JP6398947B2 - Billing system, billing apparatus, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging system, a charging apparatus, and an image forming apparatus.

  A charging device that manages charging for printing performed by the image forming apparatus transmits a signal for permitting printing to the image forming apparatus when there is a remaining amount in the input amount, and subtracts the remaining amount when printing is performed.

  However, when performing double-sided printing using such a charging device, if there is no remaining balance at the end of printing on the front side of the paper, execution of printing on the back side is not permitted, and there is a paper on which only the front side is printed. Printing is stopped while remaining in the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus.

  If the operation is stopped in the middle of double-sided printing in this way, an additional charge from the user is input to the charging device, but this double-sided printing is resumed. For example, when there is no paper, it is easy to forget to remove the paper left on the conveyance path. Further, when the main body cover of the image forming apparatus is opened, even if an additional fee is additionally charged, it is not possible to continuously print on the paper on which the surface is printed, and the paper is wasted.

  In order to solve such a problem, the image forming apparatus and the charging apparatus are connected by a transmission / reception circuit such as a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) so that information can be exchanged between both apparatuses. There is a method in which the balance information is transmitted to the forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus determines whether printing is possible based on the balance information (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2003-173115 A

  Detailed control is possible if information such as balance information can be exchanged by connecting the two devices with a transmission / reception circuit as in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, but in order to realize it Both devices must have a configuration that can understand the communication protocol. Therefore, a charging device that can be connected to the image forming apparatus needs to be manufactured exclusively for the image forming apparatus, and the versatility of the charging apparatus and the image forming apparatus is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and does not require exchange of balance information using a dedicated communication protocol. The purpose is to avoid the billing management.

A charging system according to an aspect of the present invention is a charging system including an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus, and the charging apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs processing related to image formation performed by the image forming apparatus. If the amount of money to be charged to the charging device is equal to or higher than a preset charging unit price, the normal processing related to the image formation is permitted and the first signal line is used to A first permission signal transmission unit that transmits a first permission signal indicating permission to the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined special process relating to the image formation that is different from the normal process, in which the balance is greater than the charge unit price A second permission that permits the execution of the special process when the charge is equal to or greater than the charge required for the execution of the process, and permits the execution of the special process via a second signal line different from the first signal line. A second permission signal transmission unit for transmitting a signal to the image forming apparatus, and processing related to the image formation is performed, and from the image forming apparatus via a third signal line different from the first and second signal lines. And a balance management unit that subtracts the balance by the billing unit price when a billing signal indicating a billing request is transmitted, and the image forming apparatus receives the first permission signal from the billing apparatus. A first permission unit that permits the execution of the normal process and does not permit the execution of the normal process unless the first permission signal is received, and receives the second permission signal from the billing device; And the second permission unit that does not allow the execution of the special processing unless the second permission signal is received, and when the processing related to the image formation is performed, the third signal line Before billing signal A metering signal transmission unit for transmitting to the accounting device, a specialized processing application signal indicating the number of pulses billing rates for said special processing, via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines, said charging A special processing application unit for transmitting to the device , wherein the special processing application unit indicates a difference in charging fee for the special processing by changing the number of pulses, and the second permission signal of the charging device When the transmission unit receives the special processing application signal and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the charging fee indicated by the number of pulses of the special processing application signal, the second signal line is used to transmit the second processing line. A permission signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus .

A charging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a charging apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus and charges according to processing related to image formation performed by the image forming apparatus. When the remaining amount is equal to or higher than a preset unit price, the execution of the normal processing related to the image formation is permitted, and a first permission signal indicating the permission is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the first signal line. The first permission signal transmitting unit that performs the special charge when the balance is equal to or greater than a charge fee that is greater than the charge unit price and that is necessary for executing a special process that is different from the normal process and that is related to the image formation. A second permission signal transmitter that permits execution of the process and transmits a second permission signal that permits execution of the special process to the image forming apparatus via a second signal line different from the first signal line; , The picture When processing relating to formation is performed and a signal indicating a charging request transmitted from the image forming apparatus via a third signal line different from the first and second signal lines is received, the amount corresponding to the charging unit price A balance management unit that subtracts the balance, and the second permission signal transmission unit transmits the special permission signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines. When the special processing application signal indicating the charging fee for processing by the number of pulses is received and the remaining amount is equal to or higher than the charging fee indicated by the pulse number of the special processing application signal, the second signal line is used. Te is shall be transmitted to the second enabling signal to the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus connected to a charging apparatus that charges according to processing related to image formation, and is charged with a remaining amount of money to be charged to the charging apparatus When the unit price is equal to or higher than the unit price, if the first permission signal permitting execution of the normal processing related to the image formation transmitted from the charging device is received via the first signal line, the execution of the normal processing is permitted. The first permission unit that does not permit the execution of the normal processing unless the first permission signal is received, and the predetermined special processing by the image forming apparatus in which the balance is greater than the charge unit price. When it is equal to or higher than the required charging fee, when receiving a second permission signal permitting execution of the special processing transmitted from the charging device via a second signal line different from the first signal line, Above In particular, if the execution of the processing is permitted and the second permission signal is not received and the execution of the special processing is not permitted, the first and second signal lines are processed. A billing signal transmitter for transmitting a billing request signal for the billing unit price to the billing device via a third signal line different from the billing device, and a special processing application signal indicating the billing fee for the special processing by the number of pulses And a special processing application unit that transmits to the charging apparatus via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines, and the special processing application unit includes a charging fee for the special processing This difference is shown by changing the number of pulses .

  According to the above-described charging apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, when the remaining charge is equal to or higher than a set charging unit price (for example, 10 yen), execution of normal processing related to image formation is permitted via the first signal line. When the first permission signal is transmitted to the image forming apparatus and the balance is greater than the charge unit price, the charge is equal to or greater than the charge fee (for example, 20 yen) necessary for execution of special processing (for example, double-sided printing) related to image formation Then, a second permission signal for permitting execution of the special processing is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the second signal line.

  According to the image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention described above, when the first permission signal is received, execution of normal processing related to image formation is permitted, but when the second permission signal is not received, special processing related to image formation is performed. Execution of processing is not permitted.

  As a result, according to the billing system according to one aspect of the present invention described above, if there is not enough funds left to execute the special process, the execution of the special process is not permitted in the first place, and the special process is stopped halfway. It can be prevented from occurring. For example, when double-sided printing is performed, it is possible to avoid a problem that a sheet on which only the front surface is printed is left in the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus. Further, since it is not necessary to exchange information between both apparatuses using a transmission / reception circuit based on a dedicated communication protocol, the versatility of the charging apparatus and the image forming apparatus can be improved.

1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of a charging system including a charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when normal processing relating to image formation is performed during execution of a print job. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when special processing related to image formation is performed during execution of a print job. It is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of a charging system including a charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a process when a special process is performed by the image forming apparatus of the charging system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of a charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of a charging system including a charging apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A charging system S according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a charging apparatus 110.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The charging device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a coin vendor.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, an image memory 32, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 92, a fixing unit 13, a sheet feeding unit 14, and an operation unit 47. A facsimile communication unit 71 and a network interface unit 91.

  The document feeding unit 6 feeds a document to be read to the document reading unit 5.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a reading mechanism (not shown) having a light irradiation unit, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and the like under the control of the control unit 100 constituting the control unit 10. The document reading unit 5 reads an image from the document by irradiating the document using the light irradiation unit and receiving the reflected light by the CCD sensor.

  The image forming unit 12 performs printing by forming a toner image of an image to be printed on a sheet.

  The image memory 32 is an area for temporarily storing image data of a document obtained by reading by the document reading unit 5 and temporarily storing data to be printed by the image forming unit 12. .

  The HDD 92 is a large-capacity storage device that stores document images and the like read by the document reading unit 5.

  The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper by thermocompression bonding.

  The paper supply unit 14 includes a paper supply cassette (not shown), and picks up and conveys the paper stored in the paper supply cassette.

  The operation unit 47 receives instructions such as an image forming operation execution instruction and a document reading operation execution instruction from the operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance to the operator. The display unit 473 is a touch panel, and the operator can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by touching buttons and keys displayed on the screen.

  The facsimile communication unit 71 includes an encoding / decoding unit, a modulation / demodulation unit, an NCU (Network Control Unit), and the like (not shown), and performs facsimile communication using a public telephone line network.

  The network interface unit 91 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The network interface unit 91 is connected to the network interface unit 91 via a LAN or the like, and is connected to an external device such as a personal computer on the local area or the Internet. Various types of data are transmitted to and received from the device 20.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100 that controls overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1, a normal processing permission unit 101, a special processing permission unit 102, and a charging signal transmission unit 103. The normal process permission unit 101, the special process permission unit 102, and the billing signal transmission unit 103 are examples of the first permission unit, the second permission unit, and the billing signal transmission unit in the claims, respectively.

  The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100, a normal process permission unit 101, a special process permission unit 102, and a billing signal transmission unit 103 by an operation according to a control program installed in the HDD 92. However, the control unit 100, the normal process permission unit 101, the special process permission unit 102, and the billing signal transmission unit 103 can be configured by hardware circuits regardless of the operation according to the control program by the control unit 10. is there. The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 100 includes a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, an image forming unit 12, an image memory 32, an HDD 92, a fixing unit 13, a sheet feeding unit 14, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 71, and a network interface unit 91. Are connected, and drive control of these parts is performed.

  The billing apparatus 110 includes a monetary slot (not shown), an insertion detection sensor for detecting that money has been inserted, a type identification sensor for identifying the type of money that has been inserted, a balance display unit, a cash return slot, etc. The mechanism part 111 containing these and the control unit 120 are provided.

The control unit 120 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a dedicated hardware circuit. The control unit 120 controls overall operation of the charging apparatus 110, a charging unit price management unit 122, and a normal permission signal transmission. Unit 124, special permission signal transmission unit 125, and balance management unit 126. Normally permission signal transmission unit 124, the first enable signal transmitter unit that put the scope of each special permission signal transmission unit 125 and the balance managing unit 126, the appended claims, the second enable signal transmitter unit, and the balance manager An example.

  The control unit 120 operates in accordance with a control program installed in the HDD (not shown), and controls the control unit 121, the charging unit price management unit 122, the normal permission signal transmission unit 124, the special permission signal transmission unit 125, and the balance management. It functions as the unit 126.

  Further, the control unit 10 constituting the image forming apparatus 1 and the control unit 120 constituting the charging apparatus 110 are connected via signal lines SL1 to SL3. The signal lines SL1 to SL3 are examples of the first signal line, the second signal line, and the third signal line in the claims.

  The billing unit price management unit 122 of the control unit 120 constituting the billing apparatus 110 stores and manages a billing unit price (here, 10 yen) which is the minimum fee required for processing relating to image formation.

  If the normal permission signal transmission unit 124 determines that the balance is equal to or more than the charge unit price “10 yen”, the normal permission signal transmission unit 124 transmits a permission signal P1 that permits execution of normal processing relating to image formation to the image forming apparatus 1 via the signal line SL1. To do. In other words, the normal permission signal transmission unit 124 permits the execution of the normal processing related to image formation when the remaining amount of the input money input by the user to the charging apparatus 110 is equal to or higher than a preset charging unit price. Then, a permission signal P1 indicating the permission is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the signal line SL1.

  When the special permission signal transmission unit 125 determines that the remaining amount is, for example, a charging fee “20 yen” or more necessary for executing double-sided printing based on the charging fee managed by the remaining amount management unit 126, the signal line SL2 is set. Then, a permission signal P2 that permits execution of double-sided printing is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the special permission signal transmission unit 125 determines that the special processing is performed when the balance is greater than the charging unit price, and is equal to or higher than a charging fee required for execution of a predetermined special processing related to image formation different from the normal processing. Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 through the signal line SL2, and the permission signal P2 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 through the signal line SL2.

  The balance management unit 126 manages the balance of the input money. When the balance management unit 126 receives a billing signal P3 indicating a billing request transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 via the signal line SL3, the balance management unit 126 subtracts the balance by the billing unit price stored in the billing unit price management unit 122. To do.

  When the normal processing permission unit 101 of the control unit 10 constituting the image forming apparatus 1 receives the permission signal P1 transmitted from the charging apparatus 110 via the signal line SL1, the normal processing permission unit 101 permits execution of normal processing related to image formation. If the permission signal S1 is not received, execution of normal processing is not permitted.

  When the special processing permission unit 102 receives the permission signal P2 transmitted from the charging apparatus 110 via the signal line SL2, the special processing permission unit 102 permits execution of double-sided printing, and if the permission signal P2 is not received, Do not allow duplex printing.

  The billing signal transmission unit 103 issues a billing request via the signal line SL3 when normal processing or special processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when image formation is performed by the image forming unit 12. The charging signal P3 shown is transmitted to the charging device 110.

  Next, a description will be given of processing in the case where normal processing relating to image formation is performed during execution of a print job. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing in the case where normal processing relating to image formation is performed during execution of a print job.

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the normal permission signal transmission unit 124 determines that the balance managed by the balance management unit 126 is equal to or greater than the billing unit price (for example, 10 yen), the normal processing is performed via the signal line SL1. As an example, a permission signal P1 for permitting execution of single-sided printing is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (SS11).

  When a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the normal process permission unit 101 determines whether or not the permission signal P1 is received from the charging apparatus 110 (S11), and when the permission signal P1 is not received. (NO in S11), the printing operation by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the control unit 100 is not permitted and is kept on standby.

  Then, when the normal processing permission unit 101 receives the permission signal P1 (YES in S11), the normal processing permission unit 101 permits execution of the normal processing related to the image formation. The control unit 100 controls the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, and the like to perform document reading, paper feeding, and the like. Printing on one side of one sheet is executed as a normal process related to the image formation (S12).

  When printing on one side of the paper is completed, the charging signal transmission unit 103 transmits a charging signal P3 indicating a request for charging to the charging device 110 via the signal line SL3 (S13).

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the balance management unit 126 receives the billing signal P3 (SS12), it subtracts the managed balance amount by the billing unit price (SS13). In this embodiment, the charging unit price is predetermined as one amount. The billing unit price here is 10 yen.

  Thereafter, the normal process permission unit 101 determines whether or not a print operation based on the print job is further requested from the control unit 100 (S14), and the normal process permission unit 101 performs the print operation from the control unit 100. If it is determined that there is a request (that is, there remains a print process to be executed) (YES in S14), the process returns to S11. On the other hand, if the normal process permission unit 101 determines that the printing operation is not requested from the control unit 100 (NO in S14), the process ends.

  Next, processing when special processing relating to image formation is performed during execution of a print job will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing when special processing relating to image formation is performed during execution of a print job.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when a print job is executed, a process when the special process is performed is performed in parallel with the process when the normal process described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed.

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the special permission signal transmission unit 125 determines that the balance managed by the balance management unit 126 is equal to or greater than the billing charge (for example, 20 yen) for the special processing, the signal line SL2 A permission signal P2 that permits execution of double-sided printing as the special processing is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (SS21).

  When the print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the special processing permission unit 102 determines whether or not the permission signal P2 is received from the charging apparatus 110 (S21), and when the permission signal P2 is not received. (NO in S21), the printing operation by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the control unit 100 is not permitted and is kept on standby.

  When the special processing permission unit 102 receives the permission signal P2 (YES in S21), the special processing permission unit 102 permits the execution of the double-sided printing operation as the special processing related to the image formation (S22). The control unit 100 controls the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, and the like to perform document reading, paper feeding, and the like. As double-sided printing for one sheet, first, surface printing for one sheet is executed (S23). In this case, the permission signal P1 is also received from the charging apparatus 110 to the image forming apparatus 1 in the process shown in FIG.

  When the printing on the front side of the paper is completed, the charging signal transmission unit 103 transmits a charging signal P3 indicating charging to the charging apparatus 110 via the signal line SL3 (S24).

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the balance management unit 126 receives the billing signal P3 (SS22), it subtracts the managed balance amount by the billing unit price (SS23).

  Subsequently, the control unit 100 controls the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, and the like to print the back side of the paper (S 25).

  When the printing on the back side of the paper is completed, the charging signal transmission unit 103 transmits a charging signal P3 indicating charging to the charging device 110 via the signal line SL3 (S26).

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the balance management unit 126 receives the billing signal P3 (SS24), it subtracts the managed balance amount by the billing unit price (SS25).

  Thereafter, the special process permission unit 102 determines whether or not a printing operation is requested from the control unit 100 (that is, whether or not there is a print process to be executed) (S27), and the special process permission unit 102. However, if it is determined that the printing operation is requested from the control unit 100 (that is, the printing process to be executed remains) (YES in S27), the process proceeds to S21. On the other hand, if the special process permission unit 102 determines that the printing operation is not requested from the control unit 100 (NO in S27), the process ends.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when the remaining charge is equal to or higher than the set charging unit price “10 yen”, the permission signal for permitting the execution of the normal processing relating to image formation from the charging device 110 via the signal line SL1. P1 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. If the balance is equal to or more than the charge fee “20 yen” required for executing double-sided printing, a permission signal P2 that permits execution of double-sided printing is sent from the charging device 110 to the image forming apparatus 1 via the signal line SL2. Sent.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the permission signal P1, single-sided printing as a normal process is permitted. However, if the permission signal P2 is not received, execution of double-sided printing as a special process is not permitted.

  As a result, according to the present embodiment, if there is not enough money left to execute the double-sided printing as a special process, the double-sided printing operation is not permitted in the first place. You can prevent things from happening. For example, when double-sided printing is performed, it is possible to avoid the problem that the paper on which only the front surface is printed is left in the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, since it is not necessary to exchange information between both apparatuses using a transmission / reception circuit based on a dedicated communication protocol, the versatility of the charging apparatus 110 and the image forming apparatus 1 is improved.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of a charging system including the charging apparatus 110 and the image forming apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. 1 differs from the charging system shown in FIG. 1 in that a control unit 10 constituting the image forming apparatus 1 and a control unit 120 constituting the charging apparatus 110 are further connected via a signal line SL4. The forming apparatus 1 is different in that it further includes a special processing application unit 104. Note that a description of the same configuration and processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  When the special processing application unit 104 needs to execute special processing when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or when a print job is executed, a special processing application signal indicating a charging fee for the special processing is displayed on the signal line. The data is transmitted to billing apparatus 110 via fourth signal line SL4 different from SL1 to SL3.

  For example, the special processing includes monochrome single-sided printing, color single-sided printing, and color double-sided printing. When monochrome single-sided printing is set at a charge unit price of 10 yen in the above-described normal processing, for example, color single-sided printing has a charge of 20 yen, and color double-sided print has a charge of 40 yen.

  Further, as the special processing, there is further two-sheet continuous paper duplex printing. In this two-sheet continuous double-sided printing, two sheets of paper are picked up continuously from the paper feed cassette, and printing is performed on the first and second surfaces of the paper first, and then the first and second sheets are printed. An operation in which the second sheet is reversed and printing is continuously performed on the back surfaces of the first and second sheets. For example, the charging fee for two-sheet continuous double-sided printing is 40 yen for monochrome two-sheet continuous double-sided printing and 80 yen for two-color continuous two-sided printing.

  The special processing application unit 104 changes the charging fee indicated by the special processing application signal by changing the number of pulses of the special processing application signal. For example, the special processing application unit 104 sets the charging fee to 20 yen. Set to 2 pulses for 40 yen, 4 pulses for 40 yen, and 8 pulses for 80 yen.

  In the charging apparatus 110, when the special permission signal transmission unit 125 receives the special processing application signal from the image forming apparatus 1, the balance managed by the balance management unit 126 indicates that the special processing application signal indicates the above. Only when the charge is equal to or higher than the charging fee, the permission signal P2 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the signal line SL2. In the case of the above example, the special permission signal transmission unit 125 determines the charging fee according to the number of pulses of the special processing application signal.

  Next, processing when the special processing is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the charging system S according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when the special processing is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the charging system S according to the second embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when a print job is executed, the second embodiment of the process when the special process is performed is in parallel with the process when the normal process described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed. Done.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when the image forming apparatus 1 and the charging apparatus 110 are turned on, or when a special process needs to be executed when a print job is executed, the special process application unit 104 displays any of the special processes described above. A special processing application signal indicating the billing charge for this is transmitted to the billing apparatus 110 via the signal line SL4 (S40). The special processing application unit 104 transmits, for example, a special processing as color double-sided printing to the charging device 110 by a special processing application signal with a charging fee of 40 yen.

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the special permission signal transmission unit 125 receives the special processing application signal, the balance managed by the balance management unit 126 based on the special processing application signal indicates the special processing application signal. It is determined whether or not the billing fee for the special processing (40 yen in this case) is exceeded (SS40). If the special permission signal transmission unit 125 determines that the balance is equal to or greater than the charge for the special process indicated by the special process application signal (YES in SS40), the execution of the special process is permitted via the signal line SL2. The permission signal P2 to be transmitted is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (SS41).

  When the print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the special processing permission unit 102 determines whether or not the permission signal P2 is received from the charging apparatus 110 (S41), and when the permission signal P2 is not received. (NO in S41), the controller 100 is not allowed to execute the special process, and is kept on standby.

  If the special processing permission unit 102 has received the permission signal P2 (YES in S41), the special processing, in this embodiment, permits color duplex printing as an example of special processing (S42).

  The control unit 100 first causes the image forming unit 12 to perform a color printing operation on the surface of one sheet (S43).

  When the color printing on the front side of the single sheet is completed, the charging signal transmission unit 103 transmits a charging signal P3 indicating a request for charging to the charging apparatus 110 via the signal line SL3 (S44). At this time, billing signal transmission section 103 transmits billing signal P3 to billing apparatus 110 with the number of pulses of billing signal P3 as the number indicating the billing fee according to the operation performed in S43. For example, the charging fee is 20 yen / side in the case of color printing, and in this embodiment, color printing on one side of the paper is completed in S43, and in S44, the charging signal transmission unit 103 pulses the charging signal P3. The number is transmitted to billing apparatus 110 as two pulses indicating 20 yen.

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the balance management unit 126 receives the billing signal P3 (SS42), the amount of the balance being managed is subtracted by the billing fee indicated by the number of pulses of the billing signal P3 (SS43). .

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after S44, the control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to perform a color printing operation on the back surface of the one sheet (S45).

  When the color printing on the back surface is completed, the charging signal transmission unit 103 further transmits a charging signal P3 indicating a request for charging to the charging apparatus 110 via the signal line SL3 (S46). At this time, in the same manner as in S44, charging signal transmitting section 103 transmits charging signal P3 to charging apparatus 110 with the number of pulses of charging signal P3 as the number indicating the charging fee according to the operation performed in S46. (In this case, 2 pulses).

  In the billing apparatus 110, when the balance management unit 126 receives the billing signal P3 (SS44), the amount of the balance managed is subtracted by the billing fee indicated by the number of pulses of the billing signal P3 (SS45). . In SS41, the special permission signal transmission unit 125 sends to the image forming apparatus 1 a permission signal P2 that permits the execution of the special process when the balance is equal to or greater than the charge for the special process indicated by the special process application signal. Since the data is transmitted, the remaining amount of SS43 and SS45 can always be subtracted.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after S46, the special process permission unit 102 determines whether or not a printing operation is requested from the control unit 100 (that is, whether or not there is a print process to be executed) (S47). If the special process permission unit 102 determines that a print operation is requested from the control unit 100 (that is, there is a print process to be executed) (YES in S47), the process proceeds to S41. On the other hand, if the special process permission unit 102 determines that the printing operation is not requested from the control unit 100 (NO in S47), the process ends.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the image forming apparatus 1 and the charging apparatus 110 are turned on, or when a special job needs to be executed when executing a print job, the special process application unit 104 transmits a special processing application signal indicating a charging fee for any of the above-described special processing to the charging device 110 via the signal line SL4. In the charging device 110, the special permission signal transmission unit 125 is transmitted. However, since the permission signal P2 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 only when the charge of the charging fee portion indicated by the special processing application signal is held in the balance, it is disposed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the charging apparatus 110. For various special processes with different billing charges that should be secured in the balance without complicating the mechanism that requires the Can avoid the occurrence of inconvenience is left in 1 conveying path.

  In the second embodiment, the charging signal P3 can be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the charging apparatus 110 after indicating different charging charges by changing the number of pulses. Correspondingly, a different charging fee can be subtracted from the balance in the charging device 110.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a multifunction peripheral. However, this is merely an example, and other electronic devices such as a copy function, a facsimile function, Other image forming apparatuses such as a printer may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure and process which were shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 5 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

S charging system 1 image forming apparatus 10 control unit 101 normal processing permission unit 102 special processing permission unit 103 charging signal transmission unit 104 special processing application unit 110 charging device 120 control unit 122 charging unit price management unit 124 normal permission signal transmission unit 125 special permission Signal transmission unit 126 Balance management unit SL1 to SL4 Signal line

Claims (4)

A charging system comprising an image forming apparatus and a charging apparatus,
The charging device is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs charging according to processing relating to image formation performed by the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of money to be charged into the charging device is equal to or higher than a preset charging unit price, execution of normal processing relating to the image formation is permitted, and the first permission indicating the permission via the first signal line A first permission signal transmitter for transmitting a signal to the image forming apparatus;
Permitting the execution of the special process when the balance is greater than the charge unit price and is equal to or higher than a charge required for executing the special process different from the normal process for the image formation. A second permission signal transmitter that transmits a second permission signal that permits execution of the special processing to the image forming apparatus via a second signal line different from the first signal line;
When the processing related to the image formation is performed and the charging signal indicating the charging request transmitted from the image forming apparatus via the third signal line different from the first and second signal lines is received, the charging is performed. A balance management unit that subtracts the balance by the unit price,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A first permission unit that permits execution of the normal process upon receipt of the first permission signal from the billing device, and that does not permit execution of the normal process unless the first permission signal is received;
A second permission unit that permits execution of the special process upon receipt of the second permission signal from the billing device, and that does not permit execution of the special process unless the second permission signal is received;
When the processing related to the image formation is performed, a charging signal transmission unit that transmits the charging signal to the charging device via the third signal line;
A special processing application unit that transmits a special processing application signal indicating a charging fee for the special processing by the number of pulses to the charging device via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines; Prepared ,
The special processing application unit indicates a difference in charging fee for the special processing by changing the number of pulses,
When the second permission signal transmission unit of the charging device receives the special processing application signal and the balance is equal to or more than the charging fee indicated by the number of pulses of the special processing application signal, the second permission signal transmission unit An accounting system for transmitting the second permission signal to the image forming apparatus via a signal line . When the special processing is executed, the charging signal transmission unit of the image forming apparatus receives the charging signal indicating the charging fee according to the executed special processing by the number of pulses via the third signal line. Send to the billing device,
The balance management unit of the billing apparatus transmits the second permission signal to the image forming apparatus according to the special processing application signal, and then transmits the bill transmitted from the image forming apparatus via the third signal line. The billing system according to claim 1, wherein when the signal is received, the balance is subtracted by a billing fee for the special processing indicated by the number of pulses of the billing signal. A charging device that is connected to an image forming apparatus and charges according to processing related to image formation performed by the image forming apparatus,
When the remaining amount of money to be charged into the billing apparatus is equal to or higher than a preset billing unit price, the execution of normal processing relating to the image formation is permitted, and the first permission indicating the permission is given via the first signal line. A first permission signal transmitter for transmitting a signal to the image forming apparatus;
Permitting the execution of the special process when the balance is greater than the charge unit price and is equal to or higher than a charge required for executing the special process different from the normal process for the image formation. A second permission signal transmitter that transmits a second permission signal that permits execution of the special processing to the image forming apparatus via a second signal line different from the first signal line;
When processing related to image formation is performed and a signal indicating a charge request transmitted from the image forming apparatus via a third signal line different from the first and second signal lines is received, the charge unit price A balance management unit for subtracting the balance only ,
The second permission signal transmission unit is a special process that indicates, by the number of pulses, a charging fee for the special process transmitted from the image forming apparatus via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines. When the application signal is received, if the balance is equal to or greater than the charging fee indicated by the number of pulses of the special processing application signal, the second permission signal is sent to the image forming apparatus via the second signal line. Billing device to send to . An image forming apparatus connected to a charging device that charges according to processing related to image formation,
A first permission to execute normal processing related to the image formation transmitted from the charging device via the first signal line when the remaining amount of the input money to the charging device is equal to or higher than a set charging unit price. A first permission unit that permits execution of the normal process when receiving a permission signal, and that does not permit execution of the normal process unless the first permission signal is received;
When the balance is greater than the billing unit price and is equal to or greater than a billing fee required for execution of the special processing determined in advance by the image forming apparatus, the second signal line is different from the first signal line. When the second permission signal permitting execution of the special process transmitted from the billing apparatus is received, the execution of the special process is permitted, and when the second permission signal is not received, the execution of the special process is performed. A second permission section that does not permit,
When processing relating to the image formation is performed, a billing signal transmission unit that transmits a signal requesting billing for the billing unit price to the billing device via a third signal line different from the first and second signal lines When,
A special processing application unit that transmits a special processing application signal indicating a charging fee for the special processing by the number of pulses to the charging device via a fourth signal line different from the first to third signal lines; Prepared ,
The special processing application unit is an image forming apparatus that indicates a difference in charging fee for the special processing by changing the number of pulses .

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