JP2015022506A - Image processor, image processing system, and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To pay a charge amount for an image processor with less time and effort than in the conventional practice.SOLUTION: An image processor 1 for performing charging in accordance with execution of image processing receives an image processing request, calculates a charge amount when executing image processing based on the received image processing request, acquires terminal identification information for identifying a mobile terminal 2 that is used by paying a use charge in each predetermined period, requests an authentication server 3 for authenticating the mobile terminal 2 to perform authentication processing of the mobile terminal 2 based on the acquired terminal identification information, executes image processing based on the image processing request when the mobile terminal 2 is authenticated by the requested authentication processing, and requests a charging server 4 for charging a use charge of the mobile terminal 2 to perform processing for charging the calculated charge amount as the use charge of the authenticated mobile terminal 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program, and more particularly, to a billing process for execution of image processing.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. Many.

  In such an image processing apparatus, when charging is performed according to execution of various image processing such as printing processing, the user pays the charging amount by inserting cash into a payment machine provided in the image processing apparatus. . Furthermore, in order to improve user convenience, a medium equipped with an electronic money function such as an IC card or a portable terminal is held over a card reader or the like provided in the image processing apparatus, so that the medium is recognized and charged. There has been proposed a method of collecting the amount of money from electronic money deposited in the medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the case of paying the billing amount for the execution of the image processing by the image processing device in cash, it is necessary to prepare necessary cash and collect fishing, etc., which is troublesome. Moreover, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to collect the fishing as in the case of paying with cash, but it is necessary to deposit at least the electronic money for the billing amount into the medium in advance, which is troublesome. It takes.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to pay a charge amount to an image processing apparatus with less effort than in the past.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that performs charging according to execution of image processing, the image processing request receiving unit receiving an image processing request, and the received image processing request A charge amount calculation unit for calculating a charge amount for executing the image processing based on the ID, and an identification for acquiring terminal identification information for identifying an information processing terminal to be used by paying a use fee for each predetermined period An information acquisition unit, an authentication processing request unit that requests authentication processing of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information to an authentication device that authenticates the information processing terminal, and the information obtained by the requested authentication processing When a processing terminal is authenticated, an image processing execution unit that executes the image processing based on the image processing request and a charging device that charges a usage fee for the information processing terminal are calculated. The charge amount which is characterized in that it comprises a billing processing request unit that requests a process to charge as an authenticated usage fee of the information processing terminal.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that performs charging according to execution of image processing, an information processing terminal that pays a usage fee for each predetermined period, and authenticates the information processing terminal. An image processing system including an authentication device that performs authentication and a billing device that charges a usage fee for the information processing terminal, and executes an image processing request receiving unit that receives an image processing request and the image processing based on the received image processing request Based on the terminal identification information acquired for the authentication apparatus, a charging amount calculation unit for calculating a charging amount for performing, an identification information acquisition unit for acquiring terminal identification information for identifying the information processing terminal, and An authentication processing request unit that requests authentication processing of the information processing terminal, and the information processing terminal based on the image processing request when the information processing terminal is authenticated by the requested authentication processing. An image processing execution unit that executes image processing; and a charging processing request unit that requests the charging device to charge the calculated charging amount as a usage fee of the authenticated information processing terminal. It is characterized by that.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for controlling an image processing apparatus that performs charging according to execution of image processing, the step of receiving an image processing request, and the step based on the received image processing request A step of calculating a charge amount for executing image processing; a step of acquiring terminal identification information for identifying an information processing terminal to be used by paying a usage fee for each predetermined period; and the information processing terminal Requesting the authentication device for authenticating the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information, and the image processing when the information processing terminal is authenticated by the requested authentication processing. The step of executing the image processing based on the request, and the charging amount calculated for the charging device that charges the usage fee of the information processing terminal, Characterized in that to perform the steps in the information processing apparatus for requesting a process of charging a fee for the information processing terminal testified.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to pay the charge amount to the image processing apparatus with less effort than before.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows typically the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the main control part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the authentication server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the authentication process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the accounting server which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the usage fee table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the accounting process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the main control part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the non-billing process management part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image processing system that charges a charge amount according to execution of image processing by an image processing apparatus as a usage fee for a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal will be described as an example. In the present embodiment, print processing by a printer function included in the image processing apparatus will be described as an example of image processing by the image processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present embodiment includes an image processing device 1, a mobile terminal 2, an authentication server (authentication device) 3, and a billing server (billing device) 4, which are connected to the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). ) Or the like.

  The image processing apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs a printing process based on a print job input in accordance with a user instruction, and requests the charging server 4 for a charging process according to the execution of the printing process. In the printing process, for example, it is assumed that a charge is made according to the size, number of sheets, presence / absence of color printing, and the like.

  The mobile terminal 2 is an information processing terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or a mobile Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) router. The mobile terminal 2 according to the present embodiment requires a usage fee for using this terminal, and the usage fee for each mobile terminal 2 is set by the charging server 4 every predetermined period (for example, every month). It is managed. In addition, the mobile terminal 2 according to the present embodiment stores the user information for using the terminal and has a function of performing short-range wireless communication with the image processing apparatus 1. The user information includes, for example, a user ID for identifying the user, a telephone number, and information indicating whether or not authentication information (for example, a password) for authenticating the user is set.

  The authentication server 3 is a server operated by a company or the like that provides a service for using the mobile terminal 2, and performs authentication processing of the mobile terminal 2 based on user information stored in the mobile terminal 2. The billing server 4 is a server operated by a company or the like that provides a service for using the mobile terminal 2, and performs billing processing for the usage fee of each mobile terminal 2.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1, the mobile terminal 2, the authentication server 3, and the accounting server 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image processing apparatus 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, and the like in addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the mobile terminal 2, the authentication server 3, and the accounting server 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as a general server or PC. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. 80 is connected. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 1. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 1. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the image processing apparatus 1. As described in FIG. 1, the authentication server 3 and the accounting server 4 according to the present embodiment are operated as servers. Therefore, user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the image processing apparatus 1, the mobile terminal 2, the authentication server 3, and the accounting server 4 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware. The

  Next, functions of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 110, a scanner unit 111, a paper discharge tray 112, a display panel 113, and a paper feed table. 114, a print engine 115, a paper discharge tray 116, a network I / F 117, and a near field communication I / F 118.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 130, an engine control unit 101, an input / output control unit 102, an image processing unit 103, and an operation display control unit 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 111 and a print engine 115. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of paper is indicated by broken arrows.

  The display panel 113 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the image processing apparatus 1, and an input when the user directly operates the image processing apparatus 1 or inputs information to the image processing apparatus 1 as a touch panel. It is also an interface (operation unit). The network I / F 117 is an interface for the image processing apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices such as an administrator terminal via the network, and an interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or USB is used.

  The short-range communication I / F 118 is an interface for the image processing apparatus 1 to communicate with other devices by short-range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), FeliCa (registered trademark), and the like. The interface is used. The user of the image processing system according to the present embodiment brings the mobile terminal 2 close to the short-range communication I / F 118, whereby the user information stored in the storage medium built in the mobile terminal is transferred to the short-range communication I. The main control unit 130 is caused to read via / F118.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a software control unit and an integrated circuit configured by loading a control program such as firmware stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 or the HDD 40 into the RAM 20 and performing an operation by the CPU 10 according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by hardware such as the above. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire image processing apparatus 1.

  The main control unit 130 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100 and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The engine control unit 101 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 115, the scanner unit 111, and the like. The input / output control unit 102 inputs a signal or a command input via the network I / F 117 to the main control unit 130. The main control unit 130 also controls the input / output control unit 102 to access other devices via the network I / F 117.

  The image processing unit 103 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 130. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 115 as the image forming output unit. The image processing unit 103 processes image data input from the scanner unit 111 and generates image data. The image data is information stored in the image processing apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another device via the network I / F 117. The operation display control unit 104 displays information on the display panel 113 or notifies the main control unit 130 of information input via the display panel 113.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 102 receives a print job via the network I / F 117. The input / output control unit 102 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 130. When receiving the print job, the main control unit 130 controls the image processing unit 103 to generate drawing information based on document information or image information included in the print job. When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 103, the engine control unit 101 executes image formation on a sheet conveyed from the paper feed table 114 based on the generated drawing information. As a specific mode of the print engine 115, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which an image is formed by the print engine 115 is discharged to a discharge tray 116.

  When the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a scanner, that is, an image reading control apparatus, operation display control is performed in accordance with a user operation on the display panel 113 or a scan execution instruction input from an external device via the network I / F 117. The unit 104 or the input / output control unit 102 transfers the scan execution signal to the main control unit 130. The main control unit 130 controls the engine control unit 101 based on the received scan execution signal. The engine control unit 101 drives the ADF 110 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 110 to the scanner unit 111. Further, the engine control unit 101 drives the scanner unit 111 and images a document conveyed from the ADF 110. If no original is set on the ADF 110 and the original is directly set on the scanner unit 111, the scanner unit 111 captures the set original under the control of the engine control unit 101. That is, the scanner unit 111 operates as an imaging unit.

  In the imaging operation, an imaging element such as a CCD included in the scanner unit 111 optically scans the document, and imaging information based on the optical information is generated. The engine control unit 101 transfers the imaging information generated by the scanner unit 111 to the image processing unit 103. The image processing unit 103 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 101 under the control of the main control unit 130. Image information generated by the image processing unit 103 is stored in a storage medium attached to the image processing apparatus 1 such as the HDD 40. The image information generated by the image processing unit 103 is stored in the HDD 40 or the like as it is according to a user instruction, or is transmitted to an external device by the input / output control unit 102 via the network I / F 117.

  Further, when the image processing apparatus 1 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 103 generates drawing information based on imaging information received from the scanner unit 111 by the engine control unit 101 or image information generated by the image processing unit 103. To do. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 101 drives the print engine 115 as in the case of the printer operation.

  In such a configuration, the charge amount when the print processing based on the print job is executed is used as the use fee of the mobile terminal 2 used by the user who is authenticated based on the user information read by the image processing apparatus 1. The gist of the present embodiment is to perform the billing process. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the main control unit 130 according to the present embodiment will be described as the configuration according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the main control unit 130 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the main control unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes a print request acquisition unit 131, a billing amount calculation unit 132, a screen generation unit 133, a user information acquisition unit 134, an authentication process control unit 135, a print process. A control unit 136 and an accounting process control unit 137 are included.

  The print request acquisition unit 131 acquires a print job input according to a user instruction via the network I / F 117. That is, the print request acquisition unit 131 functions as an image processing request reception unit that receives an image processing request such as a printing process based on a print job. The charge amount calculation unit 132 performs print processing based on the input print job based on the size, number of sheets, print mode (color or monochrome) of the print paper included in the print job input by the print request acquisition unit 131. A billing amount generated by execution is calculated.

  The screen generation unit 133 generates a screen that displays the billing amount input from the billing amount calculation unit 132 and prompts payment of the billing amount, and outputs the screen to the operation display control unit 104. As a result, a screen for displaying the billing amount and prompting payment is displayed on the display panel 113. In addition, the screen generation unit 133 generates a necessary screen according to processing of each unit described later.

  The user information acquisition unit 134 makes the mobile terminal 2 approached when the user brings the mobile terminal 2 close to the short-range communication I / F 118 according to a screen prompting the payment of the charge amount displayed on the display panel 113. The user information stored in the storage medium is read and acquired. As described above, the user information includes, for example, a user ID for identifying the user, a telephone number, and information indicating whether authentication information for authenticating the user is set. In the present embodiment, a password is used as the authentication information as an example, and a case where a password is set will be described as an example.

  In addition, the user information acquisition unit 134 notifies the screen generation unit 133 to generate a personal identification number input screen because the information indicating whether the personal identification number included in the user information is set or not. In response to the notification from the user information acquisition unit 134, the screen generation unit 133 generates a personal identification number input screen, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display it. When the user inputs the password through the displayed password input screen, the user information acquisition unit 134 acquires the password input through the operation display control unit 104.

  The authentication processing control unit 135 outputs the input personal identification number to the mobile terminal 2 via the near field communication I / F 118. When the mobile terminal 2 transmits the personal identification number input from the authentication processing control unit 135 and the user information of the mobile terminal 2 to the authentication server 3 to request authentication processing, the authentication server 3 stores these information in the information. An authentication process based on this is executed (details of the authentication process in the authentication server 3 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5). That is, the authentication process control unit 135 functions as an authentication process request unit that requests the authentication server 3 to perform an authentication process via the mobile terminal 2.

  Further, the authentication processing control unit 135 acquires the authentication result by the authentication server 3 via the mobile terminal 2. In the present embodiment, the authentication result indicating that the authentication is successful means that the requested printing process is executed and charging according to the execution of the printing process is permitted.

  The print process control unit 136 controls the print process in accordance with the authentication result input from the authentication process control unit 135. Specifically, the print processing control unit 136 controls the image processing unit 103 and the engine control unit 101 based on the print job input from the print request acquisition unit 131 when the input authentication result indicates successful authentication. Print processing. That is, the print processing control unit 136 functions as an image processing execution unit that executes image processing such as print processing.

  On the other hand, when the authentication result indicates an authentication failure, the print processing control unit 136 does not execute the print process based on the print job input from the print request acquisition unit 131 and prints the screen generation unit 133 due to the authentication failure. Notification is made to generate a screen (hereinafter referred to as a “print processing stop screen”) indicating that the processing has not been executed. In response to the notification from the print processing control unit 136, the screen generation unit 133 generates a print processing stop screen, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display it.

  When the charging process control unit 137 receives a notification that the printing process has been executed from the printing process control unit 136, the charging process control unit 137 receives the user information input from the user information acquisition unit 134 and the charge input from the charging amount calculation unit 132. The amount is transmitted to the billing server 4 via the network I / F 117 to request billing processing (details of billing processing in the billing server 4 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7). That is, the accounting process control unit 137 functions as an accounting process request unit that requests the accounting server 4 to perform accounting processing.

  When the charging process control unit 137 receives a charging process result indicating that the charging process is successful from the charging server 4, the charging process control unit 137 displays a screen (hereinafter “ A billing process completion screen ”is generated. The screen generation unit 133 generates a charging process completion screen in response to the notification from the charging process control unit 137, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and displays it on the display panel 113.

  On the other hand, when the accounting process fails, the accounting process control unit 137 notifies the user to generate a screen (hereinafter referred to as “accounting process error screen”) indicating that the accounting process has failed. The screen generation unit 133 generates a charging process error screen in response to the notification from the charging process control unit 137, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display it. The failure of the billing process means, for example, a case where a billing process result indicating that the billing process has failed is received from the billing server 4 described later, a busy state of the billing server 4 and a LAN cable connected to the billing server 4 This shows a case where the charging process control unit 137 cannot communicate with the charging server 4 due to the absence of.

  Next, authentication processing in the authentication server 3 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration that implements authentication processing in the authentication server 3 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the authentication server 3 according to the present embodiment includes an authentication request receiving unit 301, a user list DB 302, an authentication processing unit 303, and an authentication result transmitting unit 304.

  The authentication request receiving unit 301 acquires authentication processing information input from the mobile terminal 2 and receives an authentication processing request. The user list DB 302 stores a user list table indicating a list of users of the mobile terminal 2 provided by a company or the like that operates this server. In the user list table, for example, a user ID and a password are stored for each user of the mobile terminal 2.

  The authentication processing unit 303 performs user authentication processing based on the user information and password input from the authentication request accepting unit 301 and the user list table stored in the user list DB 302. Hereinafter, specific processing by the authentication processing unit 303 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an authentication process performed by the authentication processing unit 303.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the authentication processing unit 303 acquires a user list table stored in the user list DB 302 (S600). The authentication processing unit 303 that has acquired the user list table includes a user ID that matches the user ID included in the user information input from the authentication request receiving unit 301 in the acquired user list table. (S601 / YES), if the password corresponding to the user ID matches the password entered from the authentication request accepting unit 301 (S602 / YES), the authentication result transmitting unit 304 is shown to have succeeded in the authentication process. Output authentication result. (S603).

  On the other hand, when there is no user ID that matches the user ID included in the user information input from the authentication request accepting unit 301 in the user list table (S601 / NO), or the user ID that matches When the corresponding personal identification number does not match the personal identification number input from the authentication request accepting unit 301 (S602 / NO), the authentication processing unit 303 notifies the authentication result transmitting unit 304 of the authentication result indicating the authentication processing failure ( S604).

  The authentication result transmission unit 304 transmits the authentication result input from the authentication processing unit 303 to the authentication processing control unit 135 via the mobile terminal 2 brought close to the short-range communication I / F 118.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which an authentication processing request is transmitted from the image processing apparatus 1 to the authentication server 3 via the mobile terminal 2 is taken as an example. However, this is merely an example, and an authentication processing request may be transmitted directly from the image processing apparatus 1 to the authentication server 3. In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 directly transmits the personal identification number input via the personal identification number input screen of the image processing apparatus 1 and the user information input from the mobile terminal 2 to the authentication server 3.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the personal identification number of the mobile terminal 2 is set is taken as an example, when the personal identification number is not set, the user list table does not include the personal identification number item, The authentication processing unit 303 outputs an authentication result indicating that the authentication process is successful to the authentication result transmission unit 304 when the user list table includes a user ID positioned as the input user ID. .

  Next, charging processing in the charging server 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram exemplifying a functional configuration for realizing the accounting process in the accounting server 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the billing server 4 according to the present embodiment includes a billing request receiving unit 401, a usage fee DB 402, a billing processing unit 403, and a billing result transmitting unit 404.

  The charging request reception unit 401 receives user information and a charging amount input from the charging processing control unit 137. The usage fee DB 402 stores a usage fee table showing a list of usage fees for each user of the mobile terminal 2 provided by a company or the like that operates this server. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a usage fee table. As shown in FIG. 8, in the usage fee table, for example, the user ID, the telephone number of the mobile terminal 2 used by the user ID, and the monthly usage fee of the mobile terminal 2 are stored for each user of the mobile terminal 2. Has been.

  The billing processing unit 403 performs billing processing based on the user information and the billing amount input from the billing request accepting unit 401. Hereinafter, specific processing performed by the charging processing unit 403 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the charging process by the charging processing unit 403.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the billing processing unit 403 acquires a usage fee table stored in the usage fee DB 402 (S900). The charging processing unit 403 that has acquired the usage fee table includes a user ID that matches the user ID included in the user information input from the charging request reception unit 401 in the acquired usage fee table (S901). / YES), if the telephone number corresponding to the user ID matches the telephone number included in the input user information (S902 / YES), the usage fee for the current month corresponding to the user ID and the telephone number Is added to the charge amount input from the charge request reception unit 401 (S903). The billing processing unit 403 that adds the billing amount to the usage fee outputs a billing process result indicating the billing process success to the billing result transmission unit 404 (S904).

  On the other hand, when there is no user ID that matches the user ID included in the user information input from the billing request reception unit 401 in the usage fee table (S901 / NO), or corresponds to the matching user ID If the telephone number to be received does not match the telephone number input from the charging request reception unit 401 (S902 / NO), the charging processing unit 403 notifies the charging result transmission unit 404 of the charging processing result indicating the charging processing failure. (S905).

  The charging result transmission unit 404 transmits the charging processing result input from the charging processing unit 403 to the charging processing control unit 137.

  In the above embodiment, the charging request reception unit 401 receives the charging amount input from the charging processing control unit 137, and the charging processing unit 403 uses the charging amount input from the charging request reception unit 401. The case of adding to the charge is taken as an example. However, this is an example, and the charging request receiving unit 401 receives a print job input from the charging processing control unit 137, and the charging processing unit 403 is based on the print job input from the charging request receiving unit 401. A charge amount may be calculated, and the calculated charge amount may be added to the usage fee.

  In the above embodiment, the usage fee table includes a user ID that matches the user ID included in the user information input from the charging request reception unit 401, and corresponds to the user ID. In the case where the telephone number matches the telephone number included in the input user information, a case where the charging process is performed on the usage fee of the corresponding user is taken as an example. In addition, similarly to the authentication process, the charging process may be performed when the authentication information such as the personal identification number matches the input authentication information.

  Next, an operation example of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the image processing system. As shown in FIG. 10, the image processing apparatus 1 receives a print job input according to an instruction from the user (S1000). The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the print job displays a billing amount when executing the printing process based on the received print job and a screen that prompts payment of the billing amount (S1001).

  When the user holds the mobile terminal 2 over the short-range communication I / F 118 of the image processing apparatus 1 in response to the display of the charge amount and the screen prompting the payment of the charge amount, the mobile terminal 2 User information is transmitted (S1002). That is, the image processing apparatus 1 reads the user information transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 via the near field communication I / F 118. The image processing apparatus 1 that has read the user information from the mobile terminal 2 displays a password input screen (S1003). The image processing apparatus 1 displaying the personal identification number input screen receives the personal identification number input by the user via the displayed personal identification number input screen (S1004).

  The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the personal identification number transmits the accepted personal identification number and an authentication processing request to the mobile terminal 2 (S1005). The mobile terminal 2 that has received the password and the authentication processing request from the image processing apparatus 1 transmits the received password and user information to the authentication server 3 and transmits an authentication processing request (S1006).

  The authentication server 3 that has received the personal identification number, user information, and authentication processing request from the mobile terminal 2 executes authentication processing based on the received personal identification number and user information (S1007). The authentication server 3 that has executed the authentication process transmits an authentication result indicating authentication success to the image processing apparatus 1 via the mobile terminal 2 (S1008). The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the authentication result indicating the authentication success from the authentication server 3 via the mobile terminal 2 executes print processing based on the print job received in S1000 (S1009).

  The image processing apparatus 1 that has executed the print process transmits user information and a charge amount to the charge server 4 and also transmits a charge process request (S1010). The billing server 4 that has received the user information, billing amount, and billing processing request from the image processing apparatus 1 executes billing processing based on the received user information and billing amount (S1011). The accounting server 4 that has executed the accounting process transmits an accounting process result indicating successful accounting to the image processing apparatus 1 (S1012). The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the billing processing result indicating the billing success from the billing server 4 displays a billing completion screen (S1013).

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the authentication result of the image processing apparatus 1 based on the user information of the mobile terminal 2 used by the user who has made an image processing request to the image processing apparatus 1. Accordingly, the requested image processing is executed, and the charge amount corresponding to the execution of the image processing is charged as the usage fee of the authenticated mobile terminal 2. Thereby, the user can postpay the billing amount according to the execution of the image processing by the image processing apparatus 1 as the usage fee of the mobile terminal 2, and is necessary for paying the billing amount when executing the image processing. Since there is no need to prepare cash, collect changes, deposit electronic money into a medium such as an IC card or a portable terminal, etc., it becomes possible to pay the charge for the image processing apparatus 1 with less effort than before. .

  Next, an embodiment in the case where the charging process fails in the image processing system will be described. In the above embodiment, when the charging process fails, a charging process error screen is displayed on the display panel 113 of the image processing apparatus 1. In this embodiment, when the charging process fails, the image processing apparatus 1 re-executes the charging process at a predetermined interval for a predetermined number of times, and when the process fails, the printing function is stopped and a certain process is performed. Cancel the stop of the print function according to.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the main control unit 130 that performs the above-described processing in the case where the charging processing fails. As shown in FIG. 11, the main control unit 130 has a configuration in which an unbilled processing management unit 138, an unbilled information DB 139, and an information output unit 140 are added to the respective units illustrated in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the processing up to the billing process is the same as that of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  When the charging process fails, the charging process control unit 137 outputs the user information and the charging amount that have failed in the charging process to the unbilled process management unit 138. The unbilled process management unit 138 stores the user information and the billing amount input from the billing process control unit 137 in the unbilled information DB 139 as unbilled information that has not been billed yet. Further, the non-billing process management unit 138 notifies the billing process control unit 137 to perform the billing process again, or transmits a print function stop command or a stop release command to the print process control unit 136. (Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12).

  In addition, when the non-billing process management unit 138 transmits a print function stop command to the print process control unit 136, the screen generation unit 133 displays a screen indicating that the print function is stopped (hereinafter referred to as the print function stop command). , “Print function stop screen”) is generated. In response to the notification from the non-billing process management unit 138, the screen generation unit 133 generates a print function stop screen, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display the print function stop screen.

  In addition, when the non-billing process management unit 138 transmits a print function stop release command to the print process control unit 136, the screen generation unit 133 displays a message indicating that the print function stop has been released. (Hereinafter referred to as “printing function stop cancellation screen”) is notified. In response to the notification from the non-billing process management unit 138, the screen generation unit 133 generates a print function stop cancellation screen, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display it. Note that the generation notification to the screen generation unit 133 of the print function stop screen and the print function stop cancellation screen may be performed by the print processing control unit 136 that receives the respective commands.

  The unbilled information DB 139 stores or deletes unbilled information by the processing of the unbilled processing management unit 138. The information output unit 140 outputs the unbilled information stored in the unbilled information DB 139 to the outside of the image processing apparatus 1 in response to an instruction from the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 when the printing function is stopped. . Specifically, for example, the information output unit 140 prints and outputs stored unbilled information on a sheet of paper or outputs a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or SD (SD) connected to the interface of the image processing apparatus 1. (Secure Digital) card.

  When the output processing of unbilled information is completed, the information output section 140 displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as “information output completion screen”) that displays to the screen generation section 133 that the output processing of unbilled information has been completed. Notify to generate. In response to the notification from the information output unit 140, the screen generation unit 133 generates an information output completion screen, outputs it to the operation display control unit 104, and causes the display panel 113 to display the information output completion screen.

  Further, when the output processing of the non-billing information is completed, the information output unit 140 notifies the non-billing processing management unit 138 to that effect. In response to this, the non-billing process management unit 138 transmits a print function stop cancellation command to the print process control unit 136. Then, the print processing control unit 136 that has received the print function stop release command controls the engine control unit 101 to release the print function stop.

  Note that when uncharged information is output by the information output unit 140 in response to an instruction from the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1, the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 has not yet charged By charging the information to the company that provides the mobile terminal 2, the billing amount is charged.

  Next, the operation of the non-billing process management unit 138 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the non-billing process management unit 138. As shown in FIG. 12, the unbilled process management unit 138 stores the user information and the billing amount input from the billing process control unit 137 in the unbilled information DB 139 as unbilled information (S1200).

  The non-billing process management unit 138 that stores the non-billing information waits until a predetermined time elapses after the non-billing information is input from the charging process control unit 137 (S1201 / NO), and the predetermined time. When the time has elapsed (S1201 / YES), the unbilled information stored in S1200 is output to the billing process control unit 137 and a request is made to perform the billing process again (S1202).

  The non-billing process management unit 138 that has requested to perform the billing process again adds 1 to the number of times the billing process is re-executed (S1203). The non-billing process management unit 138 to which the re-execution count is incremented by 1 acquires the billing process result from the billing process control unit 137 (S1204). The unbilled process management unit 138 that has acquired the billing process result deletes the unbilled information that has been successfully billed from the unbilled information DB 139 when the acquired billing process result indicates a successful billing process (S1205 / YES) ( S1206).

  On the other hand, if the acquired charging process result indicates that the charging process has failed (S1205 / NO), and the number of re-executions of the charging process exceeds a predetermined upper limit number (S1207 / YES), there is no charge The process management unit 138 transmits a print function stop command to the print process control unit 136 (S1208). Receiving this, the print processing control unit 136 controls the engine control unit 101 to stop the print function.

  On the other hand, if the acquired charging process result indicates that the charging process has failed (S1205 / NO) and the number of re-executions of the charging process is less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit number (S1207 / NO), unbilled process management The unit 138 waits until a predetermined time elapses after acquiring the charging process result from the charging process control unit 137 (S1201).

  In the above-described embodiment, the non-billing process management unit 138 issues a print function stop command to the print processing control unit 136 when the number of re-executions of the billing process exceeds a predetermined upper limit number. The case of transmission is taken as an example. In addition, the unbilled process management unit 138 stores unbilled information in the unbilled information DB 139 every time the billing process fails, and prints when the number of unbilled information stored exceeds the upper limit. A print function stop command may be transmitted to the processing control unit 136.

  Next, an operation example of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. Here, as an example, the case where the accounting process is successful by receiving the accounting process result of the accounting failure from the accounting server 4 and then requesting the accounting process again. The operation up to the billing process is the same as the operation example shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when executing the printing process, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits user information and a charging amount to the charging server 4 and transmits a charging process request (S1300). The billing server 4 that has received the user information, billing amount, and billing processing request from the image processing apparatus 1 executes billing processing based on the received user information and billing amount (S1301). The accounting server 4 that has executed the accounting process transmits an accounting process result indicating an accounting failure to the image processing apparatus 1 (S1302).

  The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the billing process result indicating the billing failure from the billing server 4 records the user information and the billing amount on which the failed billing process was performed as unbilled information (S1303). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the image processing apparatus 1 that has recorded the unbilled information transmits the unbilled information recorded in S1303 to the billing server 4 and transmits the billing process request again (S1304). .

  The accounting server 4 that has received the unbilled information and the billing processing request from the image processing apparatus 1 again executes the billing process based on the user information and the billing amount included in the unbilled information (S1305). The accounting server 4 that has executed the accounting process transmits an accounting process result indicating successful accounting to the image processing apparatus 1 (S1306). The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the charging processing result indicating the charging success from the charging server 4 deletes the unbilled information recorded in S1303 (S1307). The image processing apparatus 1 displays a billing completion screen (S1308).

  Next, another operation example of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating another operation example of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. Here, as an example, after receiving the charging process result of the charging failure from the charging server 4, the charging process fails even though the predetermined number of times of charging process is executed. The operation up to the billing process is the same as the operation example shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the image processing apparatus 1 executes the printing process, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits user information and a charging amount to the charging server 4 and transmits a charging process request (S1400). The billing server 4 that has received the user information, billing amount, and billing processing request from the image processing apparatus 1 executes billing processing based on the received user information and billing amount (S1401). The accounting server 4 that has executed the accounting process transmits an accounting process result indicating an accounting failure to the image processing apparatus 1 (S1402).

  The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the billing process result indicating the billing failure from the billing server 4 records the user information and the billing amount on which the failed billing process was performed as unbilled information (S1403). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the image processing apparatus 1 that has recorded the unbilled information transmits the unbilled information recorded in S1403 to the billing server 4 and transmits the billing process request again (S1404). .

  The accounting server 4 that has received the unbilled information and the billing process request from the image processing apparatus 1 again executes the billing process based on the user information and the billing amount included in the unbilled information (S1405). The accounting server 4 that has executed the accounting process transmits an accounting process result indicating an accounting failure to the image processing apparatus 1 (S1406). The image processing apparatus 1 that has received the billing process result indicating the billing failure from the billing server 4 requests the billing process again a predetermined number of times. If the billing process is not successful, the image processing apparatus 1 stops the printing function (S1407).

  The image processing apparatus 1 that has stopped the print function displays a screen indicating that the print function is stopped (S1408). Then, when the administrator of the image processing apparatus 1 receives this screen and writes the unbilled information to the outside of the image processing apparatus 1, the image processing apparatus 1 deletes the unbilled information recorded in S1403, and print functions. Release the stop and display to that effect.

  With such a configuration, even if the billing process fails, the billing process is requested again to the billing server 4 without instructing the user to perform the billing process again. Is reduced. Further, when the charging process fails many times, the printing function of the image processing apparatus 1 is stopped, so that the printing process is performed again thereafter, and the situation where the printing process also fails in the charging process can be prevented. .

  In the above-described embodiment, when the authentication process is performed in the authentication server 3, the authentication processing unit 303 is stored in the user information and password input from the authentication request receiving unit 301 and the user list DB 302. The case where authentication processing is performed based on the user list table is taken as an example. In addition, the authentication processing unit 303 may perform authentication processing by further using device identification information (for example, device ID) that identifies the image processing device 1 that can be charged as a usage fee of the mobile terminal 2.

  In this case, for example, the authentication processing control unit 135 outputs a device ID to the mobile terminal 2 in addition to the password. It is assumed that the device ID is stored in a non-volatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 of the image processing apparatus 1. In addition, for example, a device information table (not shown) included in the authentication server 3 stores a device information table indicating a list of device IDs of the image processing device 1 that can be charged as a usage fee of the mobile terminal 2. Then, the authentication processing unit 303 succeeds in the authentication based on the user information and the personal identification number in the above-described embodiment, and there is a device ID that matches the device ID input from the mobile terminal 2 in the device information table. In this case, an authentication result indicating that the authentication process is successful is output to the authentication result transmission unit 304.

  Further, when the billing processing unit 403 performs billing processing, the device ID may be further used in the same manner as the authentication processing. The billing processing unit 403 includes a user who matches the user ID in the usage fee table. When there is a set of ID and telephone number, and there is a device ID that matches the device ID input from the charging processing control unit 137 in the device information table, the charging result transmission unit 404 is charged. An accounting processing result indicating the processing success is transmitted.

  With such a configuration, it is determined whether the image processing apparatus 1 can be charged as a usage fee for the mobile terminal 2 when performing usage authentication or charging processing. It becomes possible to collect more reliably as a usage fee.

  In the above embodiment, the user information includes the user ID, the telephone number, and information indicating whether or not authentication information for authenticating the user is set, but the mobile terminal 2 has a call function. In the case of a tablet terminal or the like that does not have a telephone number, the telephone number may be excluded from the user information, and a terminal ID that identifies the terminal may be included instead of the telephone number. In this case, the usage fee table also includes items corresponding to such user information.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the case where an authentication process and an accounting process are performed by using user ID as identification information is taken as an example. However, this is merely an example, and a charging amount due to execution of image processing in the image processing apparatus 1 is charged as a usage fee, such as authentication processing and charging processing are performed using the terminal ID for identifying the mobile terminal 2 as identification information. Identification information that can identify the mobile terminal 2 is sufficient. That is, the user information acquisition unit 134 that acquires user information including a user ID functions as an identification information acquisition unit that acquires terminal identification information for identifying a mobile terminal.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing process by the printer function included in the image processing apparatus 1 has been described as an example of the image processing by the image processing apparatus. However, this is merely an example, and any image processing that is subject to charging, such as copying processing using a copying function or image reading processing using a scanner function, may be used.

  The functional configuration for performing each process in the image processing system according to the above embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, a dedicated application is installed in the mobile terminal 2 and the mobile terminal 2 operates the image processing apparatus 1. In the case of functioning as a unit, the mobile terminal 2 may make a billing amount calculation process necessary for executing image processing and a billing process request to the billing server 4.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Mobile terminal 3 Authentication server 4 Charge server 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation Unit 80 Bus 100 Controller 101 Engine Control Unit 102 Input / Output Control Unit 103 Image Processing Unit 104 Operation Display Control Unit 110 ADF
111 Scanner Unit 112 Paper Discharge Tray 113 Display Panel 114 Paper Feed Table 115 Print Engine 116 Paper Discharge Tray 117 Network I / F
118 Short range communication I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 Main control part 131 Print request acquisition part 132 Charge amount calculation part 133 Screen generation part 134 User information acquisition part 135 Authentication process control part 136 Print process control part 137 Charge process control part 138 Uncharged process management part 139 Uncharged information DB
140 Information Output Unit 301 Authentication Request Accepting Unit 302 User List DB
303 Authentication processing unit 304 Authentication result transmission unit 401 Charge request reception unit 402 Usage fee DB
403 Accounting processing unit 404 Accounting result transmission unit

JP 2007-048188 A

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that charges according to execution of image processing,
An image processing request receiving unit for receiving an image processing request;
A charge amount calculation unit for calculating a charge amount for executing the image processing based on the received image processing request;
An identification information acquisition unit for acquiring terminal identification information for identifying an information processing terminal to be used by paying a usage fee for each predetermined period;
An authentication processing requesting unit that requests authentication processing of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information, with respect to an authentication device that authenticates the information processing terminal;
An image processing execution unit that executes the image processing based on the image processing request when the information processing terminal is authenticated by the requested authentication processing;
A billing processing requesting unit for requesting a billing device that charges the usage fee of the information processing terminal to charge the calculated billing amount as a usage fee of the authenticated information processing terminal. A featured image processing apparatus. The authentication processing request unit includes:
Obtaining device identification information for identifying the image processing device;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an authentication process of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information and the acquired apparatus identification information is requested. The identification information acquisition unit acquires authentication information set in the information processing terminal,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication processing request unit requests authentication processing of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information and the acquired authentication information. The charging process request unit requests the failed charging process again at a predetermined interval when the requested charging process fails. 5. The image processing apparatus described. 5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the image processing execution unit stops the function of executing the image processing when the number of times of requesting the failed billing process again exceeds a predetermined number of times. Processing equipment. An information output unit that outputs information on the failed billing process to the outside of the image processing apparatus;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the output of the information is completed, the image processing execution unit cancels the stop of the function of executing the image processing. An image processing apparatus that performs charging according to execution of image processing; an information processing terminal that pays a usage fee for each predetermined period; an authentication apparatus that authenticates the information processing terminal; and In an image processing system having a billing device that charges a usage fee,
An image processing request receiving unit for receiving an image processing request;
A charge amount calculation unit for calculating a charge amount for executing the image processing based on the received image processing request;
An identification information acquisition unit for acquiring terminal identification information for identifying the information processing terminal;
An authentication processing requesting unit for requesting the authentication processing of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information to the authentication device;
An image processing execution unit that executes the image processing based on the image processing request when the information processing terminal is authenticated by the requested authentication processing;
An image processing system comprising: a charging processing requesting unit that requests the charging device to charge the calculated charging amount as a usage fee of the authenticated information processing terminal. A control program for controlling an image processing apparatus that performs charging according to execution of image processing,
Receiving an image processing request;
Calculating a charge amount for executing the image processing based on the received image processing request;
Obtaining terminal identification information for identifying an information processing terminal to be used by paying a usage fee for each predetermined period;
Requesting authentication processing of the information processing terminal based on the acquired terminal identification information to an authentication device for authenticating the information processing terminal;
Executing the image processing based on the image processing request when the information processing terminal is authenticated by the requested authentication processing;
Causing the information processing apparatus to execute a step of requesting the charging device that charges the usage fee of the information processing terminal to charge the calculated charging amount as the authenticated usage fee of the information processing terminal. A control program characterized by that.