JP2010002464A - Image forming apparatus and method for adding and storing difference information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a storing capacity of accounting information to be stored without missing an information amount relating to the accounting information when connection with an accounting device is inferior. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus for performing accounting processing by communicating with the accounting device includes: a storing part for storing the accounting information when communication with the accounting device is inferior; a determining means for determining whether accounting information concerning a user of an accounting object already exists in the storing part when storing new accounting information to the storing part; and a writing means for obtaining the difference information by comparing already stored accounting information concerning the user with newly stored accounting information when it is determined that it exists with the determining means and adding difference information to the already stored accounting information to be written to the storing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) connected to a charging apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that stores charging information in a storage device when the connection with the charging apparatus becomes defective. About.

This type of device generates billing information related to billing for each job such as executed copy and print, and when the connection with the billing device is normal, transmits the billing information for each job generated to the billing device.
When the connection with the charging device becomes poor, for example, charging information for each job is stored as a storage device in an HDD (hard disk drive) inside the device, and stored as soon as the connection with the charging device is restored. The charged accounting information is transmitted to the accounting device.

However, since the capacity for storing the billing information in the HDD is predetermined, if the period of poor connection becomes long and many jobs are executed, the billing information stored in the HDD exceeds the allowable amount. In other words, the job can be executed, but the accounting information related to the job cannot be stored.
Therefore, the conventional image forming apparatus does not store the charging information when the connection with the charging apparatus becomes poor, but creates simple information based on the job history, and stores the created simple information. (See Patent Document 1). As a result, the storage capacity used in the HDD is reduced. Other prior art documents include those shown in Patent Documents 2 to 5 below.
JP 2001-350936 JP JP 2002-175195 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-202696 JP 2002-261997 JP 2005-107637 A

However, the simple information is simple information including only the client name and the total number of prints, and information such as the size and type of print paper is missing. Therefore, when the connection with the charging apparatus becomes poor, there is a problem that the charging information cannot be properly managed for a job executed during that time.
The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that can retain the amount of billing information without losing the amount of billing information and reduce the storage capacity of billing information to be stored when the connection with the billing device becomes defective. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that performs charging processing by communicating with a charging apparatus, and a storage unit that stores charging information when communication with the charging apparatus is poor. , When accumulating new billing information in the storage unit, a determination unit that determines whether billing information related to a user to be charged already exists in the storage unit, An image having writing means for comparing the stored charging information related to the user with the charging information to be newly stored, obtaining difference information, and adding the difference information to the stored charging information and writing it to the storage unit Forming device.

  By providing the above-described configuration, the present invention makes it possible to store the stored charge information and the charge to be stored when the charge information relating to the same user already exists in the storage unit when the communication with the charge device is poor. Since the difference with the information is added to the already stored charging information and written to the storage unit, the storage capacity of the charging information can be reduced without losing the amount of information related to the charging information.

Here, the charging information includes job information related to the executed job and a charging amount for the job. As a result of the comparison, the writing unit has already stored the same job information as the job information of the charging information to be stored in the storage unit. If present, the charge amount of the charge information to be stored may be added to the charge amount of the already stored charge information as a difference.
Thereby, when the same job information as the job information of the billing information to be accumulated already exists in the storage unit, the billing amount of the billing information to be accumulated is stored instead of storing the billing information itself. Since it is added to the billing amount of the stored billing information, the storage capacity can be reduced.

Here, as a result of comparison in units of categories, if the contents of a category that is not included in the job information of the stored charge information exist in the job information of the charge information to be stored, the difference is added to the job information of the stored charge information as a difference. You may add a category that does not exist.
As a result, if the content of the category that is not in the job information of the already stored charging information exists in the job information of the charging information to be stored, the category that is not in the job information of the already stored charging information is added. It is possible to avoid a lack of information related to billing information.

<Embodiment 1>
1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows a charging system to which an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied. As an image forming apparatus, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 is connected to a charging apparatus 200 via a network.

The MFP 100 receives input of the user ID and department ID from the user, and transmits the received user ID and department ID to the charging apparatus 200, thereby downloading the charging table corresponding to the user ID and department ID from the charging apparatus 200. .
Further, the MFP 100 executes jobs such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing, generates charging information related to the job based on the history information of the job, referring to the downloaded charging table, and generates the generated charging information. Transmit to billing apparatus 200.

The billing apparatus 200 stores a plurality of billing tables in association with user IDs and department IDs, selects a billing table corresponding to the user ID and department ID transmitted from the MFP 100, and transmits it to the MFP 100. Also, based on the billing information transmitted from the MFP 100, billing related to jobs is managed for each user ID and department ID.
2. Configuration of MFP 2.1. Hardware Configuration FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP 100. As shown in the figure, the MFP 100 includes a communication interface 101, a CPU 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a hard disk 105, a user interface 106, a reading unit 107, a printing unit 108, a post-processing unit (Finishing) 109, and the like. Are communicably connected to each other via a bus.

The communication interface 101 is connected to a network, transmits a user ID, a department ID, and charging information to the charging apparatus 200, and receives a charging table from the charging apparatus 200.
The ROM 103 stores a control program related to determination of a connection state with the charging apparatus 200, a control program related to generation of charging information when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is poor, and the like.

The RAM 104 is used as a work area for the CPU 102.
The hard disk 105 stores charging information for each user ID and department ID.
When the CPU 102 receives a request for a job such as copying, printing, scanning, or faxing, the CPU 102 reads a necessary program from the ROM 406 and controls execution of the job.

Further, the connection state with the charging apparatus 200 is determined, and charging information related to the executed job is generated according to the determination result. Further, the billing information generated in the hard disk 105 is stored.
The user interface 106 includes an input unit for inputting various information such as condition settings for executing each job, a destination, and a display unit for displaying information.

The reading unit 107 reads an image.
The print unit 108 prints an image.
The post-processing unit 109 performs processing such as stapling, punching (punching), paper folding, and the like on the paper output from the printing unit 108.
2.2. Functional Configuration Next, functions achieved by the operation of the CPU 102 according to the control program stored in the ROM 103 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP 100. As shown in the figure, the MFP 100 includes a connection state determination unit 210, a charging information generation unit 220, and a charging information storage unit 230.

Connection state determination unit 210 determines a connection state with charging apparatus 200. When it is determined that the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is not normal, a notification that the connection is not normal is output to the charging information generation unit 220.
When the billing information generation unit 220 receives a notification that the connection is not normal from the connection state determination unit 210, the billing information generation unit 220 generates billing information and outputs it to the billing information storage unit 230.

Specifically, the billing information generation unit 220 includes the same billing information determination unit 221, and a difference information calculation unit 222 including a category addition processing unit 223 and an addition processing unit 224.
The same charging information determination unit 221 determines whether or not charging information having the same user ID and department ID as the user ID and department ID of the current job already exists on the hard disk 105. When it is determined that the billing information already exists, a notification to that effect is output to the difference information calculation unit 222.

When the category addition processing unit 223 receives a notification that the charging information already exists from the same charging information determination unit 221, the category addition processing unit 223 determines whether or not the same category as the current job already exists on the hard disk 105, and displays the determination result. The result is output to the addition processing unit 224.
If the same category exists, no new category is added. If the same category does not exist, the current job category is additionally stored.

The addition processing unit 224 performs addition processing on the billing information based on the determination result input from the category addition processing unit 223.
The billing information storage unit 230 stores the billing information input from the billing information generation unit 220 in the hard disk 105.
3. Billing information 3.1. Accounting Information Data Structure The accounting information data structure will be described. The billing information is obtained by associating job history information related to a job with a billing amount for the job. The billing information has three different data structures depending on the type of job executed by the MFP 100. FIG. 4A shows the data structure of charging information when the job is a copy job and print job, FIG. 4B shows the data structure of charging information when the job is a scan job, and FIG. The data structure of the billing information is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the job is a copy job or a print job, the billing information includes user ID, department ID, paper information, and finishing categories.
The paper information includes categories of paper size, paper type, color, single-sided duplex, number of output sheets, and amount of money, and there are as many pieces of paper information as the number [N] of paper information related to the paper used in the job.

Finishing includes categories of Staple times, Punch times, paper folding times, and amounts corresponding to these.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the job is a scan job, the billing information includes categories of user ID and department ID, document information, FileSize, and transmission destination Address.
Document information consists of the following categories: document size, image data output format (E-mail / FTP / SMB / USB), color, resolution, number of documents, and amount of money. Document information relates to the document used in the job. There are as many original document information as [N]. FileSize consists of each category of Size and amount. The destination address is made up of each category of address and amount, and there are as many destination addresses [M] used in the job.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, when the job is a fax job, the charging information includes categories of user ID and department ID, document information, destination telephone number, connection time, and connection fee. The document information includes categories of document size, resolution, number of documents, and amount of money, and there are as many pieces of document information as the number of document information [N] related to the document used in the job. The destination telephone number is made up of each category of telephone number and amount, and there are as many destination telephone numbers [M] used in the job. The connection time consists of time and money categories, and indicates a fee that is incurred according to the duration of the connection. The connection fee indicates a fee generated by the connection.

3.2. Accounting information storage method 3.2.1. Next, a description will be given of how accounting information is recorded on the hard disk 105 when the job is a copy job and a print job. FIG. 5 shows a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal. When the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal, the charging information is stored independently for each job (as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C) as shown in FIG. Is done.

FIG. 6 shows a recording method when the connection with the billing apparatus 200 becomes defective. First, the charging information is not stored in the hard disk 105, and the charging information is stored in the order of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C.
When the charging information is not stored in the hard disk, the charging information shown in FIG. 5A is first stored as shown in FIG.

  Next, an attempt is made to store the billing information shown in FIG. 5B, but it is confirmed from the user ID and the department ID that they are the same user. Therefore, when FIG. 6 (a) is compared with FIG. 5 (b), the billing information that has already been stored (hereinafter referred to as “accumulated billing information”) (here billing information shown in FIG. 6 (a)). Both the paper information [0] and the paper information [0] shown in FIG. 5B are <A4>, <plain paper>, <FullColor>, and <single side>, and the both pieces of paper information match. Here, “the paper information matches” means that all the information described in each category of paper size, paper type, color, and single-sided double-sided matches.

  In this case, not all items of the paper information [0] in FIG. 5B are stored, but the output number and amount of the paper information [0] are used as the paper information [0] of the already stored charging information. Is added to the output number and the amount of money. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the paper information [0] in FIG. 5 (b) is not separately stored, and only the number of output and the amount of the accumulated charge information are updated to 15 and 750, respectively. Is done.

As described above, when the sheet information matches, only the number of output sheets and the amount of money are updated without storing the common sheet information, so that the storage capacity is reduced without missing the information related to the billing information. be able to.
Finally, the billing information shown in FIG. 5C is to be stored, but the user ID and department ID are the same. Therefore, when FIG. 6B is compared with FIG. 5C, the paper information [0] of the stored charge information (here, the charge information shown in FIG. 6B) and the paper shown in FIG. 5C. The information [0] is different for each category of paper size, color, and single-sided duplex, and the paper information does not match. In this case, all items of the paper information [0] in FIG. 5C are stored.

As described above, when the paper information does not match, the paper information is newly stored separately, so that it is possible to avoid the lack of information regarding the billing information.
In addition, the categories of Staple count, Punch count, paper folding count, and the amount corresponding to each of these are the common items in all billing information. Therefore, when the accounting information is not stored in the hard disk 105, when each category of Finishing is stored when the first accounting information (the accounting information shown in FIG. 5A) is stored, Categories are not additionally stored separately, only the number of times and the amount corresponding to the number of times are updated.

3.2.2. Next, a description will be given of how accounting information is recorded on the hard disk 105 when the job is a scan job. FIG. 7 shows a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal. When the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal, the charging information is stored for each job (as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C), as in the case of a copy job and a print job. ) Each is stored independently.

FIG. 8 shows a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 becomes defective. First, charging information is not stored in the hard disk, and charging information is stored in the order of FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.
When the charging information is not stored in the hard disk, the charging information shown in FIG. 7A is stored as shown in FIG.

  Next, the billing information shown in FIG. 7B is to be stored, but the user ID and department ID are the same. Therefore, when the charging information in FIG. 8A and FIG. 7B is compared, the original information [0] of the already stored charging information (in this case, the charging information shown in FIG. 8A) and the original information [0] in FIG. 7B. The document information [0] shown is <B4>, <E-mail>, <FullColor>, and <600 × 600>, and the both document information match. Here, the document information matches means that all information described in each category of document size, E-mail / FTP / SMB / USB, color, and resolution match.

  In this case, instead of newly storing all the items of the document information [0] in FIG. 7B, the number and amount of documents related to the document information [0] are changed to the document information of the already stored charge information. A process of adding [0] to the number of documents and the amount of money is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the document information [0] in FIG. 7B is not separately stored, and only the number of documents and the amount of the accumulated charge information are updated to 15 and 300, respectively. Is done.

As described above, when the document information matches, only the number of documents and the amount of money are updated without storing the common document information, so that the storage capacity is reduced without losing information on the billing information. be able to.
In addition, the transmission destination Address [0] of the stored charging information and the transmission destination Address [0] shown in FIG. 7B are both <Aaaa1@bbbb.ccc.dd>, and the transmission destination Address is the same. .

  In this case, instead of newly storing the transmission destination Address [0] of FIG. 7B, the amount of the transmission destination Address [0] is set to the amount of the transmission destination Address [0] already stored. Perform the addition process. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, the destination Address [0] of FIG. 7B is not stored separately, and only the amount of the destination Address of the stored charge information is updated to 60. .

In this way, when the destination address is the same, only the amount is updated without memorizing the common destination address, so that the storage capacity can be reduced without losing information on the billing information. Can do.
Finally, the billing information shown in FIG. 7C is to be stored, but the user ID and department ID are the same. Therefore, when FIG. 8B is compared with FIG. 7C, the original information [0] of the already stored charging information (here, the charging information shown in FIG. 8B) and the original shown in FIG. 7C. Information [0] differs in each category of document size, color, and resolution, and the document information does not match. In this case, all items of the document information [0] in FIG. 7C are stored.

As described above, when the document information does not match, the document information is newly stored separately, so that it is possible to avoid the lack of information regarding the billing information.
Further, the transmission destination Address [0] of the already stored charging information (in this case, the charging information shown in FIG. 8B) and the transmission destination Address [0] shown in FIG. 7C do not match. In this case, the destination Address [0] in FIG. 7C is stored.

As described above, when the transmission destination address does not match, the transmission destination address is newly stored separately, so that it is possible to avoid the lack of information regarding the billing information.
It should be noted that each category of size and amount in FileSize is a common item in all billing information. Therefore, as in the case of Finishing, when the charging information is not stored in the hard disk, when each fileSize category is stored when the first charging information (charging information shown in FIG. 7A) is stored, After that, each category of FileSize is not additionally stored separately, only the size and the amount are updated.

3.2.3. Next, a description will be given of how accounting information is recorded on the hard disk when the job is a fax job. FIG. 9 shows a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal. When the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal, the charging information is set for each job (as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C), as in the case of a copy job and a print job. ) Each is stored independently.

FIG. 10 shows a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is poor. First, charging information is not stored in the hard disk, and charging information is stored in the order of FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C.
When the charging information is not stored in the hard disk, the charging information shown in FIG. 9A is stored as shown in FIG.

  Next, it is attempted to store the billing information shown in FIG. 9B, but it is confirmed from the user ID and the department ID that they are the same user. Therefore, when FIG. 10A is compared with FIG. 9B, the original information [0] of the already stored charging information (here, the charging information shown in FIG. 10A) and the original shown in FIG. 9B. Information [0] does not match because the category of the document size is different. In this case, all items of the document information [0] in FIG. 9B are stored.

As described above, when the document information does not match, the document information is newly stored separately, so that it is possible to avoid the lack of information regarding the billing information.
Also, the destination telephone number [0] of the stored charging information (here, the charging information shown in FIG. 10A) and the destination telephone number [0] shown in FIG. 9B do not match. In this case, the destination telephone number [0] in FIG. 9B is stored.

As described above, when the transmission destination telephone numbers do not match, the transmission destination telephone number is newly stored separately, so that it is possible to avoid the lack of information regarding the billing information.
Finally, the billing information shown in FIG. 9C is to be stored, but the user ID and department ID are the same. Therefore, when FIG. 10B and FIG. 9C are compared, the original information [0] of the already stored charging information (here, the charging information shown in FIG. 10B) and the original shown in FIG. 9C. Information [0] is both <A4> and <Fine>, and both pieces of document information match. Here, that the document information is matched means that the information described in each category of the document size and the resolution is matched.

  In this case, instead of newly storing all items of the document information [0] in FIG. 9C, the number of documents and the amount of the document information [0] are changed to the document information [ 0] is added to the number of documents and the amount of money. That is, as shown in FIG. 10C, the document information of FIG. 9C is not stored separately, and only the number of documents and the amount of money are updated to 9 and 90, respectively.

As described above, when the document information matches, only the number of documents and the amount of money are updated without storing the common document information, so that the storage capacity is reduced without losing information on the billing information. be able to.
In addition, both the destination telephone number [0] of the stored charging information (in this case, the charging information shown in FIG. 10B) and the destination telephone number [0] shown in FIG. 9C are both <0123-456- 7890>, which is consistent.

  In this case, instead of newly storing the destination telephone number [0] of FIG. 9C, the destination telephone number [0] in which the amount of the destination telephone number [0] is already stored is stored. To add to the amount of money. That is, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the destination telephone number [0] in FIG. 9 (c) is not stored separately, and only the amount of the destination telephone number of the stored billing information is updated to 20. Is done.

In this way, when the destination telephone numbers match, the common destination telephone number is not stored, but only the amount is updated, so the storage capacity is reduced without losing information on billing information. can do.
It should be noted that the time and amount categories in connection time and the connection fee are common items in all billing information. Therefore, as in the case of Finishing in a print job, when no billing information is stored in the hard disk, each of the connection time and the connection fee is stored when the first billing information (billing information shown in FIG. 9A) is stored. When a category is stored, each category is not additionally stored thereafter, and only the time and amount and the connection fee are updated.
4). Operation of MFP 4.1. Overall Operation Control Processing of MFP 100 FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing overall operation control processing of the MFP 100. When the MFP 100 receives a job request (hereinafter referred to as “current job”) from a user or a client device (step S101), the MFP 100 executes the job (step S102). When the execution of the current job is completed (Yes in step S103), it is determined whether or not the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal (step S104). This determination is made based on whether or not a response signal (ACK) is received from the charging apparatus 200 that has transmitted polling to the charging apparatus 200 and received the polling.

  If it is determined that the connection with the billing apparatus 200 is normal (Yes in step S104), billing information for the current job is generated (step S105), and the generated billing information is stored in the hard disk 105 (step S106). It transmits to the apparatus 200 (step S107). Thereafter, when a response signal indicating that the billing information has been normally received is received from the billing apparatus 200 (step S108), the billing information is deleted from the hard disk 105 (step S109).

If it is determined that the connection with the billing apparatus 200 is not normal (No in step S104), billing information generation processing at the time of connection failure described later is performed (step S110).
4.2. Charging information generation process when connection is poor FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing charging information generation process when connection is poor. First, billing information having the same user ID and department ID as the user ID and department ID of the current job is searched in the hard disk (step S201).

If the search does not hit, that is, if there is no billing information having the same user ID and department ID as the current job (No in step S202), billing information for the current job is generated (step S203). The generated billing information is stored in the hard disk 105 in association with the user ID and department ID of the current job (step S204).
If the search is hit, that is, if there is accounting information having the same user ID and department ID as the current job (Yes in step S202), category addition processing and addition processing described later are performed (steps S205 and 206). .

  After steps S204 and 206, it is determined whether or not an untransmitted flag is set in the billing information (step S207). If the untransmitted flag is not set (No in step S207), the untransmitted flag is set. Set (step D208). When the unsent flag is set in the billing information, the billing information is transmitted to the billing device 200 when the connection with the billing device 200 is restored.

4.3. Category Addition Processing FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing category addition processing. First, it is determined whether or not the current job is a copy job (step S301). If the current job is a copy job (Yes in step S301), it is searched whether there is paper information identical to the paper information of the current job ( In step S302), it is searched whether there is Finishing information (step S312).

If it is not a copy job (No in step S301), it is determined whether or not the current job is a print job (step S303). If it is a print job (Yes in step S303), it is the same as the paper information of the current job. Is searched (step S304), and whether there is Finishing information is searched (step S313).
If it is not a print job (No in step S303), it is determined whether or not the current job is a scan job (step S305). If it is a scan job (Yes in step S305), it is searched whether there is the same document information as the document information of the current job (step S306), and the same destination address as the destination address of the current job is searched (step S306). Step S307).

If it is not a print job (No in step S305), it is determined to be a fax job, and the same original information as the original information of the current job is searched (step S308), and the same destination as the destination telephone number of the current job. A telephone number is searched (step S309).
It is determined whether or not the above-described search has been hit (step S310). If the search is hit, that is, if the same category exists in the already-stored information (Yes in step S310), the processing is terminated as it is, and the search If the same category does not exist in the stored information (No in step S310), the job history information of the current job (category that does not exist in the stored charging information) and the charge for the job The amount is stored separately (step S311). Note that the finishing information in the copy job and the print job is common, and if it is always stored first, search processing such as steps S312 and 313 in this flowchart is not necessary.

4.4. Addition Processing FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing the addition processing. First, it is determined whether or not the current job is a copy job (step S401). If the current job is a copy job (Yes in step S401), it is determined whether or not the search in step S302 has been hit (step S402). . If the search is a hit, that is, if paper information of the same category already exists (Yes in step S402), the number of output sheets and the amount 301 in the paper information of the current job are changed to the number of output sheets and the amount 301 of the stored charge information. Add (step S403).

Subsequently, the Staple number and amount 302, Punch number and amount 303 of the current job, and the paper folding number and amount 304, and the Staple number and amount 302, Punch number and amount 303, and the paper folding number and amount of the stored charging information are stored. It adds to 304 (steps S404, 405, 406).
When the search is not hit, that is, when there is no paper information of the same category (No in step S402), the process proceeds to step S404.

  If it is not a copy job (No in step S401), it is determined whether or not the current job is a print job (step S407). If it is a print job (Yes in step S407), the search in step S304 has been hit. Whether or not (step S408). If the search is hit, that is, if paper information of the same category already exists (Yes in step S408), the number of output sheets and the amount 301 in the paper information of the current job are changed to the number of output sheets and the amount 301 of the stored charge information. Add (step S409).

Subsequently, the Staple number and amount 302, Punch number and amount 303 of the current job, and the paper folding number and amount 304, and the Staple number and amount 302, Punch number and amount 303, and the paper folding number and amount of the stored charging information are stored. It adds to 304 (steps S410, 411, 412).
If the search does not hit, that is, if there is no paper information of the same category (No in step S408), the process proceeds to step S410.

  If it is not a print job (No in step S407), it is determined whether or not the current job is a scan job (step S413). If it is a scan job (Yes in step S413), the search in step S306 was hit. Whether or not (step S414). If the search is hit, that is, if document information of the same category already exists (Yes in step S414), the number of documents and the amount 311 in the document information of the current job are changed to the number of documents and the amount 311 of the stored charge information. Add (step S415).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the search in step S307 has been hit (step S416). When the search is hit, that is, when the destination address of the same category already exists (Yes in step S416), the amount 313 of the destination address of the current job is set to the amount 313 of the same destination address of the stored charge information. (Step S417). Further, the size and the amount 312 of the current job are added to the size and the amount 312 of the already stored charging information (step S418).

  If it is not a scan job (No in step S413), it is determined that the current job is a fax job, and it is determined whether or not the search in step S308 has been hit (step S419). When the search is hit, that is, when document information of the same category already exists (Yes in step S419), the number of documents and the amount 321 in the document information of the current job are changed to the number of documents and the amount 321 of the stored charge information. Add (step S420).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the search in step S309 has been hit (step S421). If the search is a hit, that is, if a destination telephone number of the same category already exists (Yes in step S421), the amount 322 of the destination telephone number of the current job is used as the same destination telephone number of the stored charge information. Is added to the amount 322 (step S422). Further, the time and amount 323 in the connection time of the current job are added to the time and amount 323 of the stored charge information, and the amount 324 in the connection charge of the current job is added to the amount 324 of the already stored charge information (steps S423 and 424). .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the billing information already stored in the hard disk and the billing information to be stored are compared in units of categories. If so, the common part is not newly written separately, and only the output number and the amount of money, which are the differences, are overwritten in addition to the already accumulated charging information. If the two are different, a separate writing process is performed only for the different portions that are the differences. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the capacity of billing information to be stored without losing the amount of information to be stored when connection is poor.
(Modification)
As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
(1) In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 stores the billing information in the hard disk 105 when the connection with the billing apparatus 200 becomes poor. However, the storage medium for storing the billing information is not limited to the hard disk 105. . For example, a flash ROM may be used.
(2) In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 transmits polling to the charging apparatus 200, and determines the connection state with the charging apparatus 200 based on whether or not a response signal (ACK) is received from the charging apparatus 200 that has received the polling. However, the connection state with the charging apparatus 200 may be determined by another method. For example, the charging apparatus 200 returns a response signal to the MFP 100 when it normally receives the charging information transmitted from the MFP 100. Therefore, if the MFP 100 receives the response signal within a predetermined time, the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal. If the response signal cannot be received within a predetermined time, it may be determined that the connection is poor. In this case, if no response signal is returned within a predetermined time, the billing information 200 during that time is stored in the hard disk 105 in the MFP 100 one after another. The accounting information generation process at the time of poor connection is performed after determining that no response signal is returned after a predetermined time has elapsed.
(3) In the above embodiment, when the connection with the billing apparatus 200 is normal, billing information is generated and the billing information is transmitted to the billing apparatus 200 each time. It may be transmitted to the charging apparatus 200 (for example, once a day).
(4) In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 and the billing apparatus 200 are configured to correspond one-to-one, but one billing apparatus may correspond to a plurality of MFPs.
(5) In the above embodiment, the categories of Staple times, Punch times, paper folding times, and amounts corresponding to these in Finishing are common items in all billing information. When the process is performed, these items may be included in the billing information. Therefore, the number of Staple times, the number of punches, the number of paper folds, and the amount corresponding to each of them are not generated as billing information if they are never used in the executed job. The storage capacity of billing information can be further reduced.

The above embodiment and the above modification examples may be combined.
Further, it goes without saying that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be variously modified or modified within the spirit of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof.

  The present invention can be widely applied to an image forming apparatus connected to a charging apparatus via a network.

It is a figure which shows a charging system. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MEP 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP 100. FIG. (A) It is a figure which shows the data structure of the accounting information in case a job is a copy job and a print job. (B) It is a figure which shows the data structure of the accounting information in case a job is a scan job. (C) It is a figure which shows the data structure of the accounting information in case a job is a fax job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when a connection with a charging apparatus is normal when a job is a copy job and a print job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when a connection with the charging apparatus 200 becomes poor when a job is a copy job or a print job. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 is normal when the job is a scan job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when a connection with the charging apparatus 200 is poor when the job is a scan job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when a connection with a charging apparatus 200 is normal when a job is a fax job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a recording method when the connection with the charging apparatus 200 becomes poor when the job is a fax job. 3 is a flowchart showing overall operation control processing of the MFP 100. It is a flowchart which shows the accounting information generation process at the time of a connection failure. It is a flowchart which shows a category addition process. It is a flowchart which shows an addition process. It is a flowchart which shows an addition process.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP
200 charging device 101 communication interface 102 CPU
103 ROM
104 RAM
105 Hard Disk 106 User Interface 107 Reading Unit 108 Printing Unit 109 Post-Processing Unit 210 Connection State Determination Unit 220 Charging Information Generation Unit 221 Same Charging Information Determination Unit 222 Difference Information Calculation Unit 223 Category Addition Processing Unit 224 Addition Processing Unit 230 Accounting Information Storage Unit

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus that performs charging processing by communicating with a charging apparatus,
A storage unit for storing charging information when communication with the charging device is poor;
Determining means for determining whether or not billing information related to a user to be billed already exists in the storage unit when accumulating new billing information in the storage unit;
When it is determined by the determination means that the stored charging information related to the user is compared with the charging information to be newly stored, the difference information is obtained, and the difference information is added to the stored charging information. Writing means for writing to the storage unit;
An image forming apparatus. The billing information includes job information regarding the executed job and a billing amount for the job,
If the same job information as the job information of the billing information to be stored already exists in the storage unit as a result of the comparison, the writing means calculates the billing amount of the billing information to be stored as a difference. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is added to a billing amount of information. Job information consists of multiple categories for identifying job details.
The writing means compares the job information for each category when comparing the charging information to be stored with the already stored charging information, and determines that the same job information exists when the contents of all categories are the same. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the charge amount of the charge information to be stored is added to the charge amount of the already stored charge information. As a result of comparison by category, if the contents of the category that is not in the job information of the stored charge information exist in the job information of the charge information to be stored, the category that is not included in the job information of the stored charge information as a difference The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of categories include a combination of two or more of an operation mode, a paper size, a paper type, a color, a document size, a resolution, a transmission destination address, a telephone number, and a communication time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether communication with the billing apparatus is poor. Determination of whether or not billing information related to a user to be billed already exists in the storage unit when new billing information is stored in the storage unit for storing the billing information when communication with the billing apparatus is poor Steps,
If it is determined by the determination step, the stored charging information related to the user and the charging information to be newly stored are compared, the difference information is obtained, and the difference information is added to the stored charging information. A writing step of writing to the storage means;
The difference information addition storage method which has.

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