JP4280484B2 - Image forming apparatus and warning method used in the apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus with a charging device mainly used in a convenience store and the like, and a warning method used in the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A user of a copying machine with a charging device used in a convenience store or the like, after copying a document with the copying machine, is distracted by taking out the copied material and charging processing, and then puts the document on the document table. May cause you to lose valuable manuscripts. Therefore, in order to solve such inconvenience, a copying machine that issues a document misplacement warning has been developed.
[0003]
For example, in order to warn the user of the copying machine that a document has been left on the document table, when a billing end process such as pulling out a key counter is performed while the document is on the document table, 2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine that issues a document misplacement warning is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 05-53385 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the copying machine of Patent Document 1 issues a warning when the key counter is pulled out, and can prevent misplacement of the original by issuing a warning with an audio device, but the operator does not pull out the key counter. When the user leaves the copier, the warning is not issued, so there is a risk that the original on the platen will remain.
[0006]
In addition, paragraph [0028] of Patent Document 1 has a description that can be applied to a case where a coin is inserted and the usage fee is settled, but there is no disclosure about the relationship with the balance, The relationship is not clear.
[0007]
For example, if the billing device is a device in which a user inserts coins in advance, charges according to the number of copies of the user, and then performs charge settlement, if there is no remaining balance at the end of copying, Since no clearing process such as returning the balance in the apparatus is performed, no warning is given, and there is a high possibility that the manuscript will be misplaced.
[0008]
In addition, in a copying machine combined with a coin-insertion type charging device, it may be known in advance that the balance will be zero in charge calculation processing, etc. In such a case, the user leaves the copying machine. Since there is no need to confirm the balance display of the billing device, there is no need to issue an irritating warning with the audio device.
[0009]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of effectively preventing misplacement of a document and a warning method used in the apparatus. .
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus connected to a billing apparatus that outputs information relating to an amount of money and information relating to a refund includes an instruction to receive an instruction from a display unit and a user. A receiving means, a first warning means for giving a warning by display on the display means, and a second warning means for giving a warning by sound in order to give a warning to the user to prevent the document from being left behind,After the copy operation starts,Received from the billing deviceOf the total amount charged to the billing deviceAmount informationThe charging device calculates and receives from the charging device whether there is a balance calculated by the image forming device from the clearing amount of the copying operation or the data required for charging associated with the copying operation to the charging device After the copy operationBalancePresence ofThe first warning means so as to execute any one of a determination means for determining the first warning, the first warning by the first warning means, and the second warning by both the first warning means and the second warning means. And / or a control means for controlling the second warning means, and the control means displays the display means when the copy operation is completed and the determination means determines that there is no balance. The display unit is controlled to execute display related to copy completion confirmation, the display unit executes display related to copy completion confirmation, and the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction input indicating copy completion. The first warning means is controlled to execute the first warning, and,When it is determined that there is no balance by the determination unit, the display unit controls the display unit to execute a display for confirming the completion of copying, and the display unit When the means executes the display related to the confirmation of the end of copying and the instruction receiving means does not accept the instruction input indicating the end of copying, when no additional coin is inserted into the charging apparatus and a predetermined time has elapsed And controlling the first warning means to execute the first warningOn the other hand, if the control means determines that the copy operation is completed and the determination means determines that there is a balance, the control means determines whether the second operation is in accordance with the information relating to the refund output from the charging device. The second warning means is controlled to execute the warningIt is characterized by that.
[0012]
  Claim2The image forming apparatus described in claim1In the image forming apparatus described above, the instruction receiving unit is a button display unit included in a display related to confirmation of completion of copying.
[0013]
  The warning method used in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is connected to a billing device that outputs information about the amount of money and information about the refund, and a display unit.An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction from the user, a first warning means for giving a warning by display on the display means in order to give a warning to the user to prevent the document from being left behind, and a first warning means for giving a warning by sound. 2 warning means andIn a warning method used in an image forming apparatus comprising:After the copy operation is started in the image forming apparatus,Received from the billing deviceOf the total amount charged to the billing deviceAmount informationThe charging device calculates and receives from the charging device whether there is a balance calculated by the image forming device from the clearing amount of the copying operation or the data required for charging associated with the copying operation to the charging device After the copy operationBalancePresence ofA determination step of determiningIn the image forming apparatusIf the copy operation is completed and it is determined that there is no balance in the determination step, display related to the copy completion confirmation is executed by the display means.Display process;The display means executes a display related to the completion confirmation of the copy.In the stateWhen the instruction input indicating the end of copying is received by the instruction receiving means, the firstBy warning meansExecute warnings,Further, if the instruction receiving means does not accept an instruction input indicating the end of copying and no additional coin is inserted into the charging apparatus and a predetermined time has elapsed, a warning is issued by the first warning means. 1 warning process,If the copy operation is completed and it is determined in the determination step that there is a balance, the second operation is performed according to the information on the refund output from the charging device.By warning meansExecute warningRuSecond warning processWithIt is characterized by that.
[0015]
  Claim4The warning method used in the image forming apparatus described in claim 1To 3The warning method used in the image forming apparatus described above is characterized in that the instruction receiving step receives an instruction from a button display unit included in a display related to confirmation of completion of copying.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a charging apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of this system.
[0020]
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus is applied to the multifunction peripheral 100 in the following description.
[0021]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured to control a control unit 101 that controls each component, a document reading unit 102 that reads a document, and prompts a user to input information necessary for image formation. A display unit 103 for displaying information necessary for image formation, an input unit 104 for inputting information necessary for image formation, and an interface (for performing data communication with the charging apparatus 200 via the data communication line 300). I / F) 105, a communication unit 106 that performs facsimile communication with an external device or a network connection (for example, a LAN) with the external device, and an image of a document read by the image reading unit 102 or a communication unit 106. Used for printing part 107 that prints data on media (mainly paper), storage part 108 that stores various image data and information, and playback of buzzer sounds and audio data A warning unit 109 that warns the user about misplacement of the document or alerts the user to the multifunction device 100, a control unit 101, a document reading unit 102, a display unit 103, an input unit 104, an I / F 105, communication A system bus 110 for connecting the unit 106, the printing unit 107, the storage unit 108, and the warning unit 109 to each other.
[0022]
The control unit 101 includes a CPU 101a that controls the entire MFP 100, a ROM 101b that stores a program for controlling the entire MFP 100, and a RAM 101c that temporarily stores data and functions as a working area for the CPU 101a. It has. A program for controlling a copy process to be described later is stored in the ROM 101b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the storage unit 108 may store the program.
[0023]
The display unit 103 is configured by a touch panel, and can display not only information necessary for image formation but also input of information necessary for image formation.
[0024]
The printing unit 107 can execute full color copying and photo copying as well as black and white copying.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, a billing apparatus 200 includes a control unit 201 that controls each component, a storage unit 202 that stores a program required for billing processing, and a refund instruction (refund button 209 (see FIG. 1). 2) a refund instruction input detection unit 203 for detecting a press etc.), an interface (I / F) 204 for performing data communication with the multifunction device 100 via the data communication line 300, and a coin inserted. A system bus that connects the inserted coin detection unit 205, a display unit 206 that displays a balance, a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a refund instruction input unit 203, an I / F 204, an inserted coin detection unit 205, and a display unit 206. 207. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the charging apparatus 200 includes a return port 208 and a refund button 209 for returning the balance to the user. The inserted coin detection unit 205 also detects whether or not a coin has been inserted.
[0026]
In charging apparatus 200, inserted coin detection unit 205 detects inserted coins, and control unit 201 calculates the total amount of coins inserted and the settlement amount after copying based on a program stored in storage unit 202. . The data of the calculation result is transmitted to the I / F 105 of the multifunction peripheral 100 via the I / F 204 and the data communication line 300. The control unit 101 of the multifunction peripheral 100 receives data on the calculation result of the total amount of coins inserted from the I / F 105 and the settlement amount. Further, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the copy process input via the display unit 103 or the input unit 104 is possible based on the received data of the total amount and the calculation result of the settlement amount. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a charge shortage (charge check). On the other hand, after the copy process is executed, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a balance (check balance). Since the control unit 101 has previously received calculation result data such as the total amount of coins from the billing apparatus 200, it can check the balance itself based on a program for controlling copy processing stored in the ROM 101b. it can. It should be noted that specific balance amount data needs to be displayed on the display unit 206 of the charging apparatus 200, and is transmitted to the charging apparatus 200 via the I / F 105 and the data communication line 300.
[0027]
In addition, the control unit 101 does not directly check the balance, for example, transmits data necessary for billing such as the number of copies and the size of copy paper to the billing apparatus 200 and causes the billing apparatus 200 to calculate the balance. The control unit 101 may perform a balance check by receiving calculation result data. At this time, the charging apparatus 200 outputs a signal indicating completion of output every time one copy is output from the copying machine 100 during a copying operation, etc., and the charging apparatus 200 performs charging processing by receiving the signal, and the balance It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the calculation is reflected in the balance display.
[0028]
The total amount and settlement amount calculation result data and the balance amount data communicated between the multifunction device 100 and the billing device 200 may be specific numerical data, but bits indicating these pieces of information. Data, data defined by special rules that can be recognized by the multifunction peripheral 100 and the charging apparatus 200, or the like may be used. Further, the multifunction device 100 and the billing apparatus 200 may each include a conversion table in the storage unit, and convert received data or the like into predetermined data or the like based on the conversion table (for example, the multifunction device 100). The data transmitted from is data indicating the number of copies, but the billing apparatus 200 converts the data indicating the number of copies into data indicating the amount of money using a conversion table).
[0029]
The control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a balance after the copy process is executed (remaining balance check). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the calculation result of the total amount of the coins inserted from the charging apparatus 200 and the settlement amount is calculated. After receiving the data, it may be configured to always determine whether there is a balance as an interruption process.
[0030]
A copy process of the multifunction device 100 in the system configured as described above and including the multifunction device 100 and the charging apparatus 200 will be described below.
[0031]
3 and 4 are flowcharts specifically showing the copy process of the multifunction peripheral 100. FIG.
[0032]
First, when the multifunction device 100 is turned on and the initialization process is completed, the display unit 103 displays a dialog for prompting coin insertion as shown in FIG. 5 (step S101).
[0033]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a coin has been inserted (step S102). Whether or not a coin has been inserted cannot be directly determined by the control unit 101, but the inserted coin detection unit 205 of the charging apparatus 200 detects whether or not a coin has been inserted. By receiving from 200 through the data communication line 300, it is possible to determine whether or not a coin has been inserted.
[0034]
As a result of the determination in step S102, when the control unit 101 determines that no coin is inserted, the process of step S101 is continued. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that a coin is inserted, the display unit A dialog 103 prompts the user to select a copy mode as shown in FIG. 6 (step S103). As shown in FIG. 6, the copy mode that can be selected by the user is any one of “full color copy”, “monochrome copy”, and “photocopy”.
[0035]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a specific copy mode input via the display unit 103 (step S104). If there is no specific copy mode input, the process of step S103 is performed. If there is a specific copy mode input, the display unit 103 displays a dialog for setting copy conditions (step S105). Examples of this dialog are shown in FIGS. The display unit 103 first displays a dialog shown in FIG. 7 in order to allow the user to select a paper size to be copied. After the user selects a paper size to be copied, the copy color, paper size, and copy size are displayed. A dialog shown in FIG. 8 is displayed to allow the user to select the magnification, document type, copy density, and number of copies. When the “redo setting” button shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is pressed, the display unit 103 displays the dialog shown in FIG. It should be noted that the display unit 103 displays a document when the document size detected by a document size detection sensor (not shown) provided in the multifunction device 100 is different from the copy paper size selected by the user in the dialog shown in FIG. Displays a dialog prompting you to set the position correctly.
[0036]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not specific copy conditions are input via the display unit 103 that displays the dialog shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (step S106).
[0037]
As a result of the determination in step S106, when specific copy conditions are not input via the display unit 103 that displays the dialog shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a coin return instruction. (Step S124). Although the control unit 101 cannot directly determine whether or not there is a coin return instruction, the refund instruction input unit 203 of the charging apparatus 200 detects the input of the refund instruction. Can be received via the data communication line 300 to determine whether or not there is a coin return instruction.
[0038]
If the result of the determination in step S124 is that there is no coin return instruction, the process returns to step S105. On the other hand, if there is a coin return instruction, the warning unit 109 uses a buzzer sound or audio data to reproduce the user. Is issued (step S125), and the display unit 103 displays a document misplacement warning as shown in FIG. 12 (step S119), and the process is terminated. As described above, when there is an instruction to return the coin, the warning unit 109 alerts the user who is paying attention to the coin return by a buzzer sound or reproduction of audio data. In addition, since the display unit 103 displays a warning about leaving a document to the user who has paid attention to the multifunction peripheral 100, it is possible to effectively prevent the document from being left behind. The warning unit 109 may directly warn the user by reproducing a sound such as “Please be careful not to leave the original”.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S106 that specific copy conditions have been input via the display unit 103 that displays the dialog shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the control unit 101 receives the input copy conditions. The data is temporarily stored in the RAM 101c (step S107), and it is determined whether or not the “copy start” button in the dialog shown in FIG. 8 has been pressed (step S108).
[0040]
As a result of the determination in step S108, if the “copy start” button has not been pressed, the display unit 103 reflects the input copy conditions in the display, and the processing in step S105 is continued. On the other hand, when the “copy start” button is pressed, the control unit 101 determines the copy condition temporarily stored in the RAM 101c (step S109), and receives the inserted coin received from the charging apparatus 200. Based on the calculation result data such as the total amount, it is determined whether or not the copying process determined in step S109 is possible, that is, whether or not the fee for executing the copying process is insufficient. Is determined (step S110).
[0041]
If the charge for executing the copy process is insufficient as a result of the determination in step S110, the display unit 103 displays a dialog indicating a charge shortage warning as shown in FIG. 9 (step S120). As shown in FIG. 9, the dialog indicating the insufficient charge warning includes a “change setting” button and a “restart from the beginning” button.
[0042]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the “change setting” button of the dialog indicating the insufficient charge warning is pressed (step S121), and when the “change setting” button is pressed. Returns to the process of step S105. That is, the display unit 103 displays a dialog for setting the copy conditions shown in FIGS. On the other hand, when the “change setting” button has not been pressed, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the “restart from the beginning” button has been pressed (step S122). If pressed, the process returns to step S103. That is, the display unit 103 displays a dialog prompting selection of a copy mode shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the “Restart from the beginning” button is not pressed, it is assumed that the user has inserted an additional coin, and the process returns to the determination process in step S110.
[0043]
As a result of the determination in step S110, if the fee for executing the copy process is sufficient, the multifunction peripheral 100 starts a copy operation (step S111). During copying, the display unit 103 displays a dialog indicating that copying is in progress as shown in FIG. This dialog includes a “Cancel Copy” button.
[0044]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the “Cancel Copy” button included in the dialog indicating that copying is in progress (step S112). If the “Cancel Copy” button is pressed, On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S123, if the “copy stop” button is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the copying is completed (step S113).
[0045]
If the result of determination in step S113 is that copying has not been completed, the process returns to step S111. On the other hand, if copying has been completed, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is a balance (step S114).
[0046]
As a result of the determination in step S114, if there is a balance, the process proceeds to step S123 in consideration of changing the copy conditions and copying under the same conditions. On the other hand, when there is no balance, the display unit 103 displays a dialog (hereinafter referred to as an end dialog) indicating that the copying has been completed as shown in FIG. 11 (step S115). The end dialog includes an “end” button, a “continue copy” button, and a “copy with new settings” button. However, the “Continue Copy” button and the “Copy with New Settings” button clearly indicate that the user cannot press until additional coins are inserted, so these buttons are inserted with additional coins. It will be shaded until it is done. When an additional coin is inserted, these buttons are displayed in a normal display that can be selected by the user, like the “END” button.
[0047]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the “end” button included in the end dialog has been pressed (step S116). If the “end” button has been pressed, the display unit 103 displays the information shown in FIG. Is displayed (step S119), and the process is terminated. As described above, when there is no balance, a warning about the misplacement of the document is displayed on the display unit 103, so that misplacement of the document can be effectively prevented.
[0048]
As a result of the determination in step S116, if the “end” button has not been pressed, the control unit 101 determines whether or not an additional coin has been inserted (step S117). The control unit 101 determines whether or not an additional coin has been inserted by receiving the result of detection of whether or not a coin has been inserted by the inserted coin detection unit 205 from the charging apparatus 200 via the data communication line 300.
[0049]
If it is determined in step S117 that no additional coin has been inserted, the control unit 101 determines whether or not to shift to a timeout process after a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed (step S118). If the process does not shift to the time-out process, the process returns to the process of step S115. On the other hand, if the process shifts to the time-out process, the process proceeds to the process of step S119, and the display unit 103 displays a warning that the document is left behind.
[0050]
As a result of the determination in step S117, when an additional coin is inserted, the display unit 103 displays the “Continue Copy” button and the “Copy with New Settings” button included in the end dialog in FIG. Normal display. That is, a condition that can be selected by the user is added to the end dialog (step S126).
[0051]
Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the “continue copy” button included in the end dialog has been pressed (step S127). While the process proceeds to S105, if the “continue copy” button has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not the “copy with new settings” button included in the end dialog has been pressed (step S128). If the “copy with new settings” button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S103. If the “copy with new settings” button is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S118.
[0052]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there is an instruction to return a coin from the user, the warning unit 109 alerts the user to the MFP 100 and further displays it to the user. Since the unit 103 displays a warning about leaving a document, it is possible to know the meaning of the warning even when an alarm such as a buzzer is given, and it is possible to effectively prevent a document from being left behind. The warning unit 109 directly warns the user by playing a sound such as “Please be careful not to leave a document”, and the display unit 103 displays a warning about the document being left behind. As a result, it is possible to prevent misplacement of the document in a superimposed manner. Further, when there is no balance, a warning that the document has been left behind is displayed on the display unit 103, so that the user can easily see the situation in front of the copying machine 100. Needless to say, it is possible to effectively prevent the document from being left behind.
[0053]
  Further, according to the present embodiment, depending on whether or not there is a balance, whether or not to perform a warning about the misplacement of the document on the display unit 103 and whether to perform a voice warning on the warning unit 109 is determined. It is possible to change the warning method for the user and effectively prevent the document from being left behind.Specifically, when a coin return instruction is input from the billing device, a warning by sound is executed to the user and a warning that the manuscript has been misplaced is displayed. In some cases, it is possible to alert the user to the image forming apparatus with a warning by sound, and to appeal the user's vision to leave the document behind, effectively preventing the document from being left behind. In addition, if it is determined that there is no balance, a warning about the misplacement of the manuscript is displayed, so that misplacement of the manuscript can be effectively prevented, and it is determined that there is a surplus, and the billing device returns the coin. When the instruction is input, the user can be alerted to the image forming apparatus by a sound warning, and the user can appeal the misplacement warning to the user's vision, effectively preventing misplacement of the manuscript. be able to.
[0054]
The present invention supplies a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or a control unit (specifically, a CPU), and the computer or CPU reads and executes the supplied program. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is achieved.
[0055]
In this case, the program is supplied by downloading directly from a recording medium recording the program (not shown) or from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Is done.
[0056]
The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.
[0057]
Furthermore, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a computer with a recording medium that records a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and reading and executing the program stored in the recording medium. Needless to say, this is achieved.
[0058]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, other ROM, etc. may be used as long as they can store the above programs.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
  As described in detail above, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and the claim3According to the warning method used in the image forming apparatus described inWhen the copy operation is completed and the determination unit determines that there is no balance, the display unit displays the copy completion confirmation, and the instruction receiving unit does not receive the instruction input indicating the copy end. If no additional coins are inserted into the billing device and a predetermined time has elapsed, the first warning is executed. Since the second warning is executed,BalancePresence ofEntering the copy end instructionPresence or absence of specified time, refundInAccordingThus, it is possible to effectively prevent the document from being left behind.
[0061]
  Claim2And an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.5According to the warning method used in the image forming apparatus described in, a refund will be made if it is determined that there is a balancePertaining toMultiple warning means or warnings depending on information inputProcessBy executing the second warning that operates, it is possible to effectively prevent the document from being left behind.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a charging apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a charging device connected to the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart specifically illustrating copy processing of the multifunction peripheral 100.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart specifically illustrating copy processing of the multifunction peripheral 100.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a dialog prompting coin insertion on the display unit 103;
6 is a diagram showing a display example of a dialog prompting selection of a copy mode on the display unit 103. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a display example of a dialog for setting copy conditions on the display unit 103. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a dialog for setting copy conditions on the display unit 103;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a dialog indicating a shortage of charge warning on the display unit 103;
10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a dialog indicating that copying is being performed on the display unit 103. FIG.
11 is a diagram showing a display example of an end dialog on the display unit 103. FIG.
12 is a diagram showing a display example of a document misplacement warning on the display unit 103. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
101, 201 control unit
102 Document reading unit
103,206 display unit
104 input section
105,204 I / F
106 Communication unit
107 Printing section
108,202 storage unit
109 Warning section
110,207 System bus
203 Refund instruction input detection unit
205 Inserted coin detector

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus connected to a billing apparatus that outputs information on the amount of money and information on a refund,
Display means;
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction from a user;
First warning means for giving a warning by display on the display means and second warning means for giving a warning by sound in order to give a warning to the user to prevent the document from being left behind;
After the copy operation is started , whether or not there is a balance calculated by the image forming apparatus from the information regarding the total amount input to the billing device received from the billing device and the settlement amount by the copy operation, or the billing device Determining means for determining whether or not there is a balance after the copy operation calculated by the accounting device and transmitted from the accounting device by transmitting data necessary for accounting associated with the copying operation ;
The first warning means and / or the second warning so as to execute either the first warning by the first warning means or the second warning by both the first warning means and the second warning means. Control means for controlling the means,
The control means controls the display means to execute a display related to the confirmation of the completion of copying by the display means when the copy operation is finished and the judgment means judges that there is no balance. In addition, the first warning is executed so that the first warning is executed when the display means executes display related to the copy completion confirmation and the instruction receiving means receives an instruction input indicating the completion of copying. Control means,
Further, in the case of the copy operation is finished, with said if it is determined that there is no balance by determining means, for controlling said display means to perform a display according to the copy end confirmed by the display means When the display unit executes display related to the confirmation of the end of copying and the instruction receiving unit does not receive an instruction input indicating the end of copying, an additional coin is not inserted into the charging apparatus and a predetermined time has elapsed. When the first warning means is controlled to execute the first warning ,
On the other hand, when the copy operation is completed and the determination unit determines that there is a balance, the control unit determines the second warning according to the information on the refund output from the charging device. The image forming apparatus controls the second warning means to execute   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction receiving unit is a button display unit included in a display related to confirmation of completion of copying. Connected to a billing device that outputs information relating to the amount of money and information relating to refund, the display means , an instruction accepting means for accepting instructions from the user, and a warning for preventing the user from leaving a document on the display means A warning method used in an image forming apparatus comprising a first warning means for giving a warning by display and a second warning means for giving a warning by sound ;
After the copy operation is started in the image forming apparatus, whether there is a balance calculated by the image forming apparatus from the information regarding the total amount input to the charging apparatus received from the charging apparatus and the settlement amount by the copying operation, Or a determination step of determining whether or not there is a balance after the copy operation calculated by the charging device and received from the charging device by transmitting data necessary for charging associated with the copy operation to the charging device ;
A display step of executing a display for confirming the completion of copying by the display means when the image forming apparatus is in a copying operation end and it is determined by the determination step that there is no balance ;
In a state where the display means is executing display related to the confirmation of completion of copying , when the instruction receiving means receives an instruction input indicating the end of copying, the warning by the first warning means is executed, and A first warning for executing a warning by the first warning means when an instruction input indicating completion of copying is not received by the instruction receiving means and no additional coin is inserted into the charging apparatus and a predetermined time has elapsed. Process,
In the case of the copying operation is completed, when said determination step it is determined that there is balance by, depending on the information about the refund output from the charging apparatus, that perform warning by the second warning means the warning method for use in an image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a 2 warning process.

Images