JP3665832B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of greatly improving the advertising effect for an unspecified number of users when an additional image such as an advertising image is printed on a read original image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the widespread use of copying machines, a large number of copying machines equipped with billing apparatuses have been installed in convenience stores and the like. Since copiers installed in such locations are used by an unspecified number of users, if copying is performed with image information such as advertisements added when printing, the advertiser can make certain advertisements. An effect can be obtained.
[0003]
Based on such a situation, a copying machine main body is provided that can print by combining an advertisement image with a margin part generated when printing a read original image on paper, and whether or not the advertisement image is added and copied. Accordingly, various image forming apparatuses that charge users and advertisers have been proposed.
[0004]
This type of image forming apparatus includes a classification unit that classifies a plurality of held additional images according to a category related to time or environment (installation location, etc.) of each apparatus, and selects an additional image to be transmitted. In addition, by automatically selecting an additional image in a category corresponding to the request time of the additional image or the environment of each device that requested the additional image, the additional image is displayed at a time or place that matches the content of the additional image. There is known a composition output that can efficiently perform a large advertising effect (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-256256). That is, in this image forming apparatus, the content of advertisement to be printed is automatically changed according to time or environment.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above publication, the advertisement image to be printed is switched according to time and environment so as to print the advertisement image suitable for the user. Switching is performed automatically according to time and environment, that is, without considering individual specific users, and assuming uniform general users. Therefore, it can not be said that there is a certain limit to the improvement of the advertising effect.
[0006]
On the other hand, as described above, in a copying machine with a billing device installed in a convenience store or the like, since it is used by an unspecified number of users, if an image such as an advertisement is added and printed when copying, Since a certain advertisement effect can be obtained and is effective, if a plurality of advertisement images are stored in advance in the copier body and each user selects which advertisement image to print, It should also be beneficial for each specific user. However, if the number of stored advertisement images is large, displaying all advertisement types on a display means such as a panel and causing the user to make a selection is actually troublesome for the user, and on the contrary, operability There is a problem in terms of. Therefore, while leaving the possibility that the user can select an advertisement, if an advertisement (selection candidate) to be displayed on a panel or the like is automatically selected and displayed on the device side to some extent, the user can easily select the advertisement. The operability is improved, and at the same time, the user can obtain an advertisement image that the user really wants by selecting himself / herself. Therefore, the user should be able to effectively obtain a larger and more effective advertisement effect than before. In addition, when automatically selecting and displaying advertisements to be displayed, advertisement selection conditions (options, priority, selection) by the user according to the environment (time, location, copy mode, etc.) when the user makes a copy It is even more effective if it is easy to select advertisement images that are useful to the user by changing the number).
[0007]
Also, even when automatically selecting an advertisement image to be printed, consider personal information such as the user's age and gender, not the time and environment where the relationship with a specific user is rare. In this case, it is possible to automatically select an advertisement image more appropriate for each user, and it can be expected that the advertisement effect is further enhanced. It should be noted that the improvement of the advertisement effect due to the consideration of the personal information is also applicable when selecting the advertisement to be displayed (selection candidate) as described above.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and can significantly improve the advertising effect for an unspecified number of users when an additional image such as an advertising image is printed on a read original image. An object is to provide a forming apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
[0010]
  (1) In the present invention, a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and when the read original image is printed, an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance, and the original image is selected. In the image forming apparatus for adding and printing, a display unit that displays a plurality of selection candidates that can be printed from the plurality of prestored additional images, and a display unit that displays the selection unit under a predetermined selection condition Selecting means for selecting an additional image to be printed according to a user's selection from a plurality of selection candidates;Changing means for changing a selection condition of the plurality of additional images stored in advance according to a condition when a user copies a document image;HaveAnd the selection condition is the order of selection candidates to be displayed on the display means.It is characterized by that.
[0012]
  (2The condition is an environment when a user copies a document image.
[0013]
  (3The environment when the user copies the original image is a copy mode.
[0014]
  (4The environment when the user copies the original image is the current time.
[0015]
  (5The environment when the user copies the document image is the installation location of the apparatus.
[0016]
  (6) The selection condition isfurtherThis is the type of selection candidate displayed on the display means.
[0018]
  (7) The selection condition isfurtherThis is the number of additional images that can be selected.
[0019]
  (8In the present invention, a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and when the read original image is printed, an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance and added to the original image. In the image forming apparatus for printing, the image forming apparatus is installed at a location away from the main body of the apparatus, and is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance by remote operation.chosenPrintable selection candidatesIn orderIt has the switching means which switches a display, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0020]
  (9In the present invention, a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and when the read original image is printed, an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance and added to the original image. In the image forming apparatus for printing, the charging means for charging the user with the information storage medium storing the amount information, and the plurality of pre-stored additions based on the personal information stored in the information storage medium in advance From the imagechosenPrintable selection candidatesIn orderAnd switching means for switching display.
[0021]
  (10) The personal information is the age of the user.
[0022]
  (11) The personal information is the gender of the user.
[0023]
  (12) The personal information is a user's occupation.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026]
The image forming apparatus 10 is a copying machine with a charging apparatus (or a copying apparatus) that is installed in a convenience store and provided with a charging apparatus and is used by an unspecified number of users. It consists of a charging device 12 that charges the user. The charging device 12 in the illustrated example is a coin vendor, and a user can insert a coin into the charging device 12 and operate the copying machine main body 11 to copy a document.
[0027]
Here, the billing apparatus 12 displays the amount of money that has been input, permits the copying operation of the copying machine main body 11 according to the amount of money that has been input, collects a predetermined amount when the copying operation is performed, and displays the displayed amount of money. Is subtracted. The amount to be subtracted depends on the paper size used for copying, the set copy color mode, and the like. Further, the charging device 12 disallows the copying operation of the copying machine main body 11 when the remaining amount after the copying operation is subtracted becomes equal to or less than a predetermined amount. If the fee is charged again, the copying operation of the copying machine main body 11 is permitted again. As described above, the charging apparatus 12 has a function of instructing the copying machine body 11 to permit / deny the copying operation while managing the amount (usage fee and remaining amount).
[0028]
More specifically, the charging device 12 has a vertically long box shape, and the upper surface thereof includes a coin insertion slot 13, a coin return button 14 for returning coins, a liquid crystal display, etc. An amount display unit 15 for displaying the amount is provided, and a coin return port 16 is provided on the front surface. This charging device 12 is connected to the copying machine main body 11 via a relay connector 17 drawn from the back.
[0029]
The copying machine main body 11 communicates with the charging apparatus 12 via the relay connector 17. The copying machine main body 11 transmits various information such as a copying operation, a paper feed signal, a paper discharge signal, a size, and a copy mode to the billing apparatus 12. On the other hand, the charging device 12 transmits various information such as copy permission, copy disapproval, and input amount to the copier body 11. The copying machine main body 11 is controlled to be in a copy enabled state or incapable state according to various information transmitted and received. An operation panel 18 is provided on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 11 to be used when the user sets a copy mode such as a set number (number of copies).
[0030]
The charging device 12 calculates a necessary amount from the amount of money input and the copy mode set by the user on the operation panel 18 of the copier body 11, determines whether copying is possible, and if copying is possible. A copy permission signal is transmitted to the copying machine main body 11. The copying machine main body 11 to which the copy permission signal has been sent is set in a state where it can be copied to the user.
[0031]
When the user presses a copy start button (not shown) on the operation panel 18, the copying machine main body 11 starts a predetermined copying operation, and when the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 19, Send emission information. The charging device 12 to which the discharge information is sent subtracts a predetermined amount according to the copy mode such as size and color. When the usage fee is sequentially subtracted and the remaining amount becomes less than the amount necessary for copying, the charging device 12 transmits a copy prohibition signal to the copying machine main body 11. The copy machine main body 11 is set in a copy-incapable state for the user by this copy prohibition signal.
[0032]
In this example, the charging device 12 in which a coin is inserted, that is, a coin vendor is illustrated, but the charging device is not limited to this. For example, it may be a billing device that inserts an information storage medium such as a prepaid card that stores money amount information and performs charge management based on the balance information stored in the card.
[0033]
The copying machine 10 has a function of adding an additional image such as an advertisement to the read original image and printing it when the user copies the original according to the user's request. As described above, when an advertisement image or the like is added to a document image for printing, in addition to the billing device 12 for the user, the second billing device is provided in the memory of the copier body 11 and the number of printed advertisements is provided. Are recorded and billed to advertisers at regular intervals.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the printing mode by the copying machine 10. FIG. 2A shows a case where only the original image is printed, and FIG. 2B shows an advertisement in the margin of the original image. When an image is printed, FIG. 5C shows a case where an advertisement image is printed on the back side of the paper on which the original image is printed or on another paper.
[0035]
That is, the copying machine 10 prints only the original image as shown in FIG. 2A, and if the user desires, as shown in FIG. 2B or FIG. The advertisement image can be printed on the margin part or the back side of the sheet on which the URL is copied or on another sheet. More specifically, when the advertisement image is not printed, as shown in FIG. 2A, the original image is printed on the copy sheet as it is, and when the advertisement image is printed on the margin, As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the margin portion of the original image is automatically detected, and the advertisement image is synthesized and printed on the margin portion (the lower portion of the paper in the illustrated example). When the advertisement image is printed on the back surface or another sheet, as shown in FIG. 2C, the advertisement image is largely printed on the entire back surface of the sheet on which the document image is printed or on another sheet. Then, whether or not to perform advertisement printing, and in the case of performing advertisement printing, further, the printing form, that is, whether to print on the margin (margin advertisement), to print on the back (back advertisement), or another sheet The user can arbitrarily set whether to print on the paper (interleaf advertisement).
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a basic flowchart showing a general processing procedure when advertisement printing is performed in the copying machine 10 of FIG.
[0037]
In the copying machine with charging device 10 installed in a convenience store or the like, an unspecified number of users who visit the store pays the charging device 12 attached to the copying machine 10 (S1). The desired copy mode is set by the operation panel 18 (S2). At this time, various settings relating to advertisement printing can also be performed.
[0038]
Thereafter, when the user presses the copy start button (S3), the document is copied (S4), it is determined whether or not advertisement printing is performed (S5), and when advertisement printing is performed (S5: YES). Then, advertisement printing is performed (S6). At this time, the determination as to whether or not to perform advertisement printing in step 5 may be based on information set by the user at the time of setting the copy mode in step 2 as in the present embodiment. There may be a case where the apparatus automatically performs advertisement printing by automatically judging from the environment or the like. In addition, when the advertisement printing of step 6 is performed, a plurality of advertisement images are stored in advance in the copying machine main body 11, and the advertisement image selected by the method to be described later is copied on the original copy paper according to the user setting. Is printed on the back side of the original copy paper (back side advertisement), or printed on a paper different from the original copy paper (interleaf advertisement).
[0039]
When a series of copying operations including advertisement printing is completed, the above-described charging process is performed on the amount of money input to the charging device 12 (S7). The billing process in this case is billing for the user, but billing is also performed for the advertiser who provides the advertisement. As described above, the advertiser is charged by recording an advertisement print in the memory of the copying machine main body 11 so that the advertiser can be charged in a lump sum at regular intervals.
[0040]
In particular, in the present embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the content (type) of an advertisement to be printed is actually maximized considering that the copier 10 is used by an unspecified number of users. A plurality of advertisement images are stored in advance in the copying machine main body 11 so that the limited advertisement effect can be obtained efficiently, and what kind of advertisements are present on the display means of the operation panel 18 can be printed (types) ) To allow the user to select an advertisement to actually print. Thereby, the user can select an advertisement image that the user really wants. In this case, in order to improve operability, a plurality of selection candidates considered to be optimal for the user are automatically selected from a plurality of pre-stored advertisement images and displayed on the display means. At this time, in order to make it easy to select an advertisement image useful for each user, depending on the environment in which the user copies the document, for example, the copy mode, the current time, the installation location of the copier 10, etc. Selection conditions for advertisements by the user, for example, types of selection candidates to be displayed on the display means (advertising selection options by the user), order on the layout of selection candidates to be displayed on the display means (priority of advertisement selection by the user) The number of advertisement images that can actually be selected from a plurality of selection candidates displayed on the display means (the number of advertisements that can be selected by the user) is changed. Such advertisement selection conditions (the types, order, and number of advertisement images that can be selected) are also displayed on the display means.
[0041]
In addition, when the user himself / herself selects an advertisement as described above instead of automatically selecting an advertisement image to be printed, by specifying personal information such as the user's age and sex, it is possible to On the other hand, a more optimal advertisement image is automatically selected and printed to further enhance the advertisement effect. Specifically, for example, the user's personal information (age, gender, occupation, etc.) is specified at a place away from the copier 10 where the user can be identified with eyes (for example, a convenience store cash register). The advertisement image to be printed can be manually switched by a remote operation by a store clerk or the like. In addition, in a copying machine equipped with a charging device using an information storage medium such as a prepaid card, personal information of the user is recorded in advance when the prepaid card or the like is sold or issued, and the user makes a copy. The advertisement image to be printed can be switched based on personal information such as the age, sex, and occupation of the user recorded on the prepaid card. Furthermore, the contents (types) of selection candidates to be displayed can be switched based on the user's personal information input by such remote operation as a store clerk or by an information storage medium such as a prepaid card.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of such a copying machine 10.
[0043]
The copying machine 10 includes a copying machine body 11 and a charging device 12 that can communicate with each other via a relay connector 17 and input / output interfaces (I / F) 20 and 40. Includes an image scanner unit 22 that reads a document image, a signal processing unit 23 that performs signal processing of image data output from the image scanner unit 22, a printer unit 24 that prints an image corresponding to the document image on paper, The operation panel 18 is connected. The control unit 21 temporarily stores an advertisement image memory 25 for storing a plurality of advertisement images in advance, a billing memory 26 for accumulating the number of advertisements printed and billing for the advertiser, and image data temporarily. A working memory 27 used for storing and synthesizing images, a clock IC 28 for measuring the current time and date, a counter 29 for accumulating the number of printed advertisements, and the like are connected. The control unit 21 controls each part of the copying machine main body 11 and also controls communication with the charging apparatus 12.
[0044]
By accumulating the charges for the advertiser in the charging memory 26, the charging information can be obtained collectively for each predetermined period. The amount accumulated and stored as one piece of billing information is the amount billed to the advertiser, and this amount is billed to the advertiser in a lump sum at regular intervals.
[0045]
The operation panel 18 has a numeric key for setting the number of copies, a key for setting a color mode (monochrome copy / color copy) for printing an original image, and other copy modes (for example, double-sided copy, enlarged / reduced copy). There are arranged various keys 32 such as a key for selecting or setting, and a start key, and a display unit 30 including a liquid crystal display for displaying a setting state, a list of printable advertisements, and various other information. An advertisement function selection unit 31 is provided in a part of the operation panel 18.
[0046]
The advertisement function selection unit 31 sets whether or not to perform advertisement printing, selects an advertisement image to be printed from a plurality of displayed advertisement images (selection candidates), and prints a document image. When the user selects to print only the advertisement image, the user operates. Specifically, for example, a key for setting whether or not to perform advertisement printing, a key for selecting which form to print in a blank advertisement, a backside advertisement, and an interleaf advertisement when performing advertisement printing, and A key for selecting a desired advertisement from a plurality of advertisement images (selection candidates) displayed by the user is arranged. The keys of the advertisement function selection unit 31 are, for example, touch panel type keys. In this case, the touch panel type advertising function selection unit 31 may be the display unit 30 or a part thereof.
[0047]
On the other hand, the display unit 15 described above is connected to the control unit 41 of the charging apparatus 12, and further includes an input amount reading unit 42 for reading the amount inserted by the user, a charging table memory 43, the number of copies, and a charging amount for the user. A charging memory 44 for accumulating and storing is connected. The control unit 41 controls each part of the charging apparatus 12 and also controls communication with the copying machine main body 11.
[0048]
The billing table memory 43 includes a billing amount table for each of the user and the advertiser according to the copy productivity, a billing amount table according to the details of the contents of the advertisement image, the color mode of the original image and the color of the advertisement image. A table of billing amounts according to mode combinations is stored. The control unit 41 charges each of the user and the advertiser while referring to a necessary table according to a specific copy operation to be executed.
[0049]
Further, the copying machine 10 is connected to a terminal 50 at a predetermined location (for example, a cash register where the user can be visually confirmed) in the store where the copying machine 10 is installed. Then, when the store clerk operates the terminal 50 at a cash register located away from the copier 10, the current status of the copier main body 11 such as the remaining number of sheets and the remaining amount of toner, the usage status of advertisement printing, You can check the amount charged to the advertiser. Further, the contents of the advertisement image to be printed or the contents of the displayed user-selectable advertisement image (selection candidate) are manually switched by a store clerk by remote operation according to the user's age, sex, occupation, etc. Is also possible.
[0050]
When the fee is inserted not with coins but with a prepaid card or the like, the personal information (age, gender, occupation, etc.) of the user stored in advance on the prepaid card or the like is read by the charging device 12, and the copying machine main body 11 is read. It is also possible to switch the content of the advertisement image to be sent and printed or the content of the displayed user-selectable advertisement image (selection candidate) based on the personal information.
[0051]
Further, the copying machine 10 may be connected to a terminal in a management facility that centrally manages this type of copying machine 10 installed in a plurality of stores via a network (not shown). In this management facility, the operation status of each copying machine 10 is grasped, billing information sent to each advertiser sent from each copying machine 10 is accumulated and billed to the advertiser, or each copying machine The advertisement image stored in the main body 11 can be periodically replaced by remote operation.
[0052]
Hereinafter, specific examples of various change control of advertisement contents to be printed or contents of printable selection candidates to be displayed will be described in order. Each flowchart shown below is a modification of the basic flowchart shown in FIG. 3 as appropriate. However, for the sake of simplicity, the accounting process is omitted.
[0053]
Example 1
The change control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is a case where the type of advertisement image (selection candidate) to be displayed is changed according to time (time). Here, it is assumed that twelve types of advertisement images from advertisement A to advertisement L are stored in advance in the advertisement image memory 25 of the copier body 11.
[0054]
When the user puts a charge into the charging device 12 (S101), the user sets a desired copy mode via the operation panel 18 (S102), but at this time, he operates a key provided in the advertisement function selection unit 31. By doing so, it is possible to select whether or not to perform advertisement printing.
[0055]
In step 103, it is determined whether or not to perform advertisement printing based on the setting information of the user in step 102, and if the user selects to perform advertisement printing (S103: YES), the process proceeds to step 104, where advertisement printing is performed. If not performed (S103: NO), the process proceeds to step 113.
[0056]
If the advertisement printing is selected in step 103, the current time is determined based on the information from the clock IC 28 (S104), and the operation panel 18 (touch panel type advertisement) is determined according to the current time. The type of printable advertisement (selection candidate) displayed on the function selection unit 31) is changed (S105 to S108). Specifically, for example, when the current time is between 0:00 and 6:00, advertisements A, B, and C are displayed (S105). When the current time is between 6:00 and 12:00 , Advertisements D, E, and F are displayed (S106), and when it is between 12:00 and 18:00, advertisements G, H, and I are displayed (S107), and between 18:00 and 24:00 If it is, advertisements J, K, and L are displayed (S108). The display on the operation panel 18 may be a reduced image of an advertisement image that is actually printed on a sheet, or may be an explanatory text of the advertisement image. In this way, by changing the type of advertisement to be displayed depending on the current time (time zone), an advertisement suitable for the user can be easily selected.
[0057]
Thereafter, the user selects, for example, one advertisement to be printed from the printable advertisement options displayed according to the time zone (S109), and presses the copy start button (S110).
[0058]
When copying starts, first, the read original image of the user is printed (S111), and then the advertisement image selected in step 109 is printed (S112). At this time, the advertisement image is printed on the margin portion of the original copy sheet (margin advertisement), printed on the back side of the original copy sheet (rear side advertisement), or separated from the original copy sheet according to the user setting. Printed on paper (paper advertisement).
[0059]
If printing of the advertisement image is not selected in step 103, a normal document copy operation for printing only the document image is performed by the user's copy start operation (S113) (S114).
[0060]
More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a printable advertisement image using a touch panel type advertisement function selection unit 31 provided on the operation panel 18 of the copier body 11. The user selects an advertisement to be printed. As advertisements stored in the copying machine main body 11, for example, there are 20 types of advertisement images of food A to E, cosmetics A to E, books A to E, and stationery A to E, but all advertisements are options. Even if it is going to be inserted, not all will be included due to the area of the display part (screen), and even if many are displayed, it is difficult for the user to select, so here we have 8 choices on the display screen is there.
[0061]
In this embodiment, the types of selectable advertisements to be displayed are changed depending on the time (time zone) when the user performs the copy operation. For example, the morning time zone from 6:00 to 12:00 is as shown in FIG. 7, and the evening time zone from the evening from 18:00 to 24:00 is the time as shown in FIG. The type of advertisement image that the user can select is switched according to the band. Here, in the mornings, housewives are often used, so food advertisements are increased (see Fig. 7). In the evening and evening, students are often used, so book advertisements (See FIG. 8).
[0062]
In this way, by changing the type of printable advertisement to be displayed depending on the time (time), it becomes easier to select an advertisement image that suits the user, and the user can select the advertisement image that he really wants. In addition, a large advertising effect can be obtained efficiently.
[0063]
Example 2
The change control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is a case where the number of advertisement images that can be selected is changed according to the copy mode. This change control is particularly suitable for a margin advertisement in which an area where an advertisement image can be printed is limited, that is, when an advertisement is printed on a margin portion of a sheet on which a document is copied.
[0064]
When the user puts a fee into the charging device 12 (S201), the user sets his / her desired copy mode via the operation panel 18 (S202). At this time, the user operates a key provided in the advertisement function selection unit 31. By doing so, it is possible to select whether or not to perform advertisement printing.
[0065]
In step 203, it is determined whether or not to perform advertisement printing based on the setting information of the user in step 202. If the user selects to perform advertisement printing (S203: YES), the process proceeds to step 204, where advertisement printing is performed. When not performing (S203: NO), it progresses to step 213.
[0066]
If it is selected in step 203 that advertisement printing is performed, an appropriate plurality of printable advertisements (a plurality of advertisement images (stored in the advertisement image memory 25) stored in advance in the copier body 11 (the advertisement image memory 25) ( The contents of the selection candidates are displayed on the operation panel 18 (the touch panel type advertisement function selection unit 31) (S204).
[0067]
Thereafter, the set number (number of copies) set in step 202 is determined (S205), and the number of selectable advertisement images is changed according to the set set number (S206 to S209). Specifically, for example, when the number is 1 to 2 sheets, the selectable number is 1 (S206), and when it is 3 to 4 sheets, the selectable number is 2 (S207), When the number is 5 to 6, the selectable number is 3 (S208). When the number is 7 or more, the selectable number is 4 (S209). Note that the number of advertisement images that can be selected according to the number of entries is changed in this way, when a blank advertisement is set as an advertisement print form, the area where the advertisement image can be printed is limited. This is because the number of advertisement images to be printed must be limited by the number of sheets to be copied by the user.
[0068]
Thereafter, the user selects an advertisement that the user desires to print within the selectable number range determined by the number of entries from the displayed printable advertisement options (S210), and presses the copy start button ( S211). As a result, the image of the user's original and the image of the advertisement selected by the user are printed in the margin advertisement printing mode (S212).
[0069]
If printing of the advertisement image is not selected in step 203, a normal document copy operation for printing only the document image is performed by the user's copy start operation (S213) (S214).
[0070]
In the first embodiment, the type of advertisement image to be displayed is changed according to time (time). In the second embodiment, the number of selectable advertisement images is changed according to the copy mode (number). However, the content of the advertisement selection condition by the user, the content of the condition for changing the selection condition, and the combination of both are not limited to the above example. For example, as described above, the advertisement selection condition by the user includes, in addition to the type of advertisement image to be displayed and the number of selectable advertisement images, the order in the layout among the plurality of advertisement images to be displayed (for example, Using the example of FIG. 6, the user has an advertisement (here, there is a tendency to preferentially select food A or cosmetic B), and the selection condition changing condition includes: In addition to the time and copy mode, there are locations where the copying machine 10 is installed (for example, whether it is close to a hospital or a library). As a combination of the selection condition and the change condition, in addition to the first and second embodiments, the type and / or order of advertisement images to be displayed may be changed according to the installation location of the copying machine 10 It is effective to change the order (and / or type) of advertisement images to be displayed according to time (time), and more complex combinations are possible by combining three or more conditions. .
[0071]
Example 3
The change control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is a case where the type of advertisement image to be displayed is changed by remote operation or personal information recorded in advance on a prepaid card.
[0072]
The user pays the billing device 12 (S301), and operates the keys provided in the advertisement function selection unit 31 of the operation panel 18 to select whether or not to perform advertisement printing (S302). If it is selected to perform (S302: YES), the process proceeds to step 303. If it is not selected to print the advertisement image (S302: NO), the process proceeds to step 307.
[0073]
In the case where advertisement printing is performed, if the fee is inserted with coins, the user is setting the copy mode via the operation panel 18 (S303), and is away from the copying machine 10, for example, The store clerk determines the age, sex, occupation, etc. of the user at a cash register at a convenience store and operates the terminal 50 to switch the type of advertisement image (selection candidate) to be displayed (S304). Here, when the user selects to print the advertisement image, when the store clerk inputs the user's age, sex, or the like to the terminal 50, the advertisement image to be printed may be automatically selected. .
[0074]
When advertising printing is performed, if the fee is charged with a prepaid card, the copy mode is set by the user via the operation panel 18 (S303), and the age of the user recorded in advance on the prepaid card at the time of sale is set. The type of advertisement image (selection candidate) to be displayed is switched based on personal information such as sex, occupation, and the like (S304). In this case as well, when the user chooses to print the advertisement image, the advertisement image to be printed may be automatically selected based on information such as the age and sex of the user recorded on the prepaid card. Good.
[0075]
Thereafter, when the user presses the copy start button (S305), the selected advertisement image is added to the read original image and printed (S306). Here, the advertisement image may be printed on a margin portion of the document image, or may be printed on a sheet or a back surface different from the document image.
[0076]
When advertisement printing is not performed, the user sets a copy mode (S307) and presses a copy start button (S308), and a normal document copy operation for printing only a document image is performed (S309).
[0077]
FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of automatic selection of advertisement images according to the age and sex of the user.
[0078]
Here, the types of advertisement images to be selected are classified according to the user's age and gender as shown in the figure, and the user's age and gender are determined by remote operation of the store clerk or by personal information of the prepaid card. When information is input, an advertisement image to be printed corresponding to each is automatically selected. For example, cosmetic advertisements for young women and car advertisements for young men are classified.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained for each claim.
[0080]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of printable selection candidates are displayed from a plurality of prestored additional images, the user himself / herself can select the additional image to be printed. The user can always select an additional image that he / she really wants and can effectively obtain an appropriate and great advertising effect. Also, at this time, not all of the plurality of additional images stored in advance are necessarily displayed, but only a plurality of selection candidates are displayed, so that selection is not troublesome by the user, and certain operability is achieved. Can be secured.
  In addition, since the order of selection candidates to be displayed as a selection condition for the additional image by the user is changed according to the conditions when the user copies the original, the optimum optimum useful for individual users is changed. It becomes easy to select an additional image, and the advertising effect can be further improved.
[0081]
  Claim 27According to the invention described above, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, it is used depending on the environment (for example, copy mode, current time, installation location of the apparatus, etc.) when the user copies the document. Conditions for selecting additional imagesAs further,Types of selection candidates to be displayedOrSelectable additional imagesNumberSince it is changing, the optimal additional image useful for individual users is selected.furtherIt becomes easy to select and the advertising effect is further improved.
[0082]
  Claim8According to the described invention, from among a plurality of additional images stored in advance.chosenPrintable selection candidatesIn orderSince the display is switched by remote control from a remote location, it can be switched after judging the user's age, gender, occupation, etc., and it is possible to always provide the optimum additional image for the user. Thus, the advertising effect can be further improved.
[0083]
  Claim9~12According to the described invention, from among a plurality of additional images stored in advance.chosenPrintable selection candidatesIn orderSince the display is switched based on the personal information (for example, age, gender, occupation, etc.) of the user stored in advance in the information storage medium, it is possible to always provide an optimal additional image for the user. The advertising effect can be further improved.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of selection candidates that can be printed are displayed from a plurality of pre-stored additional images so that the user can select the additional image to be printed. The user can always select an additional image that the user really wants and can efficiently obtain an appropriate and great advertising effect. Also, at this time, not all of the plurality of additional images stored in advance are necessarily displayed, but only a plurality of selection candidates are displayed, so that selection is not troublesome by the user, and certain operability is achieved. Can be secured.
In addition, since the user changes the selection condition of the additional image according to the number of copies when the original is copied, it becomes easy to select the optimum additional image useful for each user. Thus, the advertising effect can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a printing form by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a basic flowchart showing a general processing procedure when advertisement printing is performed in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure for changing the type of advertisement image to be displayed according to time.
6 is a diagram showing a display example for explaining the control in FIG. 5; FIG.
7 is a drawing showing another display example for explaining the control of FIG. 5; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a view showing still another display example for explaining the control of FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control processing procedure for changing the number of advertisement images that can be selected in a copy mode.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control processing procedure for changing the type of advertisement image to be displayed by remote control or personal information recorded in advance on a prepaid card.
FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of automatically selecting an advertisement image according to the age and sex of a user.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Copier with charge device (image forming apparatus),
11 ... Copier body,
12 ... billing device,
18 ... Control panel,
21 ... Control unit (selection means, change means, switching means) of the copying machine main body,
31 ... Advertising function selection section (display means),
50: In-store terminal (switching means).

Claims (13)

Image formation in which a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance when the read document image is printed, and added to the document image for printing In the device
Display means for displaying a plurality of selection candidates printable from the plurality of additional images stored in advance;
A selection means for selecting an additional image to be printed according to a user's selection from a plurality of selection candidates displayed on the display means under a predetermined selection condition;
Changing means for changing a selection condition of the plurality of pre-stored additional images according to a condition when a user copies a document image;
Have a,
An image forming apparatus comprising order der Rukoto selection candidate in which the selection conditions is displayed on the display means. The conditions, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user is a environment for copying the original image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an environment when the user copies a document image is a copy mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the environment when the user copies the document image is a current time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein an environment where the user copies a document image is an installation place of the apparatus. The selection condition, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the type of the selected candidate to further displayed on the display means. The selection condition, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the further number of selectable additional image. Image formation in which a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance when the read document image is printed, and added to the document image for printing In the device
Are located away from the main body of the apparatus, switching means for switching the display order of the printable selection candidate selected from among the plurality of additional image the pre-stored by remote control,
An image forming apparatus comprising: Image formation in which a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance when the read document image is printed, and added to the document image for printing In the device
Billing means for charging the user with an information storage medium storing the amount information;
And switching means for switching the display order of the printable selection candidate selected from among the plurality of additional image the pre-stored based on the previously stored personal information in the information storage medium,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the personal information is a user's age. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the personal information is a sex of a user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the personal information is a user's occupation. Image formation in which a plurality of additional images are stored in advance, and an additional image to be printed is selected from the plurality of additional images stored in advance when the read document image is printed, and added to the document image for printing In the device
Display means for displaying a plurality of selection candidates printable from the plurality of additional images stored in advance;
A selection means for selecting an additional image to be printed according to a user's selection from a plurality of selection candidates displayed on the display means under a predetermined selection condition;
Changing means for changing a selection condition of the plurality of additional images stored in advance according to the number of copies when the user copies a document image;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images