JP6536832B2 - Job execution system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a job execution system that executes a job using an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a job execution program.

  Conventionally, a system has been known which is provided with a coin vendor that enables payment by cash and a copying machine, and performs payment by the coin vendor in real time when a copying job is executed by the copying machine. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-351167 A

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the execution of the copy job is stopped when the cash input to the coin vendor by the user decreases and payment of the charge is delayed, and then the coin vendor receives cash. There is a problem that the convenience of the job is inconvenient since the execution of the copy job is resumed when the additional charge is made and the payment can be made.

  Further, in the system described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that labor cost is incurred since the charge stored in cash in the coin vendor needs to be periodically acquired by a person on the side of the copier administrator. There is.

  In the system described in Patent Document 1, since the charge is stored in the coin vendor in cash, the cash stored in the coin vendor may be stolen and the administrator of the copying machine may not receive the charge. There is a problem of having sex.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a job execution system, an image forming apparatus, and a job execution program capable of realizing improvement of convenience, reduction of labor cost, and safe receipt of charges.

  The job execution system according to the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus, charge calculating means for calculating a charge based on the content of a job using the image forming apparatus, and online settlement for the charge calculated by the charge calculating means. A payment code notification means for notifying a payment code issued by a service, and executing the job when the fee is paid via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means And job execution means.

  According to this configuration, the job execution system according to the present invention executes the job after the correct fee based on the content of the job is paid, so that the execution of the job is stopped halfway by the late payment of the fee. There is no problem, and convenience can be improved. In addition, the job execution system of the present invention uses the online payment service, not the coin vendor, to pay the fee, so there is no need to acquire the fee from the coin vendor, the labor cost is reduced, and the fee is received safely. And can be realized.

  In the job execution system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a reading device, the content includes a reading result of a document by the reading device, and the job includes an image read from the document by the reading device. The job execution unit is used to execute a specific process, and the job execution unit is notified by an image storage unit that stores the image read from the document by the reading device in a storage unit, and the payment code notification unit. Specific processing execution means for executing the specific processing using the image stored in the storage unit when the fee is paid via the online payment service using the payment code; You may have.

  According to this configuration, the job execution system of the present invention stores the image generated by the reading of the document by the reading device in the storage unit, and after an accurate fee based on the result of the reading is paid, Since a specific process is performed using an image, the execution of the job “Read an image from a document by a reading device and execute a specific process using this image” is interrupted by late payment of the fee It is possible to realize the improvement of convenience without being stopped.

  In the job execution system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a printing device, the specific process execution unit is included in the image forming apparatus, and the specific process is printing of the image by the printing device. It is good.

  According to this configuration, the job execution system according to the present invention stops the execution of the copy job “Read the image from the document by the reading device and print this image by the printing device” due to the late payment of the fee. It is possible to realize the improvement of convenience without having to

  In the job execution system of the present invention, the image storage means may rasterize the image read from the document by the reading device and store the image in the storage unit.

  According to this configuration, the job execution system of the present invention can end the copy job early because the printing device can print the image on the recording medium without rasterizing the image after the payment is made. .

  In the job execution system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus may include a display device, and the payment code notification means may notify the payment code by display on the display device.

  According to this configuration, the job execution system of the present invention pays a fee via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the image forming apparatus because the image forming apparatus notifies the payment code by display on the display device. Even if the user terminal and the image forming apparatus can not communicate with each other, using the payment code displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus to pay the fee by the user terminal via the online payment service Can.

  The job execution system according to the present invention comprises a user terminal for paying the charge via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notifying means, the user terminal being a photographing device The payment code displayed on the display device may be acquired by photographing with the photographing device.

  With this configuration, the job execution system according to the present invention improves convenience because the user of the user terminal does not have to manually input the payment code displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus to the user terminal. Can.

  In the job execution system of the present invention, the payment code notification means may display the payment code as a two-dimensional code on the display device.

  With this configuration, the job execution system according to the present invention displays the payment code as a two-dimensional code in a compact manner on the display device of the image forming apparatus. Can.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus, and a payment code notifying unit for notifying a payment code issued by an online payment service for a charge based on the content of a job using the image forming apparatus; And a job execution unit configured to execute the job when the fee is paid via the on-line payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification unit.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention executes the job after the correct fee based on the content of the job is paid, so that the execution of the job is stopped halfway by the late payment of the fee. There is no problem, and convenience can be improved. In addition, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the online payment service instead of the coin vendor to pay the fee, it is not necessary to obtain the fee from the coin vendor, the labor cost is reduced, and the fee is received safely. And can be realized.

  The job execution program according to the present invention is notified by a payment code notification means for notifying a payment code issued by the online payment service for a charge based on the contents of the job using the image forming apparatus, and the payment code notification means. The image forming apparatus may realize a job execution unit that executes the job when the fee is paid via the online payment service using the payment code.

  According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus executing the job execution program of the present invention executes the job after the accurate fee based on the content of the job is paid, so that the job execution is delayed due to the payment of the fee. Without being stopped halfway, convenience can be improved. In addition, since the image forming apparatus executing the job execution program of the present invention uses the online payment service instead of the coin vendor to pay the fee, it is not necessary to obtain the fee from the coin vendor, and the labor cost is reduced. , Secure receipt of charges can be realized.

  The job execution system, the image forming apparatus, and the job execution program according to the present invention can realize improvement of convenience, reduction of labor cost, and safe receipt of charges.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the user terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1; It is a figure which shows an example of the image management information shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of a computer shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of MFP management information shown in FIG. 5; It is a figure which shows an example of payment code management information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the online payment service shown in FIG. 1 memorize | stores. It is a figure which shows an example of payment code management information shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the copying system shown in FIG. 1 until the MFP to which the copy instruction is input displays a two-dimensional code. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when executing ScanToBox. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of operations of the copying system shown in FIG. 1 from when the user terminal reads a two-dimensional code until the MFP ends copying. It is a figure which shows an example of the payment screen displayed on the display part of the user terminal shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

  First, the configuration of a copy system as a job execution system according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a copying system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the copying system 10 is an online payment that executes a payment online, with a user terminal 20 used by a user, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 30 as an image forming apparatus, and a computer 40. It comprises a service 50 and a bank account management system 60 which manages bank accounts.

  The MFP 30 can be installed in various facilities such as, for example, commercial facilities such as convenience stores, and public facilities such as universities. The MFP 30 is a device that executes copying, which is a function of printing an image read from a document on a recording medium, in response to payment of a fee by the user. The MFP 30 performs various types of copying, such as ID copying with information displayed on both sides, ID copying where images on both sides of a document such as a driver's license are consolidated on one side of a single recording medium with the same size, etc. It is possible.

  The computer 40 may be capable of executing not only the processing related to the charge of the MFP 30 but also the processing related to the charge of at least one MFP similar to the MFP 30.

  The online payment service 50 and the bank account management system 60 are cloud services, and are systems realized by servers such as a cloud server, for example.

  The user terminal 20 and the online payment service 50 can communicate via a network such as the Internet.

  The MFP 30 and the computer 40 can directly communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or the like without wires via a network.

  The computer 40 and the online payment service 50 can communicate via a network such as the Internet.

  The online payment service 50 and the bank account management system 60 can communicate via a network such as the Internet.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the user terminal 20. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 20 is a display device such as an operation unit 21 which is an input device such as a button to which various operations are input and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) which displays various information. A display unit 22 and an imaging unit 23 which is an imaging device such as a camera, and a communication unit 24 which is a communication device which communicates with an external apparatus directly via a network or by wire or wireless without a network. A storage unit 25 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory for storing various information, and a control unit 26 for controlling the entire user terminal 20 are provided. The user terminal 20 may be, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet.

  The storage unit 25 stores a settlement program 25a for settlement by the online settlement service 50 (see FIG. 1). The settlement program 25a may be installed on the user terminal 20 at the manufacturing stage of the user terminal 20, or additionally installed on the user terminal 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. It may be installed additionally on the user terminal 20 from the network.

  The control unit 26 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) storing programs and various data, and a random access memory (RAM) used as a work area of the CPU. There is. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 25.

  The control unit 26 implements the settlement instruction unit 26a that instructs the online settlement service 50 to make a settlement by executing the settlement program 25a.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the MFP 30. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 30 includes an operation unit 31 which is an input device such as a button to which various operations are input, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD which displays various information, and an image from a document Perform fax communication via a communication line such as a public telephone line with an external facsimile machine (not shown), and a scanner 33 as a reading device for reading images, a printer 34 as a printing device for printing an image on a recording medium such as paper. It stores various information such as a fax communication unit 35 which is a fax device, a communication unit 36 which is a communication device which communicates with an external apparatus directly via a network or by wire or wireless directly without using a network. Semiconductor memory, non-volatile storage device such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) A storage unit 37 and a control unit 38 for controlling the entire MFP 30 are provided.

  The scanner 33 is equipped with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) capable of automatically reading a plurality of originals and an original on both sides.

  The storage unit 37 reads an image from the document by the scanner 33 as a job execution program for executing a job of “reading an image from the document by the scanner 33 and executing a specific process using this image”. And a copy program 37a for executing a copy job of printing this image by the printer 34 is stored. The copy program 37a may be installed in the MFP 30 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 30, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or additionally installed in the MFP 30 from the network. Also good.

  The storage unit 37 can store a plurality of images 37 b read from a document by the scanner 33.

  The storage unit 37 can store image management information 37c for managing the image 37b.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the image management information 37c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image management information 37c is information in which an image ID which is identification information of the image 37b (see FIG. 3) and a job ID which is identification information of a job are associated.

  The control unit 38 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM storing programs and various data, and a RAM used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 37.

  The control unit 38 executes the copy program 37a to calculate the image read from the document by the scanner 33 as an image 37b in the storage unit 37 by the image storage means 38a and the computer 40 (see FIG. 1). Using the payment code notified means 38b for notifying the payment code issued by the online payment service 50 (see FIG. 1) for the charge and the payment code notified by the payment code notification means 38b. An image printing unit 38c is realized as a specific processing execution unit that prints the image 37b stored in the storage unit 37 on a recording medium by the printer 34 when the fee is paid via the network.

  The image storage means 38a and the image printing means 38c cooperate to execute a copy job of "printing an image read from a document by the scanner 33 on a recording medium by the printer 34". The job execution means of the present invention is configured.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the computer 40.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the computer 40 stores various information, such as a communication unit 41 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device directly via a network or by wire or wirelessly without using a network. A storage unit 42, which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory, and a control unit 43 that controls the entire computer 40.

  The storage unit 42 stores a settlement program 42a for settlement by the online settlement service 50 (see FIG. 1). The payment program 42a may be installed on the computer 40 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 40, or may be added to the computer 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, a CD (Compact Disk), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be installed, or may be additionally installed on the computer 40 from the network.

  The storage unit 42 stores MFP management information 42 b for managing the MFP.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the MFP management information 42b.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the MFP management information 42b is information in which an MFP ID, which is identification information of the MFP, and a manager ID, which is identification information of a manager of the MFP, are associated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 42 can store payment code management information 42c for managing payment codes issued by the online payment service 50 (see FIG. 1).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the payment code management information 42c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the payment code management information 42c is information in which a payment code, an MFP ID, and a job ID are associated.

  The control unit 43 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM storing programs and various data, and a RAM used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 42.

  The control unit 43 executes a settlement program 42a to calculate the charge based on the reading result of the document by the scanner 33 (see FIG. 3), and the online settlement service 50 (see FIG. 1). Communication means 43b for executing communication for settlement according to.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information stored by the online payment service 50. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the online settlement service 50 includes user bank account information 50 a indicating information of the user's bank account for each user ID that is identification information of the user, and information of an administrator's account of the MFP 30. And manager account information 50b indicating each manager ID.

  The user bank account information 50a includes information on the user's bank account, such as the name of the bank that manages the user's bank account, and the account number of the bank account. The user, for example, uses the settlement program 25a (see FIG. 2) via the operation unit 21 (see FIG. 2) of the user terminal 20 (see FIG. 2), the user bank of the online payment service 50 It is possible to register information on the user's bank account in the account information 50a.

  For example, the administrator can register the information of the administrator's account in the administrator account information 50b of the online payment service 50 via the Internet via any PC (Personal Computer). The manager's account is an account managed by the online payment service 50, not a bank account.

  The online payment service 50 can store payment code management information 50c for managing payment codes.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the payment code management information 50c.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the payment code management information 50c is information in which a payment code, a manager ID, a charge, and a computer ID which is identification information of a computer are associated.

  Next, the operation of the copying system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the copy system 10 until the MFP 30 to which the copy instruction is input displays a two-dimensional code will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the copy system 10 until the MFP 30 to which the copy instruction is input displays a two-dimensional code.

  The user can input a copy instruction via the operation unit 31. When a copy instruction is input through the operation unit 31, the image storage unit 38a of the MFP 30 stores the image read from the document by the scanner 33 in a specific area of the storage unit 37, as shown in FIG. "Operation" (hereinafter referred to as "ScanToBox") is executed (S101). Here, the image storage unit 38a stores the image ID of the image stored in S101 in association with the job ID of the current job in the image management information 37c.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 30 when executing ScanToBox.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the image storage means 38a reads an image from a document by the scanner 33 (S131).

  Next, the image storage unit 38a rasterizes the image read in S101 for printing by the printer 34 to generate bitmap data (S132).

  Finally, the image storage unit 38a stores the bitmap data generated in S102 as an image 37b in a specific area in the storage unit 37 (S133).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the payment code notification means 38b of the MFP 30 acquires the attribute of the current copy job after the process of S101 (S102).

  Here, the attributes of the copy job are, for example, page number information indicating the number of pages to be printed, double-sided single-sided information indicating which one of double-sided printing and single-sided printing is to be performed, and either monochrome copying or color copying. It includes color information indicating whether to print, copy number information indicating the number of copies to be printed, and recording medium size information indicating the size of the recording medium to be printed.

  The number of pages is the number of pages to be printed. For example, when double-sided printing is performed one sheet, two pages will be printed.

  If the number of pages is the same, the charge may be set the same regardless of whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed. For example, the charge may be set to the same value in the case where double-sided printing is performed on one sheet of recording medium and in the case where single-sided printing is performed on two sheets of recording medium.

  On the other hand, even when the number of pages is the same, the fee may be different depending on whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed. For example, the charge when double-sided printing is performed on one recording medium may be set lower than the charge when single-sided printing is performed on two recording media.

  In determining the charge, the double-sided / single-sided information is used “when the charge is differentiated depending on whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is performed even if the number of pages is the same”.

  The payment code notification means 38b determines the page number information based on the actual reading result of the document by the scanner 33.

  The payment code notification means 38 b determines double-sided single-sided information in accordance with the setting in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31. However, the payment code notification means 38 b may be set to change the duplex single-sided information based on the actual reading result of the document by the scanner 33. For example, the payment code notification unit 38b is set to print the front and back sides of the document on the front and back sides of the recording medium, ie, to print on both sides in accordance with the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31. Even if the document is actually read by the scanner 33, if nothing is printed on one side of the document, it may be set to change to single-sided printing.

  The payment code notification means 38 b determines the color information in accordance with the setting in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31. However, the payment code notification means 38b may determine or change the color information based on the actual reading result of the document by the scanner 33. For example, if the payment code notification unit 38 b is set to automatically determine which of monochrome copying and color copying is to be performed in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31, the document is actually a document. Is read by the scanner 33, and color information is determined in accordance with the color of the read document. Further, even if the payment code notification means 38 b is set to perform color copying in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31, as a result of actually reading the document by the scanner 33, the document is monochrome. In this case, it may be set to handle as monochrome copying.

  The payment code notification means 38 b determines the copy number information according to the setting in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31.

  The payment code notification means 38 b determines the recording medium size information according to the setting in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31. However, the payment code notification means 38 b may determine the recording medium size information based on the actual reading result of the document by the scanner 33. For example, when "automatic" is set as the size of the recording medium in the copy instruction input via the operation unit 31, the payment code notification unit 38b reads the document as a result of actually reading the document by the scanner 33. Appropriate recording medium size information may be determined automatically according to the size of the document.

  After the processing of S102, the payment code notification means 38b transmits, to the computer 40, a request for calculation of the charge based on the attribute acquired in S102 (S103). Here, the payment code notification means 38b transmits the MFP ID of the MFP 30 and the job ID of the current job to the computer 40 together with the request in S103.

  When the charge calculation unit 43a of the computer 40 receives the request transmitted from the MFP 30 in S103, the charge calculation unit 43a is based on the attribute transmitted from the MFP 30 along with the request, ie, the attribute acquired in S102 and a specific calculation criterion. The charge for the copy job of this time is calculated (S104).

  Next, the payment communication means 43b of the computer 40 requests the online payment service 50 for a payment code for the charge calculated in S104 (S105). Here, the payment communication unit 43b includes, in the request of S105, the administrator ID associated in the MFP management information 42b with the MFP ID transmitted from the MFP 30 together with the request in S103, and the computer ID of the computer 40.

  Therefore, the online payment service 50 issues a payment code in response to the request of S105 and sends it to the computer 40 (S106). The online payment service 50 stores the issued payment code in the payment code management information 50c in association with the administrator ID, the fee, and the computer ID included in the request in S105.

  The payment communication means 43b of the computer 40 generates a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) indicating the payment code returned from the online payment service 50 in S106 (S107). The payment communication means 43b stores the payment code returned from the online payment service 50 in S106 in the payment code management information 42c in association with the MFP ID and job ID sent from the MFP 30 in S103.

  Next, the payment communication unit 43b transmits the two-dimensional code generated in S107 to the MFP 30 (S108).

  Therefore, the payment code notification means 38b of the MFP 30 displays the two-dimensional code transmitted from the computer 40 in S108 on the display unit 32 (S109).

  Next, the operation of the copy system 10 from the reading of the two-dimensional code by the user terminal 20 to the end of copying by the MFP 30 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the copy system 10 from when the user terminal 20 reads the two-dimensional code until the MFP 30 finishes copying.

  The user can operate the user terminal 20 so that the imaging unit 23 of the user terminal 20 reads the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display unit 32 of the MFP 30 in S109. When the user terminal 20 is operated to cause the photographing unit 23 to read the two-dimensional bar code displayed on the display unit 32, the payment instructing means 26a of the user terminal 20 displays the display unit as shown in FIG. The two-dimensional bar code displayed on 32 is read by the photographing unit 23 (S161).

  Next, the settlement instruction unit 26a interprets the two-dimensional barcode read in S161, and transmits the payment code indicated by the two-dimensional barcode and the user ID to the online settlement service 50 (S162).

  Therefore, the on-line payment service 50 is based on the payment code and the user ID transmitted from the user terminal 20 in S162, to the charge associated with the payment code in the payment code management information 50c and to the user ID. The information of the bank account associated in the user bank account information 50a is sent back to the user terminal 20 (S163).

  The settlement instruction means 26a of the user terminal 20 displays the payment screen 70 (see FIG. 13) for payment of the fee when the fee and the information of the bank account are sent from the online payment service 50 on the display unit 22. (S164).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the payment screen 70. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the payment screen 70 includes a text 71 indicating information of a bank account transmitted from the online settlement service 50, a text 72 indicating a fee transmitted from the online settlement service 50, and A password, that is, a text box 73 for entering a password for the bank account management system 60 to permit withdrawal from the bank account is included.

  In FIG. 13, the name of the bank is shown as the information of the bank account displayed on the payment screen 70. However, on the payment screen 70, information other than the name of the bank may be displayed as the information of the bank account, in addition to or instead of the name of the bank. In S163, among the information of the bank account, only the information displayed on the payment screen 70 may be returned.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the password of the bank account is input in the text box 73, the payment instruction means 26a transmits the input password to the online payment service 50 (S165).

  Therefore, the online payment service 50 is transmitted from the user terminal 20 in S162 among the bank accounts managed by the bank account management system 60 only when the password transmitted from the user terminal 20 in S165 is correct. The charge associated with the payment code management information 50c with the payment code transmitted from the user terminal 20 at S162 is deducted from the bank account associated with the user ID in the user bank account information 50a (S162) S166).

  Next, the on-line payment service 50 converts the charge deducted in S166 into the administrator ID associated with the payment code transmitted from the user terminal 20 in S162 in the payment code management information 50c in the administrator account information 50b. Transfer to the associated account (S167).

  Next, the online payment service 50 associates the payment completion notification indicating that payment of the charge has been completed with the payment code sent from the user terminal 20 in S162 to the payment code in the payment code management information 50c. It transmits to the computer 40 of computer ID which has been sent (S168).

  When the payment completion notification is sent from the online payment service 50 in S168, the payment communication means 43b of the computer 40 uses the payment code sent along with the payment completion notification from the online payment service 50 in S168 payment code management information 42c. A payment completion notification indicating that the payment of the job fee of the job ID associated with the job ID is completed is transmitted to the MFP 30 of the MFP ID associated with the payment code management information 42c with the payment code (S169).

  When the payment completion notification is sent from the computer 40 in S169, the image printing unit 38c of the MFP 30 receives the payment completion notification, and the image 37b of the image ID associated with the job management ID in the image management information 37c. In regard to the above, "the operation of printing the image stored in the specific area in the storage unit 37 by the printer 34" (hereinafter referred to as "Box To Print") is executed (S170).

  As described above, the copying system 10 stores the image generated by the reading of the document by the scanner 33 in the storage unit 37 (S101), and an accurate fee based on the result of the reading is paid. (S165 to S167) Since this image is printed on the recording medium by the printer 34 (S170), execution of a copy job of "Read the image from the document by the scanner 33 and print this image by the printer 34" However, it is possible to realize the improvement of convenience without stopping on the way due to late payment of charges.

  Since copy system 10 uses online payment service 50 instead of coin vendor to pay the fee, the fee is directly transferred from the bank account of the user of MFP 30 to the account of MFP 30 administrator. There is no need for acquisition work, and it is possible to reduce labor costs and secure receipt of charges.

  The copying system 10 uses the online payment service 50 instead of the coin vendor for payment of the charge, so it can be easily introduced even in countries where coin vendors are not often used.

  Since the copying system 10 rasterizes the image read from the document by the scanner 33 and stores the image in the storage unit 37, printing may be performed on the recording medium by the printer 34 without rasterizing the image after the fee is paid. it can. Therefore, the copy system 10 can end the copy job early.

  The copying system 10 stores the image read from the document by the scanner 33 in the storage unit 37 without rasterizing the image, and the image stored in the storage unit 37 is based on the reading result of the document by the scanner 33. It is also possible to rasterize and print on a recording medium by the printer 34 after the correct fee has been paid.

  Since copy system 10 notifies payment code by display on display unit 32 (S109), copy system 10 is displayed on display unit 32 of MFP 30 even when user terminal 20 and MFP 30 can not communicate with each other. A fee can be paid by the user terminal 20 via the online payment service 50 using the payment code.

  Since the copy code 10 is compactly displayed on the display unit 32 of the MFP 30 as a two-dimensional code, the copy system 10 can be easily photographed by the photographing unit 23 of the user terminal 20, and convenience can be improved. Note that, in the copy system 10, a payment code may be displayed on the display unit 32 by a method such as a character string or a one-dimensional code that is more difficult for the photographing unit 23 of the user terminal 20 to photograph.

  Since the copying system 10 acquires the payment code displayed on the display unit 32 by photographing with the photographing unit 23, the user of the user terminal 20 can use the payment code displayed on the display unit 32 of the MFP 30 as a user terminal. There is no need to enter 20 manually. Therefore, the copy system 10 can improve the convenience. When the payment code is displayed on the display unit 32 by a method that can be understood by the user of the user terminal 20, such as a character string, instead of the two-dimensional barcode, the copy system 10 is displayed on the display unit 32 of the MFP 30. The payment code may be manually input to the user terminal 20 by the user of the user terminal 20.

  In the present embodiment, copy system 10 uses an account managed by online payment service 50 as the account of the administrator of MFP 30. However, the copy system 10 may be configured to use a bank account instead of an account managed by the online payment service 50 as the account of the administrator of the MFP 30.

  In the present embodiment, copying system 10 uses a bank account as the account of the user of MFP 30. However, copy system 10 may be configured to use an account managed by online payment service 50 instead of a bank account as the account of the user of MFP 30.

  The copy system 10 may be configured such that the MFP 30 realizes at least a part of the above-described functions of the computer 40 by executing the copy program 37a. For example, the copy system 10 may be configured such that the MFP 30 realizes a function corresponding to the charge calculation unit 43 a of the computer 40. The copying system 10 may not include the computer 40 if the MFP 30 realizes all the functions of the computer 40 described above.

  In the MFP 30, the storage unit 37 such as an HDD usually has much more storage capacity than the RAM of the control unit 38. Therefore, the copying system 10 can cope with copying in which the number of documents is large by storing the image read from the document by the scanner 33 in the storage unit 37 (S101). However, the copying system 10 stores the image read from the document by the scanner 33 in the RAM of the control unit 38, and the image stored in the RAM of the control unit 38 is based on the reading result of the document by the scanner 33. After the correct fee is paid, the printer 34 may print on the recording medium.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a copy-only machine.

  The job execution system according to the present invention is a copy system that executes a copy job of “the image is read from the document by the scanner 33 and the image is printed by the printer 34” in the present embodiment. However, the job execution system according to the present invention executes a specific process using an image read from the document by the scanner 33, such as a scan transmission job such as “transmit an image read from the document by the scanner 33”. The present invention is also applicable to a system that executes jobs other than copy jobs among “perform” jobs. Further, the job execution system of the present invention uses an image read from a document by the scanner 33, such as a job of “printing a document stored in an external storage medium such as a USB memory or the like or the cloud service by the printer 34”. The present invention is also applicable to a system that executes jobs other than “perform specific processing”. Furthermore, in the job execution system of the present invention, the computer 40 generates print data used by the printer 34 from the document when executing a document printing job of "printing a document by the printer 34", or When executing a scan transmission job such as transmitting an image read from a document by 33, the job is not executed by the MFP 30 alone, such as the computer 40 transmitting an image read from the document by the scanner 33. It is good. That is, the job execution system of the present invention is applicable to a system that executes various jobs using the MFP 30.

10 Copy system (job execution system)
20 user terminal 23 photographing unit (photographing device)
30 MFP (image forming apparatus)
32 Display (Display Device)
33 Scanner (Reading Device)
34 Printer (Printing Device)
37 storage unit 37a copy program (job execution program)
37b image 38a image storage means (job execution means)
38b payment code notification means 38c image printing means (specific processing execution means, job execution means)
43a Price calculation means 50 Online payment service

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus,
With a computer
Charge calculation means for calculating a charge based on the content of a job using the image forming apparatus;
Payment code notification means for notifying a payment code issued by an online payment service to the charge calculated by the charge calculation means;
Job execution means for executing the job when the fee is paid via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means ;
The image forming apparatus transmits, to the computer, an image forming apparatus ID as identification information of the image forming apparatus and a job ID as identification information of the job when the job is executed.
When the image forming apparatus ID and the job ID have been transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the computer transmits a request for the payment code at the charge calculated by the charge calculating unit to the online payment service. And
When the payment code is returned from the online payment service, the computer stores the payment code in association with the image forming apparatus ID and the job ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus. ,
The payment code notification means notifies the payment code when the payment code is returned from the online payment service to the computer.
The computer executes the on-line payment together with a notification indicating that the payment of the fee is completed when the fee is paid via the on-line payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means. A payment completion notification indicating that the payment of the fee for the job of the job ID stored in association with the payment code transmitted from the service is completed is stored in association with the payment code. Sending the image forming apparatus ID to the image forming apparatus,
The job execution unit executes the job of the job ID indicated in the payment completion notification when the payment completion notification is transmitted from the computer to the image forming apparatus. system.   The computer includes, in the request, a computer ID as identification information of the computer when transmitting the request to the online payment service.
  The online payment service stores the payment code and the computer ID included in the request in association with each other when the payment code is issued in response to the request.
  The on-line payment service, when payment of the fee using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means is completed, a notification indicating that the payment of the fee is completed, and the payment code. 2. The job execution system according to claim 1, wherein the job ID is transmitted to the computer of the computer ID stored in association with the payment code.   And a user terminal for paying the fee via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means.
  The computer associates and stores the image forming apparatus ID and a manager ID as identification information of a manager of the image forming apparatus.
  The computer includes, in the request, the administrator ID stored in association with the image forming apparatus ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus when transmitting the request to the online payment service.
  When issuing the payment code in response to the request, the online payment service stores the payment code and the administrator ID included in the request in association with each other.
  The user terminal transmits the payment code notified by the payment code notification means and a user ID as identification information of the user to the online payment service.
  The online payment service is associated with the administrator ID stored in association with the payment code from an account associated with the user ID transmitted together with the payment code from the user terminal. The job execution system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fee is paid to an existing account.   The image forming apparatus includes a display device.
  The job execution system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the payment code notification means notifies the payment code by display on the display device. And a user terminal for paying the fee via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means.
The image forming apparatus includes a display device.
The payment code notification means notifies the payment code by display on the display device .
The job execution system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the user terminal includes an imaging device, and acquires the payment code displayed on the display device by imaging using the imaging device. . The image forming apparatus includes a display device.
The payment code notification means notifies the payment code by display on the display device.
The job execution system according to claim 3 , wherein the user terminal includes a photographing device, and acquires the payment code displayed on the display device by photographing with the photographing device. The job execution system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the payment code notification means displays the payment code as a two-dimensional code on the display device.   The image forming apparatus includes a reading device.
  The content includes the result of reading a document by the reading device,
  The job is to execute a specific process using an image read from the document by the reading device.
  The job execution means is
    An image storage unit that stores the image read from the document by the reading device in a storage unit;
    When the fee is paid via the online payment service using the payment code notified by the payment code notification means, the specific process is performed using the image stored in the storage unit. Specific processing execution means to execute and
  The job execution system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:   The image forming apparatus comprises a printing device,
  The specific process execution unit is provided in the image forming apparatus.
  The job execution system according to claim 8, wherein the specific process is printing of the image by the printing device.   10. The job execution system according to claim 9, wherein the image storage unit rasterizes the image read from the document by the reading device and stores the image in the storage unit.

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