JP5477152B2 - Information processing apparatus, counting method, program, and linkage system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the fields of an information processing apparatus, a counting method, a program, and a linkage system.

  There is a device (equipment) that counts the number of times of use each time a function is used. Specifically, an image forming apparatus that performs copying or the like counts the number of times of use each time the copy function is used. The purpose of the count is various, and examples include charging a usage fee according to the number of times of use, grasping and managing the usage status, and implementing usage restrictions.

  The charge for the usage fee is that a unit price per count is set, and an amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the number of counts is calculated as a usage fee by the contractor for the customer (user). In the case of an image forming apparatus, since toner and paper are consumed every time printing is performed, counting the number of times of printing is indispensable for charge management. The usage status management is used to analyze the volume used in business based on the number of counts and to optimize the installation of the apparatus. Further, regarding the implementation of the use restriction, a usable upper limit is determined for each user, and when the count number reaches the upper limit, the use is restricted to help device management.

  On the other hand, in recent years, with the progress of networking, it has become possible to use various functions by operating a plurality of devices in cooperation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, as an example of the above-described image forming apparatus, image data scanned by a certain image forming apparatus A is printed from another image forming apparatus B (printer) connected on the network, or the network. It can be stored in a storage device connected above.

  Here, mention is made of how the number of times of use is counted when a plurality of devices are used in a coordinated operation. As described above, one piece of image data scanned by a certain image forming apparatus A is printed from another image forming apparatus B connected on the network. It is assumed that the number of times of printing is counted. In this case, 1 is counted in the use count on the image forming apparatus B. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus A is used alone, that is, when one image data scanned by the image forming apparatus A is printed as it is from the image forming apparatus A, the number of times of use on the image forming apparatus A is counted. 1 is counted. Eventually, by summing up the usage counts of the image forming apparatus A and the image forming apparatus B, it is possible to finally calculate the total charge amount of the printing fee.

  Furthermore, in terms of configuration, the count of the number of times the image forming apparatus B (cooperation destination) is used can be managed collectively on the image forming apparatus A (cooperation source) side. When one image data scanned by the image forming apparatus A is printed on the image forming apparatus B, the image forming apparatus B notifies the image forming apparatus A of completion of printing. Then, the image forming apparatus A only needs to count one in the number of times of use on the image forming apparatus A at this timing.

  However, in the case where the count of the number of times of use is managed collectively only on the above-described image forming apparatus A side (the above-described latter example), there is a difference in the functions mounted between the image forming apparatus A and the image forming apparatus B. In some cases, problems arise.

  Specifically, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus A is equipped with a color scanner and monochrome (monochrome) printing functions (the scanner component supports monochrome and color in the apparatus configuration, but only monochrome printing, (Always output is black and white only). The image forming apparatus B is assumed to have a color scanner and a color printing function. Then, the image forming apparatus A cooperates with other apparatuses to obtain one color image data scanned by the image forming apparatus A as described above in order to realize a function (color printing) that cannot be realized by the apparatus itself. Color printing is performed on the image forming apparatus B.

  However, at this time, since the image forming apparatus A counts only the number of times of monochrome printing, even if the image forming apparatus B notifies the image forming apparatus A of completion of color printing, the image forming apparatus B side Cannot count color prints. Here, although the image forming apparatus A itself cannot perform color printing on the image forming apparatus A side, it is considered that color printing is assumed in advance and the number of times of color printing is also counted.

  However, when the number of times of use is counted for a further new function (for example, new output means) on the image forming apparatus B side, the new function is unknown to the image forming apparatus A side because of the new function. The completion notification of the new function is sent from the image forming apparatus A to the image forming apparatus A. Needless to say, the number of uses cannot be counted for the new function on the image forming apparatus B side (the above-described color printing). Is a known function, that is, because it is within the assumed range, it can be said that the number of times of color printing is counted on the image forming apparatus A side).

  In fact, when a new device (with a new function) is additionally installed, such a problem becomes apparent with an existing device (with only an old function). In a certain environment, it is assumed that a new device (with a new function) is additionally installed when the number of times of use is counted and managed by an existing device. And when the existing device operates in cooperation with the new device, even if a new function completion notification is sent from the new device to the existing device, this cannot be interpreted. It is not possible to count the usage count of new functions. As a countermeasure, the number of times the new function is used is separately counted on the new device side, so the conventional operation management form used in the existing device must be changed, and the conventional operation management is forced. The form cannot be maintained as it is.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above problems, a cooperation destination device that operates in cooperation with a cooperation source device that counts the number of times the function is used, and a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device is used. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a counting method, a program, and a cooperation system that perform a function execution completion notification in a form that allows the cooperation source apparatus to count the number of times the function is used. And

  In order to solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention operates as a cooperation destination apparatus for a cooperation source apparatus that counts the number of times a function that has been executed is used, and the cooperation is performed in response to a request from the cooperation source apparatus. An information processing apparatus that executes a function that is not supported by the original device, and that is configured to execute the function in response to an execution request for the function from the cooperation source device; Storage means for storing conversion information in which conversion rules for converting the count information based on the unit of use of each function into the count information based on the unit of use of the function supported by the cooperation source device are stored, and the function When a function that is not supported by the cooperation source apparatus is executed by an execution unit, the cooperation source apparatus supports count information based on a unit of use of the executed unsupported function based on the conversion information. Conversion means for converting the count information based on the use units that function with respect to the cooperation source apparatus, and a notification transmission unit that transmits the function execution completion notification containing the converted the count information.

  In order to solve the above problem, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention operates as a cooperation destination apparatus with respect to a cooperation source apparatus that is connected to an external storage device via a network and counts the number of times the executed function is used. An information processing apparatus that executes a function that is not supported by the cooperation source apparatus in response to a request from the cooperation source apparatus, and that performs the function in response to an execution request for the function from the cooperation source apparatus From the execution means and the external storage device, the count information based on the unit of use for each function of the function not supported by the cooperation source device is converted to the count information based on the unit of use of the function supported by the cooperation source device. Conversion information acquisition means for acquiring conversion information for which a conversion rule is defined; and when the function execution means executes a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device, based on the acquired conversion information. Conversion means for converting the count information based on the unit of use of the executed unsupported function into count information based on the unit of use of the function supported by the cooperation source device, and converted to the cooperation source device. Notification transmitting means for transmitting a function execution completion notification including the count information.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus, the storage unit registers a plurality of the cooperation source devices, and for each function of the function that the cooperation source device does not support for each cooperation source device. The conversion information in which the conversion rule for converting the count information based on the usage unit of the system into the count information based on the usage unit of the function supported by the cooperation source device is stored is stored.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the information processing apparatus, the count information based on the unit of use for each function is information on the number of printed sheets in the case of count information based on the unit of use of the print function. In the case of count information based on a unit, it is information on the data storage capacity, and in the case of count information based on a unit of use of the OCR function, it is information on the number of OCR processing characters.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, the cooperation source device that operates in cooperation with the cooperation source device that counts the number of times the function is used, even if a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device is used, On the other hand, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, a counting method, a program, and a cooperation system that perform a function execution completion notification in a form that allows the cooperation source apparatus to count the number of times the function is used.

It is a system configuration figure concerning this embodiment. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of image forming apparatuses 1 to 3 according to the present embodiment. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration of a storage apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the main functions of one Embodiment of each apparatus. An example of the conversion table which concerns on this embodiment is shown. An example of the count information which concerns on this embodiment is shown. It is a sequence diagram which shows the information processing between a cooperation origin apparatus and a cooperation destination apparatus. It is a system configuration figure concerning this modification. It is a functional block diagram which shows the main functions of one Embodiment of each apparatus which concerns on this modification.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings in each embodiment. An example in which the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus or a storage apparatus will be described below.

[System configuration]
(overall structure)
First, before describing specific contents of the present invention, an overall configuration for carrying out the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an image forming apparatus 1, an image forming apparatus 2, an image forming apparatus 3, and a storage apparatus 4 are connected via a network 5.

  The image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 2, and the image forming apparatus 3 are all image forming apparatuses in which a plurality of functions such as a copy, a scanner, and a printer are housed in one housing. However, as will be described later, there is a difference between devices in functions to be mounted. The storage device 4 is a storage device that stores data. In the present embodiment, these devices can operate in cooperation with each other via the network 5, the image forming devices 1 and 2 operate as devices of the cooperation source, and the image forming device 3 and the storage device 4 are devices of the cooperation destination. Positioned as a device that operates as

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 (or the image forming apparatus 2) of the cooperation source performs a cooperation operation so that the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 1 is printed by the image forming apparatus 3 of the cooperation destination. Further, for example, the cooperation source image forming apparatus 1 performs a cooperation operation so that the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 1 is subjected to OCR (character recognition) processing by the cooperation destination image forming apparatus 3. Further, for example, the cooperation source image forming apparatus 1 performs a cooperation operation so that the image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the cooperation destination storage apparatus 4.

  Here, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are assumed to be old-type image forming apparatuses for the sake of convenience of explanation, and the image forming apparatus 3 is an apparatus newly provided as a new-type image forming apparatus as compared with the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. Suppose that In other words, the image forming apparatus 3 has a function that is not mounted (not supported) in the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, and the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are configured to use an image that is not mounted in the own apparatus. By operating the forming apparatus 3 in cooperation with the cooperation destination apparatus, functions that cannot be realized by the own apparatus are complemented.

  Similarly, it is assumed that the storage device 4 has a data storage function and is newly installed for the purpose of storing large amounts of data. When the image forming apparatus 1 wants to store data, it operates the storage apparatus 4 in cooperation with the cooperation destination apparatus to supplement a data storage function that cannot be realized by the apparatus itself. As described above, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 and the storage apparatus 4 have functions that the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 do not have.

  The image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment count the number of times the function is used. In addition to counting the number of times the function is used on the image forming apparatus 1, the number of times the function is used in the cooperation destination apparatus. Count. As described above, for example, when one image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 1 is printed on the image forming apparatus 3, the image forming apparatus 3 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of the completion of printing, and the image The forming apparatus 1 counts 1 in the number of times of use on the image forming apparatus 1 at this timing. Details of this point will be described later again.

(Hardware 1)
Here, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatuses 1 to 3 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatuses 1 to 3 according to the present embodiment.

  An image forming apparatus 1 as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, a plotter 16, and an HDD. (Hard Disk Drive) 17 are connected to each other.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a is configured by a hard key or the like, and is used to input each operation signal to the apparatus main body. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information regarding the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus to a data transmission path such as a network or a fax machine. The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus, and data used by each application. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes data input from the recording medium 12b. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus is activated. Stores programs and various data. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment realizes at least basic functions related to image formation, such as a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner, with the above hardware configuration. However, as described above, in the image forming apparatuses 1 to 3, there is a difference in functions mounted between the apparatuses.

(Hardware 2)
Next, the hardware configuration of the storage apparatus 4 according to this embodiment will be briefly described. FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the storage apparatus 4 according to this embodiment.
The storage device 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, a storage device 44, a storage medium reading device 45, and a communication device 46 as main components.

  The CPU 41 is composed of a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and is a circuit that controls the entire apparatus. The ROM 42 is a memory that stores a predetermined control program (software component) executed by the CPU 41. The RAM 43 executes various control operations by the CPU 41 executing a predetermined control program (software component) stored in the ROM 42. This is a memory used as a work area (work area) when performing.

  The storage device 44 is a device that stores a general-purpose OS (Operating System) and various types of information including programs. A large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or RAID system that is a nonvolatile storage device is used.

  In addition to the storage device 44, the above various information is stored in various storage media such as CD-ROM (Compact Disk-ROM), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and portable media such as a USB memory, and other media. In addition, various information stored in these storage media can be read via a drive device such as the storage medium reader 45.

  The communication device 46 is a device that communicates with other devices via a network. Supports communication according to various network forms including wired and wireless networks.

  If necessary, an input device (such as a mouse or a keyboard), a display device (display), or the like is added.

(function)
Next, regarding the present invention, the main functional configuration of each apparatus will be briefly described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing main functions of one embodiment of each apparatus. The image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 (cooperation source apparatuses) have a function execution requesting unit 101, a notification receiving unit 102, and a counting unit 103 as main functions. The image forming apparatus 3 and the storage apparatus 4 (both of which are cooperation destination apparatuses) include a function execution unit 201, a storage unit 202, a conversion unit 203, and a notification transmission unit 204.

-Cooperation source device The function execution requesting unit 101 has a function of making a function execution request to the cooperation destination device. The functions include functions that are not supported by the own device (cooperation source) and that correspond to the cooperation destination device. When the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 want to use a function that is not installed in the own apparatus, the image forming apparatus 3 or the storage apparatus 4 operates in cooperation with the cooperation destination apparatus, thereby supplementing functions that cannot be realized by the own apparatus. Because.

  The notification receiving unit 102 has a function of receiving a function execution completion notification including count information (count information on the number of times of use) based on the use unit of the executed function from the cooperation destination apparatus that has made the function execution request. . Although a specific example will be described later, for example, the count information based on the use unit of the print function is information such as “monochrome (monochrome) print: one sheet”, and the function execution completion notification is “monochrome print: one sheet / print completion”. It becomes.

  When receiving a function execution completion notification from the cooperation destination device, the count unit 103 has a function of counting the number of times the function is used based on the count information. In the above example, the count is newly incremented by one with respect to the cumulative number of times of monochrome copy use.

Cooperation destination device The function execution unit 201 has a function of executing the function in response to a function execution request from a cooperation source device such as the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. For example, if the cooperation destination apparatus is the image forming apparatus 2, when a print function execution request “monochrome print” is received, monochrome print is executed in response to the execution request. Similarly, when a print function execution request “color print” is received, color print is executed in response to the execution request. For example, if the cooperation destination apparatus is the storage apparatus 4, when an execution request for the storage function “image data storage” is received, image data storage is executed in response to the execution request.

  The storage unit 202 uses count information (count information of the number of times of use) based on the use unit for each function of functions that are not supported by the cooperation source device such as the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, and the use of the function supported by the cooperation source device. It stores a conversion table (conversion information) in which conversion rules for conversion into count information based on units (count information on the number of times of use) are defined. The conversion table will be specifically described later.

  When the function execution unit 201 executes a function that is not supported by the cooperation source apparatus such as the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2, the conversion unit 203 is based on the unit of use of the executed unsupported function based on the conversion table. It has a function of converting count information (count information on the number of times of use) into count information (count information on the number of times of use) based on the unit of use of the function supported by the cooperation source device. In the cooperation source device, the number of times the function that is not supported by the cooperation source device cannot be counted, so when a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device is executed, the function that is supported by the cooperation source device is executed. The count information is converted in order to pretend. Details of this point will be described later.

  The notification transmission unit 204 has a function of transmitting a function execution completion notification including the converted count information to a cooperation source apparatus such as the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. As a result, the cooperation source device counts the number of times the function is used with the converted count information, so even if an unsupported function is actually executed on the cooperation destination device, the cooperation source device can handle it. The number of times of use can be counted on the count of the number of times the corresponding function is used in the cooperation source device.

  As described above, these functions are actually realized by a computer by a program executed by the CPU of the apparatus. In addition, this drawing is a simple explanation of the main functional configuration of each device with respect to the present invention, and there are omitted functional units for convenience of explanation. For example, since the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 have the copy, scanner, and print functions as described above, it goes without saying that the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 also have a function execution unit that executes these functions (not shown).

(Conversion table example)
FIG. 5 shows an example of the conversion table according to the present embodiment. (A) shows an example of a conversion table of the image forming apparatus 3, and (b) shows an example of a conversion table of the storage apparatus 4. The conversion table is stored in the cooperation destination device, and count information of the number of times the function that is not supported by the cooperation source device such as the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is used for each function. This is conversion information in which a conversion rule for conversion into count information of the number of times is defined. When the cooperation destination device executes a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device in response to a request from the cooperation source device, in order to pretend that the function corresponding to the cooperation source device has been executed according to the rules of this conversion table, The count information is converted. Therefore, the conversion table defines the function before conversion, the function after conversion, and the ratio of the number of times of use of the function after conversion to the number of times of use of the function before conversion.

  Specifically, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 of the cooperation source apparatus requests that one color print can be made, the image forming apparatus 3 of the cooperation destination apparatus prints one color print. Then, in the completion notification to the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus notifies the completion of three monochrome prints as the converted count information instead of notifying that one color print is completed. When the function of “color print” before conversion is converted to “monochrome print”, it is converted at a ratio of 1: 3.

  Further, for example, when the image forming apparatus 1 of the cooperation source apparatus requests to save the image data (10 Mbytes), the storage apparatus 4 of the cooperation destination apparatus stores the image data (10 Mbytes). Then, in the completion notification to the image forming apparatus 1, the storage device 4 notifies the completion of three monochrome prints as the converted count information, instead of notifying the completion of image data storage. When the “data storage” function before conversion is converted to “monochrome print”, the data is converted at a ratio equivalent to three monochrome prints per 10 M of data.

  In the conversion table, the unit indicating the number of times of use is expressed in units corresponding to the type of function. As shown in the figure, for example, in the case of print function count information, since the number of printed sheets is counted, the unit is “sheets” (number of printed sheets). Similarly, in the case of storage function count information, the capacity of data stored is counted, and the unit is “M” (data capacity). However, as long as the data capacity can be counted, there may be units such as K: kilobytes, G: gigabytes, and T: terabytes. Similarly, in the case of count information of the OCR function, the number of characters subjected to OCR processing is counted, and the unit is “character” (number of characters).

(Count information example)
FIG. 6 shows an example of count information according to the present embodiment. (A) shows an example of count information of the image forming apparatus 1, and (b) shows an example of count information of the image forming apparatus 2. As described above, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are existing apparatuses and operate as a cooperation source apparatus. For the functions specified in the cooperation destination device, the number of times the function is used is counted on the cooperation source device side.

  As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 count the number of times of use of “monochrome print” for each user and the total number of times. This count information can be used, for example, for billing management or user restriction.

[Information processing]
Next, information processing according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating information processing between the cooperation source device and the cooperation destination device. As the overall operation, the cooperation source device requests execution of a function to the cooperation destination device, and when the execution of the function is completed, the cooperation source device counts the number of times the function is used. This will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The cooperation source device first logs in to the cooperation destination device (S1). At this time, user information (user ID, password) is transmitted from the cooperation source device to the cooperation destination device. This user information is that of the user who is currently performing an operation on the cooperation source device, and the user has undergone a login operation and authentication when starting to use the cooperation source device.

  If the login is successful, the cooperation source device transmits the device information of the own device to the cooperation destination device (S2). The device information may be a device name or device ID as long as the cooperation destination device can identify the cooperation source device.

  Next, the cooperation source device makes a function execution request to the cooperation destination device (S3). This function execution request includes data to be executed, parameters associated with the function execution, and the like. Specifically, if it is a print function execution request, image data and printing conditions (color, number of sheets,...) Are included.

  The cooperation destination apparatus executes the function according to the function execution request (S4). When the function execution is completed, a function execution completion notification is generated (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the function execution completion notification performed for the cooperation source device is converted. When the executed function is a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device, the function execution completion notification is sent after conversion to count information indicating that the function corresponding to the cooperation source device has been executed.

  Then, the cooperation destination device notifies the cooperation source device of the completion of function execution with the count information of the converted content (S6).

  When the cooperation source device receives the function execution completion notification function from the cooperation destination device, the cooperation source device counts the number of times the function is used based on the count information (S7).

This is the information processing between the cooperation source device and the cooperation destination device. Next, the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 will be described with specific examples. In the following cases 1 to 5, it is assumed that each device has the following functions as a premise.
Image forming apparatus 1: Color scan, black and white (monochrome) print Image forming apparatus 2: Color scan, monochrome (monochrome) print Image forming apparatus 3: Color scan, color print, OCR (character recognition processing)
Storage device 4: Data storage (Case 1)
Cooperation source apparatus: image forming apparatus 1
Cooperation destination apparatus: image forming apparatus 3
Content of cooperation operation: Two color prints are performed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 3.

  The image forming apparatus 1 logs in to the image forming apparatus 3 (S1). At this time, user information (user1, xxx) is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 3.

  If the login is successful, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the device information (MFP1) of the own apparatus to the image forming apparatus 3 (S2).

  Next, the image forming apparatus 1 makes a function execution request to the image forming apparatus 3 (S3). This function execution request includes color image data to be executed and printing conditions (color printing, two sheets,...).

  The image forming apparatus 3 performs color printing in accordance with the function execution request (S4). When the function execution is completed, a color print execution completion notification is generated (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the completion notification of the function execution performed for the image forming apparatus 1 is converted.

  Specifically, referring again to FIG. 5A, in the conversion table conversion table of the image forming apparatus 3, in the case of “MFP1,” “color print: 1 sheet” before conversion → “black and white print: 3 sheets” after conversion. It is prescribed. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 3 originally executes two color prints, the image forming apparatus 3 performs conversion to the effect that six black and white prints have been executed according to the conversion table.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 3 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of completion of function execution with the converted contents (S6).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the function execution completion notification function from the image forming apparatus 3, the image forming apparatus 1 counts the number of times the function is used based on the count information (S7). That is, in this case, the image forming apparatus 1 counts six monochrome prints as the number of times of use. Referring to FIG. 6A again, the number of uses of “user1” is counted from “416” to “422”, and the total is counted from “1030” to “1036”.

  As described above, since the color print function is a function that is not supported by the image forming apparatus 1, the function execution is completed after conversion to count information that the corresponding black and white print function is executed by the image forming apparatus 1. Notification is performed. In response to the completion notification, the image forming apparatus 1 counts the number of times of monochrome print use. Note that two color prints are actually performed, and the image forming apparatus 1 counts as six monochrome prints. If the count information is used for billing management, this ratio may be defined in consideration of a price difference on the conversion table. That is, in this case, the color print is set at a price three times that of the black and white print.

(Case 2)
Cooperation source apparatus: image forming apparatus 2
Cooperation destination apparatus: image forming apparatus 3
Content of cooperation operation: Two color prints are performed from the image forming apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus 3.

  After S1-4 (description omitted), when the function execution is completed, the image forming apparatus 3 generates a color print execution completion notification (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the completion notification of the function execution performed to the image forming apparatus 2 is converted.

  Specifically, referring again to FIG. 5A, in the conversion table conversion table of the image forming apparatus 3, in the case of “MFP1,” “color print: 1 sheet” before conversion → “black and white print: 4 sheets” after conversion. It is prescribed. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 3 originally executes two color prints, the image forming apparatus 3 performs conversion to the effect that eight monochrome prints have been executed according to the conversion table.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 3 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of completion of function execution with the converted contents (S6).

  Upon receiving the function execution completion notification function from the image forming apparatus 3, the image forming apparatus 2 performs a function usage count process based on the count information (S7). That is, in this case, the image forming apparatus 2 counts eight black and white prints as the number of uses. Referring to FIG. 6B again, the number of uses of “user1” is counted from “156” to “164”, and the total is counted from “712” to “720”.

  Compared to the case 1, in the case 2, two color prints are actually performed, and the image forming apparatus 2 counts as eight black and white prints. That is, in case 1, the color print is set at a price three times that of the black and white print, whereas in case 2, the color print is set at a price four times that of the black and white print. This indicates that the conversion table can register a plurality of devices, and the conversion contents and conversion rate can be arbitrarily defined for each device. Accordingly, even when the same function is executed by the cooperation destination device, different count information can be notified to the cooperation source device according to the regulation. As described above, the conversion table according to the present embodiment enables flexible conversion. For example, the case of Case 2 is effective when the charge price varies depending on the installation department of the image forming apparatus.

(Case 3)
Cooperation source apparatus: image forming apparatus 2
Cooperation destination apparatus: image forming apparatus 3
Content of cooperation operation: The image forming apparatus 3 performs OCR (5000 characters) on the image data from the image forming apparatus 2.

  When the OCR function execution is completed through S1 to 4 (description omitted), the image forming apparatus 3 generates an OCR execution completion notification (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the completion notification of the function execution performed to the image forming apparatus 2 is converted.

  Specifically, referring again to FIG. 5A, in the conversion table conversion table of the image forming apparatus 3, in the case of “MFP2,” the pre-conversion “OCR: 1000 characters” → the post-conversion “monochrome print: 2 sheets” is specified. Has been. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 3 originally executes OCR (5000 characters), the image forming apparatus 3 performs conversion to the effect that 10 monochrome prints have been executed according to the conversion table.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 3 notifies the image forming apparatus 2 of the completion of function execution with the converted content (S6).

  Upon receiving the function execution completion notification function from the image forming apparatus 3, the image forming apparatus 2 performs a function usage count process based on the count information (S7). That is, in this case, the image forming apparatus 2 counts 10 black and white prints as the number of uses. Referring to FIG. 6B again, the number of uses of “user1” is counted from “156” to “166”, and the total is counted from “712” to “722”.

  Even if the functions in the same category as in color printing and black-and-white printing shown in examples 1 and 2 are functions in completely different categories as in example 3, as long as they are defined in the conversion table, That is, it can be counted that the corresponding function is executed in the cooperation source device.

(Case 4)
Cooperation source apparatus: image forming apparatus 1
Cooperation destination device: storage device 4
Content of cooperation operation: The storage apparatus 4 stores data (100M) for the image data from the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the data storage function execution is completed through S1 to 4 (the description is omitted), the storage apparatus 4 generates a data storage execution completion notification (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the completion notification of the function execution performed for the image forming apparatus 1 is converted.

  Specifically, referring now to FIG. 5B, in the conversion table conversion table of the storage apparatus 4, in the case of “MFP1,” “data storage: 10M” before conversion → “monochrome print: 3 sheets” after conversion It is prescribed. Therefore, the storage device 4 originally performs data storage (100M), and performs conversion to the effect that 30 black and white prints have been executed according to the conversion table.

  Then, the storage apparatus 4 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of the completion of function execution with the converted contents (S6).

  Upon receiving the function execution completion notification function from the storage apparatus 4, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a function usage count process based on the count information (S7). That is, in this case, the image forming apparatus 1 counts 30 black and white prints as the number of times of use. Referring to FIG. 6A again, the number of uses of “user1” is counted from “416” to “446”, and the total is counted from “1030” to “1070”.

  Even if the functions in the same category are not the same as in the color print and the black and white print shown in Examples 1 and 2, even in the case of functions in completely different categories as in Example 3, the conversion table defines That is, it can be counted that the corresponding function is executed in the cooperation source device.

(Case 5)
Cooperation source apparatus: image forming apparatus 1
Cooperation destination apparatus: image forming apparatus 3
Content of cooperation operation: Two black and white prints are made from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 3.

  After S1-4 (description omitted), when the function execution is completed, the image forming apparatus 3 generates a monochrome print execution completion notification (S5). At this time, as described above, the conversion table is referred to, and the content of the completion notification of the function execution performed for the image forming apparatus 1 is converted.

  Specifically, referring again to FIG. 5A, in the conversion table conversion table of the image forming apparatus 3, in the case of “MFP1,” “monochrome print: 1 sheet” before conversion → “monochrome print: 1 sheet” after conversion. Stipulated (equivalent conversion). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 3 performs conversion to the effect that two monochrome prints have been executed according to the conversion table.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 3 notifies the image forming apparatus 1 of completion of function execution with the converted contents (S6).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the function execution completion notification function from the image forming apparatus 3, the image forming apparatus 1 counts the number of times the function is used based on the count information (S7). That is, in this case, the image forming apparatus 1 counts two black and white prints as the number of uses. Referring to FIG. 6A again, the use count of “user1” is counted from “416” to “418”, and the total is counted from “1030” to “1032”.

  When a function corresponding on the cooperation source apparatus side is executed on the cooperation destination apparatus side, such as monochrome printing from the image forming apparatus 1 to the image forming apparatus 3, equivalent conversion on the conversion table is performed. Although it has been described that the equivalent conversion process is performed using the conversion table, the conversion process using the conversion table can be omitted if it can be determined that the function executed on the cooperation destination apparatus side is a function corresponding to the cooperation source apparatus side. .

[Modification]
Finally, a modification is shown. In the above-described embodiment, the cooperation destination devices such as the image forming device 3 and the storage device 4 previously have the conversion table in the storage unit in the device itself. In this modification, the conversion table can be centrally managed by configuring the conversion table to be held in an external storage device (server), and if the conversion table is updated centrally, for example, It is convenient because it is good.

  FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram according to this modification. Compared to FIG. 1, an external server 6 is added in the configuration. The external server 6 may be installed in the same LAN. However, if the external server 6 is installed on the Internet, the conversion table of the external server 6 can be accessed from many cooperation destination devices, which is more convenient. And its versatility are improved.

  FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing main functions of an embodiment of each device according to the present modification. Compared to FIG. 4, the storage unit 202 is located on the external server 6 side. In addition, the image forming apparatus 2 and the storage apparatus 4 that are cooperation destination apparatuses include a conversion table acquisition unit 205 instead of the storage unit 202. When the conversion table acquisition unit 205 acquires the conversion table from the external server 6, the conversion unit 203 can refer to the conversion table.

  The storage unit 202 of the external server stores (a) a conversion table for the image forming apparatus 3 and (b) a conversion table for the storage apparatus shown in FIG. When there is a conversion table acquisition request from the conversion table acquisition unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 3, the external server 6 transmits (a) the conversion table for the image forming apparatus 3 and acquires the conversion table of the storage apparatus 4. When there is a conversion table acquisition request from the unit 205, (b) a conversion table for the storage device 4 is transmitted. Here, when the information (for example, MFP1) specifying the cooperation source apparatus is added to the conversion table acquisition request, the external server 6 specifies the specified cooperation source instead of all the information in the conversion table. Only information related to the device can be transmitted.

[Summary]
As described above, the image forming apparatus 3 and the storage apparatus 4 (cooperation destination apparatus) according to the present embodiment count information on the number of times of use of functions not supported by the cooperation source apparatus, and count the number of times of use of functions supported by the cooperation source apparatus. A conversion table in which conversion rules to be converted into information are defined, and when the function is executed in response to a function execution request from the cooperation source device, The count information of the number of times of use of the corresponding function is converted into count information of the number of times of use of the function supported by the cooperation source device, and a function execution completion notification including the converted count information is transmitted to the cooperation source device.

  As a result, the number of times the function is used is counted on the cooperation source device side. Even if an unsupported (unknown) function is executed in the cooperation destination device, the unsupported (unknown) function Instead of this, it is possible to count the number of times the function is used on the basis of the corresponding function scale.

  Actually, as in the above-described embodiment, conventionally, only the old-type image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 are installed, the scanner and monochrome (monochrome) printing are used, and the number of times of monochrome printing is counted. Billing management and user restrictions have been made based on counting the number of times black and white prints are used on the old image forming apparatuses 1 and 2. Here, it is assumed that a new image forming apparatus 3 corresponding to color printing is newly installed.

  Even in such a case, according to the image forming apparatus 3 as the cooperation destination apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, the use of the monochrome print on the old image forming apparatuses 1 and 2 is continued even after the image forming apparatus 3 is introduced. Billing management and user restrictions can be performed based on the number of times. That is, the conventional operation management form can be maintained as it is. Separately, the number of times the new function is used is counted on the new image forming apparatus 3 side, and the conventional operation management form is not necessarily changed. In addition, since the conversion table according to the present embodiment can be regulated to convert the count information for each device as described above, operation management can be performed flexibly.

  In other words, according to the present invention described above, even if a cooperation destination device that operates in cooperation with a cooperation source device that counts the number of times a function is used, even if a function that is not supported by the cooperation source device is used, It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus or the like that performs a function execution completion notification in a form that allows the cooperation source apparatus to count the number of times the function is used.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus 3 Image forming apparatus 4 Storage apparatus 5 Network 6 External server 11 Operation panel 11a Input apparatus 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a Drive device 12b Recording medium 13 Controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 Storage Device 45 Storage Medium Reading Device 46 Communication Device 101 Function Execution Request Unit 102 Notification Reception Unit 103 Count Unit 201 Function Execution Unit 202 Storage Unit 203 Conversion Unit 204 Notification Transmission Unit

JP 2006-293742 A

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus that operates as a cooperation destination device for a cooperation source device that counts the number of times the executed function is used, and executes a function according to a request from the cooperation source device in response to a request from the cooperation source device. And
Function execution means for executing the function in response to the function execution request from the cooperation source device ;

When the function in response to a request of the cooperation source apparatus is performed by pre-Symbol function executing unit, the first count information based on the use units of those 該機 ability which is executed, the cooperation source apparatus adaptable Conversion means for converting into second count information;
A notification transmission means for transmitting a function execution completion notification including the second count information to the cooperation source device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An acquisition means for acquiring conversion information in which a conversion rule for converting the first count information based on a use unit for each function into the second count information that can be supported by the cooperation source device is defined;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Operates as a collaboration destination device for multiple collaboration source devices,
It said acquisition means, said first count information based on the use units of each function, for each of the cooperation source device, the conversion rule that the cooperation source device is converted to the corresponding possible the second count information is defined Obtaining conversion information
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The first count information based on the unit of use for each function is:
In the case of count information based on the usage unit of the print function, it is information on the number of prints,
In the case of count information based on the storage function usage unit, it is information on the data storage capacity,
In the case of count information based on the usage unit of the OCR function, it is information on the number of OCR processing characters.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A function in the information processing apparatus that operates as a cooperation destination apparatus with respect to a cooperation source apparatus that counts the number of times the executed function is used, and executes a function according to a request from the cooperation source apparatus in response to a request from the cooperation source apparatus Is a method of counting the number of uses,
A function execution procedure for executing the function in response to an execution request for the function from the cooperation source device;
When the function according to the request of the cooperation source device is executed by the function execution procedure, the first count information based on the used unit of the executed function is used as the second count that can be handled by the cooperation source device. Conversion procedure to convert to information,
A notification transmission procedure for transmitting a function execution completion notification including the converted count information to the cooperation source device;
A counting method characterized by comprising: It has an acquisition procedure for acquiring conversion information in which a conversion rule for converting the first count information based on a use unit for each function into the second count information that can be supported by the cooperation source device is defined. The counting method according to claim 5 . The information processing apparatus operates as a cooperation destination apparatus for a plurality of cooperation source apparatuses,
In the acquisition procedure, a conversion rule for converting the first count information based on the use unit for each function into the second count information that can be supported by the cooperation source device is defined for each cooperation source device. Obtaining conversion information,
The counting method according to claim 5 or 6. The first count information based on the unit of use for each function is:
In the case of count information based on the usage unit of the print function, it is information on the number of prints,
In the case of count information based on the storage function usage unit, it is information on the data storage capacity,
In the case of count information based on the usage unit of the OCR function, it is information on the number of OCR processing characters.
The counting method according to claim 5, wherein:   A program for causing a computer to execute the counting method according to any one of claims 5 to 8. A link source device that counts the number of times the executed function is used, and an information processing device that operates as a link destination device and executes a function according to a request from the link source device in response to a request from the link source device A collaborative system comprising:
The cooperation source device is:
Function execution requesting means for making a function execution request to the information processing apparatus;
Notification receiving means for receiving a function execution completion notification from the information processing apparatus;
When receiving the execution completion notification, on the basis of the count information included in the received function execution completion notification by the notification reception means, counting means for counting the number of times of use of said function,
Have
Before Symbol information processing apparatus,
Function execution means for executing the function in response to the function execution request from the cooperation source device ;
When the function in response to a request of the cooperation source apparatus is performed by pre-Symbol function executing unit, the first count information based on the use units of those 該機 ability which is executed, the cooperation source apparatus adaptable Conversion means for converting into second count information;
A notification transmission means for transmitting a function execution completion notification including the second count information to the cooperation source device;
The cooperation system characterized by having.

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