JP5056610B2 - Billing system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging system including a charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

Normally, the charging process takes a form in which, for example, an MFP downloads and uses a charging table created by the charging apparatus based on user input as an image forming apparatus.
The billing table is a database in which billing amounts are associated with each paper size. When the MFP executes a job such as copying or printing, it generates billing information related to the job while referring to the billing table. This makes it possible to charge according to the paper size.

Prior art relating to such a charging system includes those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.
JP 2001-350936 JP Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-47540

By the way, when copying or printing with the MFP, there are cases where it is desired to use non-standard size paper. In the case of the non-standard size, since it does not correspond to any paper size in the charging table, it is necessary to separately set a charging amount for the non-standard size in the charging device.
In addition, when copying or printing with the MFP, it is also necessary for the user to input the paper size in millimeters by operating the operation panel provided on the MFP.

The more types of atypical sizes that can be used, the greater the effort required of the user, and these processes become very cumbersome for the user.
An object of the present invention is to provide a billing system that can set a billing amount for an atypical size without requiring a user's effort.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a charging system including an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus, a storage unit that stores a size table that describes a charging amount for each standard paper size, and a size table. a charging system defining a sheet range includes a range table generating means for generating a range table which describes billing amount for each sheet ranges, the based on the standard paper size described in.

By providing the above configuration, the present invention can define a paper range based on each paper size described in the size table and generate a range table in which the charge amount is described for each paper range. No user input is required for generation. Therefore, it is possible to reduce labor required for the user in generating the range table.
By the way, when a range table is generated by defining a sheet range based on each sheet size described in the size table, there may be an overlapping range between one sheet range and another sheet range. In this case, if the billing amount is different for each paper range, it may not be possible to determine which billing amount should be applied, and the billing may not be performed accurately.

Therefore, it is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the lower limit value of the larger paper range is set. It is desirable to further include rewriting means for rewriting the upper limit value of the other paper range.
In addition, it is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the upper limit value of the smaller paper range is set. Further, rewriting means for rewriting to the lower limit value of the other sheet range may be further provided.

Further, it is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the lower limit value of the larger paper range is The upper limit value of the other sheet range may be further rewritten to an intermediate value between the upper limit value of the larger sheet range and the lower limit value of the other sheet range.
As a result, even when the paper ranges overlap, the overlap can be eliminated, so that billing can be performed accurately.

  Here, it is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range, and whether the charge amount corresponding to each paper range is the same. If the charge amount corresponding to each paper range is the same, the upper limit value of the smaller paper range is rewritten to the upper limit value of the other paper range, and the other paper range and this It may be further provided with rewriting means for erasing the charge amount corresponding to 1 from the range table.

  As a result, the range table can be reduced in size, so that the memory capacity for storing the range table can be reduced.

<Embodiment 1>
1. Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows a charging system according to the present invention. The charging system includes, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 and a charging device 200 as image forming apparatuses. A personal computer 200 that reads a program and functions as a billing apparatus is connected to the MFP 100 via a network.

The MFP 100 receives input of a user ID and a department ID from a user, and transmits the received user ID and department ID to the charging apparatus 200, whereby two types of charging tables (a size table and a department table) corresponding to the user ID and the department ID are transmitted. Range table) is downloaded from the charging apparatus 200.
Also, jobs such as copying, printing, scanning, and faxing are executed, and the paper size of the executed job is determined. While referring to the charging table in which the determined paper size is written out of the two types of downloaded charging tables, the charging information relating to the job is generated, and the generated charging information is transmitted to the charging apparatus 200.

The details about the generation of the billing information are contents that can be naturally implemented by those skilled in the art, and are omitted here.
The charging device 200 generates a size table in which the charging amount is described for each paper size based on the user input, and further generates a range table in which the charging amount is described for each paper range based on the generated size table. The generated size table and range table are stored in association with the user ID and department ID.

In addition, a size table and a range table corresponding to the user ID and department ID transmitted from the MFP 100 are selected and transmitted to the MFP 100.
Further, based on the billing information transmitted from the MFP 100, billing related to the job is managed for each user ID and department ID.
2. Configuration of Billing Device FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of billing device 200. The billing apparatus 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a CRT display 205, a keyboard 206, a mouse 207, and a communication interface 208, which are connected to each other via a bus.

  The hard disk 204 includes, in addition to the OS, a control program for generating a charging table, application software that communicates with the MFP 100 to acquire charging information from the MFP 100, outputs a charging table to the MFP 100, a program such as a browser, and the like. Stores a size table and a range table for each user ID and department ID. Then, the OS is activated when the power is turned on, and then the designated program is read onto the RAM 203 by the activation instruction from the keyboard 206 and the mouse 207, and the CPU 201 decodes and executes it.

On the CRT display 205, for example, an input screen for performing input related to generation of a size table is displayed.
The communication interface 208 is connected to a network and acquires charging information from the MFP 100, and conversely outputs a charging table stored in the hard disk 204 of the charging apparatus 200 to the MFP 100.
3. Billing table 3.1. Accounting Table Data Structure FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the accounting table data structure. 3A shows the data structure of the size table, and FIG. 3B shows the data structure of the range table. As shown in FIG. 3A, the size table includes columns for paper size and amount, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the range table includes columns for sheet range and amount.

3.2. Method for Generating Accounting Table Next, how to generate the accounting table shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an input screen for inputting related to generation of the size table in the charging apparatus 200. When the user inputs the paper size in the size designation part on the left side of the screen and the numerical value in the amount designation part, the size table is generated.

  The input to the size designation unit is performed by selecting a size from the size list on the right side of the screen and inputting the selected size into a desired table number by drag and drop. Here, the standard papers A5, A4, A3, and A2 are input as the size designation. As for the atypical size, a desired size can be input from an atypical size input unit (not shown), and the atypical size input there is displayed in the size list.

In addition, a desired numerical value is input to the money amount designation unit using a keyboard. In this case, ¥ 30 is input for A5, ¥ 50 for A4, ¥ 100 for A3, and ¥ 200 for A2.
When the user finishes inputting the size designation and the price designation, the user clicks a confirmation button on the screen. When the confirmation button is clicked, the charging apparatus 200 generates a size table corresponding to the input content, and automatically generates a range table based on the size input to the size specifying unit. The range table is generated, for example, using the long side of the paper size input to the size designation unit as the boundary of the range in the range table.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram relating to generation of a range table in the case where the long side of the paper size is the boundary of the range in the range table. As shown in the figure, 0 to 210 mm of the range table No. 1 is determined from the long side 210 mm of the paper size A5 of the size table. Similarly, 210 to 297 mm of the range table No.2 from the long side 297 mm of A4, 297 to 420 mm of the range table No.3 from the long side 420 mm of A3, 594 of the range table No.4 from the long side 594 mm of A2 ~ ∞ is determined respectively. Conventionally, the user has to manually input the range specification of the range table. However, as described above, the range table is automatically generated only by performing input related to the size table.

Next, how the long side of the paper size is used as the boundary of the range will be described specifically.
4). Operation of Billing Device FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing range table generation processing in the case where the long side of the paper size is the boundary of the range in the range table. In this flowchart, the variable OpNoCt indicates the table number of the size table and the range table that are read at that time among a plurality of table numbers. LowData and HighData are data specifying the range of the range table, and indicate lower limit data and upper limit data, respectively.

First, the size table that is the basis of the range table is read out and expanded in the RAM 203 (step S101), and the read size table is sorted in ascending order of the long side of the paper size (step S102).
The variables OpNoCt, LowData, and HighData are initialized (step S103), the long side of the paper size corresponding to the variable OpNoCt is read from the size table, and is substituted into HighData (step S104). Thereby, the long side of the paper size stored in the table number 1 of the size table is substituted for the first upper limit data.

Next, it is determined whether all size tables have been read (step S105). If a negative determination is made (No in step S105), the range information of the range table is created by writing LowData and HighData in the range table of the table number having the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt (step S106).
The amount of money corresponding to the variable OpNoCt is read from the size table and written in the range table of the table number of the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt, thereby creating the charge amount of the range table (step S107).

Since the current HighData becomes LowData when the next table is created, HighData is substituted for LowData (step S108). This creates LowData for the next table creation.
The variable OpNoCt is incremented by one (step S109), and the process proceeds to step S104.

If a positive determination is made in step S105, it is necessary to set HighData to ∞, so ∞ is substituted into HighData (step S110).
Range information of the range table is created by writing LowData and HighData into the range table of the table number of the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt (step S111).
The amount corresponding to the variable OpNoCt is read from the size table, and written in the range table of the table number having the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt, thereby creating a billing amount for the range table (step S112).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the paper size and the charge amount are input on the size table generation screen, the paper range is determined based on each paper size, and the charge amount is described for each paper range. A range table can be generated. Accordingly, since the user is not required to perform another input operation for generating the range table, the user's labor when generating the range table can be reduced.
<Embodiment 2>
In the above embodiment, the range table is generated using the long side of the paper size input to the size designation unit as the boundary of the range in the range table. However, in this embodiment, the paper is based on the long side of each paper size. Define the range and generate the range table.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram relating to generation of a range table when a paper range is defined based on the long side of each paper size. Here, the range of 10 mm before and after the long side of each paper size is set as the range of the range table. As shown in the figure, 200 to 220 mm of the range table No. 1 is determined from 10 mm before and after the long side 210 mm of the paper size A5 of the size table. Similarly, 287 to 307mm of range table No.2 from 10mm before and after 297mm long side of A4, 410 to 430mm of range table No.3 from 10mm before and after long side 420mm of A3, and 594mm before and after long side of A2 Range tables No. 4 of 584 to 604 are determined from 10 mm.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a range table generation process in the case where the long side of the paper size is used as a reference for the range of the range table. In this flowchart, the variable OpNoCt indicates the table number of the size table and the range table that are read at that time among a plurality of table numbers. LowData and HighData are data specifying the range of the range table, and indicate lower limit data and upper limit data, respectively.

  First, the size table that is the basis of the range table is read and expanded in the RAM 203 (step S201), and the variable OpNoCt is initialized (step S202). The long side of the paper size corresponding to the variable OpNoCt is read from the size table and substituted into MidData (step S203). A value obtained by adding Const to MidData is substituted for HighData, and a value obtained by subtracting Const from MidData is substituted for LowData (step S204). As a result, the size of table number 1 in the size table is set to MidData, and a value smaller by Const is substituted for LowData, and a value larger by Const is substituted for HighData.

Range information of the range table is created by writing LowData and HighData into the range table of the table number of the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt (step S205).
The amount corresponding to the variable OpNoCt is read from the size table, and written in the range table of the table number having the value indicated by the variable OpNoCt, thereby creating a billing amount for the range table (step S206).

Next, it is determined whether all size tables have been read (step S207). If a negative determination is made (No in step S207), the variable OpNoCt is incremented by one (step S208), and the process proceeds to step S203.
If an affirmative determination is made in step S207, it is determined whether or not there are overlapping ranges in two range information in the range table (step S209). If a positive determination is made (in step S209). Yes), a process for eliminating the duplication is performed.

Next, processing when there are overlapping ranges in two range information in the range table will be described.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a size table and a range table when there are overlapping ranges in two pieces of range information, and a range table after overlap adjustment processing.
As shown in FIG. 9, A5 and HL, which are standard sheets, are input to the size table as size specifications. HL indicates HalfLetter. In this case, as shown in the range table, a range table is generated in which the range designations are 200 mm to 220 mm and 206 mm to 226 mm, respectively. Here, since both ranges have overlapping ranges, it is necessary to eliminate this. Here, for example, priority is given to the range with the smaller value, and the upper limit value (220 mm here) of the range with the smaller value is written in LowData of the table number 2. As a result, as shown in the range table after the overlap adjustment process, the range tables of 200 mm to 220 mm and 220 mm to 226 mm are generated, so that the overlap can be eliminated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the paper size and the billing amount are input on the size table generation screen, the paper range is defined based on the long side of each paper size and the range table is generated. Can do. At this time, even if there is an overlapping range between two pieces of range information, it is possible to eliminate the overlap by giving priority to the range with the smaller value, so that correct accounting can be performed.
(Modification)
Although the charging system according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.
(1) In the above embodiment, the charging apparatus 200 generates the size table and the range table based on the user input. However, the MFP 100 may generate the size table and the range table based on the user input. Alternatively, the charging apparatus 200 may generate a size table based on user input, transmit the generated size table to the MFP 100, and the MFP 100 that has received the size table may generate a range table based on the size table.
(2) In the above embodiment, when there are overlapping ranges between two paper ranges, priority is given to the smaller range of the two paper ranges to eliminate the overlap. Duplication may be eliminated by giving priority to the larger range. In this case, as described with reference to the example of FIG. 9, range tables are generated in which the range designations are 200 mm to 206 mm and 206 mm to 226 mm, respectively. Further, the middle of the two paper ranges may be used as the boundary. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 9, range tables are generated in which the range designations are 200 mm to 213 mm and 213 mm to 226 mm, respectively.
(3) In the above embodiment, when there are overlapping ranges between two paper ranges, the amounts corresponding to the respective paper ranges are different, but the amounts may be the same. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a size table and a range table in which two paper ranges have overlapping ranges, and the amounts are the same, and a range table after overlap adjustment processing. In the size table of FIG. 10, A5 and HL which are standard sheets are input as size designations, and the corresponding amounts are both ¥ 30. In this case, write the lower limit (200mm here) of the lower range to LowData in Table No. 1, and write the upper limit (226mm here) of the higher range to HighData. And erasing the data written in the table number 2 can be made into one table. As a result, it is possible to shorten the transfer time when transmitting the accounting table to the MFP 100. In addition, the memory capacity for storing the billing table can be reduced.

The above embodiment and the above modification examples may be combined.
In addition, it goes without saying that the charging system according to the present invention can be variously modified or modified in accordance with the spirit of the present invention without departing from the scope thereof.

  The present invention can be widely applied to a charging system including an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus.

It is a figure which shows a charging system. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging device 200. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of an accounting table. It is a figure which shows the input screen which performs the input regarding the production | generation of a size table in the charging device. FIG. 10 is a diagram relating to generation of a range table when a long side of the paper size is used as a range boundary in the range table. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a range table generation process in a case where a long side of the paper size is set as a range boundary in the range table. It is a figure regarding the production | generation of the range table at the time of defining the paper range on the basis of the long side of each paper size. 10 is a flowchart illustrating range table generation processing when a long side of a paper size is used as a reference of a range of a range table. It is a figure which shows the size table and range table after duplication adjustment processing when there exists an overlapping range in certain two range information. It is a figure which shows the size table and range table which have the range which overlaps in a certain two paper range, and those amounts are the same amount, and the range table after duplication adjustment processing.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP
200 Billing device 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Hard disk 205 CRT display 206 Keyboard 207 Mouse 208 Communication interface

Claims (10)

A charging system comprising an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus,
Storage means for storing a size table in which the charge amount is described for each standard paper size;
Range table generating means for determining a paper range based on each standard paper size described in the size table, and generating a range table in which a charge amount is described for each paper range;
A billing system comprising: The billing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the paper range based on each paper size is performed by designating a paper size range using all or a part of the sizes described in the size table as a threshold value. It is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the lower limit of the larger paper range is The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising rewriting means for rewriting the upper limit value of the paper range. It is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the upper limit value of the smaller paper range is The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising rewriting means for rewriting the lower limit value of the paper range. It is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range. If there is an overlapping range, the lower limit of the larger paper range and the other The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising a rewriting unit that rewrites the upper limit value of the paper range to an intermediate value between the upper limit value of the larger paper range and the lower limit value of the other paper range. It is determined whether there is an overlapping range between one paper range and another paper range, and whether the charge amount corresponding to each paper range is the same, and there is an overlapping range, When the charge amount corresponding to each paper range is the same, the upper limit value of the smaller paper range is rewritten to the upper limit value of the other paper range, and the other paper range and the corresponding value are also rewritten. The charging system according to claim 1, further comprising rewriting means for deleting a charging amount from the range table. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit and the range table generating unit are provided in a charging apparatus. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit and the range table generation unit are provided in an image forming apparatus. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is provided in a charging apparatus, and the range table generation unit is provided in an image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus that performs charging processing by communicating with a charging apparatus,
Storage means for storing a size table in which the charge amount is described for each standard paper size;
Range table generating means for determining a paper range based on each standard paper size described in the size table, and generating a range table in which a charge amount is described for each paper range;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images