JP6547350B2 - Charge processing system, charge processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a charge processing system, a charge processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technology for performing charging processing for the provision of content and service (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in recent years, when introducing a plurality of devices having a functional difference into a customer environment, the device having no differential function and the device or server having a differential function do not cooperate with each other to have no differential function. A cooperation function may be introduced to make it possible to use the difference function also in the device.

  However, conventionally, only the method of counting the usage amount and charging according to the number of times of use for the use of the difference function is taken, and charging processing can be performed for the use of the cooperation function. It was not. Although charging processing is desired also for the use of such a cooperation function, the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function fluctuates due to various factors, so charging uniformly for the use of the cooperation function It is not desirable to carry out the treatment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and according to the relationship between a device and a difference function used by the device, etc., a charging processing system capable of performing charging processing for use of a cooperation function, a charging processing method And to provide a program.

  In order to solve the problems described above and to achieve the object, a charging processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes, from a second device not having the first function of the first device, the first device. From a receiving unit that receives an execution request of a function, a function execution unit that executes the first function, a provision start date of the first function, and a release date of the second device or the first function Also, the charging start is performed so that the charge amount for the execution of the first function becomes larger as the difference between the provision start date and the provision start date of the second function not possessed by the second device increases. And an accounting processor.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to perform the charging process for the use of the cooperation function according to the relationship between the device and the differential function used from the device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the charge processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the parent device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a slave unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the function of each device of the charging processing system of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the charging processing system of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the function provision information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of model release information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit of the first modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the function usage information of the first modification. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the server unit of the first modification. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of model function information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit of the second modification. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit of the second modification. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the charging processing system of the third modification. FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing an example of the charging processing system of the fourth modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a charging processing system, a charging processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the charge processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging processing system 1 includes a master unit 10 and slave units 30-1 to 30-2 (an example of a second device). The master unit 10 and the slave units 30-1 to 30-2 are connected via the network 2. Examples of the network 2 include a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

  In the following description, the slaves 30-1 to 30-2 may be simply referred to as the slaves 30 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the number of handsets 30 is two, the present invention is not limited to this, and any number of handsets may be used as long as it is one or more.

  The slave unit 30 may be an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a copier, a multifunction peripheral (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral), a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus, but is not limited thereto. The device may be In the first embodiment, although the case where the child device 30 is a multifunction peripheral will be described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The parent device 10 may be an image forming device such as a printing device, a copier, a multi-function device, a scanner device, or a facsimile device, but is not limited thereto. Good. In the first embodiment, although the case where the parent machine 10 is a multifunction machine is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the first embodiment, the parent device 10 includes a main body unit 11 (an example of a first device) and a server unit 20 (an example of an information processing apparatus). The configuration of the parent device 10 as an image forming apparatus is provided in the main body 11, and the operation of the parent device 10 as an image forming device is executed by the main body 11. In the first embodiment, of the main unit 11 and the slaves 30-1 to 30-2, the main unit 11 is the latest model, and the main unit 11 is the slave 30-1 or the slave 30-2. It is possible to execute functions that you do not have. Below, the function which the main-body part 11 has, but the subunit | mobile_unit 30 does not have is called a difference function.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the server unit 20 is a small board-like server, and is assumed to be incorporated in the parent device 10 and internally connected to the main unit 11, but is limited thereto is not. The server unit 20 may be connected to the main unit 11, and may be internally connected to the main unit 11 or may be externally connected to the main unit 11.

  The server unit 20 has a difference function, and has a cooperation function in which image formation is performed in cooperation with the difference function and the function of the slave 30. For this reason, in the present embodiment, even in the slave unit 30, by using the cooperation function of the server unit 20, it is possible to form an image using the same function as that of the main unit 11.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the parent device 10 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit 11 of the parent device 10 and the server unit 20 are connected by a bus. The main unit 11 includes a scanner unit 101, an operation panel 103, a central processing unit (CPU) 105, a read only memory (ROM) 107, a random access memory (RAM) 109, a print engine 111, and an image memory 113. , An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 115, an NIC (Network Interface Controller) 117, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 119. The server unit 20 also includes a CPU 201, a ROM 203, a RAM 205, an HDD 207, and an NIC 209. However, the hardware configuration of the parent device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The scanner unit 101 electronically reads an original placed on an original table and generates image data. The print engine 111 prints out the image data. The ASIC 119 performs various image processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 101, and performs various image processing on the image data printed out from the print engine 111. An image memory 113 is a memory for storing image data read by the scanner unit 101 and image data to be printed out by the print engine 111.

  The NIC 117 is a communication interface for communication via the network 2. The operation panel 103 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a screen, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for indicating a state, a buzzer, a hard key, and a touch panel, and displays various information on the LCD. Accept input of various information from touch panel.

  The ROM 107 stores programs executed by the CPU 105 and the like. The RAM 109 is used as a work area of the CPU 105. The HDD 115 stores various data used by the CPU 105, and stores image data read by the scanner unit 101 and subjected to various image processing by the ASIC 119. The CPU 105 executes a program stored in the ROM 107 on the RAM 109 to control the scanner unit 101 connected via a bus, the operation panel 103, the print engine 111, the image memory 113, the HDD 115, the NIC 117, the ASIC 119, and the like. The CPU 105 can also perform various types of image processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 101, and can perform various types of image processing on the image data printed out from the print engine 111.

  The NIC 209 is a communication interface for communication via the network 2. The ROM 203 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 201 and the like. The RAM 205 is used as a work area of the CPU 201. The HDD 207 stores various data used by the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements the cooperation function by executing the program stored in the ROM 203 on the RAM 205.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the slave unit 30 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the slave unit 30 includes a scanner unit 301, an operation panel 303, a CPU 305, a ROM 307, a RAM 309, a print engine 311, an image memory 313, an HDD 315, an NIC 317, and an ASIC 319. Equipped with However, the hardware configuration of the slave unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  The scanner unit 301 electronically reads an original placed on an original table and generates image data. The print engine 311 prints out image data. The ASIC 319 performs various types of image processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 301, and performs various types of image processing on the image data printed out from the print engine 311. An image memory 313 is a memory for storing image data read by the scanner unit 301 and image data to be printed out by the print engine 311.

  The NIC 317 is a communication interface for communication via the network 2. The operation panel 303 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying a screen, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for indicating a state, a buzzer, a hard key, and a touch panel, and displays various information on the LCD. Accept input of various information from touch panel.

  The ROM 307 stores programs and the like executed by the CPU 305. The RAM 309 is used as a work area of the CPU 305. The HDD 315 stores various data used by the CPU 305, and stores image data read by the scanner unit 301 and subjected to various image processing by the ASIC 319. The CPU 305 executes a program stored in the ROM 307 on the RAM 309 to control the scanner unit 301, the operation panel 303, the print engine 311, the image memory 313, the HDD 315, the NIC 317, and the ASIC 319 connected by a bus. The CPU 305 can also perform various types of image processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 301, and various types of image processing on the image data printed out from the print engine 311.

  In the following, an example will be described in which, when the slave unit 30 performs a scanner operation of reading a document and generating image data, the server unit 20 is used to execute the difference function and perform the scanner operation. That is, although an example in which the scanner function is performed by linking the reading function and various image processing functions of the slave unit 30 and the differential function provided by the server unit 20 will be described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the case of an image forming operation in which the function of the slave unit 30 and the differential function provided by the server unit 20 are linked, the present invention can be applied to a printing operation, a copying operation, and a facsimile transmitting / receiving operation.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the function of each device of the charging processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the main unit 11 has all the functions X, Y, Z, the server unit 20 can provide the functions X, Y, the slave 30-1 has the functions Y, Z, and the slave 30-2 has a function Z. In FIG. 4, handset 1 indicates handset 30-1 and handset 2 indicates handset 30-2.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 4, of the main body 11 and the handsets 30-1 to 30-2, the main body 11 is the latest model, and the handset 30-1 is the second newest model, The handset 30-2 is assumed to be the oldest model. Also, of the functions X, Y and Z, the function X is the latest function provided time, the function Y is the second latest function provided time, and the function Z is the oldest function provided time There shall be.

  That is, since the main body unit 11 is the latest model, it has all the functions X, Y, Z, and since the slave unit 30-1 is the second newest model, the function Y, Z excluding the latest function X is Since the slave unit 30-2 is the oldest model, it has the function Z except the latest function X and the second newest function Y.

  However, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, since the server unit 20 provides the difference functions X and Y, all of the functions X, Y, and Z can be achieved by using the server unit 20. Can be performed, and image formation using the same function as that of the main body 11 is possible.

  The functions X, Y and Z may be any functions as long as they are used in the image forming operation. For example, as the function X, foreign language OCR (Optical Character Recognition), function Y For example, JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) 2 compression, and for the function Z, Japanese OCR and the like can be mentioned. However, it is not limited to these.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the charging processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the child device 30 includes a reading unit 351, an image processing unit 353, a transmitting unit 355, a receiving unit 357, and a storage unit 359. However, the functional configuration of the child device 30 is not limited to this, and may include, for example, a functional unit such as a printing unit that performs printing.

  The reading unit 351 can be realized by, for example, the scanner unit 301 or the like, the image processing unit 353 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 305, the RAM 309, and the ASIC 319, and the transmitting unit 355 and the receiving unit 357 are, for example, the CPU 305, the RAM 309, and The storage unit 359 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 315 or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the server unit 20 includes a receiving unit 251, a function execution unit 253, a transmitting unit 255, a function providing information storage unit 257, a first specifying unit 259, and a model release information storage. It includes a unit 261, a second identification unit 263, a charge information storage unit 265, and a charge processing unit 267.

  The receiving unit 251 and the transmitting unit 255 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 201, the RAM 205, and the NIC 209, and the function execution unit 253, the first specifying unit 259, the second specifying unit 263, and the charging processing unit 267 can be The function providing information storage unit 257, the model release information storage unit 261, and the charging information storage unit 265 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 207 or the like. When the server unit 20 also includes hardware such as an ASIC, the hardware may be further used to implement the function execution unit 253.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main body unit 11 includes a receiving unit 151, an image processing unit 153, and a storage unit 155. However, the functional configuration included in the main unit 11 is not limited to this, and includes, for example, functional units such as a reading unit for reading, a transmitting unit for transmitting information, and a printing unit for printing. It is also good.

  The receiving unit 151 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, and the NIC 117. The image processing unit 153 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, and the ASIC 119. The storage unit 155 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 115 or the like.

  First, the handset 30 will be described.

  As a premise, a menu screen for using the cooperation function of the server unit 20 in the scanner operation is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the slave unit 30, and the user uses one of the difference functions on the menu screen. The transmission destination of the function (hereinafter, referred to as “first function”) and the image data for which the first function is executed in the server unit 20 is selected, and the start button is pressed. The difference function is the function X in the case of the slave 30-1, and the functions X and Y in the case of the slave 30-2.

  When the start button is pressed, the reading unit 351 electronically reads an original to be scanned based on a scan instruction from the operation panel 303, and generates image data. The image processing unit 353 performs various types of image processing on the image data read by the reading unit 351.

  The transmitting unit 355 transmits, to the server unit 20, an execution request for the first function selected by the user. In the first embodiment, the execution request of the first function identifies image data subjected to various image processing by the image processing unit 353, transmission destination information indicating a transmission destination selected by the user, and the first function. The function identification information and the model identification information for identifying the model of the child device 30 are included, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The transmission destination information may be, for example, an IP address, the function identification information may be, for example, a function ID, and the model identification information may be, for example, a model name. The transmission unit 355 acquires transmission destination information, function identification information, and model identification information from the storage unit 359, for example, when the transmission destination and the first function are selected by the user.

  Here, the description of the slave unit 30 is temporarily interrupted, and the server unit 20 will be described.

  The receiving unit 251 receives an execution request for the first function from the child device 30. For example, when receiving the execution request for the first function, the receiving unit 251 places the folder corresponding to the first function indicated by the function identification information of the first function included in the execution request for the first function. The image data included in the execution request of the first function is stored.

  The function execution unit 253 executes the first function. As described above, since the folder is associated with each first function, in the first embodiment, the function execution unit 253 executes the function according to the folder for the image data stored in the folder. Do.

  For example, it is assumed that the image data is stored in the folder 1 when the first function is the function X, and the image data is stored in the folder 2 when the first function is the function Y. In this case, the function execution unit 253 applies the function X to the image data stored in the folder 1 and applies the function Y to the image data stored in the folder 2.

  The transmission unit 255 transmits the image data for which the first function has been executed by the function execution unit 253 to the transmission destination indicated by the transmission destination information included in the execution request for the first function received by the reception unit 251.

  Here, the description of the server unit 20 is temporarily interrupted, and the slave unit 30 and the main unit 11 will be described.

  When the transmission destination indicated by the transmission destination information is the slave 30, the reception unit 357 receives, from the server unit 20, the image data for which the first function has been executed. The image processing unit 353 performs various kinds of image processing on the image data received by the receiving unit 357, if necessary. The storage unit 359 stores the image data received by the receiving unit 357. This completes the scanner operation.

  When the transmission destination indicated by the transmission destination information is the main body unit 11, the receiving unit 151 receives, from the server unit 20, the image data on which the first function has been executed. The image processing unit 153 performs various image processing on the image data received by the receiving unit 151, if necessary. The storage unit 155 stores the image data received by the receiving unit 151. This completes the scanner operation.

  Here, the server unit 20 will be described again.

  The function provision information storage unit 257 stores provision start date information indicating the provision start date of the function for each function identification information indicating the function. The provision start date of the function can be, for example, a release date of a model equipped with the function, and in detail, a date when the function is first installed in the model and provided by the model release. In addition, when the subsequent models are subsequently installed, the release date of the subsequent models may be set as the provision start date, and the models equipped with the function are added to the charging processing system of the user to be charged. It can also be a day.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the function provision information according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, as described above, the function X is the function with the latest provision time, the function Y is the function with the second latest provision time, and the function Z is the function with the oldest provision time It has become.

  The first identification unit 259 acquires the function provision information from the function provision information storage unit 257, and the first function included in the function provision information and the execution request of the first function received by the reception unit 251. The provision start date of the first function is specified based on the function identification information.

  For example, when the function provision information is the information shown in FIG. 6 and the function identification information of the first function indicates the function X, the first specifying unit 259 sets the provision start date of the first function to “2015/1 If the function provision information is the information shown in FIG. 6 and the function identification information of the first function indicates the function Y, for example, the start date of providing the first function is “2014/2”. / 10 ".

  The model release information storage unit 261 stores model release information in which release date information indicating the release date of the model is associated with each piece of model identification information indicating the model. The model release information may be stored in advance in the model release information storage unit 261, or a collection of model identification information and release date information collected from each child device 30 is stored as the model release information as model release information. It may be stored in the unit 261.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of model release information according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the model A is the latest model, the model B is the second newest model, and the model C is the oldest model. In the first embodiment, the model of the main unit 11 is model A, the model of the slave 30-1 is model B, and the model of the slave 30-2 is model C.

  The second specifying unit 263 acquires model release information from the model release information storage unit 261, and the model release information of the model and the model of the handset 30 included in the execution request of the first function received by the receiving unit 251. Based on the identification information, the release date of the slave unit 30 is identified.

  The second specifying unit 263 is, for example, a case where the model release information is the information shown in FIG. 7 and the model identification information of the slave 30 indicates the model B (the slave 30 is a slave 30-1), the slave 30 The release date of -1 is specified as "2014/1/10", and for example, the model release information is the information shown in FIG. 7, and the model identification information of the slave unit 30 indicates the model C (the slave unit 30 is a slave In the case of the machine 30-2), the sale date of the slave machine 30-2 is specified as "2013/2/10".

  The charge processing unit 267 increases the difference between the provision start date of the first function identified by the first identification unit 259 and the sale date of the child device 30 identified by the second identification unit 263. The charging process is performed so that the charging amount for the execution of the first function becomes large, and the charging information is stored (stored) in the charging information storage unit 265. The charging information includes, for example, charging amount information indicating the charging amount, charging date information indicating the charging date, function identification information of the first function, and information in which model identification information of the handset 30 is associated, etc. It is not limited to this.

  Then, the billing processing unit 267 sums up the amount of money included in the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 265 for each predetermined unit such as a month, a period, and a year, thereby billing the customer using the billing processing system 1 Calculate This bill is charged to the customer.

  The charge processing unit 267 calculates the charge amount using, for example, Equation (1).

  Charge amount = α ^ (offered year-released year-1) × N1 ... (1)

  Here, α> 1 and the provision start year is the year to which the provision start date of the first function belongs, the release year is the year to which the release date of the handset 30 belongs, and N1 is a default charge amount .

For example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave 30-1, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and It is assumed that the release date is "2014/1/10". In this case, the use of equation (1), the billing amount is the α ^ (2015-2014-1) × N1 = α 0 × N1 = N1.

Also, for example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the handset 30-2, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and the handset 30-2 Release date is "2013/2/10". In this case, the use of equation (1), the billing amount is the α ^ (2015-2013-1) × N1 = α 1 × N1 = αN1.

  In Formula (1), although the example which calculates | requires a charge amount using not a day but year was demonstrated, you may make it obtain | require a charge amount by using a day as it is. Although Equation (1) is an example in which the billing amount is determined on a job basis, the billing amount may be determined on a page basis. In this case, the value of N1 may be changed to a default charge amount in page units, and the charge amount may be changed to increase in proportion to the number of pages.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit 20 according to the first embodiment. The flow chart shown in FIG. 8 shows the process related to the charging process.

  First, the receiving unit 251 receives an execution request for the first function from the child device 30 (step S101).

  Subsequently, the first specifying unit 259 acquires the function provision information from the function provision information storage unit 257, and the first specifying unit 259 includes the function provision information and the first execution request received by the receiving unit 251. The provision start date of the first function is specified based on the function identification information of the function (step S103).

  Subsequently, the second specifying unit 263 acquires model release information from the model release information storage unit 261, and the slave unit included in the model release information and the execution request of the first function received by the receiving unit 251. The sale date of the slave unit 30 is specified based on the 30 model identification information (step S105).

  Subsequently, the charge processing unit 267 obtains a charge amount by the charge amount = α ^ (provided start year-release year-1) × N1 (step S107), and stores the charge amount (charge information) in the charge information storage unit 265. (Step S109).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

  Here, when the same difference function can be used from handsets 30-1 to 30-2 having different release dates, the release function is released from the difference function to be available from handset 30-1 having a new release date. The difference function that can be used from the child device 30-2 with an older day is considered to be more valuable. That is, when the differential function can be used from the slave device 30, it is considered that the value of the differential function becomes higher as the sale date of the slave device 30 is older.

  Thereby, in the first embodiment, the charging process is performed such that the charge amount for the execution of the first function is larger as the difference between the provision start date of the first function and the release date of the second device is larger. Therefore, according to the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function, it is possible to perform charging processing for the use of the cooperation function.

(Modification 1)
In the first modification, in the first modification, an example will be described in which the charging process is performed such that the charging amount increases as the elapsed time after the slave unit becomes able to use the first function is longer. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described, and components having the same functions as the first embodiment have the same names and reference numerals as the first embodiment, and the description thereof I omit it.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit 1020 of the master unit 1010 of the charging processing system 1001 of the first modification. As shown in FIG. 9, in the server unit 1020 of the first modification, the charge processing unit 1267, the function usage information storage unit 1269, and the third specifying unit 1271 are different from those of the first embodiment. The function usage information storage unit 1269 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 207 or the like, and the third specifying unit 1271 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 201 and the RAM 205.

  In the first modification, the execution request for the first function received by the receiving unit 251 further includes device identification information for identifying the child device 30. The device identification information includes, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address and a serial number. The transmission unit 355 of the slave unit 30 also acquires the device identification information from the storage unit 359 when, for example, the transmission destination and the first function are selected by the user.

  The function use information storage unit 1269 uses a function in which use start date information indicating the start date of use of the function is associated with the device for each combination of the device identification information indicating the device and the function identification information indicating the function. Store information The day when the use of the function is started can be set, for example, as the day when the child device 30 can use the function by the cooperation function of the server unit 1020.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the function usage information of the first modification. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the day when the use of the function X is started by the slave 30-1, the day when the use of the function X is started by the slave 30-2, and the use of the function Y by the slave 30-2 It is "2015/1/10" in any of the days when was started. Also in FIG. 10, the handset 1 indicates the handset 30-1, and the handset 2 indicates the handset 30-2.

  The third specifying unit 1271 acquires the function use information from the function use information storage unit 1269, and the function use information, the function of the first function included in the execution request of the first function received by the receiving unit 251. Based on the identification information and the device identification information of the child device 30, an elapsed period after the child device 30 can use the first function is specified.

  For example, in the third identification unit 1271, the function usage information is the information shown in FIG. 10, the function identification information of the first function indicates the function X, and the device identification information of the child device 30 indicates the child device 30-1 In the case of indicating, the elapsed period is specified as the period from "2015/1/10" to "current day", and for example, the function usage information is the information shown in FIG. 10, and the function identification information of the first function is In the case where the function Y is indicated and the device identification information of the child device 30 indicates the child device 30-2, the elapsed period is specified as the period from "2015/10/10" to the "current day".

  The charging processing unit 1267 further performs charging processing so that the charging amount increases as the elapsed time period after the slave unit 30 specified by the third specifying unit 1271 becomes able to use the first function becomes longer. Do. The charge processing unit 1267 calculates the charge amount using, for example, Formula (2).

  Charge amount = γ ^ (current year-year of start of use) × α ^ (year of start of provision-year of release-1) × N1 (2)

  Here, γ> 1 and the current year is the year to which the current day belongs, and the use start year is the year to which the day when the use of the first function of the handset 30 is started belongs.

For example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave 30-1, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and The release date is "2014/1/10" and the day when the use of Function X is started on handset 30-1 is "2015/1/10" and the current date is "2015/3/1" It is assumed that In this case, using Equation (2), the charge amount is γ ^ (2015-2015) × α ^ (2015-2014-1) × N1 = γ ⁰ × α ⁰ × N 1 = N 1.

Also, for example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave device 30-1, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and the slave device 30-1 Release date is "2014/1/10" and the day when the use of Function X is started on handset 30-1 is "2015/1/10" and the current date is "2016/3/1. It is assumed that In this case, the use of Equation (2), the billing amount is the γ ^ (2016-2015) × α ^ (2015-2014-1) × N1 = γ 1 × α 0 × N1 = γN1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit 1020 of the first modification. The flow chart shown in FIG. 11 shows the process related to the charging process.

  First, the process from step S201 to step S205 is the same as the process from step S101 to step S105 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the third specifying unit 1271 acquires the function use information from the function use information storage unit 1269, and the first function included in the function use information and the execution request of the first function received by the receiving unit 251. Based on the function identification information of the function and the device identification information of the slave 30, an elapsed period after the slave 30 can use the first function is specified (step S207).

  Subsequently, the charge processing unit 1267 obtains a charge amount by charging amount = γ ^ (current year-year of start of use) x α ^ (provided start year-released year-1) × N1 (step S209). The billing amount (billing information) is stored in the unit 265 (step S211).

  As described above, also in the first modification, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

  Here, in the case where the difference function can be used from the handset 30, the longer the period of time after the difference function can be used from the handset 30, the customer is the handset 30 with an older release date. Since the difference function can be used for a long time, it can be considered that the value of the difference function becomes higher as the elapsed time after the difference function can be used from the child device 30 is longer.

  Thus, in the first modification, the charging process is performed so that the charging amount increases as the elapsed time after the slave unit 30 becomes able to use the first function is longer, so that the cooperation function can be used. According to the value of the difference function, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function.

  However, even if it is possible to use the difference function from the handset 30, if the novelty of the difference function disappears with the passage of time or a new function with improved difference function is developed with the passage of time, It can be considered that the value of the difference function becomes lower as the elapsed time after the difference function can be used from the child device 30 is longer.

  For this reason, the longer the elapsed time after the slave unit 30 becomes able to use the first function, the charging processing is performed so that the charging amount becomes smaller instead of performing the charging processing so as to increase the charging amount. You may do so. In this case, it is sufficient to set γ <1 in Equation (2). Even with this configuration, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, not the difference between the provision start date of the first function and the release date of the second device, but the provision start date of the first function and the provision from the first function. An example will be described in which the charging process is performed so that the charging amount increases as the difference with the provision start date of the second function whose start is older is larger. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described, and components having the same functions as the first embodiment have the same names and reference numerals as the first embodiment, and the description thereof I omit it.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit 2020 of the master device 2010 of the charging processing system 2001 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in the server unit 2020 of the second embodiment, the charge processing unit 2267, the model function information storage unit 2261, and the second specifying unit 2263 are different from those of the first embodiment.

  The model function information storage unit 2261 stores, for each combination of model identification information indicating a model and function identification information indicating a function, model function information defining whether or not the model has the function.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of model function information according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the model A has all the functions X, Y and Z, the model B has the functions Y and Z, and the model C has the function Z. Also in the second embodiment, the model of the main unit 11 is model A, the model of the slave 30-1 is model B, and the model of the slave 30-2 is model C.

  The second specifying unit 2263 acquires model function information from the model function information storage unit 2261 and acquires function provision information from the function provision information storage unit 257, and the model function information, the function provision information, and the receiving unit 251. Start providing the second function having the oldest provision start function among the functions that the child device 30 does not have, based on the model identification information of the child device 30 included in the execution request of the first function received by Identify the day.

  For example, in the second identification unit 2263, the model function information is the information shown in FIG. 13, the function provision information is the information shown in FIG. 6, and the model identification information of the slave unit 30 indicates the model C ( In the case where the child device 30-2), of the functions X and Y that the child device 30 does not have, the function Y with the oldest provision start is the second function, and the provision start date of the second function is “2014/2 / Specify "10".

  The charging processing unit 2267 has a larger difference between the provision start date of the first function and the provision start date of the second function which the child device 30 does not have and the provision start date is older than the first function. The billing process is performed so that the billing amount for the execution of the first function becomes large. Specifically, the charge processing unit 2267 determines the provision start date of the first function identified by the first identification unit 259 and the provision start date of the second function identified by the second identification unit 2263. The billing process is performed such that the billing amount for the execution of the first function becomes larger as the difference between The charge processing unit 2267 calculates the charge amount using, for example, Formula (3).

  Charged amount = β ^ (year of provision of the first function-year of provision of the second function) x N2 (3)

  Here, β> 1 and the provision start year of the second function is the year to which the provision start date of the second function belongs, and N2 is a default charge amount.

For example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave device 30-2, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and the second function is provided. It is assumed that the provision start date of the function Y is "2014/2/10". In this case, the use of the equation (3), the billing amount is the β ^ (2015-2014) × N2 = β 1 × N2 = βN2.

Also, for example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function Y from the slave device 30-2, the provision start date of the first function is "2014/2/10", and the second function It is assumed that the provision start date of a certain function Y is "2014/2/10". In this case, the use of the equation (3), the billing amount is the β ^ (2014-2014) × N2 = β 0 × N2 = N2.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit 2020 according to the second embodiment. The flow chart shown in FIG. 14 shows the process related to the charging process.

  First, the process from step S301 to step S303 is the same as the process from step S101 to step S103 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the second specifying unit 2263 acquires model function information from the model function information storage unit 2261 and acquires function provision information from the function provision information storage unit 257, and the model function information, the function provision information, and the like. The second function having the oldest provision start function among the functions that the child device 30 does not have based on the model identification information of the child device 30 included in the execution request of the first function received by the reception unit 251 The provision start date of is specified (step S305).

  Subsequently, the charging processing unit 2267 obtains a charging amount by charging amount = β ^ (year of provision start year of the first function−year of provision start of the second function) × N 2 (step S 307), and the charging information storage unit 265 The billing amount (billing information) is stored in (step S309).

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

  Here, when it is possible to use a difference function with a different provision start date, it is considered that the difference function with a new provision start date is more valuable than the difference function with an old provision start date. That is, in the case where the difference function can be used from the child device 30, it is considered that the value of the difference function becomes higher as the difference start date is a new difference function.

  Thus, in the first embodiment, the difference between the provision start date of the first function and the provision start date of the second function not provided to the child device 30 is older than the first function, Since the charging process is performed so that the charging amount for the execution of the first function is larger as the size is larger, the charging process for using the cooperation function may be performed according to the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function. it can.

(Modification 2)
In the second modification, an example will be described in which the charging process is performed such that the charging amount increases as the elapsed time after the slave unit becomes able to use the first function is longer in the second embodiment. In the following description, differences from the second embodiment are mainly described, and components having the same functions as the second embodiment have the same names and reference numerals as the second embodiment, and the description thereof I omit it.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the server unit 3020 of the base unit 3010 of the charging processing system 3001 of the second modification. As shown in FIG. 15, in the server unit 3020 of the second modification, the charge processing unit 3267, the function usage information storage unit 3269, and the third specifying unit 3271 are different from those in the second embodiment. The function usage information storage unit 3269 can be realized by, for example, the HDD 207 or the like, and the third specifying unit 3271 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 201 and the RAM 205.

  In the second modification, the execution request for the first function received by the receiving unit 251 further includes device identification information for identifying the child device 30. The device identification information includes, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address and a serial number. The transmission unit 355 of the slave unit 30 also acquires the device identification information from the storage unit 359 when, for example, the transmission destination and the first function are selected by the user.

  The function usage information storage unit 3269 and the third specifying unit 3271 are the same as in the first modification, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The charge processing unit 3267 calculates the charge amount using, for example, Equation (4).

  Charged amount = γ ^ (current year-year of start of use) × β ^ (year of first provision of function-year of provision of second function) x N2 (4)

  Here, γ> 1 and the current year is the year to which the current day belongs, and the use start year is the year to which the day when the use of the first function of the handset 30 is started belongs.

For example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave device 30-2, the provision start date of the first function is "2015/10/10", and the second function is provided. The provision start date of Function Y is "2014/2/10", the date when the use of Function X is started on handset 30-2 is "2015/10/10", and the current date is "2015/2015 Assume that it is 3/1. In this case, the use of Equation (4), billing amount is the γ ^ (2015-2015) × β ^ (2015-2014) × N2 = γ 0 × β 1 × N2 = βN2.

Further, for example, the execution request of the first function is the execution request of the function X from the slave device 30-2, the provision start date of the first function is “2015/10/10”, and the second function The provision start date of a certain function Y is "2014/2/10", and the date when the use of the function X is started by the handset 30-2 is "2015/10/10", and the current date is "2016 It is assumed that "1/3/1". In this case, the use of Equation (4), billing amount is the γ ^ (2016-2015) × β ^ (2015-2014) × N2 = γ 1 × β 1 × N2 = γβN2.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server unit 3020 of the second modification. The flow chart shown in FIG. 16 shows the process related to the charging process.

  First, the process from step S401 to step S405 is the same as the process from step S301 to step S305 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the third specifying unit 3271 acquires the function use information from the function use information storage unit 3269, and the first function included in the function use information and the execution request of the first function received by the receiving unit 251. Based on the function identification information of the function and the device identification information of the slave 30, an elapsed period after the slave 30 can use the first function is specified (step S407).

  Subsequently, the charging processing unit 3267 calculates the charging amount by charging amount = γ ^ (current year-year of start of use) x β ^ (year of provision of the first function-year of provision of the second function) × N2. The amount of charge (charge information) is stored in the charge information storage unit 265 (step S411).

  As described above, also in the second modification, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

  Here, in the case where the difference function can be used from the handset 30, the longer the period of time after the difference function can be used from the handset 30, the customer is the handset 30 with an older release date. Since the difference function can be used for a long time, it can be considered that the value of the difference function becomes higher as the elapsed time after the difference function can be used from the child device 30 is longer.

  Thus, in the second modification, the billing process is performed so that the billing amount increases as the elapsed time after the slave unit 30 becomes able to use the first function is longer, so that the collaboration function can be used. According to the value of the difference function, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function.

  However, even if it is possible to use the difference function from the handset 30, if the novelty of the difference function disappears with the passage of time or a new function with improved difference function is developed with the passage of time, It can be considered that the value of the difference function becomes lower as the elapsed time after the difference function can be used from the child device 30 is longer.

  For this reason, the longer the elapsed time after the slave unit 30 becomes able to use the first function, the charging processing is performed so that the charging amount becomes smaller instead of performing the charging processing so as to increase the charging amount. You may do so. In this case, it is sufficient to set γ <1 in Equation (4). Even with this configuration, it is possible to perform charging processing for use of the cooperation function in accordance with the value of the difference function that can be used by the cooperation function.

(Modification 3)
In the third modification, an example in which the main body unit, not the server unit, includes the function execution unit in the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, differences from the first embodiment are mainly described, and components having the same functions as the first embodiment have the same names and reference numerals as the first embodiment, and the description thereof I omit it.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the charging processing system 4001 of the third modification. As shown in FIG. 17, in the server unit 4020 of the base unit 4010 of the third modification, the transmitting unit 4255 differs from that of the first embodiment, and the receiving unit 4151, the function execution unit 4157, and the transmitting unit 4159 of the main unit 4011 are different. It differs from the first embodiment. The function execution unit 4157 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, and the ASIC 119, and the transmission unit 4159 can be realized by, for example, the CPU 105, the RAM 109, and the NIC 117.

  The transmitting unit 4255 transmits the execution request for the first function received by the receiving unit 251 to the main unit 4011.

  The receiving unit 4151 receives an execution request for the first function from the server unit 4020. For example, when receiving the execution request of the first function, the receiving unit 4151 places the folder corresponding to the first function indicated by the function identification information of the first function included in the execution request of the first function. The image data included in the execution request of the first function is stored.

  The function execution unit 4157 executes the first function. As described above, since the folder is associated with each first function, in the third modification, the function execution unit 4157 executes the function according to the folder on the image data stored in the folder. .

  For example, it is assumed that the image data is stored in the folder 1 when the first function is the function X, and the image data is stored in the folder 2 when the first function is the function Y. In this case, the function execution unit 4157 applies the function X to the image data stored in the folder 1 and applies the function Y to the image data stored in the folder 2.

  If the transmission destination indicated by the transmission destination information included in the execution request for the first function received by the reception unit 4151 is the main body unit 4011, the image processing unit 153 performs the first processing by the function execution unit 4157 if necessary. It performs various image processing on the image data for which the function has been executed. The storage unit 155 stores the image data on which the first function has been executed by the function execution unit 4157. This completes the scanner operation.

  When the transmission destination indicated by the transmission destination information included in the execution request for the first function received by the reception unit 4151 is the slave 30, the transmission unit 4159 is an image in which the first function is executed by the function execution unit 4157. The data is sent to the handset 30.

  As in the third modification, the function execution unit may be provided not in the server unit but in the main unit. In particular, the difference function is useful not for electronic functions such as image processing but for physical functions such as a punch function and a staple function in a printing operation and a copying operation. In addition to the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the first and second modifications may be modified in the same manner as the third modification.

(Modification 4)
In the first embodiment, although the server unit 20 is built in the parent device 10 and internally connected to the main unit 11 is described as an example, as in the charging processing system 5001 shown in FIG. 20 may be connected to the network 2 from the outside of the base unit 10, and the server unit 20 and the base unit 10 may be connected via the network 2. In this case, the base unit 10 corresponds to the main body unit 11. In addition to the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the first to third modifications can be modified in the same manner as the fourth modification.

(program)
The program executed by the main body unit, the server unit, and the slave unit (hereinafter referred to as “apparatuses of the above-described each embodiment and each modification”) of the above-described each embodiment and each modification can be installed in a form or executable It is stored and provided in a computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a flexible disk (FD), etc., in a file of a possible format.

  The programs executed by the devices of the above-described embodiments and the modifications may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. In addition, each device of each of the above-described embodiments and each modification may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, programs executed by the devices of the above-described embodiments and the modifications may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  A program executed by each device of each of the above-described embodiments and each modification has a module configuration for realizing each of the above-described units on a computer. As actual hardware, for example, each functional unit is realized on a computer by the CPU reading a program from the ROM onto the RAM and executing it.

1, 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001 Charge processing system 2 Network 10, 1010, 2010, 3010, 4010 Master unit 11, 4011 Main unit 20, 1020, 2020, 2020, 3020, 4020 Server unit 30-1-30-2 (30) Slave unit 101 Scanner unit 103 Operation panel 105 CPU
107 ROM
109 RAM
111 print engine 113 image memory 115 HDD
117 NIC
119 ASIC
151, 4151 Receiver 153 Image Processor 155 Memory 201 CPU
203 ROM
205 RAM
207 HDD
209 NIC
251 reception unit 253 function execution unit 255, 4255 transmission unit 257 function provision information storage unit 259 first specification unit 261 model release information storage unit 263, 2263 second specification unit 265 charge information storage unit 267, 1267, 2267, 3267 Charge processing unit 301 Scanner unit 303 Operation panel 305 CPU
307 ROM
309 RAM
311 print engine 313 image memory 315 HDD
317 NIC
319 ASIC
351 reading unit 353 image processing unit 355 transmission unit 357 reception unit 359 storage unit 1269, 3269 function usage information storage unit 1271, 3271 third identification unit 2261 model function information storage unit 4157 function execution unit 4159 transmission unit

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-298027

Claims (12)

A receiving unit that receives an execution request of the first function from a second device not having the first function of the first device;
A function execution unit that executes the first function;
The provision start date of the first function, the release date of the second device or the provision start date of the second function which is older than the first function and is not included in the second device And a charging processing unit that performs charging processing such that the charging amount for the execution of the first function becomes larger as the difference between
An accounting processing system comprising:   The charging processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing unit further performs charging processing such that the charging amount increases as the elapsed time period after the second device can use the first function is longer. Billing processing system.   The charging processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing unit further performs charging processing such that the charging amount decreases as the elapsed time period after the second device can use the first function is longer. Billing processing system. The difference is the difference between the provision start date of the first function and the release date of the second device,
The execution request for the first function includes function identification information for identifying the first function and model identification information for identifying a model of the second device,
Function provision information in which provision start date information indicating the provision start date of the function is associated with each function identification information indicating the function is acquired, and based on the function provision information and the function identification information of the first function, A first identification unit that identifies a provision start date of the first function;
The model release information in which the release date information indicating the release date of the model is associated with the model identification information indicating the model is acquired, and based on the model release information and the model identification information of the second device, The charging processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second identification unit that identifies a release date of the two devices. The difference is a difference between the provision start date of the first function and the provision start date of the second function,
The execution request for the first function includes function identification information for identifying the first function and model identification information for identifying a model of the second device,
Function provision information in which provision start date information indicating the provision start date of the function is associated with each function identification information indicating the function is acquired, and based on the function provision information and the function identification information of the first function, A first identification unit that identifies a provision start date of the first function;
For each combination of model identification information indicating a model and function identification information indicating a function, model function information defining whether or not the model has the function and the function provision information are acquired, and the model function information, Among the functions that the second device does not have, the provision start date of the second function having the oldest function is specified based on the function provision information and the model identification information of the second device. The charging processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second identification unit. The difference is the difference between the provision start date of the first function and the release date of the second device,
The execution request for the first function includes function identification information for identifying the first function, model identification information for identifying a model of the second device, and device identification information for identifying the second device. ,
Function provision information in which provision start date information indicating the provision start date of the function is associated with each function identification information indicating the function is acquired, and based on the function provision information and the function identification information of the first function, A first identification unit that identifies a provision start date of the first function;
The model release information in which the release date information indicating the release date of the model is associated with the model identification information indicating the model is acquired, and based on the model release information and the model identification information of the second device, A second identification unit that identifies the release date of the two devices;
For each combination of device identification information indicating a device and function identification information indicating a function, function usage information is acquired in which usage start date information indicating the date on which the use of the function is started is associated with the device, and the function usage information is used. The third identification unit that identifies the elapsed period based on information, function identification information of the first function, and device identification information of the second device. Billing processing system. The difference is a difference between the provision start date of the first function and the provision start date of the second function,
The execution request for the first function includes function identification information for identifying the first function, model identification information for identifying a model of the second device, and device identification information for identifying the second device. ,
Function provision information in which provision start date information indicating the provision start date of the function is associated with each function identification information indicating the function is acquired, and based on the function provision information and the function identification information of the first function, A first identification unit that identifies a provision start date of the first function;
For each combination of model identification information indicating a model and function identification information indicating a function, model function information defining whether the model has the function and the function provision information are acquired, and the model function information Among the functions that the second device does not have, the provision start date of the second function having the oldest function is specified based on the function provision information and the model identification information of the second device. A second identification unit,
For each combination of device identification information indicating a device and function identification information indicating a function, function usage information is acquired in which usage start date information indicating the date on which the use of the function is started is associated with the device, and the function usage information is used. The third identification unit that identifies the elapsed period based on information, function identification information of the first function, and device identification information of the second device. Billing processing system.   The charging processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the provision start date is a release date of a model equipped with the corresponding function.   The charging processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an information processing apparatus including the receiving unit, the function executing unit, and the charging processing unit.   The charging processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: an information processing apparatus including the receiving unit and the charging processing unit; and the first device including the function executing unit. A charge processing method executed by a charge processing system, comprising:
The charging processing system includes a receiving unit, a function execution unit, and a charging processing unit.
The reception unit, the second device having no first function with the first device, a receiving step of receiving the execution request for the first function,
A function execution step in which the function execution unit executes the first function;
The charge processing unit has a provision start date earlier than a provision start date of the first function, a release date of the second device, or a second feature start date that the second device does not have. A charging process step of performing a charging process such that the charging amount for the execution of the first function becomes larger as the difference between the function start date and the provision start date becomes larger;
Accounting method including. Receiving a request to execute the first function from a second device not having the first function of the first device;
A function execution step of executing the first function;
The provision start date of the first function, the release date of the second device or the provision start date of the second function which is older than the first function and is not included in the second device A charging process step of performing a charging process such that the charging amount for the execution of the first function becomes larger as the difference between
A program to make a computer run.

Images