JP4992505B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a print mode to be charged. The image forming apparatus includes a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) called a copying machine, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral.

  Copiers that can be used by unspecified customers for a fee are installed in various stores such as convenience stores. Generally, this type of copying machine is configured so that a customer can specify and select several items such as the number of copies, the density of prints, and the paper size. In addition, an increasing number of stores have color copiers that can be used as monochrome copiers. Many color copiers are multifunctional types that allow duplex printing by installing a duplex unit.

  In recent years, as a new form of paid copying service, a business in which a paper on which an advertisement is printed on one side in advance is stored in a copying machine and the advertiser bears all or part of the copying fee has been attracting attention. The original brought in by the customer is copied to the other side of the advertisement-printed paper. Customers can receive a copy service for free or at a discounted rate. Instead, the advertisement is always printed on the received form. Advertisers can conduct effective advertising according to the customer base. This business can be implemented by a general-purpose copying machine that does not have an additional function of printing advertisements separately from the original image.

A copying machine having a function of printing an advertisement image when copying a document is known. For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a copying machine having a memory for storing an advertisement image and a billing apparatus that receives a charge, and the advertisement image is printed on the back side of a sheet on which a document is copied or on another sheet. Print. Then, the copy fee is changed according to the time required for printing the advertisement. In addition, there are various proposals such as one in which the arrangement of advertisements can be selected in single-sided printing, and one in which a customer can select the type of advertisement product.
JP 2000-347533 A

  Among the users of the copy service, not only those who want a free copy service (hereinafter referred to as “free copy”) on which the advertisement is attached to the paper as described above, but also a copy service (for which there is a charge but no advertisement is attached) Some people wish to have a paid copy. In order for the copy service provider to meet this need, it has conventionally been necessary to install a copying machine dedicated to free copying and a copying machine having a charging function dedicated to paid copying.

  In addition, when a service provider installs a general-purpose copying machine and performs free copying, there is a risk that the service provider may be used to impair the interests of the service provider. For example, a situation may occur in which a single user changes the designation of print conditions and repeats a trial copy, or a single user makes a large number of copies and occupies a copier for a long time. This situation does not follow the intentions of advertisers who want to distribute advertisements widely to many users, and reduces the trust of advertisers to service providers. In addition, intentional fraud may be considered. If the misplacement of pressing the start key and leaving after designating the maximum number (for example, 999 sheets) that can be specified, a large amount of paper and color materials are wasted.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention can be used for a print service with a plurality of charge settings such as free / charge or low / high, and excessive use or misuse of a print service with free or low charge It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that is free from the risk of image formation.

An image forming apparatus to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus starts printing operation paid after accepting an input operation regarded on or with its money than the set amount, the pricing of paid and free comprising an operation input means for selecting, and a control unit in response to the selection of the toll by the operation input means sets the pay print mode, and sets the free of charge print mode in response to said free selection . In the image forming apparatus, the operation input unit is in a state in which a charge setting can be selected in response to input of money equal to or greater than a set amount or an input operation that is regarded as such, and the amount of money equal to or greater than the set amount input The amount of money is refunded when the printing operation in the free print mode is completed.
The input operation that is considered to be the insertion of money includes predetermined operations such as insertion of a prepaid card, key input of an identification code for identifying a user, IC tag card, or mobile device with a checkout function.
The states where selection is possible include a state where a screen including a selection key is displayed on a touch panel type operation panel and waiting for input, and a state where the selection key is pressed down on an operation panel where the selection key is permanently installed.

A user (operator) of the image forming apparatus can select either a pay print operation or a free print operation by a predetermined operation. However, even if it is a free setting, a free print operation cannot be selected unless money is inserted or an operation equivalent to that is performed in the same manner as in the case of paying. That is, a free print service cannot be received. The inserted money has the character of a deposit for using the image forming apparatus. By making it mandatory for the user to deposit a deposit, it is possible to prevent mischief such as leaving by designating the maximum number of prints.

In a preferred embodiment, images forming device, the paid print mode performs charging each time printing for one sheet is completed, does not perform accounting in free print mode. In the free print mode, money corresponding to the amount inserted is refunded, so that the user is not disadvantaged financially.

In another preferred embodiment, when the user of the image forming apparatus selects the free print operation, the user is subject to usage restrictions not received when the pay print operation is selected. The restriction items include the number of prints per document, the color of the print, the selection of the paper storage unit, the occupation time, and the like. In the free printing operation, at least one of these items is limited. By restricting the use, excessive use and unauthorized use of an inexpensive print service are suppressed, and the possibility that the service provider is disadvantaged is reduced. Restriction items such as image quality designation and total number of prints can also be set.

According to the present invention, free / Charge and print service multiple pricing will have be able to be carried out by one of the image forming apparatus, over which the disadvantages of the service provider in the print service free of charge Use and misuse of services.

  A typical example of a print service with a plurality of charge settings is a combination of a pay copy for which the service user pays a charge and a free copy for which the advertiser bears the charge as described above. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus used for a copy service in which a customer who provides the service can select either a pay copy or a free copy will be exemplified. In addition, it is not necessarily limited to pay and free, and may be a normal charge and a discount charge. Pricing is a matter that service providers should decide.

  The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a convenience store, for example, and is used in a self-service manner by an unspecified customer. Hereinafter, an unspecified customer who is a temporary user of the image forming apparatus 10 is referred to as a user for convenience. If the user accepts that the advertisement is printed on the back side of the paper, the user can copy the manuscript free of charge. If you do not agree to print the advertisement, you can copy the manuscript for a fee. The free copy print mode is a mode in which the original image is printed on one side of the paper and the advertisement image is printed on the other side. The pay copy print mode is a mode in which only the original image is printed and the advertisement image is not printed.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 11 capable of color printing and a charging device 12. The charging device 12 shown in the figure is a coin bender having a vertically long box shape, and is placed beside the multifunction device 11 and connected to the multifunction device 11 via a cable-like relay connector 17 drawn from the back. .

  For example, when a user inserts a coin in pay copying, the charging device 12 sequentially displays the amount of money inserted on the display unit 15 including a liquid crystal display, and when the amount of money reaches a predetermined amount, printing is performed on the multifunction device 11. Instructs acceptance of panel operation for specifying details. The user operates the operation panel 18 to specify items such as a set number (number of copies), a paper size, and a print color (monochrome / color). If the copy fee corresponding to the designated copy content is equal to or less than the amount that has been entered, the charging device 12 permits the multifunction device 11 to perform a copy operation. In the case of a free copy, items that can be specified by the user are limited. When the user presses the start key on the operation panel 18, the copy operation starts. The multifunction device 11 transmits discharge information to the charging device 12 when the paper is discharged to the face-up tray 54 (or the face-down tray 53 in the case of a free copy). Upon receipt of the discharge information, the charging device 12 collects a predetermined copy fee and newly displays the balance. The copy fee to be collected depends on the copy content. When the balance falls below a predetermined amount, the charging device 12 prohibits the copying operation. When a coin is additionally inserted, the charging device 12 permits the copying operation again. When the user presses the coin return button 14 of the charging device 12 while the copying operation is stopped, coins corresponding to the balance are sent from the inside of the charging device 12 to the coin return port 16 on the front surface.

  In addition, although the charging apparatus 12 which consists of a coin vendor was shown in figure, it can also be set as the charging apparatus using information storage media, such as a prepaid card which memorize | stored money amount information. The billing apparatus in this case collects a copy fee based on the balance information stored in the inserted prepaid card.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function device 11 enables reduction projection type flat image scanner 21 as a document image input means, tandem color printer 23, multistage paper stocker 25, and two types of paper discharge. A discharge unit 26 and a duplex unit 27 are provided. The paper stocker 25 includes three paper feed ports 251, 252, and 253 and a manual paper feed port 254, and is configured to be capable of selecting one of a plurality of types of paper having different sizes.

  In the copying operation, the document image is read by the image scanner 21 and becomes a toner image of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) by the color printer 23. The four color toner images formed at a predetermined timing are sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40 and overlapped on the intermediate transfer belt 40. The superimposed four color toner images are secondarily transferred to the paper fed from the paper stocker 25 to the color printer 23. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed on the sheet through the fixing unit. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed is discharged through the discharge unit 26. In the case of duplex printing, the sheet is sent to the duplex unit 27 after the transfer of the first page. The paper that has been turned upside down by the duplex unit 27 returns to the transfer position (printing position) and is discharged after the transfer of the second side. Since the basic configuration of such a multifunction machine 11 is widely known, detailed description of the structure and function of each element is omitted here.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The multi-function device 11 and the billing device 12 communicate with each other via the relay connector 17 and the input / output interfaces 60a and 60b. Communication control of the multifunction device 11 is controlled by a control unit 61 provided in the multifunction device 11, and communication control of the charging device 12 is controlled by a control unit 71 provided in the charging device 12.

  The control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11 is connected to operation mechanisms and sensors provided in the image scanner 21, the color printer 23, the discharge unit 26, and the duplex unit 27 through an interface. In addition, a signal processing unit 22 that processes a read signal from the image scanner 21 and the above-described operation panel 18 are also connected to the control unit 61. Further, the control unit 61 includes an advertisement image memory unit 63 including a nonvolatile memory for storing a plurality of advertisement images in advance, a billing memory 64 for accumulating and storing the number of printed advertisements and billing for the advertiser, Work memory 65 used for temporary storage of data and image composition, timer 66 for measuring the current time, counter 67 for accumulating the number of printed advertisements, productivity for printing advertisement images and / or manuscript images A determination unit 68 for determination is connected.

  The operation panel 18 includes an advertisement function selection unit 82 which is an operation input unit for selecting a pay copy / free copy by a user, and a color mode setting unit for setting a color mode (monochrome copy / color copy) for printing an original image. 83, an image quality setting unit 84 for setting copy density and background level, other various keys 85, and a display unit 88 for displaying various operation screens. The display unit 88 includes a display and a touch panel. The image quality setting unit 84 functions only in the case of pay copying, and in the case of free copying, the image quality is automatically set by preliminary scanning (pre-scanning). Other keys include a start key.

  On the other hand, the control unit 71 of the billing apparatus 12 includes the display unit 15 described above, a billing table memory 72 that stores table data indicating correspondence between copy contents and charges, and a billing that stores the number of copies and the billing amount for the user in an accumulated manner. A memory 73 is connected.

  The free copy in the image forming apparatus 10 having the above configuration has some restrictions.

  First, the free copy mode is a low function in which a part of the functions in the paid copy mode is limited, and the user is subject to usage restrictions not found in the paid copy mode. Specifically, the number of prints per manuscript is arbitrary within the range of “1” to “999” in the paid copy, but is fixed to “1” in the free copy. So-called multi-copy cannot be specified with free copy. However, the user can make multiple copies by pressing the start key after each copy. In paid copy, the user can select monochrome print or color print, select paper size, and specify the copy magnification, whereas in free copy, the user makes any of these specifications or selections. I can't.

  Second, even if the user wishes to make a free copy, he / she must put a coin of a certain amount or more determined by the service provider into the charging device 12 as a deposit. The image forming apparatus 10 accepts an operation input for the user to select a free copy or a paid copy after confirming the insertion of a coin of a set amount or more. If the user chooses a free copy, the deposit will be returned. Depositing a deposit has the effect of suppressing the mischief of leaving the copy operation in a state.

  The operation procedure of such an image forming apparatus 10 is as follows.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow of switching operation guide screens on the operation panel 18 of the multifunction machine 11, and FIGS. 5 to 14 show examples of various operation guide screens. The liquid crystal display in the display unit 88 of the operation panel 18 is provided with a transparent touch panel, and a screen including operation keys is displayed on the liquid crystal display at an appropriate time. When the screen corresponding to the input item is displayed, the user can specify or select the input item.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is in a standby state, the display unit 88 of the multifunction machine 11 displays a deposit request screen S1 illustrated in FIG. The deposit request screen S1 includes a message 101 requesting the user to insert coins into the billing apparatus 12.

  When the user inserts a predetermined amount of coins, a pay / free selection screen S2 is displayed instead of the deposit request screen S1. As shown in FIG. 6, the pay / free selection screen S2 includes selection keys 82A and 82B and a message 102 requesting the user to select either a pay copy or a free copy. Message 102 includes a sentence telling that the free copy will print the advertisement. The screen is switched in response to pressing (touch) of the selection key.

  When the user selects a paid copy, the user can make various designations and selections. First, a color copy or a monochrome copy is selected on a color mode selection screen S3 displayed instead of the pay / free selection screen S2. As shown in FIG. 7, the color mode selection screen S3 has two operation keys for selection. Next, the user designates the copy magnification on the magnification selection screen S4. In this example, enlargement and reduction of 1.000 times, 1.414 times, 0.707 times, and 0.900 times can be selected as shown in FIG.

  In the paper size selection screen S5 displayed instead of the magnification selection screen S4, the user can select the paper size. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, A3 size (first-stage sheet feeding port) and A4 size (second-stage sheet feeding port) can be selected.

  In the copy number designation screen S6 displayed instead of the paper size selection screen S5, the user designates the number of copies for one original. As shown in FIG. 10, the number designation screen S6 has a confirmation key 703 together with a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values. In this example, the user can specify any number from 1 to 999. The message 106 on the copy number designation screen S6 includes a number 701 indicating the set value of the current copy number. In the figure, the numeral 701 is the default value “1”. The value of the number 701 is sequentially changed in response to the numeric keypad input.

  On the pay copy setting display screen S7 displayed in response to the operation of the confirmation key 703, the user confirms the setting contents by the previous operation. As shown in FIG. 11, the pay copy setting display screen S7 includes a message 107 indicating setting contents, a return key 705, and density adjustment keys 84A and 84B. The message 107 includes a number 701b indicating the set value of the number of copies. In the figure, the color copy is selected, the setting contents are 1.000 times, the paper size is A3, and the number of copies is “5”. The user can adjust the print density with the density adjustment keys 84A and 84B, and can return the display to the pay / free selection screen S2 with the return key 702.

  On the other hand, when the user selects a free copy on the pay / free selection screen S2, a free copy setting display screen S8 is displayed instead of the pay / free selection screen S2. As shown in FIG. 12, the free copy setting display screen S8 includes a message 108 indicating setting contents, density adjustment keys 84A and 84B, and a return key 805. The message 108 includes a number 801 indicating the set value of the number of copies. The free copy is limited to monochrome copy, the magnification is fixed to 1.000, and the paper size is fixed to a size corresponding to the third-stage paper feed slot (A4 size in this example). The number of copies is fixed at “1”. However, since the copy density needs to be adjusted depending on the state of the document or the apparatus, density adjustment keys 84A and 84B are provided. The user can use the return key 805 to return the display to the pay / free selection screen S2.

  Since the paper feed port for free copy is limited to the third-tier paper feed port, the copy service provider stores the paper on which the advertisement is printed in advance in the paper tray corresponding to the third-tier paper feed port. By doing so, paper on which the advertisement image and the original image are printed can be distributed to the user by performing single-sided printing without performing double-sided printing. In this case, the configuration of the multifunction machine 11 may be such that the duplex unit 27 is omitted.

  When the user presses a start key (not shown) while the free copy setting display screen S8 is displayed, the free copy mode print operation starts. When copying is completed, a refund guidance screen S9 is displayed instead of the free copy setting display screen S8. As shown in FIG. 13, the refund guidance screen S <b> 9 includes a message 109 indicating that the refund is made by operating the coin return button 14 of the charging apparatus 12.

  The user may receive a refund according to the message 109 when the copying operation is completed. If the start key is pressed again with or without changing the original, one more copy can be made. You can get multiple copies for free by pressing the start key after each copy.

  However, as described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the number of copies and the occupation time with respect to a single deposit are limited. When the total number of free copies after inserting coins reaches a preset upper limit (for example, 20), a free copy cancellation notification screen S10 illustrated in FIG. 14A is displayed. When the elapsed time since the free copy is selected reaches a preset upper limit (for example, 10 minutes), a free copy cancellation notification screen S11 illustrated in FIG. 14B is displayed.

  When the free copy cancellation notification screens S10 and S11 are displayed, the user must receive a refund according to the message. When the user operates the coin return button 14, the image forming apparatus 10 returns to the standby state.

  As for the free copy cancellation notification screens S10 and S11, there is a modified example in which a message requesting the user to automatically refund without taking the operation of the coin return button 14 and to take out coins from the coin return slot 16 is displayed.

  Hereinafter, an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 15 is a main flowchart of a control program executed by the control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11. In response to the power-on or reset operation, the control unit 61 starts program execution. First, the control unit 61 performs initial setting of various control parameters (# 101). Thereafter, screen control (# 102) related to display by the operation panel 18, data processing (# 103) including communication with the billing apparatus 12, and other processing (# 104) are sequentially executed, and one routine time length is increased. Wait for the specified reference timer (# 105). Other processing includes control of an electrophotographic process and control of paper conveyance in the color printer 23. One routine time length is set to 10 ms, for example, and various timers and counters related to the control operate in units of times that are multiples of the one routine time length.

  Details of the screen control routine are shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When this routine is executed for the first time after the power switch is turned on, a deposit request screen S1 is displayed (# 201, # 202). The pay / free selection screen S2 is displayed in response to the receipt of the remaining money signal from the control unit 71 of the charging device 12 (# 203, # 204). The selection operation by the user on the pay / free selection screen S2 is checked (# 205). When the pay copy is selected, the color mode selection screen S3 is displayed (# 206), and the pay copy screen processing routine is executed (# 207). When the free copy is selected, the free copy setting display screen S8 is displayed (# 208), and the free copy screen processing routine is executed (# 209). In response to receiving the no-remaining signal from the control unit 71 of the charging apparatus 12, the deposit request screen S1 is displayed (# 210, # 211), and the process returns to the main routine.

  Here, the no-remaining signal is transmitted by the control unit 71 of the charging apparatus 12 when the coin return button 14 is pressed or when the total amount of charge reaches the deposit amount in the paid copy. The situation in which the no balance signal is transmitted is a situation where a new deposit is required.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a pay copy screen processing routine.

  If there is an operation input on the color mode selection screen S3, the magnification selection screen S4 is displayed (# 301, # 305). If there is an operation input on the magnification selection screen S4, the paper size selection screen S5 is displayed (# 302, # 306). If there is an operation input on the paper size selection screen S5, the number designation screen S6 is displayed (# 303, # 307). If there is an operation input of the confirmation key 703 on the number designation screen S6, a pay copy setting display screen S7 is displayed (# 304, # 308). If there is an operation input of the return key 705 on the pay copy setting display screen S7, the pay / free selection screen S2 is displayed and the screen control routine is returned (# 309, # 310, # 311).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a free copy screen processing routine.

  If it is the timing immediately after the free copy setting display screen S8 is displayed, the upper limit is set in the free counter that counts the number of free copies, and the time counting by the free timer for limiting the free copy usage time is started. (# 401, # 402, # 403). In this example, the upper limit of the total number of free copies is 20, and the time limit for use is 10 minutes.

  If it is paper discharge timing, the free counter is subtracted (# 404, # 405). If the count value of the free counter is 0, the free copy cancellation notification screen S10 is displayed (# 406, # 407). If the count value of the free counter is not 0 and the free timer counts up, the free copy cancellation notification screen S11 is displayed (# 408, # 409). If there is an operation input of the return key 805 on the free copy setting display screen S8, the pay / free selection screen S2 is displayed and the screen control routine is returned (# 410, # 411, # 412).

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the data processing routine.

  If copying is in progress, a copying signal is transmitted to the control unit 71 of the charging apparatus 12 (# 501, # 502). If the copy operation is not in progress, the outgoing copy signal is canceled (# 501, # 503). If it is the discharge timing of the copy paper, a discharge timing signal is transmitted to the control unit 71 (# 504, # 505).

  FIG. 20 is a main flowchart of a control program executed by the control unit 71 of the charging apparatus 12. In response to the power-on or reset operation, the control unit 71 starts program execution. First, the control unit 71 performs initial setting of various control parameters (# 601). Thereafter, billing control (# 602), deposit control (# 603), and other processing (# 604) are executed in sequence to wait for a reference timer that defines one routine time length (# 605). Other processing includes coin identification and display control. One routine time length is set to 10 ms, for example, and various timers and counters related to the control operate in units of times that are multiples of the one routine time length.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a charging control routine.

  The copy mode is checked in response to receiving the ejection timing signal from the control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11 (# 701, # 702). If it is a paid copy mode, a charge is made according to the copy content (# 703). Charging is in accordance with a predetermined first charge setting such as 10 yen for a monochrome copy and 50 yen for a color copy. As a result of charging, if the balance is 0 (zero), a no balance signal is transmitted to the control unit 61 (# 704, # 705). In the free copy mode, the process returns to the main routine without charging according to the second charge setting where the charge is free.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the deposit control routine.

  Responding to the insertion of coins by the user, a balance remaining signal is transmitted to the control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11 (# 801, # 802). The state of the copying signal from the control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11 is checked (# 803), and if the copying signal is in the transmission state (active), the process directly returns to the main routine.

  If the copying signal is in a canceled state (non-active), the balance is returned in response to the operation of the coin return button 14 (# 804, # 805), and a no balance signal is transmitted to the control unit 61 of the multifunction machine 11. (# 806).

  In the above embodiment, the charging device 12 is not limited to a coin vendor, and includes a means for communicating with a card reader for accessing a prepaid card or a credit card, or a mobile phone with a settlement function, instead of or together with a coin vendor. It may be a thing. For example, when a prepaid card reader is provided, a deposit request screen S1a shown in FIG.

  Also, when used in a checkout system environment where the user is managed with an identification code and the payment of the print fee is associated with the identification code, the key is entered for the identification code or the identification card is inserted. Further, it may be configured such that the input to the recognition device for the biological information such as the fingerprint and the vein pattern is regarded as the input of money. For example, in the case of key input, a deposit request screen S1b shown in FIG. 23B may be displayed, and in the case of card insertion, yes. The deposit request screen S1c shown in FIG. The deposit request screen S1b includes a numeric keypad, a confirmation key “#”, and a clear key “C”.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the configuration in which the document image is input by the image reader 21. A personal computer or a memory device that requests image printing can also serve as the document input means. For example, a print service is conceivable in which a computer is connected to the image forming apparatus, and a customer stores image data as a document in a removable memory and brings the image data.

  The free copy need not be limited to monochrome prints, and there is no need to pay for it. For example, an image forming apparatus is configured by using a color copying machine having no monochrome print function, and one sheet on which an advertisement is not printed is, for example, a first fee setting color copy service of 50 yen, and one sheet on which an advertisement is printed. For example, it may be used for the second fee setting color copy service of 10 yen.

  The setting value of the number of copies per document in the free copy is not limited to 1 and may be 2 or more. Further, the limit on the number of copies may be changed according to the amount of deposit to be inserted. For example, a setting of 1 for 10 yen, 20 for 100 yen, and 100 for 500 yen can be considered.

  13 is provided with a return key for returning the display to the pay / free selection screen S2, so that the user can switch between the free copy and the paid copy without re-inserting coins. May be.

  The advertisement image may be input to the image forming apparatus 10 by communication from an external image server in a timely manner. A system for transferring an advertisement image to an image forming apparatus is known. Further, it is not always necessary to print the advertisement on blank paper at the time of copying. A usage pattern in which a sheet on which an advertisement is printed in advance on one side is stored is also an application target of the present invention. In this usage mode, the duplex unit 27 can be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the example, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention. For example, as the advertisement image data output means, a communication means for acquiring advertisement image data from an external image server may be provided instead of or together with the memory unit 63. The image forming apparatus 10 may be connected to a terminal in a management facility that centrally manages image forming apparatuses installed in a plurality of stores via a network (not shown). In this management facility, the operation status of each image forming apparatus can be grasped, and advertisement images stored in the multifunction peripheral can be periodically replaced by remote operation.

  The color printer 23 is not limited to the tandem type, and may be a rotary type or other types. Color printing and monochrome printing may be performed by a method such as inkjet other than the electrophotographic process.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of switching operation guidance screens on the operation panel of the multifunction machine. It is a figure which shows the example of a payment request | requirement screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a pay / free selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a color mode selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a magnification selection screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper size selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a number designation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a pay copy setting display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a free copy setting display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a refund guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a free copy cancellation | release notification screen. 5 is a main flowchart of a control program executed by a control unit of the multifunction machine. 5 is a flowchart of a screen control routine in the multifunction machine. 10 is a flowchart of a pay copy screen processing routine in the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart of a free copy screen processing routine in the multifunction peripheral. 5 is a flowchart of a data processing routine in the multifunction machine. It is a main flowchart of the control program which the control part of a charging device performs. It is a flowchart of a charging control routine in the charging device. It is a flowchart of the payment process routine in a charging device. It is a figure which shows the modification of a payment request | requirement screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 18 Operation panel 71 Control part 16 Coin return port (reception port)
82 Advertising function selector (operation input means)

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus that starts a paid printing operation after accepting an input operation that assumes the insertion of money more than a set amount or an input thereof,
And operation input means for the selection of the pricing of the paid and free,
The operation sets the pay print mode in response by the input means to select the pay, and a control section for setting a free of charge print mode in response to said free selection,
The operation input means is in a state in which it is possible to select a charge setting in response to an input operation in which money equal to or greater than the set amount is input or it is assumed.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that money equivalent to the set amount or more is refunded after the print operation in the free print mode is finished . The surcharge in the print mode performs charging each time printing for one sheet is completed, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 which does not perform the charging in the free print mode. With a coin vendor,
It said operation input means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a capable state selection pricing in response to the insertion of the set value or more money into the coin vendor. Discharged to the toll performs a charging each time the end of the print for one sheet of paper in print mode, receiving port a returnable deposit in accordance with the money charged was the line I not and turned on after the end of printing in the free print mode The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. With a prepaid card reader,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation input unit is in a state in which a charge setting can be selected in response to insertion of a prepaid card whose remaining amount to the prepaid card reader is equal to or greater than a set amount. A code input means for recognizing an identification code for identifying a user;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation input unit is in a state in which a charge setting can be selected in response to a code input operation to the code input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the free print mode, the number of prints that can be specified by a user is smaller than in the paid print mode. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the pay print mode is a mode in which a user can select a monochrome print or a color print, and the free print mode is a mode in which the user cannot select a color print. apparatus. Having at least two paper storage sections,
The paid print mode is a mode in which a user can select one of the paper storage units, and the free print mode is a mode in which a paper stored in a predetermined one of the paper storage units is used. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An image forming apparatus that starts a paid printing operation after accepting an input operation that assumes the insertion of money more than a set amount or an input thereof,
And operation input means for the selection of the pricing of the paid and free,
And a control unit which sets the pay print mode in response to the selection of the toll by the operation input means, and sets a free of charge print mode in response to said free selection,
A counter that counts the number of prints from when the free print mode is set until the end of printing,
The operation input means is in a state in which it is possible to select a charge setting in response to an input operation in which more than a set amount of money is input or it is assumed.
Wherein, when the count value of the counter reaches a set value, unset the free print mode,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that money equivalent to the set amount or more is refunded after the print operation in the free print mode is finished . The set value of the counter is changed in accordance with the amount of money by one input of the money or an input operation that assumes it.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. In the free print mode, the number of prints that can be specified by the user is less than in the paid print mode.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. The paid print mode is a mode in which the user can select monochrome print or color print, and the free print mode is a mode in which the user cannot select color print.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. Having at least two paper storage sections,
The paid print mode is a mode in which a user can select one of the paper storage units, and the free print mode is a mode in which a paper stored in a predetermined one of the paper storage units is used. Is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. An image forming apparatus that starts a paid printing operation after accepting an input operation that assumes the insertion of money more than a set amount or an input thereof,
And operation input means for the selection of the pricing of the paid and free,
And a control unit which sets the pay print mode in response to the selection of the toll by the operation input means, and sets a free of charge print mode in response to said free selection,
With a timer that counts the elapsed time since the free print mode was set,
The operation input means is in a state in which it is possible to select a charge setting in response to an input operation in which more than a set amount of money is input or it is assumed.
Wherein, when the time indicated by the timer reaches the set time, unset the free print mode,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that money equivalent to the set amount or more is refunded after the print operation in the free print mode is finished . In the free print mode, the number of prints that can be specified by the user is less than in the paid print mode.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. The paid print mode is a mode in which the user can select monochrome print or color print, and the free print mode is a mode in which the user cannot select color print.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. Having at least two paper storage sections,
The paid print mode is a mode in which a user can select one of the paper storage units, and the free print mode is a mode in which a paper stored in a predetermined one of the paper storage units is used. Is
The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

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