JP2016163980A - Information processing device and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a plurality of function units relating to input and output of information, and a service control unit for causing a display unit to display a menu screen for providing a lending service for lending a user at least pre-selected ones of the plurality of function unit in accordance with an authentication result based on acquired acquisition information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system.

  In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) that are installed in stores and provide services such as copying and scanning by self-service have become widespread. In such an information processing apparatus, a technique for customizing an operation screen is known (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-36664 A JP 2008-258893 A

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an operation screen for selecting a service to be provided is customized. For example, when the service is installed in a store, the service provided can be flexibly changed. It wasn't something to change.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that can improve convenience.

  In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of functional units related to input / output of information and a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to a user An information processing apparatus comprising: a service control unit configured to display a menu screen to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with an authentication result based on acquired acquired information.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes an external communication unit that acquires the acquisition information from a portable device, and the service control unit acquires the information from the portable device via the external communication unit. The menu screen is displayed on the display unit according to an authentication result based on the acquired information.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes an operation unit that receives an input of information, and the service control unit responds to an authentication result based on the acquired information acquired through the operation unit. The menu screen is displayed on the display unit.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the acquisition information includes user identification information for identifying a user, and the service control unit includes at least the user identification information, The lending user information that matches the user identification information included in the acquired information is stored in a user information storage unit that stores lending user information associated with service identification information that identifies a lending service. The lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the lending user information is displayed on the menu screen.

  Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the acquisition information further includes the service identification information, and the service control unit includes the user identification information and the user information included in the acquisition information. When the lending user information that matches service identification information is stored in the user information storage unit, the lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the lending user information is displayed on the menu screen. It is characterized by making it.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, a network communication unit that communicates via a network and authentication information including the acquired information are connected to the network with respect to the network communication unit. An authentication processing unit configured to transmit to the server device, and the network communication unit acquires an authentication result based on the acquired information received from the server device.

  In addition, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the service control unit may include a service that is not provided by the lending service among services provided without requiring authentication based on the acquired information. The menu screen is displayed in a display form different from that of the service.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of function units related to input / output of information and a menu screen that provides a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of function units selected in advance to a user are acquired. An information processing device including a service control unit to be displayed on the display unit according to the authentication result based on the acquired information, and the authentication information including the acquisition information is received from the information processing device, and the authentication result based on the acquisition information is An information processing system comprising a server device that transmits to the information processing device.

  According to the present invention, convenience can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the information processing system by 1st Embodiment. 1 is an external view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the service memory | storage part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the apparatus information storage part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the user information storage part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the contract information storage part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the accounting memory | storage part in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the provision process of the lending service in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the accounting process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of operation | movement of the information processing system in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a menu screen of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the provision process of the rental service in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the accounting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the service memory | storage part in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the contract information storage part in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the accounting process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the information processing system by 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the distribution information storage part in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the distribution money memory | storage part in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the fee-charging process in 4th Embodiment, and a distribution process. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the distribution information storage part in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the accounting process and distribution process in 5th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the information processing system by 6th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a first diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen of an image forming apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of an operation screen of the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of authentication operation of the image forming apparatus by 7th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and an information processing system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, an information processing system 1 including an image forming apparatus 10 will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a management server apparatus 50.
Image forming apparatus 10 and management server apparatus 50 are connected via network NT. The information processing system 1 can be connected to the information server device 60 of the company 4 via the network NT.
In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, an example in which the information processing system 1 includes one image forming apparatus 10 will be described, but a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 may be included.

  An image forming apparatus 10 (an example of an information processing apparatus) is, for example, a multifunction peripheral such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and includes a plurality of image forming functions (printer functions), scanner functions, copy functions (original copy functions), and the like. It has a function. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in a store 2 such as a convenience store (hereinafter referred to as a convenience store). The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document transport unit 11, a scanner unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a program management unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming unit 16, a paper discharge unit 17, and a network communication unit. 18, an operation panel unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 40.

Document transport unit 11, scanner unit 12, image processing unit 13, program management unit 14, paper feed unit 15, image forming unit 16, paper discharge unit 17, network communication unit 18, and operation panel unit 20, the storage unit 30, and the control unit 40 are connected to each other via an internal bus BS.
Note that each of the document conveying unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the image processing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 15, the image forming unit 16, the paper discharging unit 17, the network communication unit 18, and the operation panel unit 20 relates to input / output of information. It is a functional part. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of functional units related to input / output of information.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 provides the user with normal services such as copy (original copy), document print, image print, facsimile, and scanner use that are normally provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 can provide at least a part of the plurality of functional units described above according to the authentication result of the user or a group to which the user belongs (for example, a company) separately from the provision of the normal service. Provide a lending service that makes it available to users. Here, the authentication result is a result of authentication processing based on acquired information acquired from the user or the portable device 3 described later. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 provides a lending service that lends a part or all of the functions of the own apparatus to the user according to the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired from the user or the portable device 3. Details of the normal service and the lending service will be described later.

Here, before describing each configuration included in the image forming apparatus 10, the configuration of the management server device 50 will be described.
The management server device 50 (an example of a server device) is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network NT, and manages information related to the lending service described above. For example, the management server device 50 receives authentication information including the acquisition information from the image forming device 10 and transmits an authentication result based on the acquisition information to the image forming device 10. The management server device 50 includes a server control unit 51, a server storage unit 52, and a network communication unit 53.

The server control unit 51 is a processor including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the management server device 50 in an integrated manner. The server control unit 51 performs processing such as registration, deletion, and change of information stored in the server storage unit 52, and transmits and receives various types of information related to the lending service to and from the image forming apparatus 10 via the network communication unit 53. I do. Further, for example, the server control unit 51 receives authentication information including acquired information from the image forming apparatus 10 and executes an authentication process based on the received authentication information and information stored in the server storage unit 52. The authentication result based on the acquired information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network communication unit 53.
The network communication unit 53 communicates with, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 via the network NT.

  The server storage unit 52 stores various information related to the lending service. The server storage unit 52 includes, for example, a service storage unit 521, a device information storage unit 522, a user information storage unit 523, a contract information storage unit 524, a charging storage unit 525, and a history storage unit 526. Yes.

  The service storage unit 521 stores lending service information for managing lending services registered in the information processing system 1. The service storage unit 521 stores at least service identification information for identifying a lending service and lending fee information indicating a lending fee for the lending service in association with each other. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the service storage unit 521 stores “loan service ID”, “service name”, “program ID”, “loanable contractor information”, and “loan charge information”. The associated lending service information is stored.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the service storage unit 521 in the present embodiment.
Here, “lending service ID” is identification information for identifying the lending service, and “service name” indicates the name of the lending service. The “program ID” indicates identification information of an application program that is executed to provide a lending service. “Lending contractor information” is user identification information (contractor identification information) for identifying a user who can use the lending service. The user identification information includes a user identifying the user. An ID and a group ID for identifying a group to which the user belongs (for example, company 4) are included. “Lending fee information” indicates a lending fee of the lending service. Note that the rental fee may differ depending on the contractor. In this case, the service storage unit 521 stores the information as different rental service information.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, a lending service whose “lending service ID” is “S0001” indicates that “service name” is “printer lending” and “program ID” is “P0001”. Yes. In addition, this lending service indicates that the “rentalable contractor information” is a group of “G01” and the “lending fee information” is “10 yen / card”.
It is assumed that the service storage unit 521 stores a plurality of lending service information registered in the information processing system 1 in advance as shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the apparatus information storage unit 522 stores apparatus information for managing an apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus 10) registered in the information processing system 1. The device information storage unit 522 stores device information that associates at least device identification information that identifies a device that provides a lending service with possible service identification information that indicates a lending service that can be provided by the device. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the device information storage unit 522 associates “device ID”, “model name”, “possible service ID”, “convenience store chain ID”, and “store ID”. Stored device information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the device information storage unit 522 in the present embodiment.
Here, “apparatus ID” is apparatus identification information for identifying the apparatus, and “model name” indicates the model name of the apparatus (including version, for example). The “possible service ID” is a lending service ID indicating a lending service that can be provided by the function of the device. “Convenience store chain ID” and “store ID” are identification information for identifying a convenience store chain in which the apparatus is installed and store identification information for identifying a store. For example, every time a lending service is added to the service storage unit 521, the server control unit 51 determines whether or not the lending service can be provided based on the “model name”. Then, the lending service ID of an executable lending service is added to the “possible service ID”.

For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, a device whose “device ID” is “M0001” has a “model name” of “XXXX” and a “possible service ID” of “S0001”, “S0002”, “S0003”. ... Further, the “convenience store chain ID” in which this apparatus is installed is “FC01”, and the “store ID” is “ST0001”.
It is assumed that a plurality of pieces of device information registered in the information processing system 1 are stored in advance in the device information storage unit 522 as shown in FIG.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1 again, the user information storage unit 523 stores lending user information for managing users (contractors) who use the lending service registered in the information processing system 1. The user information storage unit 523 stores lending user information in which at least user identification information is associated with service identification information for identifying a lending service. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the user information storage unit 523 includes “user ID / device ID”, “group ID”, “rental service ID”, “display contents”, and “usable chain”. Lending user information in which “ID” is associated with “available store ID” is stored.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the user information storage unit 523 in the present embodiment.
Here, “user ID / device ID” is user identification information for identifying a user, for example, “user ID” or identification information of the portable device 3 owned (held) by the user. Device ID ”. “Group ID” indicates group identification information for identifying a group to which the user belongs (for example, a company, an organization, an organization, etc.). “Lending service ID” and “display contents” are identification information for identifying the lending service and identification information indicating the display contents (for example, a service menu display screen) in the lending service. In addition, “available chain ID” and “available store ID” are the “convenience store chain ID” and “store ID” of the convenience store chain (name) that can use the lending service corresponding to the “rented service ID”. Show.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the “group ID” of the group to which the user whose “user ID / device ID” is “U0001” belongs is “G01”, ID ”is“ S0001 ”. Further, it is indicated that “display contents” of this lending service is designated by “XXX”. In addition, the “convenience store chain ID” of the convenience store chain that can use this lending service is “FC01”,..., And the “available store ID” is “ST0001”,. .
Note that the user information storage unit 523 stores a plurality of lending user information registered in the information processing system 1 in advance as shown in FIG.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1 again, the contract information storage unit 524 stores contract information for managing contracts using the lending service registered in the information processing system 1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the contract information storage unit 524 stores contract information in which “contract ID”, “contractor information”, “rental service ID”, and “applicable fee” are associated with each other. .
Here, “contract ID” is identification information for identifying a contract, and “contractor information” is identification information for identifying a contractor. Here, the contractor is a user or a group to which the user belongs, and “contractor information” includes “user ID” and “group ID”. The “lending service ID” indicates a lending service provided by the contract, and the “applied fee” indicates usage fee information (same as the above-mentioned “lending fee information”) by the lending service.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the contract information storage unit 524 in the present embodiment.
For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a contract whose “contract ID” is “X001” indicates that “contractor information” is “G01” and “lending service ID” is “S0001”. Further, in this contract, the “applicable fee” of the lending service corresponding to “S0001” is “10 yen / sheet” (10 yen per sheet). When the contract information in the contract information storage unit 524 is added, deleted, or changed, the server control unit 51 changes the stored contents of the service storage unit 521 in accordance with the addition, deletion, or change. .
It is assumed that the contract information storage unit 524 stores a plurality of pieces of contract information registered in the information processing system 1 in advance as shown in FIG.

Returning to the description of FIG. 1 again, the billing storage unit 525 stores billing information for the lending service for each contractor (user or a group to which the user belongs). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the charge storage unit 525 stores “contractor information”, “lending service ID”, and “charge amount” in association with each other.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the billing storage unit 525 in the present embodiment.
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the “billing amount” of the lending service whose “rental service ID” is “S0001” whose “contractor information” is “G02” (group) is “1000 yen”. Show.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1 again, the history storage unit 526 stores the usage history (history information) of the lending service. The history storage unit 526, for example, at least service identification information for identifying the lending service (for example, “lending service ID”), usage date information indicating the usage date and time of the lending service, and charging by the lending service at the usage date and time. The history information in association with the usage fee information indicating the used usage fee is stored. The history information includes, for example, information on the place of use such as information indicating a convenience store chain (store name) (for example, “convenience store chain ID”) and store information (for example, “store ID”) in addition to the information described above. May be included.

Next, each configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the operation panel unit 20 is an operation panel for operating the image forming apparatus 10, and includes an operation unit 21, a display unit 22, and an external communication unit 23.

The operation unit 21 is, for example, a touch panel or a key input unit, and receives information input from a user. For example, the operation unit 21 receives selection information for various menu screens displayed on the display unit 22 and information input from the user (for example, the number of prints, input of user identification information, and the like).
The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information for operating the image forming apparatus 10.

  The external communication unit 23 is an interface for communicating with the external mobile device 3, and is, for example, a short-range wireless communication interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an NFC (Near Field Communication). The external communication unit 23 acquires, for example, acquisition information used for authentication processing performed when using the lending service from the mobile device 3. Here, the acquired information includes, for example, user identification information for identifying a user or a group to which the user belongs (for example, a company).

  The mobile device 3 connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the external communication unit 23 is, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone having an NFC interface, or an IC (Integrated Circuit) that holds information for authenticating a user. Card or contactless IC card. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where the mobile device 3 is a mobile phone such as a smartphone having an NFC interface will be described.

The document transport unit 11 is, for example, an automatic paper feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder), and automatically feeds paper such as a document to the scanner unit 12.
The scanner unit 12 includes, for example, a sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), reads an image formed on a document, and generates image data of the read image. The scanner unit 12 realizes a scanner function in the image forming apparatus 10.

The image processing unit 13 executes image processing such as image size change on the image data generated by the scanner unit 12 or image data acquired via the network communication unit 18 and the external communication unit 23 described later.
The program management unit 14 performs management necessary for executing a document creation program, a spreadsheet program, or various application programs that provide proxy services.

The paper feeding unit 15 feeds paper for image formation (printing) to the image forming unit 16.
The image forming unit 16 is, for example, a toner type printer, and may further include a sublimation type printer for printing a photograph. The image forming unit 16 forms an image corresponding to the image data acquired via the internal bus BS on the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 15.
The paper discharge unit 17 discharges the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 16.
The image forming apparatus 10 realizes an image forming function by the paper feeding unit 15, the image forming unit 16, and the paper discharge unit 17.

  The network communication unit 18 communicates with, for example, the management server device 50 via the network NT. The network communication unit 18 transmits and receives information on the lending service described above to and from the management server device 50. The network communication unit 18 connects to the information server device 60 in the company 4 to which the user belongs, for example, when providing a rental service to the user via the network NT. Send and receive information to and from.

  For example, in the lending service, when acquiring information (for example, document data) from the information server device 60, the network communication unit 18 receives information (for example, document data) from the information server device 60 via the network NT. Receive. Further, for example, in the lending service, when transmitting information (for example, image data read by the scanner unit 12) to the information server device 60, the network communication unit 18 transmits the information to the information server device 60 via the network NT. Send.

The storage unit 30 stores various information used in the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The storage unit 30 includes a program storage unit 31, for example.
The program storage unit 31 stores an application program (for example, an application program for executing a lending service) downloaded as an additional function under the management of the program management unit 14. For example, the program storage unit 31 stores a program ID and an application program in association with each other. The application program stored in the program storage unit 31 is read and executed by the control unit 40 under the management of the program management unit 14 by designating the program ID.

The control unit 40 is, for example, a processor including a CPU and the like, and comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the control unit 40 provides the user with normal services such as copying (original copying), document printing, image printing, facsimile, and scanner use, and also provides the user with a lending service different from the normal service. The control unit 40 selects a rental service to be provided according to the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired from the user or the mobile device 3, and provides the selected rental service to the user. Further, when providing the lending service, the control unit 40 charges the usage fee for each contractor (user or a group to which the user belongs) and stores the usage fee in the charging storage unit 525 of the management server device 50, for example. At the same time, the use history (history information) is stored in the history storage unit 526.
The control unit 40 includes an authentication processing unit 41, a service control unit 42, a normal service processing unit 43, a lending service processing unit 44, and a billing processing unit 45.

The authentication processing unit 41 executes an authentication process based on the acquired information acquired from the user or the mobile device 3, and obtains an authentication result of the executed authentication process. For example, the authentication processing unit 41 generates authentication information including the acquired acquisition information, and transmits the generated authentication information to the management server device 50 via the network communication unit 18. The authentication processing unit 41 acquires, from the management server device 50, a list of lending services that can be used by the user as an authentication result. For example, when the user information storage unit 523 of the management server device 50 stores lending user information that matches the user identification information included in the acquired information, the authentication processing unit 41 stores the lending user information. The service identification information included in is acquired.
As described above, the authentication processing unit 41 causes the network communication unit 18 to transmit the authentication information including the acquisition information to the management server device 50, and the authentication result based on the acquisition information received by the network communication unit 18 from the management server device 50. To get.

  The service control unit 42 provides a rental service according to the authentication result executed by the authentication processing unit 41 using the management server device 50, for example. That is, the service control unit 42 provides a lending service that is not on the initial menu screen according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information. For example, the service control unit 42 provides a lending service according to the authentication information based on the acquisition information acquired from the portable device 3 via the external communication unit 23 or the acquisition information acquired via the operation unit 21. Further, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a menu screen for providing a lending service in accordance with the authentication result executed by the authentication processing unit 41.

  The acquisition information described above includes, for example, user identification information (for example, “user ID” or “group ID”) for identifying the user or a group to which the user belongs. The service control unit 42 acquires the acquisition information described above from the portable device 3 via the external communication unit 23 or from the user via the operation unit 21, and outputs the acquired acquisition information to the authentication processing unit 41. Authentication processing is executed.

  Further, the service control unit 42 provides a lending service corresponding to the lending service list (service identification information list) acquired by the authentication processing unit 41. Specifically, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a selection menu screen of available lending services based on the acquired list of service identification information. Then, the service control unit 42 causes the lending service processing unit 44 (to be described later) to execute the lending service selected via the operation unit 21. When the acquired service identification information is one, the service control unit 42 causes the lending service processing unit 44 to execute the available lending service selection menu screen without displaying it on the display unit 22. It may be.

If the service identification information does not exist in the authentication result, the service control unit 42 determines that the authentication has failed, for example, displays a message indicating that there is no available lending service on the display unit 22, and then A menu screen is displayed on the display unit 22.
As described above, when the user information storage unit 523 of the management server device 50 stores lending user information that matches the user identification information included in the acquired information, the service control unit 42 uses the lending use. The lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the person information is provided.

  The normal service processing unit 43 executes the normal service selected by the user via the operation unit 21 from the initial menu screen. Examples of the normal service include copy (original copy), document print, image print, facsimile, scanner use, and network print.

  The lending service processing unit 44 executes a lending service designated by the service control unit 42 based on an instruction from the service control unit 42. For example, the lending service processing unit 44 acquires a “program ID” corresponding to the service identification information designated by the service control unit 42 from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50. Then, the lending service processing unit 44 executes the lending service by executing the application program corresponding to the acquired “program ID” among the application programs stored in the program storage unit 31.

  The charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service according to the usage status of the lending service. Here, the usage status includes usage conditions such as the usage count, the usage count, the usage time, and the type of paper and print in the case of printing. For example, the charging processing unit 45 acquires “lending fee information” corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50, and based on the acquired “lending fee information”. And charge the usage fee for the lending service. That is, the billing processing unit 45 acquires “lending fee information” corresponding to the service identification information designated from the service control unit 42 from the service storage unit 521 when the lending service is supplied by the service control unit 42. . Then, the charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for each contractor (user or group) as shown in FIG. 7 based on the acquired “lending fee information”.

  In addition, when the lending service is supplied by the service control unit 42, the charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service and stores history information in the history storage unit 526 of the management server device 50. This history information is used to create a usage statement using a lending service, limit the number of times a lending service is used, track lending service usage (use tracking), and the like.

Next, details of the above-described “normal service” and “lending service” will be described.
The normal service is, for example, a service provided by a user selecting on an initial menu screen displayed on the display unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 10. The normal service is a standard service set by default in advance, and is provided by paying a predetermined charge for each use.
Specifically, the normal service is, for example, copy (original copy), document print, image print, facsimile, scanner use, network print, etc. that can be selected on the initial menu screen.

  The lending service is a service that lends a part or all of the functions (functional units) of the image forming apparatus 10 to the user. Unlike the normal service, the lending service is a service that is not on the initial menu screen. That is, the lending service is an additional service (optional service) that is not selected from the initial menu screen. For example, a special operation of the operation unit 21 or the mobile device 3 is connected to the external communication unit 23 to perform an authentication process. It is an additional service provided after performing the service. In the lending service, the lending function (functional unit) may be selected in advance for each lending service, and the lending service may be a combination of a plurality of functions (functional units). That is, the lending service is a customized original service. The lending service is an additional service that can be added, deleted, or changed later.

  As a specific example of the lending service, for example, a user belonging to the company 4 holds the smartphone, which is the mobile device 3 having the NFC interface, over the external communication unit 23, thereby enabling the printer function and the scanner of the image forming apparatus 10 A service that lends functions. In this case, the user can communicate with the information server device 60 included in the company 4, and can use the image forming apparatus 10 with the same feeling as when the user is in the company 4, for example. In this case, for example, a document stored in the information server device 60 can be printed on the image forming device 10 from the company 4, and image data read from the scanner unit 12 can be stored in the information server device 60. become. In this case, for example, the lending service may customize the image forming apparatus 10 on a menu screen of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is normally used in the company 4. In this way, the user can use the image forming apparatus 10 installed in the convenience store by the same operation method as that of a commonly used multifunction peripheral such as a copy (original copy) or a scanner. become.

Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a lending service providing process according to the first embodiment.

  In this figure, first, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays an initial menu screen on the display unit 22, and determines whether or not a service is selected on the initial menu screen (step S101). That is, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the normal service displayed on the initial menu screen is selected by the operation of the operation unit 21. When the normal service displayed on the initial menu screen is selected (step S101: YES), the control unit 40 advances the process to step S102. Moreover, the control part 40 advances a process to step S103, when the normal service currently displayed on the initial menu screen is not selected (step S101: NO).

  In step S102, the control unit 40 provides the selected normal service. That is, the control unit 40 causes the normal service processing unit 43 to execute the selected normal service. The control unit 40 returns the process to step S101 after the normal service executed by the normal service processing unit 43 is completed.

  In step S <b> 103, the control unit 40 determines whether there is a connection to the external communication unit 23. For example, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the portable device 3 is connected to the external communication unit 23. If there is a connection to the external communication unit 23 (step S103: YES), the control unit 40 advances the process to step S104. Moreover, the control part 40 advances a process to step S105, when there is no connection with the external communication part 23 (step S103: NO).

  In step S104, the service control unit 42 of the control unit 40 determines whether or not the external communication unit 23 has received the user identification information. For example, the service control unit 42 acquires the acquisition information via the external communication unit 23 and determines whether the acquired acquisition information includes user identification information. When the external communication unit 23 receives the user identification information (step S104: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S107. Moreover, the service control part 42 returns a process to step S101, when the external communication part 23 has not received user identification information (step S104: NO).

  In step S105, the control unit 40 determines whether the operation unit 21 has received a special operation. Here, the special operation includes, for example, simultaneously pressing a plurality of keys of the operation unit 21 or operating in a special order. Control part 40 advances processing to Step S106, when operation part 21 receives special operation (Step S105: YES). Moreover, the control part 40 returns a process to step S101, when the operation part 21 has not received special operation (step S105: NO).

  In step S106, the service control unit 42 determines whether the operation unit 21 has received user identification information. For example, the service control unit 42 acquires the acquisition information via the operation unit 21 and determines whether user identification information is included in the acquired acquisition information. When the operation unit 21 receives user identification information (step S106: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S107. Moreover, the service control part 42 returns a process to step S101, when the operation part 21 has not received user identification information (step S106: NO).

  In step S <b> 107, the authentication processing unit 41 of the control unit 40 transmits authentication information including the acquired user identification information to the management server device 50. That is, the authentication processing unit 41 causes the management server device 50 to transmit the authentication information including the acquired information acquired by the service control unit 42 via the operation unit 21 or the external communication unit 23 via the network communication unit 18.

  Next, the authentication process part 41 acquires an authentication result (step S108). That is, the authentication processing unit 41 acquires an authentication result based on the acquisition information received from the management server device 50 by the network communication unit 18. The authentication result includes service identification information indicating a lending service that can be used by the user corresponding to the acquired user identification information when the authentication is successful.

  Next, the service control unit 42 determines whether there is a lending service that can be provided (step S109). For example, the service control unit 42 determines whether there is a lending service that can be provided, based on whether the service identification information is included in the authentication result acquired by the authentication processing unit 41. If there is a lending service that can be provided (step S109: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S110. If there is no lending service that can be provided (step S109: NO), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S112.

In step S110, the service control unit 42 displays a menu screen of the lending service that can be provided. That is, the service control unit 42 causes the lending service processing unit 44 to execute a lending service that can be provided. For example, the service control unit 42 acquires a “program ID” corresponding to service identification information of a lending service that can be provided from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50. Then, the lending service processing unit 44 executes the lending service by executing the application program corresponding to the acquired “program ID” among the application programs stored in the program storage unit 31. The lending service processing unit 44 causes the display unit 22 to display the lending service menu screen according to the application program.
When there are a plurality of lending services that can be provided, the service control unit 42 displays a selection menu screen for selecting a lending service to be provided to the user from a plurality of lending services that can be provided. You may make it display on.

  Next, the lending service processing unit 44 provides a lending service according to the operation on the menu screen (step S111). The lending service processing unit 44 returns the processing to step S101 after the lending service processing in step S111.

  In step S112, the service control unit 42 displays that there is no lending service that can be provided. That is, for example, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a message indicating that there is no lending service that can be provided. The service control unit 42 returns the process to step S101 after the process of step S112.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the accounting process in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process in the present embodiment.
In this figure, first, the charging processing unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not a rental service is provided by the service control unit 42 (step S201). If the lending service is provided by the service control unit 42 (step S201: YES), the charging processing unit 45 advances the process to step S202. In addition, when the service control unit 42 does not provide the lending service (step S201: NO), the charging processing unit 45 returns the process to step S201.

  In step S202, the billing processing unit 45 acquires rental fee information corresponding to the service identification information of the rental service. That is, the charging processing unit 45 obtains “lending fee information” corresponding to the service identification information (service identification information specified from the service control unit 42) of the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 of the management server device 50. Obtained from the service storage unit 521.

  Next, the charging processing unit 45 charges for each user (contractor) based on the rental fee information (step S203). For example, the charging processing unit 45 acquires information (for example, the number of times of use) indicating the usage status of the lending service from the lending service processing unit 44. The charging processing unit 45 determines the usage fee for each contractor (user or group) based on the information indicating the usage status acquired from the lending service processing unit 44 and the “lending fee information” acquired from the service storage unit 521. Charge.

  Next, the billing processing unit 45 stores the billed billing information in the billing storage unit 525 of the management server device 50 (step S205). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the charging processing unit 45 includes “contractor information” (here, acquired user identification information), “lending service ID” (service identification information), and “charging amount”. Is stored in the charging storage unit 525.

  Next, the billing processing unit 45 stores the history information in the history storage unit 526 of the management server device 50 (step S205). The billing processing unit 45 includes at least a “lending service ID” (service identification information), usage date information indicating the usage date and time of the lending service, and usage fee information indicating a usage fee charged by the lending service on the usage date and time. Is stored in the history storage unit 526. The accounting processing unit 45 returns the process to step S201 after the process of step S205.

Next, a specific example of the operation of the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment.
In FIG. 10, a user U1 indicates a user who uses the lending service. In addition, “contract company A”, “contract company B”, and “contract company C” indicate the company 4 that contracts the lending service.

The contents of the contract differ depending on each company. For example, “contract company A” has a contract that the usage fee for the copy rental service is 10 yen, the fax rental service is not used, and the usage fee for the print rental service is 20 yen. Further, “contract company B” has a contract that the usage fee for the copy rental service is 8 yen, the usage fee for the fax rental service is 15 yen, and the usage fee for the print rental service is 18 yen. Further, “contract company C” has a contract that the usage fee for the copy rental service is 8 yen, the usage fee for the fax rental service is 13 yen, and the usage fee for the print rental service is 15 yen.
These contract contents are stored in the contract information storage unit 524 of the management server device 50 as contract information.

  As shown in FIG. 10, (1) the user U1 goes to a store 2 such as a convenience store, for example, and uses the lending service by the image forming apparatus 10 installed in the store 2. Note that the lending service here is billed after payment is not made at the time of use. The image forming apparatus 10 executes the lending service providing process and the charging process shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 described above.

  Next, (2) the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the usage history of the lending service to the management server apparatus 50 via the network NT. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 stores the use history (history information) in the history storage unit 526.

  (3) The management server device 50 performs billing processing. That is, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 charges a usage fee for each contractor (a user or a group to which the user belongs) and stores the usage fee in the charging storage unit 525 of the management server device 50.

Next, (4) the management server device 50 charges the usage fee to, for example, the company 4 (contract company) of the user U1 based on the contract.
Next, (5) the company 4 (contracted company) pays the usage fee to the management server device 50 based on the contract, and (6) the management server device 50 pays the usage fee to the store 2.

As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user U1 uses the image forming apparatus 10 of the store 2 to provide the rental service based on the contract content, and the usage fee is charged according to the content of the thrift. Charged. The charged usage fee is paid from the company 4 (contract company) to the store 2 via the management server device 50.
In the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to charge for different contract charges (users or groups) based on the contract information stored in the contract information storage unit 524. Here, the usage fees differ for each contractor because they are individually contracted in consideration of the limitation of the functions of the lending service and the usage volume (volume discount).

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a display example when providing the lending service by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the menu screen of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11A shows an example of an initial menu screen (image G1) for providing a normal service in the image forming apparatus 10. In the example shown here, the image forming apparatus 10 displays “copy”, “fax”, “photo service”, “print service”, “scan service”, and “administrative service” on the display unit 22 as normal services. To do.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of a menu screen (image G2) that provides a lending service in the image forming apparatus 10. After executing the authentication process as shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 10 displays a menu screen as shown in the image G2 on the display unit 22 in step S110 of FIG. In the example shown in this figure, the lending server service with which the user has a contract is “copy”, “photo service”, “print service”, and “scan service”, and the image forming apparatus 10 has the image G2 As shown in FIG. 5, only the lending services that can be provided are displayed on the display unit 22.

  FIG. 11C shows another example of the menu screen (image G3) for providing the lending service in the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the normal service as well as the lending service in different display forms (for example, dimming the display). As described above, the service control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays, on the menu screen, services that are not provided by the lending service among the services provided without requiring authentication based on the acquired information in a display form different from the lending service. Display.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11C, the service is a normal service different from the lending service for which “fax” and “administrative service” are contracted, and the user directly deposits into the image forming apparatus 10, It is possible to use normal services. As described above, the services that are not contracted as the image forming apparatus 10 lending service are displayed in different display forms and can be used, thereby increasing the possibility of leading to a new contract for the lending service that is not currently contracted. it can.

  Further, in the above-described display example of the menu screen for providing the lending service shown in FIG. 11, the example in which the initial menu screen is diverted is described. However, a menu screen having a display form different from the initial menu screen may be used. Further, the lending service may execute a service in which functions different from the normal service are combined.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 (an example of an information processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of functional units related to input / output of information and the service control unit 42. The service control unit 42 provides a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to the user according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information. That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a menu screen that provides a lending service according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can provide the user with a lending service that is not on the initial menu screen. For example, when the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in a store, the provided service can be flexibly provided. Can be changed. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an external communication unit 23 that acquires acquired information from a mobile device 3 (for example, an IC card, a USB memory, a mobile phone, etc.). The service control unit 42 provides a lending service according to the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired from the mobile device 3 via the external communication unit 23. That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a menu screen for providing a lending service in accordance with the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired from the mobile device 3.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can provide the user with an appropriate lending service according to the authentication result, for example, by connecting the mobile device 3 to the external communication unit 23 by the user. . Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can further improve convenience.

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an operation unit 21 that receives input of information. The service control unit 42 provides a lending service according to the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired through the operation unit 21. That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a menu screen for providing a lending service in accordance with the authentication result based on the acquired information acquired via the operation unit 21.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment acquires the acquisition information from the user via the operation unit 21, for example, so that the authentication result can be obtained without using the special device such as the portable device 3 described above. Appropriate lending services can be provided.

In the present embodiment, the acquired information includes user identification information for identifying a user (for example, “user ID”, “group ID”, etc.). The service control unit 42 includes user identification information included in the acquired information in a user information storage unit 523 that stores lending user information in which at least user identification information is associated with service identification information for identifying a lending service. Lending service information corresponding to the service identification information included in the lending user information is provided. That is, when the user information storage unit 523 stores lending user information that matches the user identification information included in the acquired information, the service control unit 42 identifies the service identification included in the lending user information. A menu screen for providing a lending service corresponding to the information is displayed on the display unit 22.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately provide a different lending service for each user (contractor).

Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a network communication unit 18 that communicates via the network NT and an authentication processing unit 41. The authentication processing unit 41 causes the network communication unit 18 to transmit authentication information including acquired information to the management server device 50 (an example of a server device) connected to the network NT. An authentication result based on the acquisition information received from the device 50 is acquired.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform authentication processing by a simple means using the management server device 50, and can provide an appropriate lending service.

In the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display display information indicating the lent service that can be provided when there are a plurality of lent services that can be provided according to the authentication result.
Thus, when there are a plurality of lending services that can be provided, the user can recognize the lending services that can be provided. For example, the user can select a lending service from a plurality of lending services that can be provided. Can do.

Further, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 including a plurality of functional units and a service control unit 42, and a management server device 50. The management server device 50 receives the authentication information including the acquired information from the image forming device 10 and transmits an authentication result based on the acquired information to the image forming device 10. The service control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 10 provides a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to the user according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information.
Thereby, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can improve the convenience as in the case of the image forming apparatus 10 described above.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of functional units related to information input / output, a service control unit 42, and a charging processing unit 45. The service control unit 42 provides a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to the user. The charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service according to the usage status of the lending service.
Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately charge for the use of the lending service that is not on the initial menu screen.

Further, in the present embodiment, the charging processing unit 45 performs service control from the service storage unit 521 that stores at least service identification information for identifying a lending service and lending fee information indicating a lending fee for the lending service in association with each other. The lending fee information corresponding to the lending service provided by the unit 42 is acquired, and the usage fee for the lending service is charged based on the acquired lending fee information.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can charge appropriately for each lending service even when, for example, lending services with different usage charges are used.

In the present embodiment, when the service control unit 42 supplies the lending service, the charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service and stores the history information in the history storage unit 526. Here, the history information includes, for example, at least service identification information for identifying the lending service, usage date information indicating the usage date and time of the lending service, and a usage fee indicating the usage fee charged by the lending service on the usage date and time. Information associated with information.
Thereby, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can create a usage statement using the lending service. Further, since the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can accurately grasp the usage status of the lending service, for example, it is possible to limit the number of times the lending service is used and to track the usage of the lending service (use tracking). Become.

Further, in the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 displays, on the menu screen, services that are not provided by the lending service among the services provided without requiring authentication based on the acquired information, in a display form different from the lending service. May be.
As a result, the user can also use services other than the lending service. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can further improve convenience. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can allow a user to recognize a service that is not contracted, and can be a motivation for a new contract for a lending service.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the image forming apparatus 10 (information processing apparatus) and the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the first embodiment described above, the example in which the user identification information is included in the acquisition information acquired from the user or the portable device 3 has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the user identification information and the service are included in the acquisition information. An example where identification information is included will be described.

Since the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the description thereof is omitted here.
The image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the processing of the service control unit 42 and the charging processing unit 45 is different.

The service control unit 42 according to the present embodiment, when the user identification information included in the acquired information and the lending user information that matches the service identification information are stored in the user information storage unit 523, the lending user information The lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the service is provided.
Further, the service control unit 42 can provide a lending service provided according to the authentication result based on the acquired information based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522 of the management server device 50 in its own device. It is determined whether or not there is. When the lending service can be provided, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display information indicating the lending service. In addition, the service control unit 42 extracts other devices that can be provided by the lending service based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522 when the lending service cannot be provided. Information on the installation location where the apparatus is installed (for example, convenience store chain name or store name) is displayed on the display unit 22.

  Further, the billing processing unit 45 according to the present embodiment obtains the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 and the lending fee information corresponding to the contractor who uses the lending service from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50. get. That is, for example, the charging processing unit 45 acquires, from the service storage unit 521, the user identification information acquired from the mobile device 3 or the user and the rental fee information corresponding to the rental service provided by the service control unit 42. . Based on the acquired rental fee information, the charging processor 45 charges the usage fee for the rental service for each contractor (user or group).

Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a lending service providing process in the present embodiment.

  In this figure, the processing from step S301 to step S303 is the same as the processing from step S101 to step S103 shown in FIG. 8, and therefore description thereof is omitted here. In step S303, if there is a connection to the external communication unit 23 (step S303: YES), the control unit 40 advances the process to step S304. Moreover, the control part 40 advances a process to step S305, when there is no connection with the external communication part 23 (step S303: NO).

  In step S304, the service control unit 42 of the control unit 40 determines whether or not the external communication unit 23 has received the user identification information and the service identification information. For example, the service control unit 42 acquires the acquisition information via the external communication unit 23, and determines whether the acquired acquisition information includes user identification information and service identification information. When the external communication unit 23 receives the user identification information and the service identification information (step S304: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S307. In addition, when the external communication unit 23 has not received the user identification information and the service identification information (step S304: NO), the service control unit 42 returns the process to step S301.

  In step S305, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the operation unit 21 has received a special operation, as in step S101 shown in FIG. 8 described above. When the operation unit 21 receives a special operation (step S305: YES), the control unit 40 advances the process to step S306. Moreover, the control part 40 returns a process to step S301, when the operation part 21 has not received special operation (step S305: NO).

  In step S306, the service control unit 42 determines whether the operation unit 21 has received user identification information and service identification information. When the operation unit 21 receives the user identification information and the service identification information (step S306: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S307. Further, the service control unit 42 returns the process to step S301 when the operation unit 21 has not received the user identification information (step S306: NO).

In step S <b> 307, the authentication processing unit 41 of the control unit 40 transmits authentication information including the acquired user identification information and service identification information to the management server device 50.
Next, the authentication processing unit 41 acquires an authentication result (step S308). That is, the authentication processing unit 41 acquires an authentication result based on the acquisition information received from the management server device 50 by the network communication unit 18. The management server device 50 succeeds in the authentication process when the lending user information that matches the user identification information and the service identification information included in the received authentication information is stored in the user information storage unit 523. Send the authentication result. In other words, the authentication processing unit 41 according to the present embodiment determines, as an authentication result, whether or not the lending service corresponding to the specified service identification information can be provided to the user corresponding to the user identification information. To get.

  Next, the service control unit 42 determines whether the authentication is OK (authentication success) (step S309). If the authentication is OK (step S309: YES), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S311. Further, when the authentication is not OK (step S309: NO), the service control unit 42 advances the process to step S310.

  In step S310, the service control unit 42 displays that there is no lending service that can be provided. That is, for example, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a message indicating that there is no lending service that can be provided. The service control unit 42 returns the process to step S301 after the process of step S310.

  In step S311, the service control unit 42 determines whether the lending service can be executed by the own device. For example, the service control unit 42 can provide a lending service to be provided according to the authentication result based on the acquired information based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522 of the management server device 50 in its own device. It is determined whether or not there is. That is, for example, the service control unit 42 searches the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522 for device information corresponding to the “device ID” of the own device, and designates the lending specified in the device information. It is determined whether or not service identification information corresponding to the service is stored as a “possible service ID”. The device information storage unit 522 stores “convenience store chain ID” and “store ID”, and the service control unit 42 includes “convenience store chain ID” and “store ID” (convenience store chain ID). When the chain and the store name match), it may be determined that the lending service can be executed by the own device. The service control unit 42 advances the process to step S312 when the lending service can be executed by the own device (step S311: YES). Further, the service control unit 42 proceeds with the process to step S314 when the lending service is not executable by the own device (step S311: NO).

  Since the process of step S312 and step S313 is the same as the process of step S110 and step S112 shown in FIG. 8, the description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  In step S314, the service control unit 42 acquires information on other devices that can provide the lending service. For example, the service control unit 42 extracts device information that can be executed by the designated lending service from the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522, and information on other devices included in the device information ( For example, “Convenience store chain ID” and “Store ID” are acquired.

  Next, the service control unit 42 displays information on other devices that can provide the lending service (step S315). That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display display information based on the acquired information on the other device. For example, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display information such as a convenience store chain name (store name) and a store name that can provide the designated rental service. After the process of step S315, the service control unit 42 returns the process to step S301.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the accounting process in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the accounting process in the present embodiment.
In this figure, first, the charging processing unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not a rental service is provided by the service control unit 42 (step S401). When the service control unit 42 provides the lending service (step S401: YES), the charging processing unit 45 advances the process to step S402. If the service control unit 42 does not provide the lending service (step S401: NO), the charging processing unit 45 returns the process to step S401.

  In step S402, the charging processing unit 45 acquires rental fee information corresponding to service identification information and user identification information (contractor identification information) of the rental service. In other words, the billing processing unit 45 corresponds to the service identification information and user identification information (service identification information and user identification information specified from the service control unit 42) of the lending service provided by the service control unit 42. "Price information" is acquired from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50.

  The subsequent processing from step S403 to step S405 is the same as the processing from step S203 to step S205 shown in FIG. 9, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the acquired information includes user identification information (for example, “user ID” or “group ID”), and service identification information (for example, “rental service ID”). Is included. The service control unit 42 according to the present embodiment, when the user identification information included in the acquired information and the lending user information that matches the service identification information are stored in the user information storage unit 523, the lending user information The lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the service is provided. That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display a menu screen (for example, an operation screen that is a lower menu screen) that provides a lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the lending user information.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can specify (select) and provide a rental service that is not on the initial menu screen in advance. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can further improve convenience.

In the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 can provide a lending service provided according to the authentication result based on the acquired information based on the device information stored in the device information storage unit 522. It is determined whether or not there is. Here, the device information storage unit 522 includes at least device identification information (for example, “device ID”) for identifying the device and possible service identification information (for example, “possible service ID”) indicating a lending service that can be provided by the device. ) Is stored. When the lending service can be provided, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display information indicating the lending service.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can provide the lending service appropriately after determining whether or not the lending service specified by the image forming apparatus 10 can be provided. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment erroneously displays the lending service when, for example, it is impossible to provide the designated lending service, such as when the performance or function of the apparatus is impossible. Can be prevented, and a feasible lending service can be provided appropriately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the service storage unit 521 further includes service identification information and contractor identification information for identifying an available contractor (a group to which the user belongs or user identification information for identifying the user). Are stored in association with each other. The charging processing unit 45 acquires from the service storage unit 521 the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 and lending fee information corresponding to the contractor who uses the lending service. The charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the rental service for each contractor (user) based on the acquired rental fee information.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment prevents the use of the lending service even when the contract (billing condition) differs for each contractor (user or group to which the user belongs). Can be charged properly. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform different charging settings for each contractor for the same lending service, for example.

In the present embodiment, the billing processing unit 45 acquires the contractor identification information (user identification information) from the mobile device 3 or the user, and provides the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 and the acquired contractor. Rental fee information corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the service storage unit 521.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can reliably acquire, for example, loan fee information that differs for each contractor (user) by a simple means. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is able to use the lending service even when the contract (billing condition) differs for each contractor (user or group to which the user belongs). Charges can be made appropriately by simple means.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 10 (information processing apparatus) and an information processing system 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the above-described second embodiment, the example in which the image forming apparatus 10 enables different charging for each contractor for the lending service has been described. However, in the present embodiment, the charging type is further different. A corresponding example will be described.

  The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment described above except that the data configurations of the service storage unit 521 and the contract information storage unit 524 are different from the processing of the charging processing unit 45. It is.

  The service storage unit 521 according to the present embodiment further stores the rental fee information and the charging type information indicating the type of the rental fee in association with each other. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the service storage unit 521 includes a “loan service ID”, “service name”, “program ID”, “loanable contractor information”, “charging type”, “ Lending service information associated with “rental fee information” is stored.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the service storage unit 521 in the present embodiment.
Here, “charging type” is charging type information indicating the type of rental charge, and is, for example, a fixed charge, a pay-as-you-go system, or a combination of a fixed charge and a pay-as-you-go system.
In the example shown in FIG. 14, for example, “charging type” is “usage” for “S0001” of “lending service ID”, and “charging type” is “fixed” for “S0003”. It is shown that.

The contract information storage unit 524 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, “contract ID”, “contractor information”, “lending service ID”, “charging type”, and “applicable charge”. ”Is stored.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the contract information storage unit 524 in the present embodiment.
For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 14, for example, when “contractor information” is “G02” for the same “S0001”, “charging type” is “fixed” and “contractor information” is “contractor information”. In the case of “U0001”, “charging type” is “usage”. When the contract information in the contract information storage unit 524 is added, deleted, or changed, the server control unit 51 changes the stored contents of the service storage unit 521 in accordance with the addition, deletion, or change. .

  The charging processing unit 45 according to the present embodiment acquires lending fee information and charging type information (for example, “charging type”) corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the service storage unit 521. The charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service based on the acquired lending fee information and the charging type information. For example, when the “charging type” is “usage” (pay-as-you-go), the billing processing unit 45 charges according to the use situation such as the number of use, the number of use, and the use time. Also, for example, when the “Billing Type” is “Fixed” (Fixed Charge), “Applicable Charge” such as weekly, monthly, yearly, etc., regardless of the number of usages, number of usages, usage time, etc. Charge according to the applicable conditions.

Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the accounting process in the present embodiment.
In this figure, first, the charging processing unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether or not a rental service is provided by the service control unit 42 (step S501). If the lending service is provided by the service control unit 42 (step S501: YES), the charging processing unit 45 advances the process to step S502. If the service control unit 42 does not provide the lending service (step S501: NO), the charging processing unit 45 returns the process to step S501.

  In step S502, the charging processing unit 45 acquires lending fee information and charging type information corresponding to the service identification information and user identification information (contractor identification information) of the lending service. In other words, the billing processing unit 45 corresponds to the service identification information and user identification information (service identification information and user identification information specified from the service control unit 42) of the lending service provided by the service control unit 42. “Price information” and “charging type” are acquired from the service storage unit 521 of the management server device 50.

Next, the charging processing unit 45 charges for each contractor (user) based on the acquired rental fee information and charging type information (step S503).
The subsequent processing in step S504 and step S505 is the same as the processing in step S404 and step S405 shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the service storage unit 521 further stores the rental fee information and the charging type information (for example, “charging type”) indicating the type of the rental fee in association with each other. The charging processing unit 45 acquires the rental fee information and charging type information corresponding to the rental service provided by the service control unit 42 from the service storage unit 521. The charging processing unit 45 charges the usage fee for the lending service based on the acquired lending fee information and the charging type information.
Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately charge for the use of the lending service in accordance with various types of lending charges. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a pay-as-you-go system up to a certain amount of money, and can charge appropriately even for a billing contract that has a fixed amount when the amount is reached. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 10a (information processing apparatus) and an information processing system 1a according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the lending service, the installer (store 2 or convenience store chain, etc.) installed by the image forming apparatus 10a, the system provider (system manufacturer, etc.), and the creator of the application program that executes the lending service (service developer, etc.) ) May be different. In such a case, it is conceivable that the usage fee for using the lending service is distributed to, for example, an installer, a system provider, and a service developer. In the present embodiment, an example corresponding to such a case will be described.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, the information processing system 1a includes an image forming apparatus 10a and a management server apparatus 50a.
The appearance of the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10a (an example of an information processing apparatus) includes a document transport unit 11, a scanner unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a program management unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming unit 16, and paper discharge. Unit 17, network communication unit 18, operation panel unit 20, storage unit 30, and control unit 40 a. The control unit 40a includes an authentication processing unit 41, a service control unit 42, a normal service processing unit 43, a lending service processing unit 44, a charging processing unit 45, and a distribution processing unit 46.

The management server device 50 a (an example of a server device) includes a server control unit 51, a server storage unit 52 a, and a network communication unit 53. The server storage unit 52a includes a service storage unit 521, a device information storage unit 522, a user information storage unit 523, a contract information storage unit 524, a billing storage unit 525, a history storage unit 526, and a distribution information storage unit. 527 and a distribution money storage unit 528.
In FIG. 17, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10a includes the distribution processing unit 46 of the control unit 40a, and the management server device 50a includes the distribution information storage unit 527 and the distribution money storage unit 528 of the server storage unit 52a. However, this is different from the first to third embodiments.

  The distribution information storage unit 527 stores at least service identification information for identifying the lending service and distribution information regarding the distribution of the lending fee of the lending service in association with each other. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the distribution information storage unit 527 stores “lending service ID” and “distribution information” in association with each other.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of data in the distribution information storage unit 527 in the present embodiment.
Here, the “lending service ID” is identification information for identifying the lending service, and the “distribution information” indicates allocation information regarding the allocation of the lending fee of the lending service. The “distribution information” includes, for example, “installer information” and the “distribution rate”, “system provider ID” and the “distribution rate”, “service developer ID” and the “distribution rate”. And are included.

  “Installer information” is information indicating a trader who installs the image forming apparatus 10a, for example, “convenience store chain ID”. The “system provider ID” is identification information for identifying a system provider (providing company) that provides the image forming apparatus 10a or the information processing system 1a. The “service developer ID” is identification information for identifying a developer (development company) that has developed a lending service. “Allocation rate” indicates the allocation rate of the rental fee for the rental service.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, for example, the lending service whose “lending service ID” is “S0001” is “30%” for the installer whose “installer information” is “FC01”, and “system provider ID”. Indicates “30%” for the system provider with “CP001” and “40%” for the system provider with “DEV01” as the “service developer ID”.
In the distribution information storage unit 527, it is assumed that distribution information is stored in advance for a plurality of lending service information registered in the information processing system 1a as shown in FIG.

Returning to the description of FIG. 17, the distribution money storage unit 528 stores the charging information for the lending service for each distribution destination. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the distribution money storage unit 528 stores “distributor information” (distribution destination information) and “total distribution money” in association with each other.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the distribution money storage unit 528 in the present embodiment.
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 19, “FC01”, which is “installer” of “distributor information”, indicates that “total distribution amount” is allocated (charged) to “10000 yen”.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 17 again, the distribution processing unit 46 acquires distribution information corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the distribution information storage unit 527 of the management server device 50a. The distribution processing unit 46 distributes the charged usage fee to a plurality of distribution destinations (for example, an installer, a system provider, a service developer, etc.) related to the lending service based on the acquired distribution information. Then, the distribution processing unit 46 stores the distribution money in the distribution money storage unit 528 of the management server device 50a. That is, for example, the distribution processing unit 46 stores “distributor information” (distribution destination information) and “total amount of distribution” in association with each other.

Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 10a and the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process in the present embodiment.
In this figure, the processing from step S601 to step S605 is the same as the processing from step S201 to step S205 shown in FIG. 9 described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S606, the distribution processing unit 46 acquires distribution information corresponding to the service identification information of the lending service. That is, the distribution processing unit 46 acquires “distribution information” corresponding to the “lending service ID” provided by the service control unit 42 from the distribution information storage unit 527 of the management server device 50a.

  Next, the distribution processing unit 46 distributes the usage fee based on the acquired distribution information and stores it in the distribution money storage unit 528 (step S607). As illustrated in FIG. 19, the distribution processing unit 46 stores “distributor information” (distribution destination information) and “total amount of distribution” in association with each other in the distribution storage unit 528. After the process of step S607, the distribution processing unit 46 returns the process to step S601.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 a according to the present embodiment includes the distribution processing unit 46. The distribution processing unit 46 acquires distribution information corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the distribution information storage unit 527, and converts the charged usage fee into the lending service based on the acquired distribution information. Allocate to multiple distribution destinations related to The distribution information storage unit 527 stores at least service identification information for identifying the lending service and distribution information regarding the distribution of the lending fee of the lending service in association with each other.
Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment can change the distribution of the usage fee according to, for example, the rental service. Further, the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment can appropriately distribute the usage fee to a plurality of distribution destinations related to the lending service.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 10a (information processing apparatus) and an information processing system 1a according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the above-described fourth embodiment, an example has been described in which the image forming apparatus 10a and the information processing system 1a distribute the usage fee for using the rental service to, for example, an installer, a system provider, a service developer, and the like. However, in this embodiment, an example in the case of allocating with a different allocation rate for each region will be described.

The distribution information storage unit 527 according to the present embodiment stores information related to the installation location where the apparatus is installed, service identification information, and distribution information in association with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the distribution information storage unit 527 stores “region information”, “rental service ID”, and “distribution information” in association with each other.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the distribution information storage unit 527 in the present embodiment.
Here, “region information” is an example of information related to the installation location where the apparatus is installed, and is, for example, area information indicating a predetermined region.

Next, operations of the image forming apparatus 10a and the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process in the present embodiment.
In this figure, the processing from step S701 to step S705 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S605 shown in FIG.

  In step S706, the distribution processing unit 46 acquires distribution information corresponding to the service identification information and the area information of the lending service. In other words, the distribution processing unit 46, from the distribution information storage unit 527 of the management server device 50a, “distribution service ID” provided by the service control unit 42 and “distribution information” corresponding to “region information” installed in the own device. Get information.

  Next, the distribution processing unit 46 distributes the usage fee based on the acquired distribution information, and stores it in the distribution money storage unit 528 (step S707). As illustrated in FIG. 19, the distribution processing unit 46 stores “distributor information” (distribution destination information) and “total amount of distribution” in association with each other in the distribution storage unit 528. After the process of step S707, the distribution processing unit 46 returns the process to step S701.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the distribution information storage unit 527 associates information about the installation location where the apparatus is installed (for example, “regional information”), service identification information, and distribution information. Remember. The distribution processing unit 46 acquires from the distribution information storage unit 527 distribution information corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 and information regarding the installation location where the own device is installed. The distribution processing unit 46 distributes the charged usage fee to a plurality of distribution destinations related to the lending service based on the acquired distribution information.
Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment can change the distribution of the usage fee according to the installation area, for example. Further, the image forming apparatus 10a according to the present embodiment appropriately distributes the usage fee to a plurality of distribution destinations related to the lending service even when the distribution of the usage fee is changed according to the installation area. can do.

  In the above-described example, an example in which information (for example, “regional information”), service identification information, and distribution information regarding the installation location where the apparatus is installed is stored in association with each other. May be stored in association with information identifying service name), service identification information, and distribution information. In this case, the distribution processing unit 46 may acquire distribution information corresponding to the convenience store chain (name of shop).

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 10b (information processing apparatus) and an information processing system 1b according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, an example in which the image forming apparatus 10a includes the charging processing unit 45 and the distribution processing unit 46 has been described. However, the management server device 50a includes these configurations. Also good. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the charging processing unit 45 and the distribution processing unit 46 are provided except for the image forming apparatus 10a.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the information processing system 1b according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 23, the information processing system 1b includes an image forming apparatus 10b and a management server apparatus 50b.
The appearance of the image forming apparatus 10b according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10b (an example of an information processing apparatus) includes a document transport unit 11, a scanner unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a program management unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an image forming unit 16, and paper discharge. Unit 17, network communication unit 18, operation panel unit 20, storage unit 30, and control unit 40 b. The control unit 40 b includes an authentication processing unit 41, a service control unit 42, a normal service processing unit 43, and a lending service processing unit 44.

The management server device 50b (an example of a server device) includes a server control unit 51a, a server storage unit 52a, and a network communication unit 53. The server control unit 51 a includes a billing processing unit 511 and a distribution processing unit 512.
In FIG. 23, the same components as those shown in FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When providing the lending service, the service control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 10b transmits service identification information for identifying the lending service and usage status information indicating the usage status of the lending service to the management server device 50b. That is, the service control unit 42 transmits service identification information and usage status information to the management server device 50b via the network communication unit 18.

  The accounting processing unit 511 performs the same processing as the accounting processing unit 45 described above. That is, the charging processing unit 511 charges the usage fee for the lending service corresponding to the received service identification information in accordance with the usage status information received from the image forming apparatus 10b.

  The distribution processing unit 512 performs the same processing as that of the distribution processing unit 46 described above. That is, the distribution processing unit 512 acquires distribution information corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the distribution information storage unit 527, and calculates the charged usage fee based on the acquired distribution information. Allocate to multiple destinations related to the lending service.

As described above, the information processing system 1b according to the present embodiment includes the image forming apparatus 10b and the management server apparatus 50b. The image forming apparatus 10 b includes a plurality of functional units and a service control unit 42. The service control unit 42 provides the lending service and, when providing the lending service, transmits service identification information for identifying the lending service and usage status information indicating the usage status of the lending service to the management server device 50b. To do. The management server device 50b includes a billing processing unit 511 that charges the usage fee for the lending service corresponding to the received service identification information in accordance with the usage status information received from the image forming device 10b.
Thereby, the information processing system 1b according to the present embodiment can appropriately charge for the use of the lending service as in the first to fifth embodiments described above.

In the present embodiment, the management server device 50 b includes a distribution processing unit 512. The distribution processing unit 512 acquires distribution information corresponding to the lending service provided by the service control unit 42 from the distribution information storage unit 527, and based on the acquired distribution information, charges the usage fee for the lending service. Allocate to multiple distribution destinations related to
As a result, the information processing system 1b according to the present embodiment can appropriately allocate the usage fee to a plurality of distribution destinations related to the lending service, as in the fourth and fifth embodiments described above. .

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, an image forming apparatus 10 (information processing apparatus) and the information processing system 1 according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, a modification example regarding the display of the operation screen of the lending service will be described.
The configurations of the information processing system 1 and the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  Note that the user information storage unit 523 in the present embodiment stores, as “display contents”, information related to an operation screen that specifies (restricts) a selection branch in the service according to the user. In other words, the “display contents” stored in the user information storage unit 523 are determined according to the contract, for example, by omitting an operation screen in which a use condition corresponding to the user is set in advance or a part of the operation screen. The operation screen to be displayed can be selected.

In addition, the service control unit 42 according to the present embodiment displays an operation screen in which the function of the function unit is limited according to the user when providing a service using the function unit selected in advance among the plurality of function units. It is displayed on the display unit 22. In other words, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen that specifies (limits) selection branches in the service according to the user. For example, the service control unit 42 displays, on the display unit 22, an operation screen for a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to the user according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information. Let That is, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen corresponding to the user in the lending service based on the lending user information stored in the user information storage unit 523.
Specifically, for example, the service control unit 42 stores user identification information (“user ID / device ID”) for identifying a user and information related to the operation screen (“display content”) in association with each other. Information about the operation screen corresponding to the user (“display contents”) is acquired from the user information storage unit 523. The service control unit 42 displays an operation screen on the display unit 22 based on the acquired information (“display contents”).

Next, a specific display example of the rental service of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
24 and 25 are diagrams illustrating display examples of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 24, an image G4 shows a menu screen (an example of an operation screen) of a lending service, and an image G5 is an operation screen for print settings that is transferred when “text print” is designated by the user in the image G4. It is. The image G6 is an operation screen in which “full color” and the number of print copies are set to “2”.
In the example shown in FIG. 24, the display shifts in the order of image G4 → image G5 → image G6 in the normal operation screen, but the function is limited to “full color” in the rental service according to the contract of the user, and the number of copies However, it is limited to “2”. Therefore, the service control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 10 omits the display of the operation screen of the image G5 and causes the display unit 22 to display the operation screen for shifting from the image G4 to the image G6.

In FIG. 25, an image G7 shows a lending service menu screen (an example of an operation screen), and an image G8 is a print type that shifts when “image print” is designated by the user in the image G7. It is a setting operation screen. The image G9 is a setting screen that is the next operation screen after the image G8. The image G10 is an operation screen in which the number of prints is set to “2 L size”.
In the example shown in FIG. 25, in the normal operation screen, the display shifts in the order of image G7 → image G8 → image G9 → image G10. In the rental service according to the contract of the user, the number of copies is “L size 2 sheets”. "". Therefore, the service control unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 10 omits the display of the operation screen for the image G9 and causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen for shifting from the image G7 to the image G8 to the image G10.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, items that can be set in advance in the rental service unit (contract unit) include, for example, a color mode, duplex setting, the number of copies (number of prints), an image print type, and a limit on the number of printable times. The operation screen (setting screen) is skipped (omitted).

  In this way, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen in which usage conditions corresponding to the user are set in advance, for example. That is, the service control unit 42 displays on the operation screen set values (for example, set values such as color designation and the number of executions) indicating the use conditions set in advance according to the user. In addition, the service control unit 42 omits display of an operation screen for setting a preset use condition among a plurality of operation screens for setting a use condition based on a predetermined setting procedure. By doing so, the user can easily execute the lending service simply by confirming whether or not the setting as contracted is displayed on the operation screen.

  In the present embodiment described above, for example, when a process such as printing is taking a long time, the image forming apparatus 10 displays a game (for example, a mistake search game) on the display screen while the user waits during the process. ) May be displayed.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment is used when providing a service using a plurality of function units related to input / output of information and a function unit selected in advance among the plurality of function units. And a service control unit 42 that causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen in which a selector in the service is specified according to the user.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can flexibly change the operation screen in accordance with the user (contractor). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience.

In the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen in which a use condition corresponding to the user is set in advance.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment displays an operation screen in a state in which settings necessary for use are displayed, and the user does not need to make settings. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can reduce the complexity of the operation by setting, and can improve the convenience. In addition, for example, when work to be performed is determined in advance by a contract by a company, useless work and cost can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 omits display of an operation screen for setting a preset use condition among a plurality of operation screens for setting a use condition based on a predetermined setting procedure. Let
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately omit the operation screen for setting, so that convenience can be improved and workability can be improved.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the service control part 42 displays the setting value which shows the use conditions preset according to the user on an operation screen.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can further improve convenience and workability.

Further, in the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 displays an operation screen for a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to the user according to the authentication result based on the acquired acquisition information. It is displayed on the display unit 22.
Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately limit the operation screen for each user in providing the lending service. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience in providing a rental service.

Further, in the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 obtains user identification information for identifying a user (for example, “user ID / device ID”) and information on an operation screen (for example, “display content”). Information on the operation screen corresponding to the user is acquired from the user information storage unit 523 that stores the information in association with each other. The service control unit 42 causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen based on the acquired information.
As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can appropriately provide an operation screen for a different service for each user (contractor).

The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a management server apparatus 50. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of function units related to input / output of information, and a service control unit 42 that provides a service using a function unit selected in advance among the plurality of function units. The management server device 50 includes a user information storage unit 523 that associates and stores user identification information for identifying a user and information related to an operation screen in which the function of the function unit is limited according to the user. . Then, when providing the service, the service control unit 42 acquires information about the operation screen corresponding to the user, and causes the display unit 22 to display an operation screen corresponding to the user based on the acquired information. .
Thereby, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately provide operation screens for different services for each user (contractor), like the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can improve convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the service control unit 42 displays an operation screen that provides a function (service) that is a combination of some of the plurality of functional units, depending on the user (contractor or company). It may be. That is, the service control unit 42 displays an operation screen for providing a dedicated lending service according to the user (contractor or company). In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, when a sales employee is a user, a copy of a report is taken, and at the same time, it is sent or faxed to an in-house server. It becomes possible to provide specialized services. Thereby, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can further improve convenience.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the operation screen with the function restricted for the lending service is displayed on the display unit 22 has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the normal service. In that case, as shown in FIG. 26, an authentication process for specifying a user may be performed from the initial menu screen of the normal service.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the authentication operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
In this figure, an image G11 shows an initial menu screen, and an image G12 shows an operation screen when “print service” is selected on the initial menu screen of the image G11. The image G13 shows an operation screen that prompts consent when using the “print service”. Further, the image G13 shows an operation screen for authentication processing for accepting “user number”.

For example, when “print service” is selected on the initial menu screen of the image G11, the image forming apparatus 10 displays an operation screen in the order of image G11 → image G12 → image G13 → image G14 to perform authentication processing. I do. Then, after the authentication process, the image forming apparatus 10 displays on the display unit 22 an operation screen with limited functions for the service of the initial menu screen, as in the case of the lending service described above.
The authentication process for the image G13 may be performed by authenticating with a “login ID” (user identification information) and a “password”.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, although each of the above embodiments has been described as being implemented alone, the present invention is not limited to this and may be implemented by combining some of the above embodiments. For example, the lending service providing process in the first embodiment may be combined with the lending service providing process in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the accounting process in the second embodiment may be applied.

In each of the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus 10 (10a, 10b) includes a part or all of each storage unit included in the server storage unit 52 (52a) of the management server device 50 (50a, 50b). You may do it.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) has been described as having the single management server device 50 (50a, 50b), but the management server device 50 (50a, 50b) The function may be distributed to a plurality of server devices.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example of the image forming apparatus 10 (10a, 10b) has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other information devices may be used. Good.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 10 (10a, 10b) has been described as being installed in the convenience store 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 10 (10a, 10b) may be installed in an open space such as a company, a complex office, a department store, or a public facility. For example, when installed in a complex office, the lending service may be a lending service in which the image forming apparatus 10 (10a, 10b) displays a customized menu screen for each contractor. In this case, the information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) can provide a customized service for each contractor by using the single image forming apparatus 10.

Moreover, in said each embodiment, although the example in case the portable apparatus 3 is a smart phone was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. The portable device 3 may be, for example, a portable medium such as an IC card or a contactless IC card, a USB memory, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
In each of the above embodiments, the external communication unit 23 has been described as an example of a short-range wireless communication interface such as a USB interface or NFC (Near Field Communication), but a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like has been described. Other interfaces may be used.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the example has been described in which the authentication process is performed based on the user identification information for identifying the user or the group. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and authentication using a password or the like is performed. May be added.

  The information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) described above has a computer system inside. And the program for implement | achieving the function of each structure with which information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) mentioned above is provided is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into a computer system. The processing in each configuration included in the information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) described above may be performed by executing. Here, the “computer system” is a computer system built in the information processing system 1 (1a, 1b) and includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” is a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short time, such as a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or a client may be included that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  In addition, some or all of the functions described above may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function described above may be individually made into a processor, or a part or all of them may be integrated into a processor. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, when an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the advancement of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on the technology may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1a, 1b ... Information processing system, 2 ... Store, 3 ... Portable apparatus, 4 ... Company, 10, 10a ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Document conveyance part, 12 ... Scanner part, 13 ... Image processing part, 14 ... Program management unit, 15 ... paper feeding unit, 16 ... image forming unit, 17 ... paper discharge unit, 18, 53 ... network communication unit, 20 ... operation panel unit, 21 ... operation unit, 22 ... display unit, 23 ... external communication , 30 ... storage unit, 31 ... program storage unit, 40, 40a, 40b ... control unit, 41 ... authentication processing unit, 42 ... service control unit, 43 ... normal service processing unit, 44 ... lending service processing unit, 45, 511 ... Billing processing unit, 46,512 ... Distribution processing unit, 50, 50a, 50b ... Management server device, 51 ... Server control unit, 52,52a ... Server storage unit, 60 ... Information server device, 521 ... Service storage unit, 52 ... device information storage unit, 523 ... user information storage unit, 524 ... contract information storage unit, 525 ... billing storage unit, 526 ... history storage unit, 527 ... distribution information storage unit, 528 ... distribution money storage unit, B1 ... internal Bus, NT ... Network

Claims (8)

A plurality of functional units related to information input and output;
A service control unit that displays a menu screen for providing a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of functional units selected in advance to a user on a display unit according to an authentication result based on the acquired information. An information processing apparatus comprising: An external communication unit for acquiring the acquisition information from a portable device;
The said service control part displays the said menu screen on the said display part according to the authentication result based on the said acquisition information acquired from the said portable device via the said external communication part. Information processing device. It has an operation unit that accepts input of information,
The said service control part displays the said menu screen on the said display part according to the authentication result based on the said acquisition information acquired via the said operation part. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Information processing device. The acquisition information includes user identification information for identifying a user,
The service control unit
A user information storage unit that stores lending user information in which at least the user identification information is associated with service identification information for identifying the lending service matches the user identification information included in the acquired information. 4. The lending service corresponding to the service identification information included in the lending user information is displayed on the menu screen when the lending user information is stored. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The acquisition information further includes the service identification information,
The service control unit
When the lending user information that matches the user identification information and the service identification information included in the acquired information is stored in the user information storage unit, the service identification included in the lending user information The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the lending service corresponding to the information is displayed on the menu screen. A network communication unit that communicates via a network;
The network communication unit causes the server device connected to the network to transmit authentication information including the acquisition information, and the network communication unit acquires an authentication result based on the acquisition information received from the server device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an authentication processing unit. The service control unit
The service that is not provided by the lending service among the services that are provided without requiring authentication based on the acquired information is displayed on the menu screen in a display form different from the lending service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6. Depending on the authentication result based on the acquired information, a plurality of function units related to information input / output and a menu screen that provides a lending service that lends at least a part of the plurality of function units selected in advance to users An information processing apparatus comprising a service control unit to be displayed on the display unit;
An information processing system comprising: a server device that receives authentication information including the acquired information from the information processing device and transmits an authentication result based on the acquired information to the information processing device.

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