JP2020086689A - Charging system - Google Patents

Abstract

To charge processing of a data file by an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An authentication device receives a URL from a server device, and associates a user identifier, a data identifier and the URL with one another to transmit the same to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus receives the user identifier, the data identifier and the URL associated with one another from the authentication device, accesses the URL to download a data file identified by the data identifier, processes the downloaded data file, and transmits first charging information which indicates charging required for the processing of the data file and the user identifier to a POS device. The POS device receives the first charging information and the user identifier from the image forming apparatus, and stores the first charging information by being associated with the user identifier stored in the POS device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

The present disclosure relates to a charging system for charging a data file process (printing or the like) by an image forming apparatus.

There is a technique in which an image forming apparatus used by an unspecified user processes (prints, etc.) a data file.

JP, 2008-94717, A

In a charging system that charges processing (printing, etc.) of a data file by an image forming apparatus used by an unspecified user, it is desirable that the security is high and the convenience is high for users and employees.

A charging system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is
Server device,
A terminal device communicatively connected to the server device;
An authentication device communicatively connected to the server device and having a first input device and a second input device for inputting information;
An image forming apparatus communicatively connected to the authentication apparatus and the server apparatus,
A POS device communicatively connected to the image forming device,
The POS device is
Remembers the user identifier that identifies the user,
The server device is
Storing a data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus,
Generating a data identifier identifying the data file,
The generated data identifier and the data file identified by the data identifier are stored in association with each other,
Transmitting the data identifier to the terminal device used by the user,
The terminal device,
Receiving the data identifier,
The authentication device is
Obtaining the user identifier input via the first input device,
The terminal device receives and acquires the data identifier input via the second input device,
Transmitting the acquired data identifier to the server device,
The server device is
Receiving the data identifier from the authentication device,
Sending the URL for downloading the data file associated with the received data identifier to the authentication device,
The authentication device is
Receiving the URL from the server device,
The user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL are associated with each other and transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus,
Receiving the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication device,
Accessing the URL to download the data file identified by the data identifier,
Process the downloaded data file,
Transmitting the first billing information indicating the billing required for processing the data file and the user identifier to the POS device,
The POS device is
Receiving the first billing information and the user identifier from the image forming apparatus,
The first billing information is stored in association with the user identifier stored by the POS device.

(1) According to the present embodiment, the POS device stores the user identifier in association with the first billing information indicating the bill for the processing of the data file by the image forming device. Thus, even if the image forming apparatus is not equipped with a cash input/output device (coin vendor, etc.), the POS device can be used to settle charges. According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus receives the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication apparatus, accesses the URL, and creates the data file identified by the data identifier. The first billing information indicating the billing required for processing the data file by downloading and the user identifier are transmitted to the POS device. This makes it possible to reliably associate the first billing information indicating the bill for processing the data file with the user identifier of the principal (not another person).

The server device is
Stores terminal device setting information, which should be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus,
The terminal device setting information is stored in association with the data identifier and the data file,
The image forming apparatus,
Accessing the URL to download the data file identified by the data identifier and the terminal device setting information from the server device;
The data file is processed by applying the downloaded terminal device setting information.

(2) According to the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus downloads the data file uploaded by the user to the server apparatus and the terminal apparatus setting information from the server apparatus, and applies the downloaded terminal apparatus setting information to obtain the data. Process the file. As a result, even when one image forming apparatus is shared by unspecified users (visitors), it is not necessary to operate the image forming apparatus to set the setting information, which is user-friendly and highly secure.

The authentication device is
Further comprising a third input device for inputting information,
Acquiring authentication device setting information that is input via a third input device and should be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming device,
The authentication device setting information is transmitted to the image forming device,
The image forming apparatus,
Receiving the authentication device setting information from the authentication device,
The data file is processed by applying the received authentication device setting information.

(3) According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus receives the authentication device setting information input by the user to the authentication device from the authentication device and applies the received authentication device setting information to process the data file. .. As a result, even when one image forming apparatus is shared by unspecified users (visitors), it is not necessary to operate the image forming apparatus to set the setting information, which is user-friendly and highly secure.

The authentication device is
Further comprising a third input device for inputting information,
When the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL are transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
Lock the third input device so that no information can be input to the third input device;
The image forming apparatus,
When processing the data file,
Sending an unlock request for unlocking the third input device to the authentication device,
The authentication device is
When the unlock request is received from the image forming apparatus,
The lock of the third input device is released.

(4) According to this embodiment, when the authentication device transmits the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL to the image forming device, the third input device prevents the information from being input to the third input device. When the data file is processed, the image forming apparatus transmits a lock release request for unlocking the third input apparatus to the authentication apparatus. Thus, even when one image forming apparatus is shared by unspecified users (visitors), another user can use the authentication apparatus while the image forming apparatus acquires and processes the data file. High security because it cannot be done.

The POS device is
Storing, in association with the user identifier stored in the POS device, second billing information indicating billing other than the billing applied to the processing of the data file,
Total billing information is generated based on the first billing information and the second billing information associated with the user identifier.

(5) According to this embodiment, the POS device generates the total billing information based on the first billing information and the second billing information associated with the user identifier. Thereby, for example, when the user leaves the store, the employee can collectively settle the total charge of the charge for processing the data file and the charge other than the charge for processing the data file.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve security and convenience for users and employees in a charging system that charges processing (printing, etc.) of a data file by an image forming apparatus used by an unspecified user. Can be achieved.

Note that the effects described here are not necessarily limited, and may be any effects described in the present disclosure.

1 shows a charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. The hardware structure of a server apparatus is shown. The hardware structure of an authentication device is shown. The hardware structure of a terminal device is shown. 1 shows a hardware configuration of a POS device. The functional structure of a billing system is shown. The operation|movement sequence of a charging system is shown. The 1st operation flow of a POS device is shown. The operation|movement flow of a terminal device is shown. The 1st operation flow of a server apparatus is shown. The operation|movement flow of an authentication device is shown. The 2nd operation flow of a server apparatus is shown. 3 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus. 7 shows a second operation flow of the POS device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Billing system

FIG. 1 shows a charging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The billing system 1 includes an image forming device 10, a server device 20, one or more authentication devices 30, one or more terminal devices 40, and a POS (Point Of Sale) device 50. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, one authentication device 30 and one terminal device 40 will be simply referred to as “authentication device 30” and “terminal device 40” and illustrated and described.

The image forming device 10, the server device 20, the authentication device 30, and the terminal device 40 are connected to the network N1. The network N1 includes the Internet. The image forming apparatus 10, the authentication device 30, and the POS device 50 are connected to the network N2. The network N2 includes, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) in the store. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the network N1 and the network N2, they are simply shown and described as “network N”.

The image forming device 10, the authentication device 30, the terminal device 40, and the POS device 50 are installed in the same store where an unspecified user visits. In this example, the “store” is described as an internet cafe. In the "Internet cafe", for example, an unspecified user uses the individual terminal device 40 (for example, a personal computer) to access the network N1 (Internet).

The image forming device 10, the authentication device 30, and the terminal device 40 are used by a user who visits an internet cafe. The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). The authentication device 30 is, for example, a tablet computer. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a personal computer.

The server device 20 is a so-called cloud computing storage device. The server device 20 stores a data file to be processed (printed or the like) by the image forming device 10.

The POS device 50 manages charges for use of the image forming device 10 and the terminal device 40 for each user.

2. Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control circuit 11. The control circuit 11 includes a CPU 11 a (Central Processing Unit) that is a processor, a RAM 11 b (Random Access Memory), a ROM 11 c (Read Only Memory) that is a memory, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and the entire image forming apparatus 10 includes Controls motion control. The CPU 11a loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 11c into the RAM 11b and executes it. The ROM 11c fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 11a. The ROM 11c is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

The control circuit 11 includes an image reading unit 12 (image scanner), an image processing unit 14 (including a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), an image memory 15, an image forming unit 16 (printer), and an operating unit 17 (including a display unit 17a. It is connected to a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 18, such as a touch panel), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), a facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication interface 13, and the like. The control circuit 11 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned connected parts and transmits/receives signals or data to/from each part.

3. Server device hardware configuration

FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the server device.

The server device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 24 such as an HDD and an SSD, a network communication interface 25, an operating device 26 and a display device 27, and a bus 28 interconnecting them. Have.

The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 form a control circuit 200. The CPU 21 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23 and executes it. The ROM 22 fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 21. The ROM 22 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

4. Authentication device hardware configuration

FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of the authentication device.

The authentication device 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 34 such as an SSD, a network communication interface 35, an operating device 36, a display device 37 (touch panel), and a reading device 39 (an imaging device such as a camera). And a bus 38 interconnecting them.

The CPU 31, the ROM 32, and the RAM 33 form a control circuit 300. The CPU 31 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 32 into the RAM 33 and executes it. The ROM 32 fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 31. The ROM 32 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

5. Hardware configuration of terminal device

FIG. 5 shows a hardware configuration of the terminal device.

The terminal device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a large-capacity non-volatile storage device 44 such as an HDD or an SSD, a network communication interface 45, an operating device 46, a display device 47, and a reading device 49 (an imaging device such as a camera). , And a bus 48 that connects them to each other.

The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 form a control circuit 400. The CPU 41 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 42 into the RAM 43 and executes it. The ROM 42 fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 41. The ROM 42 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

6. Hardware configuration of POS device

FIG. 6 shows the hardware configuration of the POS device.

The POS device 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device 54 such as an HDD or an SSD, a network communication interface 55, an operating device 56, a display device 57, and a reading device 59 (an imaging device such as a camera or a bar). It has a code reader) and a bus 58 interconnecting these.

The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 form a control circuit 500. The CPU 51 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 52 into the RAM 53 and executes it. The ROM 52 fixedly stores programs and data executed by the CPU 51. The ROM 52 is an example of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

7. Functional configuration of billing system

FIG. 7 shows the functional configuration of the charging system.

In the control circuit 400 of the terminal device 40, the CPU 41 operates as the uploader 401 and the data identifier acquisition unit 402 by loading the information processing program stored in the ROM 42 into the RAM 43 and executing it.

In the control circuit 200 of the server device 20, the CPU 21 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23 and executes the information processing program to execute the data acquisition unit 201, the data identifier generation unit 202, the URL supply unit 203, and the data supply unit 204. To work as.

In the control circuit 300 of the authentication device 30, the CPU 31 loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 32 into the RAM 33 and executes the information processing program to execute the user identifier acquisition unit 301, the function setting unit 302, the data identifier acquisition unit 303, and the URL acquisition unit. It operates as 304, the information supply unit 305, and the lock unit 306.

In the control circuit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 11a loads the information processing program stored in the ROM 11b into the RAM 11c and executes the information processing program, whereby the information acquisition unit 101, the setting unit 102, the downloader 103, the job generation unit 104, and the log generation. It operates as the unit 105 and the unlock unit 106. The information processing program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 is an application program that can be executed in a specific platform (for example, HyPAS (Hybrid Platform for Advanced Solutions)) environment of the image forming apparatus 10.

In the control circuit 500 of the POS device 50, the CPU 51 operates as the charging management unit 501 by loading the information processing program stored in the ROM 52 into the RAM 53 and executing it.

The uploader 401 of the terminal device 40 uploads the data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 and the setting information (terminal device setting information) to be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus 10 to the server device 20. .

The data acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 receives the data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 and the setting information from the terminal device 40, and stores them in the data storage unit 210 in association with each other.

The data identifier generation unit 202 of the server device 20 generates a data identifier that uniquely identifies the data file and sends it to the terminal device 40.

The data identifier acquisition unit 402 of the terminal device 40 receives the data identifier from the server device 20 and presents it to the user.

The user identifier acquisition unit 301 of the authentication device 30 acquires the user identifier input via the reading device 39 (first input device).

The function setting unit 302 of the authentication device 30 presents the user with a list of the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 that the user can use, and selects the function of the image forming apparatus 10 that the user uses. The function setting unit 302 generates setting information (authentication device setting information) to be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus 10.

The data identifier acquisition unit 303 of the authentication device 30 presents the user with a screen for inputting the data identifier, and acquires the data identifier input by the user.

The URL supply unit 203 of the server device 20 transmits to the authentication device 30 a URL for downloading the data file identified by the data identifier received from the authentication device 30 and the terminal device setting information.

The URL acquisition unit 304 of the authentication device 30 receives the URL from the server device 20.

The information supply unit 305 of the authentication device 30 associates the user identifier, the authentication device setting information, the data identifier, and the URL with each other, and transmits them to the image forming device 10.

The lock unit 306 of the authentication device 30 locks and unlocks the operating device 36.

The information acquisition unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the user identifier, the authentication device setting information, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication device 30.

The setting unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines a function executed by the image forming apparatus 10 and sets a variable to be set in a setting item regarding the function.

The downloader 103 of the image forming apparatus 10 accesses the URL received from the authentication apparatus 30 and downloads the data file identified by the data identifier associated with the URL and the terminal device setting information from the server device 20.

The data supply unit 204 of the server device 20 transmits (downloads) the data file and the terminal device setting information to the image forming apparatus 10.

The job generating unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 10 generates a job (for example, a print job) based on the setting information and the data file downloaded from the server apparatus 20, and causes the image forming unit 16 to execute the job.

The log generation unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 10 generates a log of the executed job (job log) and sends it to the POS device 50.

The lock release unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits a lock release request to the authentication device 30 after the job is completed.

The charging management unit 501 of the POS device 50 stores the user identifier and the charging information in the charging storage unit 510 in association with each other, and generates total charging information.

8. Billing system operation

FIG. 8 shows an operation sequence of the charging system.

As a premise, when the user comes to the store, an item (for example, a wearable item such as a wristband, a card, or the like) having the code written therein is lent to the user. The “code” is, for example, a one-dimensional code (bar code or the like) or a two-dimensional code (QR code (registered trademark) or the like). Associated with the code is a user identifier that identifies the user. The “user identifier” may be, for example, an identifier that uniquely identifies the terminal device 40 used by the user. In the Internet cafe, only one user can use one terminal device 40 at the same time. Therefore, the identifier that uniquely identifies the terminal device 40 used by one user can be used as the user identifier that identifies the user. Alternatively, the “user identifier” may be an identifier that combines an identifier that uniquely identifies the terminal device 40 used by the user and information indicating the date and time when the user comes to the store.

FIG. 9 shows a first operation flow of the POS device.

When the user comes to the store, the charging management unit 501 of the POS device 50 receives the input of the user identifier. The "user identifier" is the same as the user identifier associated with the code written on the item lent to the user. For example, the billing management unit 501 reads the code written on the item using the reading device 59, determines the user identifier associated with the read code, and accepts the input of the user identifier. Alternatively, the charging management unit 501 accepts the input of the user identifier by acquiring the user identifier input by the employee on the operation device 56. The billing management unit 501 stores the user identifier in the billing storage unit 510 (step S501). The billing management unit 501 further stores, in the billing storage unit 510, if there is billing information (second billing information; for example, the usage fee of the terminal device 40) for the use of the terminal device 40, in association with the user identifier. Step S502, YES).

FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of the terminal device.

The uploader 401 of the terminal device 40 selects a data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 based on the information input by the user via the operation device 46. The "data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10" is, for example, a data file stored locally in the terminal device 40 or a data file downloaded from the network N by the terminal device 40 via a web browser. The uploader 401 of the terminal device 40 generates setting information (terminal device setting information) to be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus 10 based on the information input by the user via the operation device 46. The "setting information to be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus 10" is, for example, information designating a function (for example, printing, facsimile transmission, etc.) executed by the image forming apparatus 10 and setting items related to the function ( For example, it includes a color setting, single-sided/double-sided, etc.) and a variable to be set in the setting item (for example, full-color or monochrome for color setting, single-sided/double-sided for single-sided/double-sided). The uploader 401 uploads the data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 and the generated setting information to the server device 20 (step S401). It should be noted that a terminal device other than the terminal device 40 (user's personal terminal device, not shown) may upload the data file and the generated setting information to the server device 20.

FIG. 11 shows a first operation flow of the server device.

The data acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 receives the data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 and the setting information from the terminal device 40 (step S201). The data acquisition unit 201 of the server device 20 stores the setting information received from the terminal device 40 and the data file in the data storage unit 210 in association with each other (step S202).

The data identifier generation unit 202 of the server device 20 generates a data identifier that uniquely identifies this data file. The data identifier generation unit 202 stores the generated data identifier in the data storage unit 210 in association with the data file and the setting information (step S203). The data identifier generation unit 202 transmits the generated data identifier to the terminal device 40 (step S204).

The data identifier acquisition unit 402 of the terminal device 40 receives the data identifier from the server device 20 (step S402). The data identifier acquisition unit 402 presents (for example, displays on the display device 47) the received data identifier to the user (step S403).

FIG. 12 shows an operation flow of the authentication device.

The user identifier acquisition unit 301 of the authentication device 30 acquires the user identifier input via the reading device 39 (first input device) (step S301). Specifically, the user identifier acquisition unit 301 optically reads the code described in the item held by the user on the lens (not shown) of the reading device 39 (camera), and obtains the user identifier associated with the code. to decide.

The function setting unit 302 of the authentication device 30 presents the user with a list of the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 that the user can use (for example, displays it on the display device 37) (step S302). The function setting unit 302 detects an input from the user to the operation device 36 and selects a function of the image forming apparatus 10 used by the user. In this example, the function setting unit 302 selects the function of the image forming apparatus 10 to print the data file stored in the server apparatus 20 (step S303). The function setting unit 302 sets the setting information (authentication device setting information) to be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus 10 based on the information input by the user via the operation device 36 (third input device). It is generated (step S304). The content of the “authentication device setting information” is the same as the above authentication device setting information. That is, the “authentication device setting information” includes, for example, information designating a function executed by the image forming apparatus 10, a setting item regarding the function, and a variable to be set in the setting item.

The data identifier acquisition unit 303 of the authentication device 30 presents a screen for inputting the data identifier to the user (for example, displayed on the display device 37) (step S305). The data identifier acquisition unit 303 of the authentication device 30 acquires the data identifier input from the user via the operation device 36 (second input device) (step S306). The data identifier input by the user is the same as the data identifier received by the terminal device 40 from the server device 20 (step S402) and presented to the user (step S403).

The URL acquisition unit 304 of the authentication device 30 transmits the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit 303 to the server device 20 (step S307).

FIG. 13 shows a second operation flow of the server device.

The URL supply unit 203 of the server device 20 receives the data identifier from the authentication device 30 (step S205). The URL supply unit 203 reads the URL for downloading the data file identified by the received data identifier and the terminal device setting information from the data storage unit 210 (step S206). The URL supply unit 203 transmits the URL read from the data storage unit 210 to the authentication device 30 (step S207).

The URL acquisition unit 304 of the authentication device 30 receives the URL from the server device 20 (step S308).

The information supply unit 305 of the authentication device 30 includes the user identifier (step S301) input via the reading device 39, the setting information (authentication device setting information) input via the operation device 36 (step S304), and the operation device. The data identifier (step S306) input via 36 and the URL (step S308) received from the server device 20 are associated with each other and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S309).

After the transmission, the lock unit 306 of the authentication device 30 locks the operating device 36 so that information cannot be input to the operating device 36 (third input device) (step S310).

FIG. 14 shows an operation flow of the image forming apparatus.

The information acquisition unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives the user identifier, the authentication device setting information, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication device 30 (step S101).

The setting unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines a function to be executed by the image forming apparatus 10 based on the authentication device setting information received from the authentication device 30, and sets a variable to be set in a setting item regarding the function (step). S102).

The downloader 103 of the image forming apparatus 10 accesses the URL received from the authentication apparatus 30 and requests the server apparatus 20 to download the data file identified by the data identifier associated with the URL and the terminal apparatus setting information. (Step S103).

When the data supply unit 204 of the server device 20 receives the request from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S208, YES), the data file and the terminal device setting information identified by the data identifier associated with the URL are sent to the image forming apparatus 10 as the image data. (Step S209).

The downloader 103 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives (downloads) the data file identified by the data identifier associated with the URL and the terminal device setting information from the server device 20 (step S104).

The setting unit 102 of the image forming apparatus 10 further sets a variable to be set in a setting item regarding a function executed by the image forming apparatus 10 based on the terminal device setting information downloaded from the server apparatus 20 (step S105).

The job generation unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 10 processes the image forming apparatus 10 based on the setting information set by the setting unit 102 (steps S102 and S105) and the data file downloaded from the server device 20 (step S104). A job to be performed (for example, a print job) is generated. The job generating unit 104 supplies the generated job to the image forming unit 16 to execute the job (step S106). The image forming unit 16 processes (prints in this example) the data file downloaded from the server device 20 based on the setting information.

The log generation unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 10 generates a log of the executed job (job log). (Step S107). Specifically, the log generation unit 105 counts up the number of billed sheets in real time for each page (sheet unit of paper) and finishes the job (normal termination, halfway due to an error, or after outputting a certain number of sheets). Billing information for (Cancel) is generated as a job log. In short, the job log includes billing information (first billing information) indicating billing for processing the data file. The job log further includes a user identifier. That is, the job log includes billing information (first billing information) indicating billing for processing the data file and the user identifier. The log generating unit 105 transmits the generated job log to the POS device 50 (step S108).

After the job is completed, the lock release unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits a lock release request to the authentication device 30 (step S109).

The lock unit 306 of the authentication device 30 receives the lock release request from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S311, YES). The lock unit 306 unlocks the operating device 36 (step S310), and enables information to be input to the operating device 36 (step S312).

FIG. 15 shows a second operation flow of the POS device.

The charge management unit 501 of the POS device 50 receives from the image forming apparatus 10 a job log including charge information (first charge information) indicating the charge for processing the data file and a user identifier (step S503). ). The billing management unit 501, in the user identifier included in the received job log (that is, the user identifier stored in the billing storage unit 510 of the POS device 50 (step S501)), includes the billing information (first billing information) included in the job log. (Charge information of) is stored in association with each other (step S504). The billing management unit 501 generates total billing information based on the billing information stored in the billing storage unit 510 and associated with the user identifier, and stores the total billing information in the billing storage unit 510 (step S505). Specifically, the billing management unit 501 associates the billing information (step S504) with the user identifier indicating the billing required for the processing of the data file and the billing indicating the billing other than the billing required for the processing of the data file. The total billing information is generated by adding together the information (for example, the usage fee of the terminal device 40. Step S502).

Thereby, for example, when the user leaves the store, the employee can collectively settle the total charge of the charge for processing the data file and the charge other than the charge for processing the data file. Specifically, when the user leaves the store, the charge management unit 501 of the POS device 50 receives the input of the user identifier. For example, the billing management unit 501 reads the code written on the item using the reading device 59, determines the user identifier associated with the read code, and accepts the input of the user identifier. The billing management unit 501 reads out the total billing information stored in the billing storage unit 510 in association with the input user identifier. The employee can collectively settle the total charge (amount of money) indicated by the read total charge information.

The log generating unit 105 of the image forming apparatus 10 may transmit the generated job log (step S107) to the server device 20. The server device 20 may store the job log received from the image forming apparatus 10.

9. Conclusion

(1) According to the present embodiment, the POS device 50 stores the user identifier in association with the first billing information indicating the bill for the processing of the data file by the image forming device 10. Accordingly, even if the image forming apparatus 10 does not include a cash input/output device (coin vendor, etc.), the POS device 50 can be used to settle charges. According to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication apparatus 30, accesses the URL, and identifies the data by the data identifier. The file is downloaded and processed, and the first billing information indicating the bill for processing the data file and the user identifier are transmitted to the POS device 50. This makes it possible to reliably associate the first billing information indicating the bill for processing the data file with the user identifier of the principal (not another person).

(2) According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 downloads the data file uploaded by the user to the server device 20 and the terminal device 40 setting information from the server device 20, and downloads the downloaded terminal device 40 setting information. Apply and process the data file. Accordingly, even when one image forming apparatus 10 is shared by unspecified users (visitors), it is not necessary to operate the image forming apparatus 10 to set the setting information, which is user-friendly and secure. high.

(3) According to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the authentication device 30 setting information input by the user to the authentication device 30 from the authentication device 30, and applies the received authentication device 30 setting information, Process the data file. Accordingly, even when one image forming apparatus 10 is shared by unspecified users (visitors), it is not necessary to operate the image forming apparatus 10 to set the setting information, which is user-friendly and secure. high.

(4) According to the present embodiment, when the authentication device 30 transmits the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL to the image forming device 10, the authentication device 30 prevents the third input device from inputting information. After locking the input device and processing the data file, the image forming device 10 transmits a lock release request for unlocking the third input device to the authentication device 30. As a result, even if one image forming apparatus 10 is shared by unspecified users (visitors), another user uses the authentication apparatus 30 while the image forming apparatus 10 is operating to acquire and process a data file. High security because it cannot be done.

(5) According to the present embodiment, the POS device 50 generates the total billing information based on the first billing information and the second billing information associated with the user identifier. Thereby, for example, when the user leaves the store, the employee can collectively settle the total charge of the charge for processing the data file and the charge other than the charge for processing the data file.

Although each embodiment and each modified example of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present technology. Of course.

Billing system 1
Image forming apparatus 10
Server device 20
Authentication device 30
Terminal device 40
POS device 50
Information acquisition unit 101
Setting unit 102
Downloader 103
Job generation unit 104
Log generator 105
Unlocking unit 106
Data acquisition unit 201
Data identifier generation unit 202
URL supply unit 203
Data supply unit 204
User identifier acquisition unit 301
Function setting unit 302
Data identifier acquisition unit 303
URL acquisition unit 304
Information supply unit 305
Lock part 306
Uploader 401
Data identifier acquisition unit 402
Billing management unit 501

Claims (5)

Server device,
A terminal device communicatively connected to the server device;
An authentication device communicatively connected to the server device and having a first input device and a second input device for inputting information;
An image forming apparatus communicatively connected to the authentication apparatus and the server apparatus,
A POS device communicatively connected to the image forming device,
The POS device is
Remembers the user identifier that identifies the user,
The server device is
Storing a data file to be processed by the image forming apparatus,
Generating a data identifier identifying the data file,
The generated data identifier and the data file identified by the data identifier are stored in association with each other,
Transmitting the data identifier to the terminal device used by the user,
The terminal device,
Receiving the data identifier,
The authentication device is
Obtaining the user identifier input via the first input device,
The terminal device receives and acquires the data identifier input via the second input device,
Transmitting the acquired data identifier to the server device,
The server device is
Receiving the data identifier from the authentication device,
Sending the URL for downloading the data file associated with the received data identifier to the authentication device,
The authentication device is
Receiving the URL from the server device,
The user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL are associated with each other and transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus,
Receiving the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL, which are associated with each other, from the authentication device,
Accessing the URL to download the data file identified by the data identifier,
Process the downloaded data file,
Transmitting the first billing information indicating the billing required for processing the data file and the user identifier to the POS device,
The POS device is
Receiving the first billing information and the user identifier from the image forming apparatus,
A billing system for storing the first billing information in association with the user identifier stored in the POS device. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein
The server device is
Stores terminal device setting information, which should be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming apparatus,
The terminal device setting information is stored in association with the data identifier and the data file,
The image forming apparatus,
Accessing the URL to download the data file identified by the data identifier and the terminal device setting information from the server device;
A billing system that processes the data file by applying the downloaded terminal device setting information. The charging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The authentication device is
Further comprising a third input device for inputting information,
Acquiring authentication device setting information that is input via a third input device and should be applied to the processing of the data file by the image forming device,
The authentication device setting information is transmitted to the image forming device,
The image forming apparatus,
Receiving the authentication device setting information from the authentication device,
A billing system that processes the data file by applying the received authentication device setting information. The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The authentication device is
Further comprising a third input device for inputting information,
When the user identifier, the data identifier, and the URL are transmitted to the image forming apparatus,
Lock the third input device so that no information can be input to the third input device;
The image forming apparatus,
When processing the data file,
Sending an unlock request for unlocking the third input device to the authentication device,
The authentication device is
When the unlock request is received from the image forming apparatus,
A billing system for unlocking the third input device. The charging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The POS device is
Storing, in association with the user identifier stored in the POS device, second billing information indicating billing other than the billing applied to the processing of the data file,
A billing system that generates total billing information based on the first billing information and the second billing information associated with the user identifier.

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