JP2012056214A - Image forming device, image formation control method, image formation control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing material saving print in accompanied by the saving of a printing material when money runs short for a payment amount.SOLUTION: The image forming device Gk calculates a charging amount required to print all the pages of the print job, the charging amount is compared with a residual number, and it is determined whether the printing of all the pages of the print job is possible within the residual number, and when it is determined that printing of the print job is impossible within the residual number, the stopping of printing or printing in the toner saving mode is carried out in accordance with the result of the selection of whether or not automatically changing the mode to the toner saving mode for printing by saving the toner.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to a printing material save that accompanies saving of a printing material according to selection when the payment is insufficient. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image formation control method, an image formation control program, and a recording medium that enable printing.

  In an image forming apparatus, there is a print charging system in which charging according to the number of printed sheets (number of printed pages) is performed by a charging machine directly connected to the image forming apparatus or a charging machine via a network.

  Such a conventional print billing system performs billing by setting a billing amount per printed sheet (one page of printing) according to printing conditions (paper size, color / monochrome, aggregation, duplex, etc.). .

  In recent years, resource saving has been demanded, and even in a print billing system, a toner save mode for printing with reduced toner consumption is provided, and the charge amount for printing in the toner save mode is more than the charge amount for normal printing. Even cheaper settings have been made. (See Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, the amount of toner used and the fee system are not clearly shown, and whether to perform toner save printing is determined when sending a print job to the image forming apparatus. Not only do you know what the charge will be when you select toner save printing, but you can also select toner save printing when printing for normal printing is not enough. There was a problem that it was not possible and the usability was bad.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium that can improve the usability of printing material save printing when the billing amount is higher than the payment amount. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention calculates a charge amount necessary for printing all pages of a print object, compares the charge amount with a payment amount, and compares the charge amount with the payment object. When it is determined whether printing of all pages is possible and it is determined that printing of the printing object is impossible within the payment, the printing material saving mode for performing printing by reducing the printing material is automatically performed. In accordance with the selection result of whether or not to make a transition, printing is stopped or printing in the printing material save mode is controlled.

  Further, the present invention determines that printing of the printing object is impossible within the payment, and when the automatic shift to the printing material save mode is selected, the printing material is saved in the printing material save mode. A printing material save charge amount necessary for printing all pages of the object is calculated, and the print material save charge amount is compared with the payment amount to determine whether the printing object can be printed within the payment amount. If it is determined that the printing object cannot be printed within the payment amount, an inquiry to that effect and whether or not to add the payment amount is notified, and the insufficiency for the charge amount for the inquiry When the payment of the minute amount is added, printing in the printing material save mode may be enabled.

  According to the present invention, when the billing amount is higher than the payment amount, the usability of the printing material save printing can be improved.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. The figure which shows an example of the accounting counter table according to print setting. 6 is a flowchart showing a count process of a toner consumption counter based on print settings. 6 is a flowchart showing print control processing. The figure which shows an example of the print setting screen by the driver on a host computer. The figure which shows an example of the toner save transfer setting screen within the remaining number. 10 is a flowchart showing a remaining number of toner save process. The figure which shows an example of a remaining frequency addition confirmation screen. The figure which shows the example of a counter value when printing the image data which makes 10 pages 1 copy. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a weighting count calculation formula in the toner save mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a count value of a counter in a toner save mode.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 12 are diagrams showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus and image forming control according to the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image forming system 1 to which an embodiment of a method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium are applied.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 is connected to a host computer Pc, which is a host apparatus, and an image forming apparatus Gk via a network NW such as the Internet. In FIG. 1, the host computer Pc and the image forming apparatus Gk are respectively connected to each other. Although one unit is shown, a plurality of units may be connected to each other.

  The host computer Pc displays a print setting screen on a display when a print request is made from an installed application for image data edited and created by the host computer Pc or image data acquired from another device. Necessary print settings are made on the print setting screen, and an instruction is given to execute printing with the image forming apparatus Gk as the printing destination. When there is a print instruction, the host computer Pc generates a print job including print data and print settings by an installed printer driver, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus Gk via the network NW.

  In the image forming apparatus Gk, the controller 10 is configured as a block as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a charging count unit 14, an engine I / F 15, and print control. A unit 16, a drawing processing unit 17, a counter calculation processing unit 18, and the like, and the respective units are connected by a bus 19. Although not shown, the image forming apparatus Gk includes a printer engine that performs print processing, an operation display unit that includes keys for inputting various commands for displaying various information.

  The memory 12 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like, is used as a work memory for the CPU 11, and develops drawing data converted from print data into a printable data format.

  The storage unit 13 is configured by a non-volatile memory, and stores a program such as a basic program of the image forming apparatus Gk, an image formation control program for executing an image formation control method with charge control processing of the present invention, and necessary data. Yes.

  The CPU (control means) 11 uses the memory 12 as a work memory based on a program in the storage unit 13 to control each unit of the image forming apparatus Gk and execute basic processing as the image forming apparatus Gk. Then, the image formation control method accompanied by the charge control process of the present invention is executed.

  That is, the image forming apparatus Gk includes ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), DVD. An image formation control program for executing the image formation control method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is read. Thus, the image forming apparatus Gk is constructed as an image forming apparatus Gk that executes an image forming control method with charge control described later. This image formation control program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like, and is stored in the recording medium. And can be distributed.

  The counter calculation processing unit (counting means, total count value calculating means, storage means) 18 is shown in advance as a charging counter table in FIG. 3 according to the print setting mode (color and monochrome) and the toner save setting mode (on / off). Such a charging counter setting value is stored in the internal memory (storage means), and the counter value is set to “0” or “+1” according to the print setting. For example, when the setting on the host computer Pc side is the color mode, the toner save mode is ON, and color data, the counter calculation processing unit 18 of the image forming apparatus Gk increments the color counter by “+1”, and Eco The (eco) counter is incremented by “+1”. When the setting on the host computer Pc side is the color mode, the toner save mode is OFF, and the color data, the counter calculation processing unit 18 of the image forming apparatus Gk counts up the color counter by “+1”. When the setting on the host computer Pc side is the color mode, the toner save mode is ON, and monochrome data, the counter calculation processing unit 18 of the image forming apparatus Gk sets the monochrome counter to “+1” on the assumption that the data is monochrome. Count up. The counter calculation processing unit 18 performs count-up processing of the color counter, the monochrome counter, and the eco-counter, and performs total calculation processing of the counter values of each counter. The counter calculation processing unit 18 performs addition processing for the counter values of the color counter and the monochrome counter in the total calculation processing of the counter values, but performs subtraction processing for the counter values of the eco counter.

  The charging count unit (calculation means) 14 calculates a charging amount based on the counter value of the counter calculation processing unit 18 and compares the remaining number with the remaining number to determine whether printing is possible.

  The counter calculation processing unit 18 and the billing count unit 14 function as billing amount calculation means as a whole.

  A printer engine (not shown) is connected to the engine I / F 15, and exchanges control signals and video signals from the CPU 11 to the printer engine and status signals from the printer engine to the CPU 11.

  The printer engine performs a printing process by a predetermined printing method, for example, an electrophotographic method or an ink ejection method, based on the drawing data and the control signal received from the CPU 11 via the engine I / F 15. In the following description, it is assumed that the printer engine performs print processing with an electrophotographic printer engine. When printing with the electrophotographic method, the printer engine includes components necessary for recording and outputting print data on paper with the electrophotographic method, such as a photoconductor, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit. It is equipped with an optical writing unit that operates in accordance with drawing data and control signals to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor, and a developing unit that supplies toner onto the photoconductor and develops it to form a toner image. To do. The printer engine feeds the sheet from the sheet feeding unit between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to the sheet, and conveys the sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred to the fixing unit. Then, the image is formed by fixing the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing in the fixing unit.

  The drawing processing unit 17 interprets PJL (printer job control language) and PDL (printer description language) of the print data of the print job sent from the host computer Pc, and acquires the print mode (print condition) of the print job. Then, drawing data is generated from the print data, and is developed in the memory 12 for each page.

  The print control unit 16 sends the drawing data on the memory 12 subjected to image processing by the drawing processing unit 17 to the printer engine via the engine I / F 15.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The image forming system 1 of this embodiment switches to toner save printing according to the user's selection when the charge amount is higher than the payment amount.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus Gk, when a print job is sent from the host computer Pc via the network NW, the CPU 11 interprets the print job and acquires the print mode (print condition). The drawing processing unit 17 generates drawing data from the print data and develops the drawing data in the memory 12, and the print control unit 16 sends the drawing data in the memory 12 to the engine via the engine I / F 15, and uses the engine to form paper. Print out.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus Gk, the counter calculation processing unit 18 sets the print setting of the print job (color / monochrome mode, toner save ON / OFF, etc.) and the data type of whether the print data is color data or monochrome data. Based on these print settings and print data types, as shown in FIG. 4, the count-up processing of toner consumption counters such as a color counter, a monochrome counter, and an eco-counter is performed.

  That is, the counter calculation processing unit 18 determines whether the print data is color image data or monochrome (step S101). If the print data is color, the counter calculation processing unit 18 determines whether the toner save mode for performing toner save is set (step S101). S102).

  When NO in step S102, that is, when the toner save mode is not set, the counter calculation processing unit 18 counts up the color counter as shown in the charging counter table shown in FIG. 3, for example, and ends the processing. (Step S103).

  If YES in step S102, that is, in the toner save mode, the counter calculation processing unit 18 counts up the eco counter (step S104), further counts up the color counter and ends the process. (Step S105).

  If the print data is monochrome in step S101, the counter calculation processing unit 18 checks whether or not the toner save mode is set (step S106). If NO, that is, if the print data is not the toner save mode, the counter is incremented. The process ends (step S107). If YES in step S106, that is, in the toner save mode, the monochrome counter is incremented and the process ends (step S108). That is, when the image data is monochrome, even in the toner save mode, the monochrome counter is counted up to charge for monochrome.

  Then, in counting up the counter, the counter calculation processing unit 18 counts up the eco counter. When calculating the count total value of the counter, the count value of the eco counter is changed to the count value of another counter. A subtraction process is performed on it.

  In the image forming apparatus Gk, the counter calculation processing unit 18 calculates the charge amount from the total count value of the calculated count values of the counters, and the charge count unit 14 calculates the charge amount calculated by the counter calculation processing unit 18. And whether or not printing is possible from the remaining fee (hereinafter referred to as the remaining number) obtained by subtracting the amount already used in the printing process from the deposit (payment) already entered by cash or credit card, etc. A print control process is executed to control printing by making a determination in advance.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the counter calculation processing unit 18 calculates a charge amount (step S201), the charge count unit 14 checks the remaining number (step S202), and compares the charge amount and the remaining number. (Step S203).

  If the remaining count is equal to or greater than the charge amount in step S203, the charge count unit 14 determines that printing is possible, and the print control unit 16 and the CPU 11 can print. Is transferred to the printing process (step S204). If the remaining frequency is smaller than the charged amount in step S203, it is determined that printing is not possible, and printing is performed to the print control unit 16 and the CPU 11. Is notified, and the printing process is stopped (step S205).

  In the image forming apparatus Gk, if the charge amount does not fall within the remaining number, it is possible to select and set whether to automatically shift to the toner save mode.

  The toner save mode automatic transition setting may be performed in the host computer Pc, or may be performed in the image forming apparatus Gk. When the toner save automatic transition setting is performed on the host computer Pc, when the printer driver displays the print setting screen on the display, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the automatic toner within the remaining frequency is displayed on the print setting screen Dg. A save transfer setting field is displayed, and either On / Off of the remaining toner number automatic toner save transfer function is selected in the remaining toner number within toner save transfer setting field. The host computer Pc transmits the toner save automatic transition setting content to the image forming apparatus Gk, and the CPU (printing material save mode automatic transition selecting means) 11 acquires the selection setting of the image forming apparatus Gk. As described above, the process according to the On / Off of the remaining toner number automatic toner save transfer function is performed, and when the remaining toner number automatic toner save function is On, the toner save density is automatically set within the remaining number of times. .

  When the toner save automatic transfer setting is performed in the image forming apparatus Gk, the CPU 11 displays the toner save within the remaining frequency as shown in FIG. 7 on the display 20 of the operation display unit (printing material save mode automatic transfer selection unit). The transition setting screen G1 is displayed, and the user selects either On / Off of the remaining number of times automatic toner save transition function on the remaining number of toner save transition setting screen G1. The CPU 11 notifies the charge count unit 14 of the selection setting result on the remaining frequency toner save transition setting screen G1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the billing count unit 14 performs the remaining number of toner save process. That is, when the counter calculation processing unit 18 calculates the charge amount (step S301), the charge count unit 14 confirms the remaining frequency (step S302), and compares the charge amount with the remaining frequency (step S303).

  In step S303, if the remaining count is equal to or greater than the billing amount (remaining number> billing amount), the billing count unit 14 determines that printing is possible, and the print control unit 16 and the CPU 11 Is notified that printing is possible, and the process proceeds to print processing (step S304).

  In step S303, if the remaining count is less than the billing amount, the billing count unit 14 confirms the toner save transition setting within the remaining count (step S305), and the toner save automatic transition function within the remaining count is set to Off. If it is determined that printing is impossible, the printing control unit 16 and the CPU 11 are notified that printing is impossible, and the printing process is stopped.

  If the shift to the remaining number of toner saves is set in step S305, the charge count unit 14 recalculates the charge amount when the toner save is performed (step S306), and the recalculated charge amount and the remaining charge amount are stored. The frequency is compared, and it is checked whether the remaining frequency is equal to or more than the charge amount (step S307).

  In step S307, if the remaining number is equal to or more than the charge amount, the charge count unit 14 determines that printing with toner save with the current remaining number is possible, and recalculated toner save density. In step S308, the toner save process is performed (step S308), and printing is performed according to the toner density as a result of the toner save process (step S304).

  In step S307, when the remaining count is smaller than the billing amount, the billing count unit 14 prints all pages because the billing amount is larger than the remaining count even if toner save printing is performed with the current remaining count. 9 is displayed on the display (notification means) 20 of the operation display unit, and a remaining frequency addition confirmation screen G2 for confirming addition of the remaining frequency as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. It is confirmed whether the “add” button has been operated or the “cancel” button has been operated (step S309).

  When “addition” of the remaining number is operated in step S309, the process returns to step S307, and the same processing as above is performed from the process of comparing the added remaining number with the charge amount (steps S307 to S309).

  When “cancel” of the remaining frequency is operated in step S309, the billing count unit 14 determines that printing is not possible and ends the processing.

  As a specific example, for example, when one copy of image data consisting of 10 pages is printed in the color mode, one copy is printed in the monochrome mode, and one copy of the color original is printed with toner save, the calculation result of the counter calculation processing unit 18 The counter value is as shown in FIG. That is, by printing one copy (10 sheets) in the color mode, the color counter is +10, and by printing one copy in the monochrome mode, the monochrome counter is +10, and one copy of the color original is printed with toner save. Then, the eco counter is incremented by +10, and the total of these is calculated to be +20 for the color counter, +10 for the monochrome counter, and +10 for the eco counter.

  When the color weighting coefficient Kc is set to “0.5” and the monochrome weighting coefficient Km is set to “1.0” with respect to the counter value of the calculation result, the counter calculation processing unit 18 sets these weighting coefficients. When the counter value of the eco counter is obtained by multiplying by, the result is as shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 11, when the charging counter is an Eco counter and is in the color up mode, the color weighting coefficient kc is “0.5”, so the display value of the color counter is “color counter− The display value of the monochrome counter becomes the counter value of “monochrome counter”. Further, when the billing counter is an Eco counter and is in monochrome up mode, the monochrome weighting coefficient kc is “1.0”, so the display value of the color counter is “color counter−1.0 × The display value of the monochrome counter becomes the counter value of “monochrome counter + 1 × eco (Eco) counter”. In the prior art, the display value of the counter is the display value of the original color counter and monochrome counter that does not take into account the counter value by toner save.

  Then, when the calculation example of FIG. 11 is applied to the counter value of the specific example of FIG. 10, the display result of the count value of the counter is as shown in FIG.

  That is, in FIG. 12, in the color up mode, since the monochrome counter value of the monochrome counter remains as it is, “10”, which is the total counter value of the monochrome counter of FIG. Since “−0.5 × eco counter”, the value obtained by multiplying “10”, which is the total counter value of the eco counter, by “0.5” from “20”, which is the total counter value of the color counter in FIG. The counter value is “15” (15 = 20 (color counter) −10 (eco counter) × 0.5 (color weighting coefficient)).

  In FIG. 12, in the monochrome up mode, the monochrome counter is “monochrome counter + 1 × eco counter”, so that the total counter value of the monochrome counter in FIG. 10 is “10” and the eco counter is “10”. The counter value is “20” (20 = 10 (monochrome counter) +10 (eco counter) × 1 (monochrome weighting coefficient)) obtained by adding “10” multiplied by the monochrome weight coefficient kc = 1.0. Since “color counter-1 × eco counter”, “20” which is the total counter value of the color counter in FIG. 10 is multiplied by “10” which is the total counter value of the eco counter by a monochrome weighting factor 1.0. “10” (10 = 20 (color counter) −10 (eco counter)) × 1.0 (monochrome weight) Only factor)) becomes the counter value. In FIG. 12, counter values in the prior art that do not take into account the counter value due to toner saving are also displayed for comparison.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus Gk, the counter calculation processing unit 18 determines the print mode (color mode, monochrome mode) for each page of the print job, and counts up the count value corresponding to the print mode. The accounting count unit 14 calculates the total count value for each printing mode by summing the counted count values for each printing mode, and the charging count unit 14 calculates the total count value for each printing mode, and one page in each printing mode and the printing mode. The charge amount for each mode in each print mode is obtained from the registered charge table of the charge unit price required for per-printing, and the charge amount for each mode is added to calculate the charge amount. From the charge table where the total count value and the toner save charge unit price when applying the toner save mode for each print mode are registered Seeking mode each toner save billing amount in the toner save mode, to calculate the toner save billing amount by adding the mode each toner save billing amount.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment calculates the charge amount necessary for printing all pages of the print job (print target), compares the charge amount with the remaining frequency (payment amount), It is determined whether all pages of the print job can be printed within the remaining number. When the image forming apparatus Gk determines that printing of the print job is impossible within the remaining number of times, the image forming apparatus Gk automatically saves (reduces) toner (printing material) and performs printing in a toner save (printing material save) mode. Depending on the selection result of whether or not to shift automatically, printing is stopped or printing in the toner save mode is controlled.

Therefore, when the billing amount is higher than the remaining frequency (payment amount), printing by toner save printing can be performed and the usability can be improved. Further, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment includes a counter calculation processing unit. 18 determines the print mode (color mode, monochrome mode) for each page of the print job, counts up the count value corresponding to the print mode, and sums the counted values for each print mode. The total count value for each print mode is calculated, and the total count value for each print mode, each print mode, and the charge table necessary for the unit price per page in the print mode are registered. A charge amount for each mode in the mode is obtained, and the charge amount for each mode is added to calculate the charge amount.

  Accordingly, the charge amount is obtained according to the print mode, it is determined whether printing can be performed within the remaining number, and printing by toner save printing can be enabled, and the usability can be improved appropriately.

  Further, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment determines that printing of the print job is impossible within the remaining number, and when the automatic shift to the toner save mode is selected, the printing is performed in the toner save mode. The charge amount in the toner save mode (print material save charge amount) necessary for printing all pages of the job is calculated, and the charge amount in the toner save mode is compared with the remaining frequency, and the printing is performed within the remaining frequency. If it is determined whether or not the job can be printed and it is determined that printing of the print job is impossible within the remaining number of times, an inquiry is made on the display 20 of the operation panel whether or not to add the remaining number. When the remaining number addition confirmation screen G1 to be displayed is displayed and the remaining number of remaining amounts for the charge amount is added, printing in the toner save mode is enabled.

  Therefore, when the remaining number is insufficient even when printing in the toner save mode, it is possible to print by adding the remaining number according to the user's selection, and the usability can be further improved.

  Further, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment determines the print mode (color mode, monochrome mode) for each page of the print job, counts up the count value corresponding to the print mode, and prints each counted print. The total count value for each printing mode is calculated by summing the count values for each mode, and the total count value for each printing mode and the unit price for the printing per page in each printing mode and the printing mode are calculated. A charge amount for each mode in each print mode is obtained from the registered charge table, and the charge amount is calculated by adding the charge amount for each mode, and the total count value for each print mode and each print mode are calculated. When the toner save mode is applied to the toner save mode, the toner save mode unit price for each toner save mode is registered from the registered charge save unit price table. Seeking the billing amount, to calculate the toner save billing amount by adding the mode each toner save billing amount.

  Therefore, even when printing in the toner save mode, when the charge amount is calculated according to the print mode and the remaining number is insufficient for the charge amount, the remaining number is added according to the user's selection and printing is performed. It is possible to improve the usability appropriately.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming control method, an image forming control program, and a recording medium, such as a printer apparatus, a composite apparatus, and a copying apparatus, which appropriately perform charging and a printing material save mode when performing printing while saving printing materials. Can be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system NW network Pc Host computer Gk Image forming apparatus 10 Controller 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage 14 Billing Count 15 Engine I / F
16 Print Control Unit 17 Drawing Processing Unit 18 Counter Operation Processing Unit 19 Bus 20 Display G1 Toner Save Transition Setting Screen within Remaining Number G2 Remaining Number Addition Confirmation Screen Tb1 Toner Density-Unit Price Table Tb2 Weighting Table

JP 2009-283993 A

Claims (7)

A billing amount calculating means for calculating a billing amount necessary for printing all pages of the print target;
A determination means for comparing the billing amount with a payment and determining whether or not printing of all pages of the print object is possible within the payment;
When the determination result by the determination unit is not printable, a printing material save mode automatic transition selection unit that selects whether or not to automatically shift to a printing material save mode for printing by reducing the printing material; and
If the determination means determines that printing of the printing object is impossible within the payment, printing is canceled or printing is performed in the printing material save mode according to the selection by the printing material save mode automatic transition selection means. Control means for controlling
An image forming apparatus comprising: The billing amount calculating means includes
A counting unit that is provided for each printing mode, determines the printing mode for each page of the print object, and counts up a count value corresponding to the printing mode;
Total count value calculating means for calculating the total count value for each printing mode by summing the count values for each printing mode counted by the counting means;
Storage means for storing a charge table in which each print mode and a charge unit price necessary for printing per page in the print mode are registered;
Calculating means for calculating a charge amount for each mode in each print mode from the total count value for each print mode and the charge table, and calculating the charge amount by adding the charge amount for each mode;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image forming apparatus includes:
It has a predetermined notification means,
The control means includes
When the determination unit determines that printing of the printing object is impossible within the payment, and the automatic transition to the printing material save mode is selected by the printing material save mode automatic transition selection unit, In the printing material save mode, the billing amount calculation unit calculates a printing material save billing amount necessary for printing all pages of the printing object, and the determination unit compares the printing material save billing amount with the payment amount. If it is determined that printing of the print object is not possible within the payment, and it is determined that the print object cannot be printed within the payment, the notification means Inquiries about whether or not to add payments are notified, and when payment for a shortage of the billing amount is added in response to the inquiry, printing in the printing material save mode is enabled. 2. Image formation according to claim 1 Location. The billing amount calculating means includes
A counting unit that is provided for each printing mode, determines the printing mode for each page of the print object, and counts up a count value corresponding to the printing mode;
Total count value calculating means for calculating the total count value for each printing mode by summing the count values for each printing mode counted by the counting means;
A charge table in which each print mode, a charge unit price necessary for printing per page in the print mode, and a print material save charge unit price when the print material save mode is applied to each print mode are registered. Storage means for storing
The charge amount for each mode in each print mode is obtained from the total count value for each print mode and the charge table, the charge amount for each mode is added to calculate the charge amount, and the charge amount for each print mode is calculated. The printing material save charge amount for each mode in each printing material save mode is obtained from the count value of the printing material save mode and the charge table, and the printing material save charge amount is added by adding the printing material save charge amount for each mode. Computing means for calculating;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A billing amount calculation processing step for calculating a billing amount required for printing all pages of the print target;
A determination processing step of comparing the billing amount with a payment and determining whether or not printing of all pages of the print object within the payment is possible;
A printing material save mode automatic transition selection processing step for selecting whether or not to automatically shift to a printing material save mode for performing printing by reducing the printing material when the determination result in the determination processing step is not printable; and ,
If it is determined in the determination processing step that the printing object cannot be printed within the payment, the printing is canceled or the printing material is saved according to the selection in the printing material save mode automatic transition selection processing step. Control processing steps for controlling printing in the mode;
An image formation control method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
A charge amount calculation process for calculating a charge amount required for printing all pages of the print target;
A determination process for comparing the billing amount with a payment and determining whether or not printing of all pages of the print object within the payment is possible;
If the determination result in the determination process is not printable, a printing material save mode automatic transition selection process for selecting whether or not to automatically shift to a printing material save mode for printing by reducing the printing material,
If it is determined in the determination process that the printing object cannot be printed within the payment amount, depending on the selection in the printing material save mode automatic transition selection process, the printing is stopped or in the printing material save mode. Control processing to control printing of
An image formation control program for executing   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image forming control program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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