JP4835144B2 - Printing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing charging processing using a prepaid card when printing an image.

  The charging method for copying machines proposed by Xerox has been used in the office equipment industry since the 20th century. As the charging method, the following two methods have been adopted.

1. Charge per page by counter charge Billing through sales of consumables by supplying toner (ink) In recent years, there is a movement to change the billing method itself from these bills due to the rise of printers for computers.

  One is called the Pay Per Print method, which is a reproduction of the charging method 1 proposed by Xerox. The manufacturer supplies equipment and consumables to the market free of charge or at a low price, and charges a predetermined amount each time one page is printed. According to this method, since the billing base that is the source of profit is not added to the price of consumables, the consumables can be distributed at a low cost to the user, and moreover, the user is charged for each printed page. There are few user disadvantages.

  However, in order to realize this method, there are problems related to “confirmed processing” such as how to recognize the completion of printing of one page and how to ensure that the corresponding page has been printed. I have it. For example, if a paper jam occurs during printing, the page must be removed from the billing target. In addition, when the toner (ink) runs out before one page is printed, there are many issues that need to be considered, such as what to do with the recovery means and how to handle the billing at that time.

  It is also difficult to deal with unauthorized use. For example, when printing an original of A4 size with only one page, when printing is started after allocating two pages of A4 spread on A3 size paper and printing of a desired original page is completed (processing up to half of A3 paper) When the printer is turned off and the printed sheet is taken out, the one-page printing cannot be said to have been completed, so that it is illegally used without being charged. In order to prevent this, it is possible to analyze the original data and charge for each original data. However, if this is done, the printed output can be obtained normally due to paper jam or toner (ink) running out as mentioned above. If it is not, it is necessary to avoid charging, and the system construction for that purpose becomes very complicated and complicated, and it is difficult to realize it.

  In addition to this, several methods of charging for a predetermined process unit have been proposed as the Pay Per Process method instead of the Pay Per Print method. For example, it is a method of accurately measuring the consumption of consumables and charging according to this. Various proposals have been made for a method of measuring the amount of toner and ink used and charging the pay-as-you-go amount. In this method, since the billing itself is performed according to the operation of the process, the consumables can be distributed at a price with less burden on the user as in the case of Pay Per Print, and for each processing amount printed. Since the user is charged, there are few disadvantages for the user. Furthermore, since there is no guarantee unit for a printed output of one page, a complicated management system such as the Pay Per Print method is not required. As a previously proposed example regarding the Pay Per Process method, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 below can be cited.

  This document discloses a method of charging according to the amount of use of the printer, specifically, charging according to the dot count number of each color ink.

JP 2002-215368 A

  However, both the Pay Per Print method and the Pay Per Process method have a major problem in the mechanism related to the return of profit according to the distribution of consumables. In both of these systems, payment of the usage fee from the user occurs after printing, and a mechanism for collecting the usage fee must be created. In the Xerox system, a copier is equipped with an incremental counter, and a serviceman goes to check the counter regularly and charges the user for the amount of charge, or instead of a serviceman visit, online A method is adopted in which the counter value is acquired and the user is charged for the billing amount.

  In recent years, the latter method is mainly charged by online check, and along with this, various problems of Pay Per Print method can be solved by referring to the status log of the copier. (For example, if a paper jam log is left, the number of counters is subtracted.)

  In addition, it is necessary to consider a method of returning the profit according to the collected fee to an intermediary such as a store. In both of the above-mentioned methods, in order to manage to which brokerage the collected fee should be returned, the broker ID is managed and who is involved in the collection amount associated with the use of a predetermined printer You must build, manage, and maintain a system that can.

  These problems are not problems that the printer configuration itself has, but cannot be ignored when considering the entire service system that supports continuous use of the printer. As a specific example, no matter how the billing method is changed, the distribution of consumables must be realized in such a way that the user can obtain the consumables from the viewpoint of usability. For example, it is inconvenient for the user to order online when the ink runs out, and to receive it only after the next day or the next day. As a method for solving such a distribution problem, a system has been proposed in which the days when consumables are exhausted are predicted and purchases are made in advance or delivered to the user. However, in order to operate such a prediction system, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for predicting the days when the consumables will run out, and depending on the result, the consumables supplier will give some warning or A mechanism to provide services is required. Therefore, the most ideal is to maintain a system in which the user can always obtain the necessary consumables at the nearest store. However, in both cases described above, since there is no profit due to the supply of the consumables, the distribution of the consumables itself does not lead to profits. In order for the store nearest to the user to be involved in the distribution of consumables, a new mechanism is required that promotes the distribution of the consumables and brings profits to the store.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of solving the above-described problems of the prior art, promoting the distribution of consumables, and providing a profit to a store.

In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, a first printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus for printing an image,
Billing debit means accepting section,
A billing information reading unit for reading and writing billing information from the billing debiting means inserted in the billing debiting means receiving unit;
A billing information storage unit for storing the read billing information;
A print drive signal acquisition unit for acquiring a print drive signal output from the print control unit;
A print drive signal conversion unit that converts the acquired print drive signal into the billing information;
A calculation unit for adding / subtracting the charging information converted by the print drive signal conversion unit from the charging information stored in the charging information storage unit;
It is a summary to provide.

  Thus, in the first printing apparatus of the present invention, the billing information reading unit reads and writes the billing information from the billing debiting means inserted in the billing debiting unit receiving unit, and the billing information storage unit reads the billing information read out. Remember. Then, the print drive signal acquisition unit acquires the print drive signal output from the print control unit, and the print drive signal conversion unit converts the print drive signal into billing information. Further, the calculation unit adds or subtracts the billing information converted by the print drive signal conversion unit from the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit.

  By introducing the first printing apparatus having such a configuration and deducting accounting information from the accounting deduction means in accordance with the printing amount, the accounting for printing is not performed by consumable sales, but by sales of the accounting deduction means. Can be done by. Therefore, consumables can be distributed to the user at a low price. In addition, even if there is no profit due to the distribution of consumables, it is possible to obtain profits by selling the billing deduction means. It becomes possible.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the charge debiting means is a prepaid card.
This is because prepaid cards are easy to handle and can easily exchange billing information.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus comprises an inkjet printing apparatus,
The print drive signal may be a print nozzle drive signal in the inkjet printing apparatus.
This is because when the printing apparatus is an inkjet printing apparatus, a print nozzle drive signal is used as the print drive signal.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a unit of reading the billing information is an amount corresponding to a drive amount required for one raster printing in terms of the print drive signal.
This is because, when the printing apparatus is an inkjet printing apparatus, charging in units of one raster is considered suitable for charging management.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing apparatus comprises a laser beam printing apparatus,
The print drive signal may be a laser pulse drive signal in the laser beam printing apparatus.
This is because when the printing apparatus is a laser beam type printing apparatus, a laser pulse drive signal is used as the print drive signal.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a unit for reading the billing information is an amount corresponding to a drive amount required for one page printing in terms of the print drive signal.
This is because, when the printing apparatus is a laser beam type printing apparatus, charging in units of one page is considered suitable for charging management.

In the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the remaining billing information is written back to the billing debit unit based on the calculation result of the calculation unit.
By writing the remaining charging information back to the charging debiting means in this way, even if the charging deduction means is removed from the printing apparatus, the charging information does not remain in the printing apparatus.

A second printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an image by a printing unit,
A prepaid card access unit for accessing the prepaid card;
A print control unit for deriving a measurement value related to a print amount based on a drive signal supplied to the printing unit;
A control unit for increasing or decreasing the remaining amount of credit stored in the accessed prepaid card based on the derived measurement value;
It is a summary to provide.

  As described above, in the second printing apparatus, the prepaid card access unit accesses the prepaid card, and at the time of printing, the print control unit prints the printing amount at that time based on the drive signal supplied to the printing unit. The control value is derived, and the control unit increases or decreases the remaining amount of credit stored in the accessed prepaid card based on the derived measurement value. Here, the credit means that the amount of money is stored as billing information.

  By introducing the second printing apparatus having such a configuration and deducting credits from the prepaid card according to the printing amount, charging for printing is performed not by consumable sales but by sales of the prepaid card. Can do. Therefore, consumables can be distributed to the user at a low price. For retailers, even if profits cannot be obtained through the distribution of consumables, profits can be gained through the sale of prepaid cards, which encourages the distribution of consumables and also provides profits to the retailers. Is possible.

  In the second printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing unit includes an inkjet head, and the printing control unit counts the number of head shots in the inkjet head based on a drive signal supplied to the inkjet head, The number of head shots may be derived as the measured value.

  Thus, when the printing apparatus is a so-called ink jet system, the number of head shots in the ink jet head is considered to be one of the indexes reflecting the actual printing amount.

  In the second printing apparatus of the present invention, the printing unit includes a light source that irradiates a photoconductor with a light beam, and the print control unit is configured to output the light beam from the light source based on a drive signal supplied to the light source. The irradiation time may be integrated and the integrated irradiation time may be derived as the measured value.

  Thus, when the printing apparatus is a so-called laser system, it is considered that the integrated irradiation time of the light from the light source is one of the indexes reflecting the actual printing amount.

A third printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus for printing an image,
When a prepaid card is disposed so as to be accessible to the printing device, a credit corresponding to the print amount is accessed from the prepaid card every time a predetermined amount of printing is completed. The gist is to withdraw.

  In this way, by introducing the second printing device and deducting credits according to the amount of printing from the prepaid card arranged to be accessible, it is related to printing as in the case of the first printing device. Billing can be done by selling prepaid cards. Therefore, it is possible to obtain profits by selling prepaid cards even if profits cannot be obtained from the distribution of consumables. Is possible.

The prepaid card of the present invention is a prepaid card used in a printing apparatus for printing an image,
Credit information that can be increased or decreased according to the printing amount in the printing device;
Model information indicating the model of the printing apparatus to which the prepaid card can be applied;
Authentication information indicating that it is a legitimate prepaid card,
The gist of this is memorized.

  In this way, by including credit information that can be increased or decreased according to the printing amount in the printing apparatus, it is possible to perform charging processing for image printing performed in the printing apparatus using such a prepaid card. In addition, when the prepaid card is used in a printing apparatus by including the model information and the authentication information, it can be easily determined from the information whether the prepaid card is compatible with the printing apparatus.

A first control method of the present invention is a control method of a printing apparatus that performs image printing,
(A) reading and writing billing information from the billing debiting means inserted in the billing debiting means receiving unit;
(B) storing the read billing information in a billing information storage unit;
(C) obtaining a print drive signal output from the print control unit;
(D) converting the acquired print drive signal into the billing information;
(E) adding or subtracting the converted billing information from the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit;
It is a summary to provide.

  By adopting such a control method for the printing apparatus, the same operations and effects as those of the first printing apparatus described above can be achieved.

A second control method of the present invention is a control method of a printing apparatus that prints an image by a printing unit,
(A) accessing a prepaid card;
(B) deriving a measurement value related to the print amount based on a drive signal supplied to the printing unit;
(C) increasing or decreasing the remaining amount of credit stored in the accessed prepaid card based on the derived measurement value;
It is a summary to provide.

  By adopting such a control method for the printing apparatus, the same operations and effects as those of the second printing apparatus described above can be achieved.

The print billing method of the present invention is a print billing method for billing for image printing performed by a printing apparatus,
(A) providing a prepaid card for a fee;
(B) disposing the provided prepaid card with respect to the printing apparatus so as to be accessible from the printing apparatus;
(C) every time a predetermined amount of printing is completed in the printing device, a credit corresponding to the printing amount is withdrawn from the prepaid card by access from the printing device;
It is a summary to provide.

  By adopting such a printing billing method, it is possible to achieve the same effect as in the case of the third printing apparatus described above.

  The present invention is not limited to the aspect of the apparatus invention such as the printing apparatus described above and the aspect of the method invention such as the control method, but can be realized in other aspects. For example, various aspects such as an aspect as a computer program for constructing these methods and apparatuses, an aspect as a recording medium recording such a computer program, and a data signal embodied in a carrier wave including the computer program It is also possible to realize this aspect.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Example configuration:
B. Example operation:
C. Effects of the embodiment:
D. Variations:

A. Example configuration:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. A printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an inkjet multifunction peripheral, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, a CPU 102 that mainly performs control of various components and various processes according to a program such as firmware, and stores the program. A memory 104 for storing various data, an operation panel, etc., an operation unit 106 for receiving various instructions from the user, a liquid crystal panel, etc., and a display unit for notifying the user of various information 108, a display control unit 110 for controlling the display unit 108, a prepaid card mounting unit 112 for mounting a prepaid card 128 inserted in a prepaid card slot (not shown), and storage in the prepaid card 128 A prepaid card control unit 114 for reading and writing the credits received, and a memo A memory card connection unit 116 for connecting a memory card 130 inserted in a card slot (not shown), a memory card control unit 118 for reading and writing image data recorded on the memory card 130, cyan, Four ink cartridges 120 filled with magenta, yellow, and black inks, an ink jet head 122 having the ink cartridges mounted therein and having a plurality of nozzles for each ink color, movement of the ink jet head 122, paper feeding, and the like are performed. A printing control unit 126 for controlling the printing mechanism unit 124, the inkjet head 122, and the printing mechanism unit 124, and for reading and writing information such as ink remaining amount with respect to the IC chip 120a provided in each ink cartridge 120. And. In addition, the printing apparatus 100 connects a USB device connector, a USB device controller, a digital camera, and the like for connecting a scanner unit, a scanner control unit, a computer, and the like for reading a document and the like via USB. A USB host connector, a USB host controller, an IrDA receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal, an IrDA controller, and the like are also provided, but are omitted in FIG.

  The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to count the number of head shots in the inkjet head 122 at the time of printing when the prepaid card 128 is inserted, and to deduct credits according to the obtained head shot number from the prepaid card 128. It is a feature. In this embodiment, the inkjet head 122 and the like are in the printing unit in the claims, the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112 are in the prepaid card access unit in the claims, and the printing control unit 126 is in the claim. The CPU 102 corresponds to the control unit in the claims.

  As a premise of this embodiment, the ink cartridge 120, which is a consumable item, is sold from the manufacturer to the user via the store as shown in FIG. Further, the prepaid card 128 used in the printing apparatus 100 is also sold to the user through the same sales route, that is, from the manufacturer through the sales store. Accordingly, when the user runs out of ink, the user purchases the ink cartridge 120 from the store, and the prepaid card 128 necessary for printing is purchased from the store before printing. In the purchased prepaid card 128, a certain amount of credit is encrypted and stored. In addition, the prepaid card 128 stores authentication information indicating that it is a regular prepaid card. In addition, model information indicating an applicable multifunction device or printer model may be stored.

B. Example operation:
Now, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described. For example, a case where image data shot with a digital camera or the like and recorded on the memory card 130 is printed will be described as an example.

  First, when a user inserts a memory card 130 on which image data is recorded into a memory card slot of the printing apparatus 100, the memory card 130 is connected to the memory card connection unit 116. The CPU 102 reads out image data recorded on the memory card 130 via the memory card control unit 118 and the memory card connection unit 116, generates a preview image from the image data, and displays the image data via the display control unit 110. 108 is displayed. When the user operates the operation unit 106 while viewing the preview image displayed on the display unit 108 to select image data to be printed, and then instructs printing of the image data, the user is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. The charging / printing process shown is started.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of the charging / printing process executed by the printing apparatus 100 of FIG. When the processing shown in FIG. 3 is started, the CPU 102 first stores image data to be printed from the memory card 130 into the buffer memory area of the memory 104 via the memory card connection unit 116 and the memory card control unit 118. (Step S102).

  Next, the CPU 102 detects whether or not the prepaid card 128 is inserted into the prepaid card slot via the prepaid card control unit 114, and if not, displays the display via the display control unit 110. A message such as “Please insert a prepaid card” is displayed on section 108 (step S106).

  If a prepaid card has already been inserted, or if a prepaid card has been inserted by the user based on a card insertion request, the CPU 102 then proceeds to the prepaid card via the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112. The card 128 is accessed, the model information and the authentication information are read from the prepaid card 128, and based on the information, it is determined whether or not the prepaid card 128 is a prepaid card compatible with the printing apparatus 100 ( Step S108).

  If it is determined that the prepaid card is not suitable, the CPU 102 causes the display unit 108 to display a message such as “This prepaid card is not suitable for this multifunction device” (step S110), and then prepaid. The card controller 114 causes the prepaid card 128 to be ejected (step S112), and the series of processing ends.

  If the result of the determination in step S108 is that the card is a suitable prepaid card, the CPU 102 accesses the prepaid card 128 via the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112, and is stored from the prepaid card 128. The remaining credit amount is read (step S114). Since the stored credit information is encrypted, the CPU 102 decrypts the read credit information each time. Then, the CPU 102 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the read credit is greater than zero (step S116). If the remaining amount is zero, the display unit 108 indicates “There is no remaining credit amount in this prepaid card. Is displayed (step S118), and then the prepaid card control unit 114 ejects the prepaid card 128 (step S112), and the series of processes is terminated.

  If the remaining credit amount is greater than zero, the CPU 102 accesses the prepaid card 128 again via the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112, and stores the stored credit from the prepaid card 128 in a predetermined amount. The part is read out and stored in the temporary memory area of the memory 104 (step S120). Here, the predetermined quantity refers to the quantity of credit corresponding to the amount to be imposed on the user when printing for one raster. When reading out, if the credits stored in the prepaid card 128 are less than a predetermined quantity, all remaining credits are read out.

  Next, the CPU 102 checks whether or not the read credit has been normally stored in the temporary memory area (step S122). If the credit has not been normally completed, an error display is displayed on the display unit 108. (Step S124), and then the prepaid card control unit 114 discharges the prepaid card 128 (Step S112), and the series of processes is terminated.

  As a result of the check in step S122, if the credit storage is completed normally, the CPU 102 accesses the prepaid card 128 via the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112, and receives the credit from the prepaid card 128. A predetermined amount is erased (step S126). As a result, the remaining amount of credit in the prepaid card 128 is reduced by a predetermined amount.

  Next, in FIG. 4, the CPU 102 reads a predetermined amount of data from the stored print job data from the buffer memory area of the memory 104 (step S <b> 202). Here, the predetermined amount means a data amount for one raster. If the remaining data that has not been read out of the stored print job data is less than a predetermined amount, all the remaining data is read out.

  Then, the CPU 102 determines whether or not there is data to be read (step S204). If there is data to be read, the CPU 102 executes print processing on the read data (step S206). Specifically, the CPU 102 performs image processing such as color conversion, halftone, and image quality correction on the read data, and then the print control unit 126 performs the inkjet head 122 and the image processing based on the processed data. The printing mechanism unit 124 is controlled to print an image on printing paper. At this time, the print control unit 126 counts the number of head shots in the inkjet head 122 based on the drive signal supplied to the inkjet head 122. As the number of head shots, the number of shots of all the nozzles of the inkjet head 122 is counted. Thus, in this embodiment, the value related to the amount of printing actually performed in the printing apparatus 100 by counting the number of head shots in the inkjet head 122 based on the drive signal supplied to the inkjet head 122. Is measured and derived.

  When printing is completed for the read data, the CPU 102 acquires the counted number of head shots from the print control unit 126 (step S208), and calculates the number of credits to be erased from the acquired number of head shots (step S208). S210). Specifically, the credit quantity corresponding to the amount to be imposed on the user is preset for the number of unit head shots, and the credit quantity is calculated based on the set value. Note that when the setting is made, for example, the number of head shots is rounded to 10000 shots, for example, 1 credit. This is because the number of head shots is a very large value, and assuming that 1 shot is 1 credit, the number of remaining credits stored in the prepaid card becomes too large.

  Next, the CPU 102 erases credits for the calculated quantity from the temporary memory area of the memory 104 (step S212). As a result, the remaining credit amount in the temporary memory area is reduced by the calculated quantity.

  Subsequently, the CPU 102 stores the remaining amount of credit stored in the temporary memory area of the memory 104, the above-described predetermined amount (the amount of credit corresponding to the amount to be imposed on the user when printing for one raster), and If the remaining credit amount exceeds the predetermined amount, the process returns to step S202, and the next predetermined amount of data among the stored print job data is retrieved from the buffer memory area of the memory 104. Reading, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is repeated. On the other hand, if the remaining credit amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the process returns to step S114 in FIG. 3, and the CPU 102 accesses the prepaid card 128 via the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112. Then, the remaining amount of credit stored in the prepaid card 128 is read again, and the same operation as described above is repeated thereafter.

  In this way, the CPU 102 prints an image while reading print job data from the buffer memory area of the memory 104 by a predetermined amount, and withdraws credits from the prepaid card 128 according to the print amount (that is, the number of head shots). .

  Thereafter, as a result of the determination in step S204, the CPU 102 has read all the print job data stored in the buffer memory area. If there is no read data, the CPU 102 stores the print job data from the temporary memory area in the memory 104. All the credits that have been read are read out, the prepaid card control unit 114 and the prepaid card mounting unit 112 are accessed, the prepaid card 128 is accessed, and the read credits are written back to the prepaid card 128 (step S216), and a series of processing ends. To do.

  As described above, for image printing based on the print job data, credits corresponding to the printing amount are withdrawn from the prepaid card 128.

C. Effects of the embodiment:
As described above, by introducing the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the user can be charged for printing not by selling consumables such as the ink cartridge 120 but by selling the prepaid card 128. Therefore, consumables can be distributed to the user at a low price. For retailers, even if profits cannot be obtained through the distribution of consumables, profits can be gained through the sale of prepaid cards, which encourages the distribution of consumables and also provides profits to the retailers. Is possible. Furthermore, there is no need to make changes to the existing distribution system, and there are no disadvantages and burdens to dealers and distributors.

  In addition, since payment related to printing is performed using a prepaid card, fees related to printing are collected from the user before printing, so that a mechanism for collecting fees and returning profits to retailers It does not require the creation of an incidental management system, such as the mechanism of the system, and does not require system construction, management, and operation costs.

  In addition, because printing is charged using a prepaid card, for example, the printing device may fail if the ink cartridge still has a large amount of remaining ink, and the printing device is replaced with another printing device. In this case, even if the ink cartridge used in the original printing apparatus cannot be used in the new printing apparatus, the user will not feel a loss as long as the ink cartridge itself is supplied at a sufficiently low cost.

D. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the above-described embodiments, the printing apparatus 100 is an inkjet multifunction device, but may be an inkjet printer, or may be a laser multifunction device or a laser printer that uses toner instead of ink.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part when the printing apparatus is a laser multi-function peripheral as a modification of the present invention. Since the laser MFP is different from the inkjet MFP in the printing method, each component related to actual printing is also different. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus according to this modification includes a semiconductor laser, a light emitting diode, and the like. The light source 140 for irradiating light and the irradiated light 144 are received and charged, and the toner A printing mechanism 124 ′ that scans the irradiated light beam 144, rotationally drives the photosensitive drum 142, presses the printing paper to the photosensitive drum 142, and cyan and magenta. , Yellow and black toner cartridges 146, the light source 140 and the printing mechanism 124 ′ are controlled, and the remaining amount of toner is supplied to the IC chip 126 a provided in each toner cartridge 126. And a print control unit 126 ′ for reading and writing information such as. Configurations other than those related to actual printing are the same as those shown in FIG. In this modification, the light source 140 and the like correspond to the printing unit in the claims, and the photosensitive drum 142 corresponds to the photosensitive member.

  In this modification, instead of counting the number of head shots, the printing mechanism unit 124 ′ integrates the irradiation time of the light beam 144 emitted from the light source 140 based on the drive signal supplied to the light source 140. As a result, a value related to the amount of printing actually performed in the printing apparatus is measured and derived. In this case, of course, in this case, the CPU 102 acquires the integrated irradiation time from the print control unit 126 ′ in step S208 of FIG. 4, and in step S210, calculates the credit amount to be erased from the acquired irradiation time. Try to calculate.

  Further, instead of integrating the irradiation time of such light rays, a value related to the printing amount may be measured by counting the irradiation amount that can be converted into the number of printed pages.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation other than the normal printing is not particularly mentioned. However, the number of head shots which is a reference for the credit withdrawal is only the number of head shots generated during the normal printing. , Cleaning, nozzle check printing, Bi-D correction printing, and the like, it is preferable from the viewpoint of usability not to include the number of head shots other than normal printing in the number of head shots used as a reference for credit withdrawal.

  In the above-described embodiments, the IC chip 120a provided in each ink cartridge 120 is not particularly mentioned. However, by using information on the remaining amount of ink stored in the IC chip 120a, for example, ink When the ink end of the cartridge 120 is near, even if credits remain in the prepaid card 128, printing is not performed, and conversely, even if sufficient ink remains in the ink cartridge 120, the credits remain in the prepaid card 128. If it does not remain, printing may not be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image is printed while reading the print job data from the buffer memory area of the memory 104 by a predetermined amount (that is, the data amount for one raster), and after the predetermined amount is read and printed, If there is no remaining credit in the prepaid card 128, even if printing is in progress, no credit remaining is displayed (step S118), the prepaid card 128 is ejected (step S124), and printing is interrupted. It will be. However, in this way, when printing is interrupted in order to replace a prepaid card in the middle of printing a certain page, color unevenness or defective printing occurs on the printed page. Since the quality may be deteriorated, even if the remaining credit in the prepaid card 128 runs out during the printing of a certain page, the page is printed until the printing is completed. May be continued.

  In the embodiment described above, when print job data is read from the buffer memory area of the memory 104 in step S202, the data amount for one raster is read as a predetermined amount. However, the present invention is limited to this. For example, the data amount for one page may be read out. In step S120 or S126, when a predetermined amount of credit is read from the prepaid card 128 or erased, the predetermined amount is set as the amount of credit corresponding to the amount to be charged when printing for one raster. However, instead of this, the amount of credits corresponding to the amount to be charged when printing for one page may be used. If the predetermined amount when reading the print job data from the buffer memory area of the memory 104 is the data amount for one page, the predetermined amount when reading or deleting the credit from the prepaid card 128 is set to 1 It is preferable that the amount of credits corresponding to the amount to be charged when printing for one page is mutually matched as one page.

In the above-described embodiment, the details of the prepaid card 128 are not particularly mentioned, but as the prepaid card 128, the following various media are conceivable. -Magnetic card-IC card-Memory card-Optical disk-USB memory (in this case, connected to the USB host connector)
・ Wireless tag (in this case, since it is non-contact, an electrical connector is unnecessary)
A prepaid card generally refers to a prepaid card or a prepaid card. In this specification, the prepaid card further includes a rechargeable electronic money card (for example, SUICA and Edy (both registered trademarks)). )) Etc. are also included.

  In the case of a wireless tag, since it may be non-contact, there is no need to insert, attach, or connect to the printing apparatus 100 as in other media, that is, a range that can be accessed from the printing apparatus 100, that is, It suffices to arrange it within the reach of radio.

  In addition, the prepaid card 128 is desirably general-purpose for a multifunction machine or a printer manufactured by the same manufacturer. This is because credits are not wasted if the prepaid card 128 can be used in other models as well.

  Further, the prepaid card 128 may be a disposable card or a reusable card that can be charged with credit at a dedicated terminal installed at a storefront of a store.

In addition, when charging credits with a dedicated terminal, a discount service may be provided when the total charge exceeds a certain amount. The following are possible discount services.
・ Give credit 10% more than the amount charged.
・ Issue a discount ticket for ink cartridges.
・ Issuing discount tickets for MFPs and printers.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where an image recorded on the memory card 130 is printed has been described as an example. However, in the printing apparatus 100 that is a multifunction machine, the following modes are modes in which other printing is performed. is there.
-When printing an image stored in a computer via USB-When printing an image recorded on a camera-equipped mobile phone (in this case, for example, using IrDA or Bluetooth as a communication means. In the case of Bluetooth, an adapter is used) Connect to the USB host connector of the MFP.)
-When executing copy (that is, when printing an image read by the scanner unit)

  In the embodiment described above, the user interface displayed on the display unit 108 has not been described in detail. However, a menu for checking the remaining amount of credit stored in the prepaid card 128 may be provided. Further, the remaining credit amount is displayed on the prepaid card 128 at the timing of recognizing the prepaid card 128 (for example, when the prepaid card 128 is inserted or when the printing apparatus 100 is powered on with the prepaid card 128 inserted). It may be. If the prepaid card 128 is removed during printing, printing is stopped, the printing paper is discharged, and a message “Prepaid card has been removed. Printing will be stopped” is displayed on the display unit 108 for several seconds. You may make it display. Furthermore, when the prepaid card 128 is not inserted, an icon indicating that the prepaid card 128 is not inserted may be displayed in a part of the display unit 108, for example, in an area where the remaining amount of ink is displayed. In that case, the icon may be displayed side by side with the ink remaining amount display, or may be displayed instead of the ink remaining amount display.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 includes the prepaid card mounting unit 112 and the prepaid card control unit 114, but these are used as a prepaid card reader / writer in a separate case via a USB host connector. May be connected to the outside.

  In the above-described embodiments, the ink cartridge 120 has not been described in detail. However, the ink cartridge 120 used in the printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment cannot be used in a multifunction machine or a printer that does not support the prepaid card 128. It is preferable to do so. For this purpose, for example, the shape of the mounting portion of the ink cartridge 120 used in the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is changed so that it cannot be physically mounted on a multi-function device that does not support prepaid cards, or the ink cartridge When the ink cartridge 120 used in the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a multi-function device that does not support a prepaid card using the information stored in the IC chip 120a provided in the 120, A method of determining that the ink cartridge is an illegal ink cartridge is conceivable.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the sales route of the prepaid card used in the printing apparatus of FIG. 1, and an ink cartridge. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of billing / printing processing executed by the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of billing / printing processing executed by the printing apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part in a case where the printing apparatus is a laser complex machine as a modification of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 ... Printer 102 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 ... Memory 106 ... Operation part 108 ... Display part 110 ... Display control part 112 ... Prepaid card mounting part 114 ... Prepaid card control part 116 ... Memory card connection part 118 ... Memory card control part 120 ... Ink cartridge 120a ... IC chip 122 ... Ink-jet heads 124, 124 '... printing mechanism 126, 126' ... printing controller 128 ... prepaid card 130 ... memory card 140 ... light source 142 ... photosensitive drum 144 ... light beam 146 ... toner cartridge 146a ... IC chip

Claims (13)

A printing device for printing an image,
Billing debit means accepting section,
A billing information reading / writing unit capable of reading billing information from the billing debiting means inserted in the billing debiting unit receiving unit, erasing the billing information from the billing debiting unit, and writing back the billing information to the billing debiting unit;
A billing information storage unit capable of storing billing information;
Before the printing, the charging information reading / writing unit reads out a predetermined amount of charging information from the charging debiting means, stores the predetermined amount of charging information in the charging information storage unit, and the charging information reading / writing unit A temporary debiting unit for erasing the predetermined amount of charging information from the charging debiting means,
A print drive signal acquisition unit for acquiring a print drive signal output from the print control unit;
A print drive signal conversion unit that converts the acquired print drive signal into billing information;
A calculation unit that subtracts the charging information converted by the print drive signal conversion unit from the charging information stored in the charging information storage unit;
With
A printing apparatus that writes back the remaining billing information to the billing debiting means via the billing information reading / writing unit based on the calculation result of the computing unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The charging debiting means is a printing device that is a prepaid card. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The printing device comprises an inkjet printing device,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print drive signal is a print nozzle drive signal in the inkjet printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
The printing apparatus, wherein the predetermined amount of charging information is the amount of charging information corresponding to a driving amount required for one raster printing in terms of the print driving signal. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The printing device comprises a laser beam printing device,
The printing apparatus, wherein the print drive signal is a laser pulse drive signal in the laser beam printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
The printing apparatus, wherein the predetermined amount of charging information is the amount of charging information corresponding to a driving amount required for printing one page in terms of the print driving signal. A printing apparatus for printing an image by a printing unit,
A prepaid card access unit for accessing the prepaid card;
A print control unit for deriving a measurement value related to a print amount based on a drive signal supplied to the printing unit;
A control unit for increasing or decreasing the remaining amount of credit stored in the accessed prepaid card based on the derived measurement value;
Equipped with a,
The controller is
Before the printing, the prepaid card access unit reads a predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card, the prepaid card access unit erases the predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card,
Convert the measurements into credits,
Subtract the converted credit from the predetermined amount of credit read from the prepaid card,
A printing apparatus that writes back the remaining credits to the prepaid card via the prepaid card access unit . The printing apparatus according to claim 7.
The printing unit includes an inkjet head,
The printing control unit counts the number of head shots in the inkjet head based on a drive signal supplied to the inkjet head, and derives the counted number of head shots as the measured value. The printing apparatus according to claim 7.
The printing unit includes a light source that irradiates the photosensitive member with light.
The printing control unit, based on a drive signal supplied to the light source, integrates the irradiation time of the light beam from the light source, and derives the integrated irradiation time as the measured value. A printing apparatus for printing an image by a printing unit,
When a prepaid card is placed accessible to the printing device,
Before the printing, read a predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card, erase the predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card,
Based on the drive signal supplied to the printing unit, a credit corresponding to the printing amount is calculated,
Subtracting the calculated credit from the predetermined amount of credit read from the prepaid card;
A printing device for writing the remaining credit back to the prepaid card . A method for controlling a printing apparatus for printing an image, comprising:
A step of reading the charge information of a predetermined quantity fraction from (a) the inserted charge debiting means billing debit means receiving portion,
(B) storing the read billing information in a billing information storage unit;
(C) erasing the predetermined amount of billing information from the billing debiting means before the printing;
( D ) obtaining a print drive signal output from the print control unit;
( E ) converting the acquired print drive signal into billing information;
( F ) subtracting the converted billing information from the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit;
( G ) writing back the remaining billing information to the billing debiting means based on the calculation result of the step ( f );
A control method comprising: A control method of a printing apparatus that prints an image by a printing unit,
(A) accessing a prepaid card, reading a predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card before the printing, and erasing the predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card ;
(B) deriving a measurement value related to the print amount based on a drive signal supplied to the printing unit;
(C) increasing or decreasing the remaining amount of credit stored in the accessed prepaid card based on the derived measurement value;
Equipped with a,
The step (c)
(C1) converting the measured value into credit;
(C2) subtracting the converted credit from the predetermined amount of credit read from the prepaid card;
(C3) A step of writing back the remaining credits to the prepaid card . A printing charging method for charging for image printing performed by a printing apparatus,
(A) providing a prepaid card for a fee;
(B) disposing the provided prepaid card with respect to the printing apparatus so as to be accessible from the printing apparatus;
(C) every time a predetermined amount of printing is completed in the printing device, a credit corresponding to the printing amount is withdrawn from the prepaid card by access from the printing device;
Equipped with a,
The step (c)
(C1) reading a predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card before the printing, and erasing the predetermined amount of credit from the prepaid card;
(C2) calculating a credit corresponding to a printing amount based on a driving signal in the printing apparatus;
(C3) subtracting the calculated credit from the predetermined amount of credit read from the prepaid card;
(C4) A print billing method comprising: writing the remaining credit back to the prepaid card .

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