JP2019160162A - Information processing system, information processing device, information processing method and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing system that can deal with a prepayment addressing a detailed condition to be set by a user even when controlling a function included in an information processing device under a condition of a payment of consideration.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: an information processing device that includes an information input unit of processing object information and processing condition information, a consideration information creation unit calculating consideration based on an input information group, an identification information creation storage unit creating identification information specifically identifying the information group, a processing management information notification unit notifying an information management device of processing management information, an identification recording medium output unit, and an information processing implementation unit; an information input/output device that includes a payment processing unit; and the information management device that includes a processing management information storage unit storing the identification information and consideration information, and a consideration information notification unit identifying the consideration information associated with the identification information to be notified, and notifying the information input/output device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  As an example of an information processing apparatus that processes information requested by a user, a copy function for reading an image printed on a recording medium and copying it to another recording medium, or a scanner function for recording the read image as data A multi-function peripheral (MFP) provided in combination is known.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a form in which a multifunction device is installed in a store or a public place (a library or the like) to provide a user with a service to use the multifunction device has been widespread. Some MFPs are provided with a charging device and a charging function so that consideration for using the service can be paid using cash or electronic currency.

  In addition, a technique is disclosed in which a usage fee can be collected even if a charging device is not provided in the multifunction device by prepaying the usage fee for the multifunction device (see Patent Document 1).

  In Patent Document 1, a “payment slip” that describes a fee for use (for example, copying) of content selected by a user is created in a multifunction device installed in a store or the like, and payment of the user is completed based on this payment slip Discloses a technique for operating a multifunction peripheral in accordance with a composite code generated by the above.

  According to the technique of Patent Document 1, even a multifunction device not equipped with a special device or function such as a billing device can use a service in advance. However, it cannot cope with a usage form in which content (documents) brought in by itself is output in a desired format or form. For example, even if the user wants to perform double-sided printing or output in an aggregated format, the consideration cannot be calculated, and there is a problem in collecting fees according to various usage modes. In addition, in order to obtain an output reflecting various settings for a user, there is a limit to the response of a multifunction device installed in a store.

  That is, in the prior art, when operating the device on the condition of prepaid fee, it is difficult to deal with fee calculation and fee collection based on detailed conditions specified by the user in the device that actually provides the service. is there.

  The present invention provides an information processing system that can cope with prepayment corresponding to detailed conditions set by a user even when the use of the functions provided in the information processing apparatus is controlled on the condition of payment of consideration. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system in which an information processing device, an information input / output device, and an information management device are connected to each other via a communication network and can communicate with each other. The information processing apparatus receives an input of processing target information that is processing target information and an information input unit that receives input of processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information, and is input in the information input unit. A consideration information generation unit that calculates the consideration of information processing based on the information group and generates consideration information including the consideration; and identification information that uniquely identifies the information group in which the consideration information is generated, and generates the identification An identification information generating and storing unit for storing information and the information group in association with each other; and process management information for notifying the information management apparatus of process management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated with each other. In response to input of a notification unit, an identification recording medium output unit for outputting a recording medium in which the identification information is recorded, and payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration has been completed, the processing condition is set in the processing target information. An information processing execution unit that executes the applied information processing, wherein the information input / output device receives the input of the identification information, specifies the consideration information associated with the identification information, and the consideration information A payment processing unit that executes a payment process corresponding to the payment completion information, a payment completion information generation unit that generates the payment completion information, a payment completion information notification unit that notifies the information processing apparatus of the payment completion information, and the payment completion A payment completion information output unit for outputting information to a recording medium, and the information management device and the identification information notified from the process management information notification unit. A processing management information storage unit that stores information in association with the information processing unit; and the information input / output device that identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information based on the identification information notified from the payment processing unit. A compensation information notification unit for notifying to

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when it is a case where utilization of the function with which an information processing apparatus is provided is controlled on condition of payment of consideration, it can respond to the advance payment corresponding to the detailed conditions which a user sets.

1 is a system diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. The hardware block diagram of the cash register terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The hardware block diagram of the management server which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the example of a function structure of the cash register terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the example of a function structure of the management server which concerns on this embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the example of the flow of a process in the said information processing system. The sequence diagram which shows another example of the flow of a process in the said information processing system.

[System configuration of information processing system 1]
The configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described below as an embodiment according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an MFP 100 that is an embodiment of an information processing device, a cash register terminal 200 that is an embodiment of an information input / output device, and a server 300 that is an embodiment of an information management device. These are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network. The cash register terminal 200 may include a function executed in the server 300.

[Hardware Configuration of MFP 100]
Next, a hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that is an example of an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a scanner. As shown in FIG. A configuration in which a central processing unit (110), a random access memory (RAM) 120, a read only memory (ROM) 130, a hard disk drive (HDD) 140, an operation panel 150, and an I / F 160 are connected via a common bus 180. Is provided. The I / F 160 is connected to a scanner unit 165 that is an image reading apparatus and a communication module 170 that is connected to a communication network and executes data transmission / reception with other apparatuses.

  CPU 110 is a calculation unit and controls the operation of MFP 100 as a whole. The RAM 120 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 110 processes information. The ROM 130 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 140 is a nonvolatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and having a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 160 connects and controls the common bus 180 and various hardware and networks. Communication module 170 is a communication interface for MFP 100 to connect to a wired connection line (for example, a LAN). The scanner unit 165 is a module having a function for performing processing of optically reading an image or the like formed on a recording medium and converting it into data.

  The MFP 100 having the above hardware configuration is a device that processes a control program stored in the ROM 130 and an information processing program (application program) loaded from the storage medium such as the HDD 140 into the RAM 120 by using an arithmetic function included in the CPU 110. It is. By the processing, a software control unit including various functional modules of MFP 100 is configured. A functional block that realizes the functions of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and the hardware resources including the above-described configuration.

[Hardware configuration of cash register terminal 200]
Next, a hardware configuration of the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of a general computer, like the MFP 100 described above. Therefore, the CPU 210, the RAM 220, the ROM 230, the HDD 240, the operation panel 250, and the I / F 260 are connected via the common bus 180. Note that a money management unit 261 and a communication module 262 are connected to the I / F 160.

  The money management unit 261 has a function of collecting and managing a consideration for a request from the user U, a function of generating information for managing the fact when payment is completed, and the like. The communication module 262 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from other devices.

  Similarly to MFP 100, cash register terminal 200 is also processed by a calculation function provided in CPU 210, such as a control program stored in ROM 230 and an information processing program (application program) loaded from a storage medium such as HDD 240 to RAM 220. Thus, a software control unit including various functional modules is configured. A functional block that realizes the function of the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and the hardware resources including the above-described configuration.

[Hardware Configuration of Server 300]
Next, the hardware configuration of the server 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 300 according to the present embodiment has a configuration similar to that of a general computer, like the MFP 100 and the cash register terminal 200 already described. Therefore, the CPU 310, the RAM 320, the ROM 330, the HDD 340, and the I / F 350 are connected via the common bus 180. Note that a communication module 351 is connected to the I / F 350. Since the server 300 according to the present embodiment uses data input and data output through communication with the cash register terminal 200 as main inputs and outputs, it does not have a characteristic human interface like the operation panel 250 of the cash register terminal 200. Also good. Further, as will be described later, the server 300 mainly manages data received from the cashier terminal 200 and outputs data requested from the cashier terminal 200. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the same function as the server 300 can be realized using the hardware resources of the cash register terminal 200 without providing the server 300 in particular.

  In the information processing system 1 having the above configuration, when the user U uses the MFP 100, the user U inputs processing target information (processing target information) and information (processing condition information) defining processing contents to the MFP 100. Execution of processing can be obtained by paying consideration. Therefore, the information processing system 1 is premised on a “prepayment” method in which payment of a charge is completed in advance of executing a process.

[Mechanism Configuration of MFP 100]
Next, functional blocks of MFP 100, which is a main component in information processing system 1, will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the MFP 100 includes a controller 10, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 164, a scanner unit 165, a paper discharge tray 166, an operation panel 150, a paper feed table 167, a print engine 168, and paper discharge. A tray 169 is provided. In FIG. 5, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of the paper is indicated by a broken arrow.

  Operation panel 150 is a display unit that visually displays the state of MFP 100, and also serves as an input unit when a user directly operates MFP 100 as a touch panel or inputs information to MFP 100. Therefore, the operation panel 150 functions as an operation display unit. It also functions as an information input unit.

  Here, typical communication functions included in MFP 100 are exemplified. MFP 100 includes an interface for communicating with other devices via various communication networks. For example, Ethernet (registered trademark) that can be used by the communication module 170 (see FIG. 2). In addition, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface may be provided. As a communication network that can be used by the MFP 100, there is a network that uses the TCP / IP protocol. Also, an interface for executing facsimile transmission, which is used when MFP 100 functions as a facsimile, is mounted. Therefore, MFP 100 includes an interface that can also connect a telephone line.

  The controller 10 is configured by a combination of a software control unit and hardware. Specifically, the software control unit loads a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 130, the nonvolatile memory, and the HDD 140 into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 120, and the CPU 110 It is configured by performing calculations according to the program.

  The controller 10 includes a main control unit 11, an engine control unit 12, an image processing unit 13, an operation display control unit 14, an input / output control unit 15, a job management information notification unit 16, a release code acquisition unit 17, and a print job ID generation unit 18. , And a charge calculation unit 19. The controller 10 functions as a control unit that controls the entire MFP 100.

  The main control unit 11 controls each unit included in the controller 10. The engine control unit 12 serves as a drive unit that controls or drives the print engine 168, the scanner unit 165, and the like. The image processing unit 13 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 11. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 168 as an image forming unit.

  The image processing unit 13 processes image data input from the scanner unit 165 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the storage medium of the MFP 100 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another information processing terminal or storage medium via a communication network.

  The operation display control unit 14 controls information display on the operation panel 150 and notifies the main control unit 11 of the operation content input via the operation panel 150. The operation display control unit 14 acquires information for displaying soft keys on the operation panel 150 from the HDD 140 and notifies the main control unit 11 together with information input via the operation panel 150.

  Operation display control unit 14 functions as a user interface when user U uses a predetermined processing function in MFP 100. For example, when using a printing function corresponding to image formation output processing, an interface is configured to input and specify setting information indicating a printing mode (for example, printing on both front and back surfaces, aggregate printing, etc.). Accordingly, the setting information input from the operation display control unit 14 becomes a processing condition (processing condition) designated by the user U, and is used for a usage fee calculation process described later. The processing condition information for setting the processing conditions for the setting information is configured.

  The input / output control unit 15 controls the job management information notification unit 16 and the release code acquisition unit 17 and notifies the server 300 of job management information via the communication network. The job management information is information configured by associating a job ID with consideration information. The job ID is identification information for uniquely identifying and managing the processing target information and the processing conditions when the user U inputs to the MFP 100. The consideration information is information including a usage fee calculated for the processing content corresponding to the job ID.

  The job management information notification unit 16 notifies the server 300 of job management information. The job management information notification unit 16 constitutes a process management information notification unit.

  The cancellation code acquisition unit 17 cancels the standby state and performs processing when an operation using the processing function is performed on the MFP 100 and execution of the processing function is on standby on the condition of payment of a fee. It has a function of obtaining a release code to be executed from the cash register terminal 200. The cancellation code acquisition unit 17 acquires the cancellation code from the cashier terminal 200 and notifies the main control unit 11 of the cancellation code. The main control unit 11 instructs the engine control unit 12 and the image processing unit 13 to execute the print job associated with the cancellation code generated by the print job ID generation unit 18.

  The print job ID generation unit 18 is print information that is identification information for uniquely identifying processing target information read by using the scanner unit 165 and processing target information input from an external device via a communication network. Generate a job ID. Further, the print job ID generation unit 18 executes processing for storing processing target information and processing condition information in a storage medium (for example, the HDD 140) in association with the print job ID. The print job ID generation unit 18 constitutes an identification information generation storage unit.

  The fee calculation unit 19 uses the function used to execute the specified information processing based on the information group including the input processing target information and the processing condition information specified for the processing target information. The usage fee, which is the price of, is calculated to generate the price information. The fee calculation unit 19 constitutes a consideration information generation unit.

  The main control unit 11 generates job management information based on “job management information” in which the print job ID generated by the print job ID generation unit 18 and the consideration information generated by the fee calculation unit 19 are associated with each other. The job management information is notified to the server 300 via the job management information notification unit 16.

  When the MFP 100 operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 15 receives a print job including processing target information that is print data from an external device or an external storage medium via a communication network. The input / output control unit 15 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 11. When receiving the print job, the main control unit 11 controls the image processing unit 13 to generate drawing information (drawing data) based on document information or image information included in the print job.

  The drawing information generated by the image processing unit 13 is assigned a print job ID by the print job ID generation unit 18 and stored in the HDD 140. The image processing unit 13 constitutes an information input unit that receives input of processing target information and processing condition information and executes predetermined processing.

  When a valid release code is input, the main control unit 11 reads out the corresponding print job stored in the HDD 140 and notifies the engine control unit 12 of it. The engine control unit 12 controls the print engine 168 to execute image formation on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 167 based on the drawing information corresponding to the read print job. That is, the image processing unit 13, the engine control unit 12, and the print engine 168 function as an image formation output unit. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 168 is discharged to a discharge tray 169.

  When MFP 100 operates as a scanner, operation display control unit 14 transfers a scan execution signal to main control unit 11 in response to a scan execution instruction by the operation of operation panel 150 by the user. The main control unit 11 controls the engine control unit 12 based on the received scan execution signal.

  The engine control unit 12 drives the ADF 164 and conveys the document to be imaged set on the ADF 164 to the scanner unit 165. In addition, the engine control unit 12 drives the scanner unit 165 to capture an image of a document conveyed from the ADF 164. If no document is set on the ADF 164 and the document is set directly on the scanner unit 165, the scanner unit 165 images the set document according to the control of the engine control unit 12. That is, the scanner unit 165 operates as an imaging unit, and the engine control unit 12 functions as a reading control unit.

  In the image pickup operation, an image pickup device such as a contact image sensor (CIS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD) included in the scanner unit 165 optically scans a document, and image pickup information generated based on the optical information is generated. Is done. The engine control unit 12 notifies the main control unit 11 of imaging information generated by the scanner unit 165. When receiving the imaging information, the main control unit 11 transfers the imaging information to the image processing unit 13. The image processing unit 13 generates image information based on the imaging information received from the engine control unit 12 according to the control of the main control unit 11.

  The drawing information generated by the image processing unit 13 is assigned a print job ID by the print job ID generation unit 18 and stored in the HDD 140.

  When a valid release code is input, the main control unit 11 reads out the corresponding print job stored in the HDD 140 and notifies the engine control unit 12 of it. The engine control unit 12 controls the print engine 168 to execute image formation on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 167 based on the drawing information corresponding to the read print job. That is, the image processing unit 13, the engine control unit 12, and the print engine 168 function as an image formation output unit. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 168 is discharged to a discharge tray 169.

  When the MFP 100 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 13 generates drawing information based on the imaging information received by the engine control unit 12 from the scanner unit 165 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 13. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 12 drives the print engine 168 as in the case of the printer operation. In addition, when the information formats of drawing information and imaging information are the same, it is also possible to use imaging information as drawing information as it is.

  The main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 included in the MFP 100 constitute an information processing execution unit.

[Functional configuration of cash register terminal 200]
Next, a functional configuration of the cash register terminal 200 configuring the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 20 of the cash register terminal 200 includes a payment processing unit 21, a cancellation code generation unit 22, a cancellation code notification unit 23, and a cancellation code print output unit 24.

  The payment processing unit 21 receives the print job ID described in the payment slip brought by the user U, and requests the server 300 for consideration information associated with the print job ID. Further, the payment processing unit 21 executes a payment process based on the consideration information acquired from the server 300. In the settlement processing, the user U is notified of the amount based on the consideration information, and money receiving processing corresponding to the amount is executed. When the payment processing is completed, the payment processing unit 21 notifies the cancellation code generation unit 22 of the fact and the print job ID for which payment has been completed.

  The cancellation code generation unit 22 generates a cancellation code associated with the print job ID based on the notification from the payment processing unit 21 and notifies the cancellation code notification unit 23 of the cancellation code. The cancellation code is payment completion information and may be generated so as to include the print job ID, or may be generated as completely different information from the print job ID. Further, the cancellation code generation unit 22 may use the print job ID as the cancellation code as it is. The cancellation code generation unit 22 constitutes a payment completion information generation unit.

  Release code notification unit 23 notifies MFP 100 of the release code. Also, the cancellation code print output unit 24 is notified of the cancellation code. When the cancellation code notification unit 23 notifies the MFP 100 of the cancellation code, the cancellation code notification unit 23 notifies the corresponding print job ID in a format recognizable on the MFP 100 side. For example, the MFP 100 may be notified as a character string including a print job ID and a release code. In this case, the MFP 100 only needs to identify the print job ID having a predetermined length, and perform processing so that information following the print job ID is recognized as a release code. When the release code and the print job ID are the same, the MFP 100 that has received the print job ID notification from the cashier terminal 200 sets the “payment presence / absence flag” for the print job ID stored in the HDD 140. You can add something like that. In this case, when the print job ID is notified from the cash register terminal 200, the “payment presence / absence flag” associated therewith may be updated to information indicating “payment present”. The cancellation code notification unit 23 constitutes a payment completion information notification unit.

  The release code print output unit 24 prints the release code notified from the release code notification unit 23 on a receipt and outputs the receipt. As an output mode, the release code is displayed and printed as readable information (such as a character string). The release code is encoded based on a predetermined rule, and the encoded information is printed. Here, the encoding method can be selected as appropriate. For example, the cancellation code may be subjected to specific encoding to obtain payment completion encoded information. The payment completion encoded information may be payment completion information converted into a two-dimensional barcode, for example. In this case, payment completion information expressed as a two-dimensional code is printed on a recording medium to form a receipt. The cancellation code print output unit 24 constitutes a payment completion information output unit.

[Mechanical structure of server 300]
Next, a functional configuration of the server 300 configuring the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 72, the controller 30 of the server 300 includes a job management information storage unit 31 and a consideration information read notification unit 32.

  Job management information storage unit 31 stores job management information notified from MFP 100. The job management information storage unit 31 reads the consideration information in response to an inquiry from the consideration information read notification unit 32 and notifies the consideration information read notification unit 32 of the read consideration information. The job management information storage unit 31 constitutes a process management information storage unit.

  The compensation information read notification unit 32 notifies the registration terminal 200 of the compensation information corresponding to the inquired print job ID based on the compensation information notified from the job management information storage unit 31. The consideration information reading notification unit 32 constitutes a consideration information notification unit.

  The functions of the server 300 are mainly a function of storing jog management information notified from the MFP 100 and a function of notifying consideration information in response to an inquiry from the cash register terminal 200. Therefore, these functions may be integrated into the cash register terminal 200, and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured by only the MFP 100 and the cash register terminal 200.

[Display information generation sequence]
Next, the flow of processing executed in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 illustrates a flow of a series of processes for registering processing target information in MFP 100 in the charging mode. FIG. 9 illustrates a flow of processing for executing a print job registered in the MFP 100 after payment is completed.

  When the user U intends to execute information processing using the MFP 100, an operation mode in the MFP 100 is selected. The MFP 100 includes a “normal mode” and a “billing mode”. The normal mode is an operation mode in which a function that can be used without using payment as a condition is used. The billing mode is an operation mode that uses a function that can be used on the condition of payment of the consideration. The characteristic information processing method of the present invention is an information processing method when “charging mode” is selected as the operation mode. Therefore, the following description relates to the information processing method in the “billing mode”.

  The selection / switching between the normal mode and the billing mode may be performed by the user U via the operation panel 150 of the MFP 100 or may be controlled by the server 300.

  First, the user U inputs “processing target information” to be requested for processing in the charging mode to the MFP 100. The input method of the processing target information differs depending on what function the user U requests to use. For example, when the copy function or the scanner function is used, an original is set on the ADF 164 and “copy” or “scanner” is selected via the operation screen displayed on the operation panel 150. By this operation, as already described, the main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 convert the document into image data and generate drawing data. The generated drawing data is stored in the HDD 140. If the function as a printer is used, processing target information is input to the MFP 100 from a communication network or an external storage medium, and drawing data is generated similarly. The generated drawing data is stored in the HDD 140 (S801).

  In S801, the processing target information input method when using the printer function may be an online storage or cloud service accessible by the MFP 100 via a communication network, or another information processing terminal via an interface cable. .

  Subsequently, the user U sets processing conditions for the processing target information via the condition setting screen displayed on the operation panel 150 (S802). There are various printing conditions depending on the specifications of the MFP 100. For example, “double-sided printing”, “combined printing (2 in 1, 4 in 1...)”, “Color / monochrome output”, “drilling”, “staple presence / absence”, “number of copies”, and the like can be selected.

  When the input of the condition information is completed, the MFP 100 calculates a function usage fee for executing the process requested by the user based on the process target information and the process condition information (S803). The calculated fee is displayed on the operation panel 150.

  On the charge display screen, an operation button that can select “accept” payment of the displayed charge, a “return” button that enables an operation to return to the condition setting screen, and the like are displayed. When an operation for selecting these is performed, the selected process is executed.

  Subsequently, a “print job ID” is generated as identification information that can uniquely identify the request for the processing (S804). In S804, the generated print job ID is stored in the HDD 140 in association with the corresponding drawing data (processing target information) and consideration information (information indicating the function usage fee). The information group is stored in the HDD 140 and notified to the server 300 as “job management information” in which the print job ID and the consideration information are associated with each other.

  The server 300 manages the notified job management information by storing it in the HDD 340, for example.

  Subsequently, the MFP 100 prints and outputs the print job generated in S804 using a predetermined layout (S806). The output in S806 is referred to as “payment slip”. On the payment slip, the print job ID itself and information (character string, two-dimensional barcode, etc.) that can be input at the cash register terminal 200 are printed. The payment slip is printed by the operations of the main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 provided in the MFP 100. These constitute the identification recording medium output unit by the control unit.

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the information processing method of the present invention, even if the MFP 100 is not equipped with a charging function, the charge setting corresponding to the use of various functions and the detailed setting of the use conditions is performed. be able to. Further, information processing based on the processing conditions set in detail can be executed until the fee is paid, and the processing result can be stored.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the user U executes a payment procedure based on the information on the payment slip. Specifically, the print job ID is input to the cash register terminal 200. The cash register terminal 200 inquires the server 300 for consideration information based on the input print job ID (S901).

  Based on the inquiry from the cash register terminal 200, the server 300 refers to the price information previously notified and stored from the MFP 100 and notifies the cash register terminal 200 of the price information (S902).

  The cash register terminal 200 displays a fee included in the consideration information notified from the server 300 on the operation panel 250 and notifies the user U of the amount of the consideration. The user U pays a currency corresponding to the consideration. In the payment process, if payment satisfying the consideration is completed, the cash register terminal 200 notifies the server 300 of information indicating completion of payment associated with the print job ID (S903). The server 300 erases job management information related to the print job ID associated with the payment completion notification from the HDD 340.

  Subsequently, the cashier terminal 200 generates a release code corresponding to the print job ID for which payment processing has been completed, and notifies the MDP 100 (S904). The MFP 100 stores the notified release code in association with the corresponding print job ID.

  In S904, at the same time, the cash register terminal 200 outputs a receipt in which the cancellation code is recorded to notify the user U of the cancellation code (S905). User U inputs a release code to MFP 100. The release code may be input via a “release code input screen” displayed on the operation panel 150. Further, the release function or the two-dimensional bar code printed on the receipt may be read and decoded using the scanner function to specify the release code.

  The MFP 100 identifies the print job ID based on the input cancellation code, reads the drawing data stored in the HDD 140 in association with the identified print job ID, and notifies the engine control unit 12 of the drawing data. The engine control unit 12 executes output processing (printing processing) using the notified drawing data (S906).

  As described above, according to an embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention, payment of charges corresponding to the use of various functions and detailed setting of use conditions can be performed without the MFP 100 having a charging function. The user can be licensed to use the function on the condition. It becomes possible to cope with advance payment corresponding to detailed conditions set by the user.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope thereof, and technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims. All are subject of the present invention. The above embodiment shows a preferable example, but those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1: Information processing system 10: Controller 11: Main control unit 12: Engine control unit 13: Image processing unit 14: Operation display control unit 15: Input / output control unit 16: Job management information notification unit 17: Cancellation code acquisition unit 18: Print job ID generation unit 19: Charge calculation unit 20: Controller 21: Payment processing unit 22: Release code generation unit 23: Release code notification unit 24: Release code print output unit 30: Controller 31: Job management information storage unit 32: Consideration Information reading notification unit 100: MFP
110: CPU
120: RAM
130: ROM
140: HDD
150: Operation panel 160: I / F
165: Scanner unit 166: Paper discharge tray 167: Paper feed table 168: Print engine 169: Paper discharge tray 170: Communication module 180: Common bus 200: Cash register terminal 210: CPU
220: RAM
230: ROM
240: HDD
250: Operation panel 260: I / F
261: Money management unit 262: Communication module 300: Server 310: CPU
320: RAM
330: ROM
340: HDD
350: I / F
351: Communication module

JP 2006-146838 A

Claims (8)

An information processing system configured to connect an information processing device, an information input / output device, and an information management device via a communication network so that they can communicate with each other,
The information processing apparatus includes:
An information input unit that receives input of processing target information that is processing target information and processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information;
A consideration information generation unit that calculates a consideration of information processing based on the information group input in the information input unit, and generates consideration information including the consideration;
An identification information generating and storing unit that generates identification information for uniquely identifying the information group in which the consideration information is generated, and stores the identification information in association with the information group;
A process management information notifying unit for notifying the information management apparatus of process management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated;
An identification recording medium output unit for outputting a recording medium in which the identification information is recorded;
An information processing execution unit that executes information processing in which the processing condition is applied to the processing target information in response to input of payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration has been completed;
With
The information input / output device includes:
A payment processing unit that accepts input of the identification information, identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information, and executes a payment process corresponding to the consideration information;
A payment completion information generating unit for generating the payment completion information;
A payment completion information notifying unit for notifying the information processing apparatus of the payment completion information;
A payment completion information output unit for outputting the payment completion information to a recording medium;
With
The information management device includes:
A process management information storage unit that stores the identification information notified from the process management information notification unit in association with the consideration information;
Based on the identification information notified from the payment processing unit, the consideration information associated with the identification information is specified, and a consideration information notification unit that notifies the information input / output device;
Comprising
An information processing system characterized by this. In accordance with the payment completion information input via the information input unit, the information processing apparatus
Executing the information processing;
The information processing system according to claim 1. The payment completion information output unit generates payment completion encoded information obtained by encoding the payment completion information to be output to the recording medium, and outputs the payment completion encoded information to the recording medium.
The information processing execution unit decodes the payment completion encoded information input via the information input unit, and the processing target information corresponding to the payment completion information encoded in the payment completion encoded information Performing information processing applying the processing conditions to
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The payment completion encoding information is a two-dimensional barcode of the payment completion information.
The information processing system according to claim 3. Information processing is image formation output processing for forming and outputting an image on a recording medium,
The processing conditions are conditions for forming and outputting images on both the front and back sides of the recording medium.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An information input unit that receives input of processing target information that is processing target information and processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information;
A consideration information generation unit that calculates a consideration of information processing based on the information group input in the information input unit, and generates consideration information including the consideration;
An identification information generating and storing unit that generates identification information for uniquely identifying the information group in which the consideration information is generated, and stores the identification information in association with the information group;
A process management information notifying unit for notifying an external device of process management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated;
An identification recording medium output unit for outputting a recording medium in which the identification information is recorded;
Information processing that specifies the processing target information and the processing condition based on an input from the information input unit of payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration is completed, and applies the processing condition to the processing target information An information processing execution unit for executing
An information processing apparatus comprising: Receiving input of processing target information which is processing target information and processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information;
Calculating a consideration for information processing based on the input information group, and generating consideration information including the consideration;
Generating identification information for uniquely identifying the information group in which the consideration information is generated, and storing the identification information in association with the information group;
Notifying the external device of process management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated;
Outputting a recording medium on which the identification information is recorded;
Based on the input of payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration has been completed, identifying the processing target information and the processing conditions, and executing information processing that applies the processing conditions to the processing target information;
An information processing method comprising: On the computer,
Information input means for receiving input of processing target information that is processing target information and processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information;
A consideration information generating means for calculating a consideration of information processing based on the input information group and generating consideration information including the consideration;
Identification information generating and storing means for generating identification information for uniquely identifying the information group in which the consideration information is generated, and storing the identification information in association with the information group;
Processing management information notifying means for notifying an external device of processing management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated;
An identification recording medium output means for outputting a recording medium in which the identification information is recorded;
Based on the input in the information input means of payment completion information indicating that the payment for the consideration has been completed, the processing target information and the processing condition are specified, and information processing is performed by applying the processing condition to the processing target information. Information processing execution means to be executed;
Information processing program that executes