JP5002388B2 - Billing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device and a card, and more particularly to a charging device that performs a charging process when an image is formed in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine, or a facsimile, and a card used in the charging device. .

Conventional charging apparatuses for image forming apparatuses include those using prepaid cards and those using cash. Among them, those using prepaid cards came out as a type that can be shared with student ID cards or employee ID cards. In such a case, the number of cases where money pre-charged on the card is shared in restaurants and shops is increasing. Generally referred to as electronic money, this money is managed centrally and distributed according to the actual usage. In a store or a convenience store, the store clerk confirms the total amount of purchases and withdrawals from the card, so that a reliable transaction can be made.
On the other hand, in a charging device for an image forming apparatus (for example, an unmanned copier in a convenience store), it is difficult to calculate the total amount when image reading and image output are performed simultaneously. Insufficient check (before image forming operation) and withdrawal (after image forming operation) were performed. As a method for reliably charging, there is means for correcting a charge when a paper jam or the like occurs in the image forming apparatus, but the image forming apparatus continues to operate normally, but a signal is sent to the charging apparatus. If there is any omission, normal transactions may not be possible.

Patent Document 1 discloses a service providing apparatus and a service providing method for publicly charging from value information recorded on a non-contact medium such as an IC card in a service providing apparatus such as a copying machine.
Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of types of copy services including color copying can be performed even in an unattended management environment, and in some cases, a service mode of only black-and-white copying can be taken, depending on the management environment. A copy service billing system capable of providing such services is disclosed.
JP 2007-47853 A Japanese Patent No. 3773682

By the way, in a conventional charging apparatus for an image forming apparatus, a count value of a paper feed signal sent from the image forming apparatus at the start of image formation and a count value of a paper discharge signal sent at the end of image formation are predetermined. If they do not coincide with each other over time, it is determined that an error such as a paper jam has occurred in the image forming apparatus.
However, the image forming apparatus differs depending on the model in terms of copy speed, transport path from the paper feed port for feeding transfer paper to the paper discharge port, and the like. For this reason, if a model with a fast copy speed or a model with a long transport path has an error such as a paper jam, the number of error paper feeds that occurs before the billing device determines that the error has occurred There was a point.
Further, in the conventional billing system, when the image forming apparatus and the print billing terminal are connected to the billing device, the billing process becomes complicated if the billing device and the print billing terminal respectively perform the billing process.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a charging device that can reliably perform error processing with a small number of errors even when connected to an image forming apparatus having a long copy speed or conveyance path. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a charging apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus and performs a charging process for an image forming output of the image forming apparatus, and is input from the image forming apparatus. A paper feed counting means that counts paper feed signals, a paper discharge count means that counts paper discharge signals input from the image forming apparatus, and a discharge count of the paper discharge count means from the paper feed count number of the paper feed count means. When the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the paper count number is larger than a preset upper limit value, a prohibiting unit that prohibits the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus, the subtraction value or the paper feed count number of the paper feed count unit, and the Storage means for storing the discharge count number of the discharge count means, and holds the data stored in the storage means even when the charging device is turned off. It is characterized in.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the charging apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises setting means for setting the upper limit value to an arbitrary value .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the charge forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited by the prohibiting unit when the paper discharge count is larger than the paper feed count. Features the device.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided read / write means for reading / writing data from / to a card, and identification information for recognizing that the card has been issued by an administrator is recorded on the card. Item 4. The charging device according to any one of Items 1 to 3 .
The invention according to claim 5 is configured such that a print billing terminal can be connected, and when the print billing terminal is connected, billing display is performed based on billing information from the print billing terminal. The charging device according to any one of 1 to 4 is characterized.

  According to the present invention, when the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the paper discharge count number of the paper discharge count means from the paper feed count number of the paper feed count means is larger than a preset upper limit value, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is performed. By prohibiting it, it is possible to reliably perform error processing with a small number of errors even when connected to an image forming apparatus having a long copy speed or conveyance path.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The charging system for an image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a copying machine 1 that is an image forming apparatus, a charging apparatus 2 that performs a charging process for an image forming output of the copying machine 1, and reading of a medium on which printed matter is recorded. A print billing terminal (print billing server) 3 that selects a print document, charges a printed matter, and the like is connected by a connection cable 4.
2A and 2B are views showing the external appearance of the charging apparatus in the charging system for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is an external perspective view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, a card insertion slot 11 for inserting an IC card, a display unit 12 for displaying the remaining frequency, ID number, and the like, a switching button 13a constituting the input unit 13 and a card are provided on the front surface of the charging device 2. A return button 13b is provided. The switching button 13a is a button for switching an item to be displayed when a card is inserted into the card insertion slot 11. For example, the remaining frequency is displayed on the display unit 12, or the frequency used after the IC card is inserted is displayed. You can switch between. The card return button 13b is a button used when returning the card from the card insertion slot 11, and returns the card when the operation signal from the copying machine 1 is turned off.

The charging device 2 has a connection port 15 for connecting the setting device 14 on the side surface, and a power cable 16 and a connection cable 4 connected to the copier 1 on the rear surface.
In addition, the billing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is provided with an openable / closable door 2a having a key 2b on the back side of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 (b), for example, in a space 2c in the door 2a. A power switch 17a, a selection switch 13c, a DIP switch (not shown), and the like are arranged.
The power switch 17a is a switch for turning on / off the power supply unit 17, and the selection switch 13c is a switch for selecting a charging mode of the charging system for the image forming apparatus, and details thereof will be described later. An IC card inserted into the card insertion slot 11 of the charging device 2 will also be described later.

Further, the charging device 2 is provided with a control unit 18 as shown in FIG.
The control unit 18 controls the entire charging apparatus 2. In addition, it is determined whether or not the card inserted into the card insertion slot 11 is genuine, or it is determined whether the remaining amount of the card or the remaining number of cards is excessive or insufficient. Further, it is determined whether or not any error has occurred in the copying machine 1. The control unit 18 is provided with a charging function block for performing charging processing. The billing function block will be described later.
The memory unit 19 is a non-volatile memory that can retain data even when the power supply unit 17 is turned off, and stores various types of information.
The I / F unit 20 includes an MFP I / F, a charging terminal I / F, a LAN I / F, and the like.
The MFP I / F is a parallel I / F that exchanges signals with the copier 1 as described below, and the charging terminal I / F is a serial I / F that exchanges signals with the print charging terminal 3. It is. The LAN I / F is an I / F that remotely changes the setting of the charging device 2, collects logs, registers a prohibited card, etc. via the LAN 21.

The setting device 14 is a device for the administrator to set information such as card reading information and unit price. Further, in the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the setting apparatus 14 is used to set an upper limit value N that serves as a reference when performing error determination of the copying machine 1. The upper limit value N is the difference between the number of sheets fed and discharged from the copying machine 1, that is, the upper limit value of the number of sheets remaining in the copying machine 1, and is determined by the model of the copying machine 1. is there.
Information such as the upper limit value N and the unit price set by the setting device 14 is stored in the memory unit 19.
Instead of the setting device 14, a method may be used in which a setting is made by connecting a personal computer in which a setting program is installed. The connection of the setting device 14 may also be used as a LAN I / F. The card read / write unit 22 reads information on a card inserted into the card insertion slot 11, updates the balance after sale, updates the remaining frequency, and the like. The remaining amount of the card and the number of remaining times are updated when the card is returned.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging function block provided in the control unit.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 18 includes an unusable table 31, a charge table 32, a card hold control unit 33, a copy charge control unit 34, and a signal conversion unit (transfer means) 35 as charge function blocks. I have. In the unusable table 31, for example, information related to cards that cannot be used is stored. In the fee table 32, for example, various types of information relating to fees are stored. The card hold control part 33 performs control etc. which lock the card inserted in the card insertion slot 11, for example. The copy billing control unit 34 performs billing control when copying is performed in the copying machine 1. The signal conversion unit 35 converts the parallel signal from the copying machine 1 input via the MFP I / F 36 of the I / F unit 20 into a serial signal, and the converted signal is printed via the charging terminal I / F 37. 3 is output.

In the charging function block configured as described above, when both the copying machine 1 and the print charging terminal 3 are connected to the charging device 2, as shown in FIG. 4B, the MFP I / F 36, the signal Only the conversion unit 35 and the charging terminal I / F 37 function and charging processing is performed by the printer charging terminal 3 (not shown). The charging device 2 displays only the charging status on the display unit 12 based on the charging information from the print charging terminal 3. Like to do. On the other hand, for example, when only the copying machine 1 is connected to the billing apparatus 2, as shown in FIG. 4C, the MFP I / F 36, the unusable table 31, the charge table 32, and the card hold control unit 33. The copy charging control unit 34 is caused to function so that the charging apparatus 2 performs the charging process.
Such selection of the billing process is arranged in a place where only the administrator described above can operate, for example, inside the door 2a to which the key 2b shown in FIG. If the selection switch 13c is arranged in a place where only the administrator can operate as described above, the user does not operate the selection switch 13c, so that mischief and the like can be prevented.

Further, when the billing apparatus 2 is configured in this way, it is possible to realize both copying and print billing. Further, if the print billing terminal 3 fails when both copying and print billing are compatible, the copy billing cannot be performed at the same time. If it is possible to select whether the charging process is performed by the print charging terminal 3 or the charging apparatus 2, the copying by the copying machine 1 can be performed only by switching the selection switch 13c, so that the downtime is shortened. can do.
Further, in the present embodiment, when both the copying machine 1 and the print billing terminal 3 are connected, information related to billing from the copy machine 1 is transferred to the print billing terminal 3 via the signal conversion unit 35. The print billing terminal 3 performs billing processing. When the copying machine 1 and the print billing terminal 3 are connected as described above, the billing process is performed by the billing apparatus 2 and the print billing terminal 3 if the billing process of the copying machine 1 is also performed in the print billing terminal 3. The billing process can be simplified as compared with the case where each is performed separately.

In the billing apparatus system according to the present embodiment, the following signals are exchanged between the copying machine 1 and the billing apparatus 2 via the MFP I / F 36.
First, signals sent from the copying machine 1 to the charging apparatus 2 include a size signal, a mode signal, an operation signal, a paper feed signal, and a paper discharge signal.
The size signal is a signal representing the size of the transfer paper of the copying machine 1, and the mode signal is a signal representing copying conditions such as full color or black and white, single side or double side, and the paper type.
The operation signal is a signal indicating whether or not the copier 1 is in operation, the paper feed signal is a signal output at the start of transfer paper for image formation, and the paper discharge signal is the copier 1 after completion of image formation. This is a signal output when the transfer paper is discharged from the printer.

On the other hand, the signal sent from the charging device 2 to the copying machine 1 includes a permission signal, and the permission signal is used to determine whether the charging device 2 determines the balance and the current status and whether to permit the image forming operation. 1 is a signal transmitted to 1.
The charging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment configured as described above counts the paper feed signal and the paper discharge signal input from the copying machine 1 in the control unit 18 and counts the paper feed signal. The number of paper discharge counts obtained by counting the paper discharge signal is subtracted from the number, and the subtraction value n is compared with the upper limit value N stored in the memory unit 19 in advance. When the subtraction value n is equal to or higher than the preset upper limit value N, that is, when the subtraction value n ≧ the upper limit value N, it is determined that some abnormality (error) has occurred in the copying machine 1, and the copying machine The permission signal output to 1 is turned OFF to prohibit the image forming operation.
Further, in the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, it is assumed that some abnormality has occurred in the copying machine 1 even when the sheet discharge count number of the sheet discharge signal input from the copier 1 is larger than the sheet feed count number of the sheet feed signal. The permission signal output to the copying machine 1 after the determination is turned off to prohibit the image forming operation.

Hereinafter, an error determination operation in the charging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a timing chart of signals transmitted between the charging apparatus and the copying machine. In the present embodiment, the case where the upper limit value N = 3 is set will be described as an example.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a basic signal flow of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation signal is turned on and a paper feed signal and a paper discharge signal are input from the copying machine 1, the control unit 18 counts the input paper feed signal and paper discharge signal, respectively. Then, it is determined whether or not a subtraction value n obtained by subtracting the count value of the paper discharge counter from the count value of the paper feed counter exceeds the upper limit value N. In the case of the signal shown in FIG. 5, the maximum value of the subtraction value n is “2”, which is smaller than the upper limit value “3”, so that it is not determined as an error.

Next, FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a signal flow when an error occurs in the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the paper discharge signal from the copying machine 1 is missing, the value of the subtraction value n is the value of the upper limit N when the third paper feed signal is input. Therefore, the charging apparatus 2 determines that there is an error and turns off the permission signal.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the paper discharge signal is input in a state where the paper feed signal from the copying machine 1 is missing, the subtraction value is obtained when the first paper discharge signal is input. Since the value of n is “−1”, that is, the value of the paper discharge counter is larger than the value of the paper feed counter, the charging apparatus 2 determines that there is an error and turns off the permission signal.
As shown in FIG. 6C, even when a paper feed signal or a paper discharge signal is input in a state where the operation signal is missing, the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment determines that there is an error and determines that the permission signal Set to OFF. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6D, when a final paper discharge signal is not obtained even though the transfer paper jam occurs and the operation signal is turned OFF, the third transfer paper is jammed. The third billing process is not performed.
As described above, in the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the upper limit value N is set by the setting device 14 in consideration of the copy speed of the copying machine 1 and the error determination of the copying machine 1 is performed based on the upper limit value N. Therefore, even when an error occurs in the copying machine 1, the number of sheets remaining in the copying machine 1 can be minimized.

In the charging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the upper limit value N can be set to an arbitrary value by the setting apparatus 12. Therefore, the charging apparatus 2 can be applied to various copying machines having different copy speeds and transport path lengths. There is an advantage that you can.
For example, when the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is applied to a copying machine that performs copying for each sheet shown by the timing chart shown in FIG. 2 ”may be set.
When the charging device 2 of the present embodiment is applied to a copying machine that performs continuous copying as shown by the timing chart shown in FIG. 7B, the upper limit value N is set to “3” by the setting device 14. Should be set. In this case, the number of copy output sheets per unit time can be greatly increased as compared with the case shown in FIG.

When the charging device 2 of the present embodiment is applied to a copying machine having a long transport path from the transfer paper feed port to the paper discharge port shown by the timing chart shown in FIG. The upper limit value N may be set to “4” by the setting device 14.
As described above, the charging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment can cope with various copying machines by arbitrarily setting the upper limit value N in accordance with the performance of the copying machine.
Further, in the accounting apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the paper feed count number obtained by counting the paper feed signal, the paper discharge count number obtained by counting the paper discharge signal, the subtraction value obtained by subtracting the paper discharge count number from the paper feed count number, and the like. Is stored in the memory unit 19, so even when the charging device 2 is turned off, the information is held in the memory unit 18. Processing can be continued.

Hereinafter, the operation of the charging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of copying of the charging apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment.
In this case, the control unit 18 determines whether or not a card has been inserted into the card insertion slot 11 (S1). When the card is inserted (Y in S1), the card is properly identified from the card ID, data format, and the like. It is determined whether or not the card is (2).
If the card used is a regular card (Y in S2), the remaining card number is confirmed (S3). If the remaining card number is equal to or higher than the unit price (Y in S3), the process proceeds to step S4.
In step S4, the ID No, the remaining money, and the remaining number are read, the remaining number is displayed on the display unit 12, and the card is locked. Further, the unit price registered in itself is referred to from the mode signal, size signal, etc. inputted from the copying machine 1 and compared with the remaining frequency. If the remaining number is equal to or higher than the unit price, the permission signal to the copying machine 1 is turned ON. On the other hand, if the remaining number is insufficient, the permission signal is not turned ON.
Further, when a paper feed signal and a paper discharge signal are input from the copying machine 1, virtual subtraction for determining the unit price is performed. For example, the unit price is determined from the mode signal and the size signal when a paper feed signal is input, and virtually subtracted from the remaining card frequency (remaining paper feed count ← remaining paper feed frequency−unit price). As a result of the virtual subtraction, when the remaining number is insufficient, the permission signal is turned off. When the remaining number is not insufficient, the permission signal is continuously turned on. For example, when a paper discharge signal is input, the unit price is subtracted from the remaining frequency (remaining paper discharge frequency ← remaining paper discharge frequency−unit price).

Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the operation signal is ON. If the operation signal is ON (Y in S5), the process proceeds to a copy mode described later. On the other hand, when the operation mode is not ON (N in S5), the process shifts to the standby mode (S6), when the return button 13b is turned on (Y in S7), or when the return flag = 1 (Y in S8). Then, the process proceeds to a card return process described later.
On the other hand, if the return button is not ON and the return flag is not 1, it is determined whether or not the paper feed and paper discharge signals from the copier 1 are ON (S9), and it is determined that they are ON. (Y in S9), the permission signal is turned OFF and error processing (S10) is performed.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the paper feed / discharge signal from the copying machine 1 is not ON (N in S9), the process returns to step S5 and the process is continued.
If it is determined in step S2 that the card is not a legitimate card, or if it is determined in step S3 that there is no remaining balance or the remaining balance is insufficient, an error is displayed (S11) and the card is inserted from the card insertion slot 11. If it is determined that the card has been removed (Y in S12), the error display is canceled (S13).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the card return process.
In this case, in step S21, the control unit 19 turns off the permission signal, sets the remaining card count to the remaining discharge count, sets the return flag to “0”, feeds the paper discharge counter to “0”, releases the card lock, and displays the display unit. The display of 12 is turned off and the process is terminated.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the copy mode process.
In this case, in step S31, the control unit 19 determines whether or not the paper feed signal is ON (S31). If the paper feed signal is ON (Y in S31), the control unit 19 counts the paper feed signal. The paper feed counter (paper feed counting means) is set to “+1”, and the remaining paper feed frequency is set to the remaining paper feed frequency−unit price (S32).
Next, it is determined whether or not a subtraction value n obtained by subtracting a count value of a paper discharge counter (discharge paper counting means) that counts a paper discharge signal from a count value of the paper feed counter is equal to or greater than a preset upper limit value N. (S33) If the subtraction value n is equal to or greater than the upper limit value N (Y in S33), the process proceeds to step S42, and error processing is performed to prohibit the image forming operation by turning the permission signal OFF. That is, the control unit 19 functions as a prohibiting unit that prohibits the image forming operation.

On the other hand, if the subtraction value n is not equal to or greater than the upper limit value N (N in S33), it is determined whether or not the remaining sheet supply frequency is equal to or higher than the unit price (S34). The process proceeds to step S36. Otherwise, the permission signal is turned off in step S35, and then the process proceeds to step S36.
In step S36, it is determined whether or not the paper discharge signal is ON. If the paper discharge signal is ON (Y in S36), the paper discharge counter for counting the paper discharge signal is set to “+1”, and the remaining paper discharge is left. The frequency is defined as the remaining discharge frequency minus the unit price (S37).
Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the paper discharge counter is larger than that of the paper feed counter (S38). If the value of the paper discharge counter is larger (Y in S38), the process proceeds to step S42, the permission signal is turned OFF, and error processing is performed. I do.
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S38, it is determined whether or not the return button 13b is ON (S39). If the return button 13b is ON, the permission signal is turned OFF and the return flag is set. “1” is set (S40), and it is determined whether or not the operation signal is OFF in the following step S40 (S41). If the operation signal is OFF (Y in S41), the standby mode shown in FIG. Migrate to If the operation signal is not OFF in step S41, the process returns to step S31 to continue the process. By performing such processing, the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment can be realized.

Next, an IC card used in the charging apparatus 2 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the charging device 2 of the present embodiment, only an IC card issued by a card issuing device described later can be used. In this IC card, a card ID (hereinafter referred to as “Admin ID”), which is identification information indicating that the card has been issued by the administrator when issued by the card issuing device, is registered. In the billing apparatus 2, the IC card is verified using the Admin ID of the IC card. When the Admin ID is registered in the IC card using the card issuing device in this way, the Admin ID can be operated without the eyes of the user, the user administrator, the customer engineer who installs the device, etc. It is possible to prevent an ID from being illegally acquired.

In addition, if the Admin ID, which is the identification information, is not registered in the charging apparatus 2, it cannot be verified in the charging apparatus 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the registration to the charging device 2 is performed by using the Admin card for the card issuing tool attached when the card issuing device is purchased. As a result, the Admin ID does not reach the eyes of the user, the user administrator, the customer engineer who installs the device, etc., so security equivalent to card issuance can be realized and unauthorized use can be suppressed.
When registering the Admin ID, the customer engineer switches the DIP switch (not shown) in the interior 2c of the back door 2a (see FIG. 2 (b)) of the charging device 2 and turns on the power, thereby registering the Admin ID. Enter mode. In this state, the administrator card enclosed with the card issuing device is inserted into the billing device. When the charging apparatus 2 recognizes that it is a manager card, it reads the Admin ID in this card and registers this ID in the memory unit. After registration, the customer engineer replaces the DIP switch and turns on the power again. As a result, the Admin ID can be registered in the billing apparatus 2.

The IC card issuing device will be described below.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure for issuing an IC card by the IC card issuing device. FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the IC card secondary issuing device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of a user IC card. FIG. 14 is an instruction display screen for acquiring administrator identification information (Admin ID) from the administrator IC card. FIG. 15 is a screen for inputting data necessary for issuing an IC card. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for issuing a user IC card. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a procedure for entering data in the IC card.
The function and operation of the IC card issuing device configured as described above will be described.
First, terms will be explained. The user card is a user IC card, and is a card used by the user as an authentication device in the “IC card authentication system”. Issuance and data change are performed by the owner of the administrator card (manager IC card), and other users cannot change the data. The user name is data registered for the user to identify the user card, such as a user card owner name.
User card data can be set arbitrarily when issued and updated. The user ID is a user card identification ID used in the “IC card authentication system”. Register as user card data when issued. The user password is a password used in the “IC card authentication system”. User card data is arbitrarily registered at the time of issuance and renewal.

The PIN is a code required for reading user data of the user card. The PIN is changed by the administrator card owner, and changes by other users are not allowed. The number of lockouts is the maximum number of failures allowed for PIN verification. The latest issue date is the latest date when the user card was issued. The number of times of issue is the number of times a user card is issued using the user ID.
The user ID management file is a file on the disk that manages the issued user ID. The user ID issued when the user card is issued and information related thereto are registered and used for user ID management. Only a user having Administrator authority can edit and reference the user ID management file.
The log file is a file on the disk that records the contents of processing for the user card, such as user card issuance and data update. Only a user having Administrator authority can refer to the log file. An administrator IC card (administrator card) is a card that is required when a user card is issued. Indicates that the issuer has the right to issue a user card. Without this administrator card, the user card cannot be issued and updated, so that the user card can be prevented from being counterfeited. The card management company shall issue the administrator card.

  The administrator identification information (Admin ID) is an ID for identifying an administrator card. It is registered in the user card when the user card is issued, and is used for user authentication when the user card is updated. User changes are not allowed. Issuance and change shall be made by the card management company. The Admin ID management file is a file on the disk that manages the issued Admin ID. The Admin ID issued when the administrator card is issued is registered and used for managing the Admin ID. Editing and referencing the Admin ID management file can be performed only by a user having Administrator authority. Management of the Admin ID management file is performed by the card management company. The access key is an authentication key for accessing the user card or the administrator card. Set at the time of secondary card issuance and uses a fixed value common to all cards. Changes are not allowed after the card is issued.

Next, an outline of an IC card issuing procedure will be described with reference to FIG. The card management company 51 purchases and stocks a primary issue card 52 issued by an IC card manufacturer. The primary issue card 52 is only registered with a format and a key used for encryption, and does not contain any user information. In addition, an administrator card to be separately supplied to the user is created.
When a user issues an order for a card issuing device, the card management company 51 provides an IC card secondary issuing system (card issuing device), an administrator card and a required number of user cards (primary issuing card 52). To do. As shown in FIG. 12, the IC card secondary issuing system is a card issuing device 56 and a reader / writer 57 in which a card issuing software 55 for an administrator is installed in a general-purpose personal computer. This administrator card has a unique Admin ID written by the card management company. Therefore, the card management company needs to manage which Admin ID is issued to which user, and does not issue a duplicate Admin ID to another user.

An administrator of a user group (such as a user company) issues a user card (secondary issue) using an IC card secondary issue system. The card issuing device cannot be activated without an administrator card with an Admin ID written therein, and can prevent a person who does not have an administrator card from issuing a user card without permission.
When an authorized administrator card is placed over the connected IC card reader / writer (IC card R / W), the card is activated and the Admin ID written on the administrator card is stored. The administrator registers the user ID (employee number, etc.), password, PIN (personal identification number), etc. according to the procedure of the issuing device, and writes it in a predetermined area of the user card. At that time, the Admin ID stored in the specific area of the user card is also written together. When the issuing of the user card is finished and the issuing device is terminated, the issuing device deletes the data of Admin ID stored previously.

Next, the configuration and mechanism of the IC card secondary issue system will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 15, an IC card R / W is connected to a personal computer (PC), and software for an IC card secondary issue system is installed in the PC. This software is software for writing various data as shown in FIG. 13 on a blank primary IC card. When the software is activated, the screen of FIG. 14 is displayed. When the administrator card is held over the IC card R / W, the Admin ID is obtained from the administrator card and the user card issuance screen is displayed. Click the [Cancel] button to cancel the process. If the card is not an administrator card, or if it is illegal such as when the Admin ID is not acquired, an “error screen” is displayed.
On the issue screen shown in FIG. 15, the administrator inputs data that can be edited by the administrator, such as user ID, password, PIN setting, user name, comment, etc., and has already been issued to the IC card R / W. Put the card. By pressing the OK button on the screen, the data is written to the user card. In addition to the above data, the secondary issuance system writes the card issuance date, Admin ID (data that cannot be edited by the administrator), etc. to the user card.
If the writing is successful, a process completion screen is displayed. If the writing is not successful, an error screen is displayed. Normal / abnormal judgment is made as follows. After writing to the user card, data is read from the user card, and the written data is compared with the read data. If they match, the process ends normally, and if they do not match, it is abnormal. In addition, it is also considered abnormal if a user card is taken from the R / W during this process.

Next, a procedure for issuing a user IC card will be described with reference to FIG. When the card issuing application is activated in step S51, an administrator card request screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In step S52, it is checked whether or not the “cancel” key has been pressed. In step S53, it is checked whether or not there is an IC card in the connected IC card R / W. If not, the process returns to step S52. If there is an IC card, it is checked in step S54 if it is a legitimate manager card. If it is not a legitimate manager card, an error screen is displayed in step S55 and the process is terminated. If it is a legitimate manager card, the IC card issuing system is activated and the Admin ID written on the manager card is stored.
In step S56, the user card issuance screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In step S57, the administrator inputs data that can be edited by the administrator, such as user ID, password, PIN setting, user name, and comment, on the issuance screen, and has already been issued to the IC card R / W. Put the card.
In step S58, it is checked whether or not the “cancel” key has been pressed. In step S59, whether or not the “OK” key is pressed is checked. If the “OK” key is not pressed, the process returns to step S57 to continue the data input process. If the “OK” key is pressed, in step S60, the data is checked for deficiencies. If there is a description defect, an error screen is displayed in step S64, and the process returns to step S57 to continue the data input process.

If there is no incomplete description, it is checked in step S61 whether or not there is a blank primary issue card in the IC card R / W. If not, an error screen is displayed in step S64, and the process returns to step S57 to continue the data input process. If there is a blank primary issue card in the IC card R / W, the data shown in FIG. 13 is written in the blank primary issue card in step S62.
At that time, the Admin ID is also written in a specific area of the user card. In step S63, it is checked whether or not the writing is normally completed. If the writing has not been completed normally, an error screen is displayed in step S64, and the process returns to step S57 to continue the data input process. If the writing is normally completed, the process returns to step S56. When the issuing of the user card is completed and the issuing device is terminated, the issuing device erases the stored Admin ID data.
As described above, the IC card issuing device is activated by using an administrator IC card in which unique administrator identification information is written for each administrator in the card management company, and the administrator identification information is written to the user IC card. The user group can issue a secure IC card that is always different from other IC cards.

In the present embodiment, the case where the charging system for the image forming apparatus is configured by the copying machine 1, the charging apparatus 2, and the print charging terminal 3 has been described as an example. However, this is merely an example, and the copying machine 1 Needless to say, the present invention is also applicable to a charging system for an image forming apparatus including the charging device 2 and the charging device 2.
In the charging device 2 of the present embodiment, the charging device 2 using an IC card or the like has been described as an example. However, it is not always necessary to use an IC card, and the charging device 2 can be used only for cash. Is possible.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charging system for an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external view of a charging apparatus in an image forming apparatus charging system according to the present embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the internal structure of the charging device of this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the charge function block provided in the control part. It is a timing chart showing a basic signal flow of the charging apparatus of the present embodiment. It is the timing chart which showed the flow of the signal at the time of the error generation of the charging device of this Embodiment. 6 is a timing chart when the operation speed of the copying machine is different. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement at the time of the copy of the charging apparatus 2 of this Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the card return process. It is the flowchart which showed copy mode processing. It is a figure which shows the procedure which issues a card | curd in a card issuing system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the IC card secondary issue system of a card issue system. It is a figure which shows the example of the format of the user card of a card issuing system. It is a figure which shows the example of the administrator card request | requirement screen of a card issue system. It is a figure which shows the example of the user card issue screen of a card issue system. It is a flowchart which shows the user card issue procedure of a card issue system. It is a schematic diagram of the card data of a card issuing system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus (copier), 2 charging apparatus, 3 print charging terminal, 4 connection cable, 11 card insertion slot, 12 display part, 13 input part, 13a switching button, 13b card return button, 13c selection switch, 14 setting Device, 15 connection port, 16 power cable, 17 power supply, 17a power switch

Claims (5)

A charging device connected to an image forming apparatus and performing a charging process for an image forming output of the image forming apparatus,
Paper feed counting means for counting paper feed signals input from the image forming apparatus, paper discharge count means for counting paper discharge signals input from the image forming apparatus, and paper feed counts of the paper feed count means A subtraction value obtained by subtracting the paper discharge count of the paper discharge count means from a preset upper limit value, prohibiting means for prohibiting the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus, and the subtraction value or the paper feed count Storage means for storing the paper feed count number of the means and the paper discharge count number of the paper discharge count means, and holding the data stored in the storage means even when the charging device is turned off. A charging device characterized by the above .   2. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting the upper limit value to an arbitrary value. 3. The charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming operation of the image forming apparatus is prohibited by the prohibiting unit when the paper discharge count is larger than the paper feed count. 4. Read / write means for reading / writing data to / from a card, and identification information for recognizing that the card is issued by an administrator is recorded on the card. The charging device according to any one of the above. 5. The print billing terminal is configured to be connectable, and when the print billing terminal is connected, billing display is performed based on billing information from the print billing terminal. The charging device according to one item.

Images