authentication server 2, the card payment history server 3, the expense settlement system 4 and other external devices such as other image forming apparatuses and user terminals connected via the network. It is.

  The card reading unit 19 reads card information such as a card name and a card ID recorded on the user's card.

  FIG. 3 shows a registration screen displayed on the operation panel 17 of the image processing apparatus 1 when the user registers a card. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a message prompting insertion of a card (hereinafter, also referred to as an IC card) capable of paying the cost into the card reading unit 19 is displayed. When the user inserts the IC card into the card reading unit 19, card information such as a card name and a card ID is read.

  When the IC card is not registered, a user name and password input screen is displayed together with a message prompting the user name and password to register the IC card as shown in FIG.

  When the user name and password are entered, the screen transitions to the main screen as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input user name and password are stored in the storage unit 15 of the image processing apparatus 1 as user information in a state associated with the card name and card ID read by the card reading unit 19. Is done. The input user name and password, and the read card name and card ID are also transmitted to the authentication server 2 and registered in the user database of the authentication server 2. The user name and password are also transmitted to the expense settlement system 4 and used as authentication data when logging in to the expense settlement system 4 from the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing registration contents of the user database of the authentication server 2. In the user database, a user name, a password, and a card ID (a plurality of card IDs if the user owns a plurality of cards) are registered for each user.

  As described above, the user name, password, card information, and the like are stored in the storage unit 15 of the image processing apparatus 1 and are also registered in the authentication server 2, so that the user uses the registered IC card. Then, the user can log in to the image processing apparatus 1. When a plurality of cards are registered, the user can log in using any of the cards.

  That is, when an IC card registered by the user for logging in is inserted into the card reading unit 19, user information (user name and password) is specified from the card information read by the card reading unit 19. User information is transmitted to the authentication server 2. In the authentication server 2, it is determined whether the transmitted card information and user information are appropriate from the contents registered in the user database. Each is returned to the image processing apparatus 1.

  In the image processing apparatus 1, login is permitted or rejected based on the authentication result from the authentication server 2.

  FIG. 6 is a screen showing an example of an advance application form related to a payment plan by a card, which is input by a user who is permitted to log in. The advance application is input to the image processing apparatus 1 before payment of the cost by the card. You may enable it to input on a web browser. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the application date, the name of the applicant, the scheduled date of use, the item, the planned price, etc. are entered in the advance application. Then, the advance application form in which the predetermined data is input is transmitted to the expense settlement system 4 together with the user information. The transmission is preferably performed by encrypted communication such as HTTP / SSL, SSH, and IPsec. In the expense settlement system 4, an application number is assigned, and a prior application form is stored in the system together with the application number. The application number is returned to the image processing apparatus 1 and stored in the storage unit 15 in association with the prior application form or user information.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a procedure when acquiring payment history data from the card payment history server 3.

  After the user logs in, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits the logged-in user's card information and the like to the card payment history server 3 by the above-described encrypted communication. At this time, the logged-in user may transmit not only the IC card used for login but also card information for all registered IC cards owned by the user. In this case, it is not necessary to log in to the image processing apparatus 1 for each card in order to perform settlement for each card.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the card payment history server 3 stores payment history data for each card, and the history data corresponding to one or more requested IC cards is transmitted by encrypted communication. It transmits to the image processing apparatus 1. The card payment history data includes the payment date, payment destination, purchase details, payment amount, and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when the card payment cost is settled using the image processing system shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 01, the user reads the IC card registered in the authentication server 2 by the card reading unit 19 and receives authentication through the authentication server 2 described above, whereby the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 1.

  After login, user information (user name and password) is transmitted to the expense settlement system 4, and the expense settlement system 4 performs authentication in step S <b> 11 and transmits display data of the expense settlement menu to the image processing apparatus 1.

  In step S02, the image processing apparatus 1 displays an expense adjustment menu on the operation panel 17. An expense settlement menu may be displayed on the web browser by a logged-in user starting a web browser from the operation panel 17 and logging into the expense settlement system 4. In the expense settlement menu, a selection button for advance application, a selection button for settlement application, and the like are displayed.

  When the user presses the checkout application selection button, in step S03, it is checked whether or not a prior application has been made by the corresponding user. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S05. If no prior application has been made (NO in step S03), the process proceeds directly to step S05.

  In step S05, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits card information such as a card ID to the card payment history server 3. As described above, the card for acquiring the payment history data may be only the card used for login or all cards registered by the same user.

  In step S21, the card payment history server 3 extracts the payment history data of the designated IC card and transmits the extracted history data to the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 acquires card payment history data from the card payment history server 3 in step S06. Next, in step S07, the contents of the advance application and the card payment history data are compared and collated, and the payment history data that seems to correspond to the advance application is specified and displayed. The identification may be performed by comparing the scheduled payment date and amount of the prior application with the payment date and amount of the payment history data.

  Next, in step S08, history data for expense adjustment is selected from the displayed card payment history data. If there is only one target history data, it can be selected automatically. In addition, when there are a plurality, they may be selected automatically, or the user may be able to select them manually. If no prior application has been made or if the card payment history data cannot be specified because the amounts are different, all the acquired card payment history data is displayed on the operation panel 17 and can be selected by the user. It ’s fine.

  In this case, if there are multiple payment history data to be displayed, it can be sorted by date or by item, etc., or if payment history data for multiple cards is included, for each card By displaying, it is possible to improve the operability by making it easier to find the historical data to be settled. In addition, a predetermined item may be searched from the displayed payment history data.

  Next, in step S09, approval request data that also serves as a settlement request is transmitted to the expense settlement system 4 for the selected payment history data.

  The approval application data is automatically created by the image processing apparatus 1 in the form shown in FIG. 9 based on the payment history data, and transmitted to the expense settlement system 4. The expense settlement system 4 that has received the approval application data transmits the approval application data to the approver by e-mail or the like, and waits for the approval result.

  In step S12, the expense settlement system 4 determines whether approval has been obtained for settlement, and if approval has been obtained (YES in step S12), the expense settlement amount is charged or transferred to a predetermined transfer destination. The card payment history server 3 confirming the completion of the settlement transmits a settlement completion notification to the expense settlement system 4, and the expense settlement system 4 transmits a settlement completion notification to the image processing apparatus 1. This completion notification is displayed on the operation panel 17 of the image processing apparatus 1. Further, the prior application number stored in the image processing apparatus 1 is deleted based on the completion notification.

  If approval is not obtained in step S12 (NO in step S12), the expense settlement system 4 transmits a message to that effect to the image processing apparatus 1. This message is displayed on the operation panel 17 of the image processing apparatus 1.

  In addition, although it was set as the structure which transmits approval application data from the image processing apparatus 1 to the expense adjustment system 4, and obtains approval, it transmits the adjustment request by a user to the expense adjustment system 4, and whether the expense adjustment system is approved. It is good also as what is settled based on a settlement request, without confirming.

  Further, it may be configured such that receipt data as shown in FIG. 10 is generated by the image processing apparatus 1 using the acquired payment history data of the card, and the printer unit 16 can print it out.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the user can easily specify the payment history corresponding to the advance application by inputting the advance application in advance to the image processing apparatus 1 for payment that is desired to be settled as an expense, for example. Can be settled smoothly. For this reason, the user is relieved from the trouble of investigating and paying off afterwards whether or not the payment is financially processed as an expense, which is very convenient.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the image processing apparatus 1 compares the contents of the advance application regarding the payment schedule by the card with the payment history data acquired from the card payment history server 3 and specifies the card payment history data corresponding to the advance application. Alternatively, the expense settlement system 4 may be used.

  Further, although the authentication server 2 performs authentication when logging in to the image processing apparatus 1, internal authentication by the image processing apparatus 1 may be performed.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image processing system in which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an image processing apparatus. 6 is a diagram illustrating a registration screen displayed on the operation panel of the image processing apparatus when a user registers a card. FIG. It is a table | surface for demonstrating that user information and card | curd information are linked | related. It is a figure which shows the registration content of the user database of an authentication server. It is a screen which shows an example of the prior application regarding the payment plan by a card | curd input by the user who permitted login. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure at the time of acquiring payment log | history data from a card payment log | history server. It is a flowchart which shows a process when the card payment expense is settled using the image processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the form of approval application data. It is a figure which shows an example of receipt data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Authentication server 3 Card payment history server 4 Expense settlement system 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Scanner part 15 Memory | storage part 16 Printer part 17 Operation panel 18 Network controller 19 Card reading part

Claims (7)

A login permission means to allow login with a cost-paying card,
Accepting means for accepting an input of a prior application relating to a payment schedule by a card before payment by the card permitted to log in;
Acquisition means for acquiring payment history data of the card used for the login from a card payment history server;
A means for identifying the card payment history data corresponding to the advance application by comparing the acquired card payment history data with the content of the advance application relating to the payment schedule;
A selection means for selecting payment history data to be settled from the identified card payment history data;
A transmission means for transmitting a payment request for performing payment for the payment history data selected by the selection means to the payment system;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cards that are permitted to be logged in exist for one user, and the acquisition unit can acquire payment history data of each card from a card payment history server.   There are a plurality of cards that are permitted to be logged in for each user, and when logged in with any of the cards, the acquisition means obtains payment history data of all cards for which the user is permitted to log in, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, which can be acquired from a card payment history server.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising receipt data creation means for creating receipt data using payment history data of the card obtained by the obtaining means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an approval application data creation unit that creates approval application data related to expense settlement using the payment history data of the card acquired by the acquisition unit. . A registration means for registering a cost-payable card as an authentication card for login;
Login permission means for permitting login to the image processing apparatus with a card registered in the registration means;
Storage means for storing the contents of the prior application regarding the payment plan by the card, which is input to the image processing apparatus by the user who is permitted to log in, before the payment by the card;
Acquisition means for acquiring payment history data of the card used for the login from a card payment history server;
A means for identifying the card payment history data corresponding to the pre-application by comparing the acquired card payment history data with the content of the pre-application relating to the payment schedule stored in the storage means;
A selection means for selecting payment history data to be settled from the identified card payment history data;
A settlement means for performing settlement on the payment history data selected by the selection means;
An image processing system comprising: Registering a payable card as a login authorization card,
Permitting login to the image processing device with the registered card;
Storing in the storage means the contents of the prior application regarding the payment schedule by the card, which was input to the image processing apparatus by the user authorized to log in before the expense payment by the card;
Obtaining payment history data of the card used for the login from a card payment history server;
Collating the acquired card payment history data with the content of the advance application related to the payment schedule stored in the storage means, and identifying the card payment history data corresponding to the advance application;
Selecting payment history data for payment from the identified card payment history data;
Reimbursement for the selected payment history data;
A cost settlement method characterized by comprising:

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