JP2010120240A - Accounting management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an accounting management system utilizing a noncontact IC card which can gain high customer satisfaction. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus side accounting management section 80 can perform subtraction processing of a charged fee based on a desired viewpoint such as accounting depending on toner consumption based on a combination of various setting conditions such as number of printing sheets, paper size, a paper type, printing density, or print density, by applying an accounting system constructed by subdividing for every setting condition of various jobs. As a result, it is possible to provide an accounting management system utilizing a noncontact IC card which can gain high customer satisfaction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a billing management system for performing billing management related to various jobs in an image forming apparatus, and in particular, by configuring a billing system constructed by subdividing each setting condition of various jobs. The present invention relates to a billing management system using a non-contact type IC card that can achieve high customer satisfaction.

  For example, an image forming apparatus called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having various functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer is provided. Such an MFP is configured to perform a job according to a user's request among various jobs such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a printer. At this time, there is a request that strict accounting management according to the setting conditions of various jobs for each user should be performed.

  As one approach to satisfying such a request, the applicant of the present application is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on image data, and the charging information is based on a charging table determined according to the image forming mode. Proposing an image forming apparatus comprising charging information generating means for generating the charging information and image forming means for forming the charging information as a price for performing the image formation on the paper in conjunction with the image formation (Patent Document 1).

  According to the prior art according to Patent Document 1, the user can easily recognize how much the service charge for each job related to individual image formation was.

By the way, if a billing management system to which a billing system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition is applicable can be proposed, a new billing management system capable of obtaining high customer satisfaction is realized. It's not hard to imagine what you could do. However, the present situation is that no such attempt has been made.
JP 2005-195667 A

  The problem to be solved is that the conventional technology cannot realize a charge management system to which a charge system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition can be applied.

  The present invention provides a charge management system utilizing a non-contact type IC card that can obtain a high degree of customer satisfaction by configuring a charge system that is subdivided for each job setting condition. An image forming apparatus having a function of performing various jobs related to image formation, an antenna, and an IC chip electrically connected to the antenna, and for various jobs in the image forming apparatus. A non-contact type IC card storing electronic money information that can settle the billing fee, and performing various data exchange or processing in a non-contact manner between the two, so that various jobs in the image forming apparatus can be performed. A charge management system for performing such charge management, wherein the image forming apparatus is owned by an access user who came to the image forming apparatus. A device-side communication unit that exchanges data including electronic money information with the contactless IC card, a job setting condition acquisition unit that acquires setting conditions of various jobs relating to image formation, and the access user A job management unit that permits the use of various jobs within the range of the remaining amount related to the electronic money information of the contactless IC card, and a charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the job setting condition acquisition unit, Device-side billing management that performs billing management that is calculated by applying a billing system that is subdivided for each job setting condition and that is deducted from the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user The main feature is that it has a part.

  On the image forming apparatus side in the charge management system according to the present invention, when a user comes to the apparatus, the apparatus-side communication unit includes electronic money information with the contactless IC card possessed by the access user. Exchange data. Next, when the access user selects, for example, a copy job from various jobs related to image formation and selectively inputs various setting conditions, the setting conditions related to the copy job are displayed in the job setting condition acquisition unit. To be acquired. In response, the job management unit permits the use of various jobs within the range of the remaining amount related to the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user. The device-side charging management unit calculates the charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the job setting condition acquisition unit by applying a charging system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition. And charging management to be deducted from the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user. Therefore, according to the billing management system according to the present invention, by applying a billing system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition, for example, the number of printed sheets, the sheet size, the sheet type (plain paper or Performing a charge fee withdrawal process based on the required viewpoint, such as charging according to toner consumption, based on the combination content related to various setting conditions such as recycled paper, print density, or print density. As a result, it is possible to provide a billing management system using a non-contact type IC card that can achieve high customer satisfaction.

  For the purpose of providing a charge management system that utilizes a contactless IC card that can achieve high customer satisfaction, charge charges based on the job setting conditions acquired by the job setting condition acquisition unit are set for various jobs. Implemented by applying a billing system that is subdivided for each condition, and realized by a device-side billing management unit that manages billing that is deducted from the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user .

  Hereinafter, a billing management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Schematic configuration of billing management system]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a part of the charging management system. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of a non-contact-type IC card.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an accounting management system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1 having a function of executing various jobs related to image formation, including a copy job, a scan job, and a print job, and an antenna 3. And an IC chip 5 electrically connected to the antenna 3, electronic money information that can be used to settle billing fees related to various jobs in the image forming apparatus 1, and a plurality of users possessed by each user A non-contact type IC card (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as an IC card) 7 that stores unique user identification information for each, and required data exchange or processing between the both 1 and 7 in a non-contact manner. By performing the above, billing management for various jobs in the image forming apparatus 1 is performed.

  Among these, the image forming apparatus 1 can use various functions including, for example, a copy job, a scan job, a fax transmission job, a print job, or a network transmission (mail transmission or data transmission) job. It is controlled by the main control unit 11 composed of a hardware circuit or the like. As an input / output device connected to the main control unit 11 and responsible for various functions, this apparatus includes a scanner unit 21, an image processing unit 31, an engine unit 41, an operation panel unit 51, a facsimile communication unit 61, and an HDD (hard disk drive) 63. , A network I / F (interface) unit 65, and a device side communication unit 67.

  The main control unit 11 includes a scanner controller 13 that performs operation control for realizing a scanner function, a facsimile controller 15 that performs operation control for realizing a facsimile function, and a printer controller that performs operation control for realizing a printer function. 17 and a copy controller 19 for controlling the operation for realizing the copy function are incorporated, and the overall operation of the apparatus is controlled.

  The scanner unit 21 includes an image irradiation lamp 23 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 25 constituting the scanner. The scanner unit 21 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 23, receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 25, reads an image from the document, and outputs image data corresponding to the read image to the image processing unit 31. .

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 33, an image processing unit 35, and an image memory 37. The image processing unit 31 processes the image data read by the scanner unit 21 with the correction unit 33 and the image processing unit 35 as necessary, and stores the processed image data in the image memory 37, the engine unit 41, Output to the facsimile communication unit 61 or the like. The correction unit 33 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on the image data read by the scanner unit 21. The image processing unit 35 performs various types of processing such as image data compression or expansion processing and enlargement or reduction processing.

  The engine unit 41 includes a sheet conveying unit 43 including a sheet feeding cassette and a sheet feeding roller (not shown), an image forming unit 45 including a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a developing device, and the like, a transfer roller (not illustrated), and the like. And a fixing unit 49 including a fixing roller (not shown). The engine unit 41 includes image data read by the scanner unit 21, document or image data transmitted from a client PC (personal computer) or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network) via the network I / F unit 65, facsimile communication An image is printed out on paper using image data such as fax data received from an external facsimile machine or the like using the unit 61. Specifically, the paper transport unit 43 transports the paper to the image forming unit 45, the image forming unit 45 forms a toner image corresponding to the image data, the transfer unit 47 transfers the toner image to the paper, The fixing unit 49 fixes the toner image on a sheet to form an image.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation panel unit 51 includes a touch panel unit 53 and a function key unit 55. The operation panel unit 51 is used for a user to perform operations related to a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like, and gives an operation command and the like by the user to the main control unit 11.

  The touch panel unit 53 serving as a display unit in the present invention includes a touch panel unit that combines a touch panel and a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like, and various operation screens, for example, when executing a copy function, Information related to the copy size, the number of copies, etc. is displayed, and operation buttons for inputting various operation commands by the user touching the corresponding part are displayed. The touch panel unit 53 is used when a prompt screen for prompting the user to set an IC card when using a job is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53.

  The operation key unit 55 includes a plurality of operation keys for receiving user operation inputs. Specifically, for example, a start key 57 and a numeric keypad that are operated when performing an instruction operation related to execution of a copy function or a scanner function are provided. The plurality of operation keys are used when the user selectively executes a key input operation of a required function from various functions such as a facsimile function, a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function.

  The facsimile communication unit 61 includes an encoding / decoding unit (not shown), a modem unit (not shown), and an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown). The facsimile communication unit 61 transmits image data of a document read by the scanner unit 21 to a facsimile apparatus or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus or the like.

  An HDD (hard disk drive) 63 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner unit 21. The document or image data stored in the HDD is not only used inside the image forming apparatus, program, and recording medium, but also confirmed from a client PC or the like via the network I / F unit 65 as necessary. In some cases, the data is transferred to a predetermined folder such as a client PC or an FTP server.

  The network I / F unit 65 uses a network interface (10 / 100Base-TX) or the like to control transmission / reception of various data to / from a user terminal such as a client PC connected via a LAN.

  The apparatus-side communication unit 67 exchanges data such as user identification information and electronic money information with the IC card 7 possessed by the access user who came to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the device-side communication unit 67 detects access to the IC card 7 possessed by the user, reads the user identification information and electronic money information stored in the IC card 7, and transfers them to the main control unit 11. It has a function to do. Examples of the user identification information include personal identification information (personal ID) for identifying an individual and group identification information (group ID) for identifying a group. Further, as the electronic money information, for example, any form of information can be adopted as long as the billing charges relating to various jobs can be settled.

  By the way, in order to realize a billing management system using non-contact type IC cards that can achieve high customer satisfaction by configuring a billing system that is subdivided for each job setting condition. The main control unit 11 includes an operation information acquisition unit 71 that acquires operation information related to image formation, user identification information acquired via the apparatus-side communication unit 67, and a password that is input by the user (however, the password May be omitted) based on authentication information such as a user authentication unit 73 that performs authentication related to user validity, and setting conditions for various jobs related to image formation (specifically, for example, the number of printed sheets, paper size, etc.) A job setting condition acquisition unit 75 for acquiring a paper type (whether plain paper or recycled paper, print density, print density, etc.) and an access user A job management unit 77 that permits the use of various jobs within the range of the remaining amount related to the electronic money information of the contactless IC card 7 possessed by the access user Display control such as displaying a list of the setting conditions of various jobs, the charging amount based on the setting conditions, and the remaining amount related to the electronic money information after the charging amount is withdrawn on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53. The charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the display control unit 79 to be performed and the job setting condition acquiring unit 75 is calculated by applying a charging system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition and accessing A device-side billing management unit 80 that performs billing management to be deducted from the electronic money information of the contactless IC card 7 possessed by the user. That. The device-side charging management unit 80 is configured to store and hold the charging information related to the charging fee calculated here in a charging information storage area in the charging system information table.

  On the other hand, the IC chip 5 in the IC card 7 which is a component of the charge management system includes a card side communication unit 81 for exchanging data with the device side communication unit 67 and a card side communication unit as shown in FIG. Among the billing information managed by the device-side billing management unit 80 via the billing information acquisition unit 83, the billing information acquisition unit 83 that acquires billing information related to the usage job of the user, and the user via the billing information acquisition unit 83 When the charging information related to the use job is acquired, the storage area of the charging information storage unit 89 according to the charging destination selected by the user (for example, the personal area allocated to the individual and the user And the group area allocated to the group to which the user belongs. The same shall apply hereinafter) to perform the charge management for updating the acquired charge information (electronic money information). A host-side billing management unit 85, and user identification information related to the user (for example, a personal ID assigned to an individual and a group ID assigned to a group to which the user belongs). The same)), the setting condition information storage unit 88 for storing the setting condition information when the setting condition information relating to the job is acquired via the card side communication unit 85, A billing information storage unit 89 that stores billing information (electronic money information) related to a user's usage job.

[Operation of Billing Management System According to Embodiment of Present Invention]
Next, the operation of the charge management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an operation flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus which is a component of the charge management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a charge system employed in the charge management system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  Prior to the description of this operation, the presupposed configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 permits use of a job through data exchange related to user identification information (a password (authentication information can be added as necessary)) with an IC card 7 possessed by the user. There are two ways: card key authentication mode and panel authentication mode that allows the use of a job by requesting the user to enter a key for user identification information (a password (authentication information) can be added if necessary). In principle, it operates in the card key authentication mode. In the following embodiment, the operation of the image forming apparatus in the card key authentication mode, which is a process according to the principle, will be described.

  First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 that is a component of the charge management system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display control unit 79 displays a prompting screen for prompting the IC card 7 to be set at a predetermined position on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 when using the job related to the apparatus 1 (step S <b> 11). While waiting for user access. The device-side communication unit 67 constantly monitors access to the IC card 7. At this time, for example, when a user who has attempted to execute a copy job and sets the IC card 7 at a predetermined position in an IC card reader / writer (not shown) in the image forming apparatus, the apparatus-side communication unit 67 The access to the IC card 7 is detected ("Yes" in step S12), the user identification information stored in the IC card 7 is read, and the read user identification information of the IC card 7 is sent to the user authentication unit 73. Forward.

  The user authentication unit 73 accesses through card key authentication by collating the user identification information transferred from the apparatus side communication unit 67 with the user identification information registered in advance in the user authentication unit 73. User authentication related to whether or not the user is a valid user is performed (step S13). Note that a login management function using a password may be added for user authentication.

  As a result of the user authentication in step S13, when the approval that the access user is a legitimate user is made (“Yes” in step S14), the job management unit 77 determines the remaining amount relating to the electronic money information read from the IC card 7 The use of various jobs related to the approved user is permitted within the range (steps S15 to S16).

  After permitting the use of various jobs in steps S15 to S16, the device-side billing management unit 80 reads and acquires billing system information related to the approved user from the IC card 7 via the device-side communication unit 67 (step S17). As a result, preparations for applying a billing system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition are completed.

  Upon receiving permission to use various jobs in Steps S15 to S16, the user performs a copy job that, for example, causes a print output after scanning a document. Prior to the execution of such a copy job, the job setting condition acquisition unit 75 acquires the job setting conditions and transfers the acquired job setting conditions to the apparatus-side charging management unit 80.

  The device-side charging management unit 80 calculates the charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the job setting condition acquiring unit 75 by applying the charging system read and acquired from the IC card 7 in step S17 ( Step S18). Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the charging system combines a reference unit price imposed for each variation related to various jobs and an additional charge rate imposed for each individual service related to various job setting conditions. It is built by that. For a copy job (monochrome copy, output size is A4, paper type is plain paper), for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a reference unit price of 10 yen per sheet (this unit price can be changed as appropriate) is illustrated. Can do. The individual services related to the setting conditions of various jobs include, for example, the number of printed sheets, paper size, paper type (whether plain paper, cardboard, recycled paper, etc.), print density, or print density. it can. Further, as an additional fee rate, when the number of printed sheets is n, n times are added, when the paper type is thick paper, 1.5 times are added, when punching is finished, 1.8 times are added, the printing density or An addition based on the calculation result of the printing density can be exemplified. The print density can be acquired from the density designation information included in the job setting conditions, while the print density can be acquired by calculating the area ratio of pixels in one image sheet. .

  The charge amount based on the job setting conditions will be described by taking a case of “User A” who is a non-member as shown in the column “User A” in FIG. 5, the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, the paper size: A4, Paper type: Black-and-white copy of plain paper (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet), only the additional amount related to the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets is charged for the convenience of 100 yen (10 yen * 10 sheets) , Number of prints: 10 sheets, Paper size: A4, Paper type: Thick paper (1.5 times addition), Black and white copy with punch finish (1.8 times addition) (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet) Number of sheets: Addition for 10 sheets (100 yen), addition for cardboard (50 yen) and addition for punch finishing (80 yen), 230 yen for convenience (100 yen + 50 yen + 80 yen) Will be charged.

  In addition, regarding the charge amount based on the job setting conditions, a case of “User B” who is a member and a light user (for example, a user who satisfies the condition that the monthly usage number is 1000 or more) (a discount rate of 10% for the added amount) (Application), as shown in the column “User B” in FIG. 5, the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, the sheet size: A4, the sheet type: black and white copy of standard paper (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet) ), Since there is only the additional amount related to the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, a charge of 100 yen (10 yen * 10 sheets) is made for convenience, while the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, paper size: A4, paper type: thick paper ( 1.45 times addition) and black and white copy with punch finish (1.72 times addition) (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet). Addition (45 yen) And in addition adds content of the punch finish (72 yen), so that the convenience 217 yen (100 yen +45 ¥ +72) charging is performed.

  For the charge amount based on the job setting condition, a case of “user C” who is a member and a heavy user (for example, a user who satisfies the condition that the monthly usage number is 5000 or more) (a discount rate of 30% for the added amount) (Application), as shown in the column “User C” in FIG. 5, the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, the sheet size: A4, the sheet type: black and white copy of standard paper (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet) ), Since there is only the additional amount related to the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, a charge of 100 yen (10 yen * 10 sheets) is made for convenience, while the number of printed sheets: 10 sheets, paper size: A4, paper type: thick paper ( 1.35 times addition) and black and white copy with punch finish (1.56 times addition) (standard unit price: 10 yen per sheet) Addition (45 yen , And in addition it adds content of the punch finish (72 yen), so that the convenience 217 yen (100 yen +45 ¥ +72) charging is performed.

  After calculating the charging fee in step S18, the display control unit 79 displays the charging fee related to the combination of job setting conditions calculated in step S18 on the display screen in the touch panel unit 53 (step S19). The user who sees this display can verify the validity of the charging fee related to the combination of job setting conditions input by the user himself / herself.

  Here, when there is dissatisfaction such that the charge fee is too high, the user individually changes the job setting condition that causes the dissatisfaction (for example, “plain paper” is changed to “recycled paper”, Or omitting “punch finish”) and repeating the work of verifying the validity of the billing charge relating to the combination of job setting conditions after the change (see steps S18 to S20), until the user is satisfied. It can be carried out. In changing the setting, the display control unit 79 sets the setting conditions of various jobs related to the change history, the estimated charge amount based on the set condition, and the estimated charge amount in the electronic money information after the withdrawal in step S19. A configuration in which the remaining amount is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 may be adopted. According to this configuration, when the setting conditions of various jobs are changed a plurality of times, the user compares the setting conditions of the various jobs related to the change history, the scheduled charging amount based on the setting conditions, etc. in a list. As a result, it becomes possible to perform various job setting operations based on sufficient basic information. As a result, it becomes possible to easily select a combination of various job setting conditions according to the user's request.

  When the user is satisfied with the combination of job setting conditions through the validity verification of the charging fee in step S19 and performs an operation related to job start by pressing the start key 57 (see “Yes” in step S20), the job The management unit 77 performs a series of job processing according to the job setting conditions (step S21).

  After performing a series of job processing, the display control unit 79 performs display control to display the charge amount according to the job setting condition and the remaining amount related to the electronic money information after the charge amount is removed on the display screen in the touch panel unit 53. This is performed (step S22).

  After displaying the charge amount in step S22, the job management unit 77 determines whether or not the user continues to use the job by monitoring the operation information from the operation information acquisition unit 71 (step S23). ).

  As a result of the determination in step S23, when it is determined by the user that the job use will be continued, the main control unit 11 returns the flow of processing to step S18, and repeatedly executes the following processing.

  As a result of the determination in step S23, when it is determined by the user that the job usage will not be continued, the main control unit 11 ends the flow of a series of processes.

[Effect of Example]
As described above, according to the billing management system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the device-side billing management unit 80 applies a billing system constructed by subdividing for each job setting condition, for example, Charges according to the amount of toner consumption based on the combination contents related to various setting conditions such as the number of prints, paper size, paper type (whether plain paper or recycled paper), print density, print density, etc. As a result of being able to carry out the billing fee withdrawal process based on the required viewpoint, it is possible to provide a billing management system utilizing a non-contact type IC card that can achieve high customer satisfaction.

  In addition, if there is dissatisfaction such as the charging fee being too high, the user individually changes the job setting conditions that are the basis of the dissatisfaction, and the validity of the charging fee related to the combination of job setting conditions after the change Can be repeated any number of times until the user is satisfied, thereby eliminating the user's dissatisfaction and contributing to the acquisition of high customer satisfaction.

  Further, when this setting is changed, the setting conditions of various jobs related to the change history, the scheduled charging amount based on the setting condition, and the remaining amount related to the electronic money information after the scheduled charging amount is removed are displayed on the touch panel unit 53. When the configuration for displaying the comparison on the screen is adopted, if the setting conditions for various jobs are changed multiple times, the user will be charged according to the setting conditions for the various jobs related to the change history and the setting conditions. By comparing the amount of money in a list, it becomes possible to perform various job setting operations based on sufficient basic information, and as a result, it is easy to select a combination of various job setting conditions that meet your needs Will be able to.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification or the technical idea, and image formation accompanied by such changes The apparatus is also included in the scope of the technical scope of the present invention.

  In other words, in the embodiment of the present invention, a decentralized billing management system utilizing a non-contact type IC card is realized by storing billing information (electronic money information) for each user in the storage area of the non-contact type IC card. However, any payment means such as a prepaid method or a credit payment method may be employed as the payment means for the billing information stored in the contactless IC card.

  In addition, the “billing” in the present invention includes, as a matter of course, a mode in which the service fee related to the print output operation is settled with money, for example, instead of money, so-called points that can be substantially identified as money. An aspect of settlement with a money alternative means called is also included in the concept.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the apparatus-side billing management unit 80 combines the individual services related to job setting conditions that can be performed within the range of the designated amount based on the designated amount by the user and the billing system information. The display control unit 79 can employ a configuration in which the combination of individual services related to the job setting conditions calculated by the device-side charging management unit 80 is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel unit 53 in a comparative manner. With this configuration, for example, within a limited budget, the combination of individual services related to job setting conditions can be optimized without bothering the user's thoughts. Can contribute to the acquisition of high customer satisfaction.

  Finally, in the present invention, the non-contact type IC card 7 stores setting condition information related to setting conditions of various jobs, and the stored setting condition information is configured to be referred to by an access user. You may do it. With this configuration, past job setting condition information can be effectively used (for example, shared among group users), thereby improving user convenience and high customer satisfaction. Can contribute to the acquisition of

It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the charge management system based on an Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation panel unit in the image forming apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the non-contact-type IC card which comprises a part of charge management system. It is an operation | movement flowchart figure of the image forming apparatus which is a component of the charge management system based on an Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a charging system employ | adopted with the charging management system which concerns on an Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Antenna 5 IC chip 7 Non-contact type IC card 11 Main control part 21 Scanner part 41 Engine part 53 Touch panel part (display part)
63 HDD
67 device side communication unit 71 operation information acquisition unit 73 user authentication unit 75 job setting condition acquisition unit 77 job management unit 79 display control unit 80 device side charging management unit 81 card side communication unit 83 charging information acquisition unit 85 card side charging management unit 87 Accounting information storage unit 88 Setting condition information storage unit 89 User identification information storage unit

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus having a function of performing various jobs related to image formation;
A non-contact type IC card having an antenna and an IC chip electrically connected to the antenna, and storing electronic money information capable of paying billing charges related to various jobs in the image forming apparatus;
With
A billing management system for performing billing management related to various jobs in the image forming apparatus by performing necessary data exchange or processing in a non-contact manner between the two,
The image forming apparatus includes:
An apparatus-side communication unit for exchanging data including electronic money information with the contactless IC card possessed by an access user who came to the image forming apparatus;
A job setting condition acquisition unit for acquiring setting conditions of various jobs related to image formation;
A job management unit that permits the use of various jobs within the range of the remaining amount relating to the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user;
The charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the job setting condition acquisition unit is calculated by applying a charging system constructed by subdividing each job setting condition, and the access user has A device-side charge management unit that performs charge management to be deducted from the electronic money information of the contact IC card;
An accounting management system comprising: The billing management system according to claim 1, wherein
The billing system is:
It is constructed by combining the standard unit price imposed for each variation related to various jobs and the additional charge rate imposed for each individual service related to the setting conditions of various jobs.
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to claim 1 or 2,
The non-contact type IC card is
It is customized for each of a plurality of users, stores charging system information related to the charging system constructed by subdividing for each job setting condition,
The device-side communication unit is
Data exchange including the charging system information is performed with the contactless IC card possessed by the access user,
The device-side billing management unit
The charging fee based on the job setting condition acquired by the job setting condition acquisition unit is calculated by applying a charging system according to the charging system information acquired via the device-side communication unit, and the access user has Charge management that is deducted from the electronic money information of contactless IC cards,
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The non-contact type IC card is
Stores unique user identification information for each of a plurality of users,
The device-side communication unit is
Perform data exchange including user identification information with the contactless IC card possessed by the access user,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A user authentication unit that performs authentication related to the legitimacy of the user based on the user identification information acquired via the device-side communication unit;
The job management unit
When the user authentication unit approves that the access user is a valid user, the use of various jobs related to the approved user is permitted.
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying various information;
A display control unit for controlling display contents of the display unit;
Further comprising
The display control unit
A list of various job setting conditions, a charging amount based on the setting conditions, and a remaining amount related to the electronic money information after the charging amount is withdrawn on the display screen of the display unit.
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to claim 5, wherein
The display control unit
When the setting conditions of various jobs are changed multiple times, the setting conditions of the various jobs related to the change history, the scheduled charging amount based on the setting conditions, and the electronic money information after the scheduled charging amount is withdrawn The remaining amount is displayed in contrast on the display screen in the display unit.
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to claim 5, wherein
The device-side billing management unit
Individual service related to job setting conditions that can be performed within the range of the remaining amount based on the remaining amount related to the electronic money information of the contactless IC card possessed by the access user and the charging system information Back-calculate the combination of
The display control unit
Displaying on the display screen in the display unit the combination of individual services related to the job setting condition calculated backward in the device-side charging management unit;
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to claim 5, wherein
The device-side billing management unit
Based on the specified amount by the user and the billing system information, back-calculate the combination of individual services related to job setting conditions that can be performed within the range of the specified amount,
The display control unit
Displaying on the display screen in the display unit the combination of individual services related to the job setting condition calculated backward in the device-side charging management unit;
An accounting management system characterized by that. The billing management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The non-contact type IC card is
Stores setting condition information related to the setting conditions of various jobs,
The stored setting condition information is configured to be referable by the access user.
An accounting management system characterized by that.