JP4240770B2 - Payment system using electronic money, electronic money processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a payment system in which a user requests processing via a network and performs payment with electronic money for the processing, and an electronic device that controls execution of processing according to a result of checking the validity of the electronic money. The present invention relates to a money processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the electronic money processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system is known in which a user communication terminal and a printer are connected to a computer network such as a LAN, and the printer executes print processing based on print data transmitted from the user communication terminal via the computer network. Yes. Billing in such a system is generally performed using a coin device or an IC card device connected to each printer.
[0003]
However, as described above, in the method of charging using a coin device or a card device, the user bothers to go to the place where the printer is installed, and then inserts a coin into the coin device or the card device connected to the printer or the card There was a problem that operability was bad.
[0004]
Therefore, as shown in JP-A-11-194686 and JP-A-10-55222, in a system in which a printer and a charging server are connected via a computer network, a charging count corresponding to the printing process is provided in the printer, and printing is performed. At the same time or after the process, the count value counted by the charge count corresponding to the print process is totaled by the charge server (and also the service center machine), and the settlement process is performed at a different time or different from the print process. An implementation system has been proposed. This eliminates the need for the user to go to the place where the printer is installed, improving the operability.
[0005]
However, the above-described method has a problem in that a separate payment process has to be performed based on the count value counted in the billing server (or service center machine). Further, there is a problem that even if it is found that the user has no payment capability at the settlement processing stage, the printing processing is executed first. Such a problem occurs not only in the printing process but also when a user requests a process such as a translation process, a music distribution process, and a photo process via the network and charges for the process.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a payment system using electronic money, an electronic money processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that can make payment easily and reliably.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above-mentioned problems are a user side subsystem including a user terminal device, an electronic money issuer side subsystem including an electronic money issue server, and a user. Print data requested by Process Image forming apparatus Including a processing device side subsystem connected via a network, respectively, from the user side subsystem, In the print data Electronic money data including electronic money issued by the electronic money issuer subsystem Is added to the job data , And sent to the processor side subsystem, In the job data The electronic money data is further sent from the processing device subsystem to the electronic money issuer subsystem, and the validity of the electronic money is confirmed. According to the confirmation result, the processing device subsystem Printing of print data by the image forming apparatus This is solved by an electronic money payment system, which performs processing and sends a payment request for the processing to the electronic money issuer side subsystem.
[0008]
According to this, the validity of electronic money is confirmed, and according to the confirmation result Printing of print data by image forming device Since the process is executed, settlement is not possible Print Execution of processing is prevented and settlement can be performed easily and reliably.
[0009]
In addition, the above issues are sent from the user via the network, For print data requesting print processing Electronic money data including electronic money issued by electronic money issuers Job data with Receiving means for receiving
Received by the receiving means Printing in job data Storage means for storing data;
Received by the receiving means In job data Transmission means for sending electronic money data to an electronic money issuer for electronic money validity confirmation, and corresponding to the electronic money data and stored in the storage means according to the validity confirmation result of the electronic money Print To data Printing by the image forming apparatus The present invention is solved by an electronic money processing device comprising execution control means for controlling execution of processing.
[0010]
According to this, the electronic money processing device confirms the validity of the electronic money, and according to the confirmation result Printing for print data by image forming device processing of Since execution is controlled, settlement is impossible Print Execution of processing is prevented and settlement can be performed easily and reliably.
[0011]
In addition, when the validity of the electronic money is not confirmed, the transmission means notifies the user who is the transmission source of the electronic money data including the electronic money that the validity of the electronic money has not been confirmed. It is desirable to send warning information. According to this, the user can also easily determine the validity of the electronic money.
[0012]
Further, the above-described problem is provided with the electronic money processing device according to claim 2, and further, by execution control means of the electronic money processing device, Print data Printing for The present invention is solved by an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit whose execution is controlled.
[0013]
According to this, the electronic money processing device confirms the validity of the electronic money, and in the image forming unit according to the confirmation result Print data In Printing Since the process is executed, settlement is not possible Print Execution of processing is prevented, and settlement can be performed easily and reliably in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus refers to a printer, a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or the like.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[1: Configuration explanation]
(1-1: Overall system configuration)
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a general-purpose computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) used by a user, and reference numeral 2 denotes an electronic money processing server that performs application / procedure for issuing electronic money. Configure. Reference numeral 3 denotes a print processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer). Reference numeral 4 denotes a print server that manages the printer 3. The printer 3 and the print server 4 constitute a printer-side subsystem. Reference numeral 5 denotes an electronic money issuing server that issues electronic money, and reference numeral 6 denotes a settlement institution server that handles electronic money. The electronic money issuing server and the settlement institution server constitute an electronic money issuer side subsystem. Each of these subsystems is connected via a network such as a LAN or the Internet to form a payment system. The electronic money issuing server 5 and the settlement institution server 6 may be integrated.
[0015]
Next, the relationship among the personal computer 1, the electronic money processing server 2, the printer 3, the print server 4, the electronic money issuing server 5, and the settlement institution server 6 in these subsystems will be specifically described.
[0016]
The personal computer 1 has a keyboard, a mouse and the like together with a display unit such as a CRT (CRT) or LCD (Liquid Crystal). Send an issue request. In this case, the required amount is determined in advance by size, color, density, etc., and an electronic money issue request is transmitted according to the required amount. It should be noted that by executing the printing process, the required amount may be determined by application software or the like, and an electronic money issue request may be automatically transmitted according to the required amount.
[0017]
The electronic money processing server 2 receives the electronic money issuing request from the personal computer 1 and transmits the electronic money issuing request to the predetermined electronic money issuing server 5 through the network.
[0018]
When the electronic money issuing server 5 receives the electronic money issuing request from the electronic money processing server 2, the electronic money issuing server 5 sends an inquiry request to the settlement institution such as a bank to make a user inquiry as to whether or not the electronic money can be issued to the user. Transmit to the clearinghouse server 6. As a result, the electronic money issuer can check whether the user has performed the procedures necessary for issuing the electronic money and can exchange the money with the actual currency.
[0019]
If the electronic money issuing server 5 receives the user inquiry result from the settlement institution server 6 and determines that the electronic money can be issued to the user, the electronic money issuing server 5 sends the electronic money data and the accompanying data to the network. To the requesting electronic money processing server 2.
[0020]
After receiving the electronic money data from the electronic money issuing server 5, the electronic money processing server 2 distributes the electronic money data to the personal computer 1 via the network.
[0021]
After receiving the electronic money data from the electronic money processing server 2, the personal computer 1 adds the electronic money data to print data as processing request data to be processed (hereinafter referred to as JOB data), and the JOB. Data is transmitted to the printer 3 via the print server 4.
[0022]
After receiving the JOB data from the personal computer 1, the printer 3 stores the print data in the JOB data according to the electronic money processing described later, and the electronic money data for confirming the validity of the electronic money in the JOB data. Is transmitted to the electronic money issuing server 5.
[0023]
The electronic money issuing server 5 confirms the validity of the electronic money based on the electronic money data transmitted from the printer 3, and sends the confirmation result of the validity of the electronic money via the print server 4. Send to printer 3.
[0024]
The printer 3 determines the validity of the electronic money based on the transmitted electronic money validity confirmation result. If the electronic money is valid, the printer 3 stores and corresponds to the electronic money data. Print processing is executed based on the print data. Further, when the printing process is completely completed, the printer 3 transmits a settlement request for the printing process to the electronic money issuing server 5.
[0025]
After receiving the payment request for the printing process transmitted from the printer 3, the electronic money issuing server 5 checks whether there is a problem with the payment request, and if there is no problem, transmits the payment request to the payment institution server.
[0026]
The settlement institution server 6 performs settlement according to the settlement request from the electronic money issuance server 5 and transmits a settlement result to the electronic money issuance server 5.
(1-2: Printer configuration)
Next, the configuration of the printer will be described with reference to FIG.
[0027]
The printer 3 is connected to the print server 4 via the LAN, and is managed by the print server 4. The LAN connecting the printer 3 and the print server 4 is also connected to the external Internet.
[0028]
The printer 3 includes an interface (I / F) unit 7 that inputs and outputs data on a network, an electronic money processing unit 8 that performs various processes such as electronic money validity checking, and electronic money validity checking. The print data storage unit 9 temporarily stores the print data, and the print processing control unit 10 and the image forming unit 11 for printing based on the print data after the validity of the electronic money is confirmed.
[0029]
The I / F unit 7 receives JOB data on the network into the printer 3, transmits electronic money data for checking the validity of the electronic money, and receives electronic money from the electronic money issuing server 5. Receive validation results.
[0030]
The electronic money processing unit 8 has a function of determining whether or not the JOB data received by the I / F unit 7 includes electronic money data, a function of associating and separating the electronic money data and print data in the JOB data, A function for storing the print data in the print data storage unit 9, a function for analyzing the electronic money data and extracting information about the electronic money issuer, a transmission information table for the electronic money issuer and a transmission information table for the electronic money issuer (or And a function for determining the validity of the electronic money based on the validity confirmation result of the electronic money from the electronic money issuing server 5.
[0031]
The JOB data has a data structure as shown in FIG. 3, and includes electronic money data following header information a for discriminating data on the network. Continue with control commands and print data. The header information a includes data for determining that it is instruction data for executing the printing process in the printer 3 and that it is JOB data including electronic money data.
[0032]
The electronic money data includes information about the electronic money itself, information about the issuer of the electronic money, information about the issue date of the electronic money, information about the amount of the electronic money, and information about the usage history of the electronic money. The information related to the issuer of electronic money is the issuer's publicly available address data on the network, or a unique issuer assignment code within a certain range of networks. Each information included in the electronic money data should be provided as information for validity authentication provided when electronic money is widely distributed on the Internet, or as electronic passage in electronic commerce with a specific agreement. It is information and necessary data can be added according to the form of electronic money in the electronic commerce targeted by the printer 3.
[0033]
Information about the electronic money itself is generally encrypted, and the above-mentioned information can be referred to by attaching this information to the print data and decrypting it with a public password or the like. In this case, information relating to the electronic money itself may be transmitted for confirmation to the electronic money issuer after decryption. Moreover, what cannot be decrypted by a general user may be transmitted to the electronic money issuer for confirmation on the whole electronic money data based on the attached related information.
[0034]
The print data storage unit 9 includes a memory sufficient to temporarily store print data separated from JOB data while confirming the validity of the electronic money with respect to the electronic money issuing server. The data is stored in association with money data so as to be compatible.
[0035]
The method for associating the print data with the electronic money data will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic money processing unit 8 numbers the plurality of JOB data received by the I / F unit 7 in the order of reception. After grouping by address setting (in this embodiment, grouping into A, B, and C), the print data and electronic money data in each JOB data are associated with each group number. To separate. Then, the separated print data is temporarily stored in the print data storage unit 9 in the printer 3, while the electronic money data is transmitted to the electronic money issuing server to confirm the validity of the electronic money. By associating both data in this way, the print data is stored in a state associated with the electronic money data by the group number, so the validity of the electronic money from the electronic money issuer corresponding to the transmission of the electronic money data Even if the confirmation results are not received in the order of inputting the JOB data, the print data corresponding to the electronic money data can be taken out immediately. For this reason, the electronic money issuing server can handle the electronic money data in parallel, and it is possible to check the validity of electronic money and reduce the waiting time for settlement.
[0036]
The print data control unit 10 controls the execution of the printing process corresponding to the electronic money and the print data stored in the print data storage unit 9 according to the validity check result of the electronic money.
[0037]
The image forming unit 11 executes the printing process based on the execution control of the printing process of the print data control unit 10.
[0038]
As described above, the printer 3 is configured to incorporate the electronic money processing device.
[0039]
[Description of operation]
(2-1: Overall system operation)
Next, the operation of the entire system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following description and drawings, “step” is abbreviated as “S”.
[0040]
First, in S1, when a user transmits a request for issuing an electronic money of a required amount from the personal computer 1 to the electronic money processing server 2 by a predetermined operation, in S2, the electronic money processing server 2 also receives the electronic money. An issue request is transmitted to a predetermined electronic money issue server 5 via the Internet.
[0041]
In step S3, the electronic money issuing server 5 transmits an inquiry request to the settlement institution server 6 in order to make a user inquiry as to whether or not the electronic money can be issued to the user to a settlement institution such as a bank. If it is determined that it is possible to issue electronic money to the user after receiving the user inquiry result from the server 6, the electronic money data and accompanying data are requested via the network in S4. To the electronic money processing server 2.
[0042]
In S5, the electronic money processing server 2 receives the electronic money data from the electronic money issuing server 5, and then distributes the electronic money data to the personal computer 1 via the network. In S6, the personal computer 1 When the electronic money data is added to the print data (JOB data) and the JOB data is transmitted to the printer 3 via the print server 4, the printer 3 performs the electronic money processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 in S7. Execute.
[0043]
Then, after electronic money processing by the printer 3, a settlement is made in S8. That is, after receiving the payment request for the printing process transmitted from the printer 3, the electronic money issuing server 5 checks whether there is a problem with the payment request, and if there is no problem, transmits the payment request to the payment institution server. To do. The settlement institution server 6 performs settlement according to the settlement request from the electronic money issuance server 5 and transmits a settlement result to the electronic money issuance server 5.
[0044]
(2-2: Printer operation)
Next, the operation of the printer 3 (electronic money processing in S7 in FIG. 5) will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0045]
In this electronic money processing routine, the electronic money processing unit 8 of the printer 3 determines in S701 whether or not the I / F unit 4 has received JOB data on the network, and if received (YES in S701). In step S702, the job data is taken in and expanded in the internal work area, and the header information a of the job data is analyzed. If no JOB data is received in S701, the process returns.
[0046]
In S703, it is determined whether or not the JOB data includes electronic money data. If the JOB data does not include electronic money data (NO in S703), the process returns. In this case, it is usually possible to shift to a warning or settlement such as another currency.
[0047]
On the other hand, if it includes electronic money data (YES in S703), the process proceeds to S704, and the electronic money data is extracted from the JOB data for analysis. At this time,
As described above, the print data and the electronic money data are separated in association with each group number, and the separated print data is temporarily stored in the print data storage unit 9 in the printer 3.
[0048]
Next, in S705, the electronic money data is analyzed, information regarding the electronic money issuer is extracted, and the process proceeds to S706. At this time, as described above, an operation of decrypting information on the electronic money itself with a public key or the like is also included.
[0049]
In S706, the information regarding the electronic money issuer analyzed in S705 is compared with the electronic money issuer transmission information in the pre-registered table to check whether there is a corresponding electronic money issuer. If there is no corresponding electronic money issuer (NO in step S706), the process proceeds to step S713, and warning information is transmitted to the personal computer 1 that is the transmission source of the print data. On the other hand, if there is a corresponding electronic money issuer (YES in S706), the process proceeds to S707 to prepare for data transmission to the electronic money issue server 5, and if data transmission is possible, a part of the electronic money data Alternatively, the whole is transmitted to the electronic money issuing server 5, and the process proceeds to S708. If the information related to the electronic money issuer includes information necessary for network connection of the electronic money issue server 5, the process of S706 is not necessary.
[0050]
In S708, it is checked whether or not the electronic money validity confirmation result has been received from the electronic money issuing server 5. If not received (NO in S708), the process returns, but if received (YES in S708), The process proceeds to S709.
[0051]
In S709, it is determined whether the electronic money validity confirmation result received by the I / F unit 7 is the electronic money validity confirmation result corresponding to the print data temporarily stored in the print data storage unit 9. If the result is not the validity result of the electronic money corresponding to the print data (NO in S709), the process returns. On the other hand, if the result is an electronic money validity confirmation result corresponding to the print data (YES in S709), the process proceeds to S710.
[0052]
In S710, the validity of the electronic money is determined based on the validity check result of the electronic money. If it is determined that the electronic money is not valid (NO in S710), the process proceeds to S713, and the personal computer that is the transmission source of the print data The warning information is transmitted to 1 and the print data is discarded. On the other hand, if it is determined that the electronic money is valid (YES in S710), the process proceeds to S711, where the print process control unit 10 and the image forming unit 11 perform print processing based on the print data, and the process proceeds to S712.
[0053]
In S712, after the printing process is completed, a settlement request for the printing process is transmitted to the electronic money issuing server 5 via the print server 4.
[0054]
As described above, the validity of the electronic money is confirmed, and the printing process using the print data is executed according to the confirmation result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing process from being executed based on the print data that cannot be settled. Settlement can be made reliably.
[0055]
In the above embodiment, the case where the process requested by the user is the printing process by the printer 3 is exemplified. However, the process requested by the user is not only the printing process, but also the translation process by the translation apparatus, the music by the music distribution apparatus. Any processing that can be settled by electronic money, such as distribution processing or image processing by an image processing apparatus other than a printer, may be used.
[0056]
In addition, although the printer 3 performs settlement after the printing process, the settlement may be performed before or during the printing process.
[0057]
Further, although the printer 3 performs each process of the electronic money described above, the print server 4 may perform each process of the electronic money. In this case, the print server 4 transmits part or all of the electronic money data to the electronic money issuer server in order to confirm the validity of the electronic money, and according to the confirmation result of the electronic money from the electronic money issuer server. Then, print data is transmitted to the printer 3, and the printer 3 executes print processing based on the transmitted print data.
[0058]
Further, the user side subsystem may be composed only of the user's personal computer, the printer side subsystem may be composed only of the printer, and the electronic money issuer side subsystem may be composed only of the electronic money issue server.
[0059]
Moreover, although the Internet and LAN were used as a network, you may use another network.
[0060]
The association between the electronic money data and the print data is performed by the printer, but may be performed by a device other than the printer 3, such as the print server 4, the electronic money processing server 2, and the personal computer 1, or separately. It is good also as what associates with respect to each data with each apparatus. For example, a case where the printer 3 associates with print data and the personal computer 1 associates with electronic money data will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0061]
First, in S101, the personal computer 1 transmits print data to the printer 3 via the network. Then, the printer 3 receives the print data in S102, determines whether or not the print data uses electronic money in S103, and if it does not use electronic money (in S103). NO), return. On the other hand, if electronic money is to be used (YES in S103), the required electronic money amount is calculated based on the print data in S104, and the electronic money billing amount data is stored in the user's personal computer 1 in S105. Is transmitted together with the association data corresponding to the print data. Note that the print data at this time is temporarily stored in the printer 3.
[0062]
Then, in S106, as shown in FIG. 8, a billing fee corresponding to each print data is displayed on the display unit of the user's personal computer 1, so that the user selects a desired print process with a mouse cursor or the like. In S107, after confirming the electronic money billing amount, the process proceeds to S108.
[0063]
In S108, the personal computer 1 associates the electronic money data with the association data to associate the print data with the print data. In S109, the personal computer 1 transmits the association data to which the electronic money data is attached to the printer 3. After that, after the printer 3 determines the validity of the electronic money in the same manner as described above, the printing process is executed based on the print data associated with the electronic money data.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention of claim 1, after confirming the validity of the electronic money Print Since the process is executed, settlement is not possible Print Execution of processing is prevented and settlement can be performed easily and reliably. For this reason, for electronic money that cannot be settled or damage of electronic money data due to trouble, Print Processing is not executed, and mistake processing and illegal processing can be prevented.
[0065]
According to the invention of claim 2, the electronic money processing device confirms the validity of the electronic money, and according to the confirmation result Printing for print data by image forming device processing of Since execution is controlled, settlement is impossible Print Processing is prevented and payment can be made easily and reliably. . Also, According to the invention of claim 3, the user can also easily determine the validity of the electronic money.
[0066]
According to the invention of claim 4, the electronic money processing device confirms the validity of the electronic money, and in the image forming unit according to the confirmation result Print data In Printing Since the process is executed, settlement is not possible Print Execution of processing is prevented, and settlement can be performed easily and reliably in the image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of JOB data.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating association and separation of electronic money data and print data.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the entire system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing data association processing according to another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an electronic money request screen displayed on the personal computer 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... PC
2 ... Electronic money processing server
3 ... Printer
4. Print server
5 ... Electronic money issuing server
6 ... Payment server

Claims (4)

A user side subsystem including a user terminal device, an electronic money issuer side subsystem including an electronic money issue server, and a processing device side subsystem including an image forming apparatus that performs print processing of print data requested by the user are respectively networks. Connected through
Wherein the user-side subsystems, together with the said electronic money issuer side job data electronic money data is added containing electronic money issued by the subsystem print data is sent to the processing apparatus subsystem, the The electronic money data in the job data is further sent from the processing device side subsystem to the electronic money issuer subsystem, the validity of the electronic money is confirmed, and according to the confirmation result, the processing device side sub The system performs a printing process of print data by the image forming apparatus and sends a settlement request for the process to the electronic money issuer subsystem. Receiving means for receiving job data in which electronic money data including electronic money issued by an electronic money issuer is added to print data sent from a user via a network and requested by the user for print processing ;
Storage means for storing print data in the job data received by the receiving means;
Sending means for sending electronic money data in the job data received by the receiving means to an electronic money issuer for checking the validity of the electronic money;
Depending on the validation results of the electronic money, and execution control means for controlling the execution of the print processing by the image forming apparatus against the stored print data to the corresponding and storing means in the electronic money data,
An electronic money processing apparatus comprising:   When the validity of the electronic money is not confirmed, the transmission means alerts the user that the validity of the electronic money has not been confirmed to the user who is the transmission source of the electronic money data including the electronic money. The electronic money processing device according to claim 2, wherein Includes an electronic money processing apparatus according to claim 2, further by the execution control unit of the electronic money processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus characterized by executing the printing process on the print data including an image forming unit to be controlled .

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