JP6562291B2 - Network transmission method, network transmission system, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network transmission method, a network transmission system, and an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for uploading user data received by an image forming apparatus via a server connected to the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a network transmission method for charging a user, a network transmission system, and an image forming apparatus.

  As the image forming apparatus, for example, there is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, scanner, and printing, and is installed in a convenience store, for example. The user pays the service fee to the administrator of the image forming apparatus, and can output, for example, a document he / she brought on a sheet with desired print settings.

  Further, if this image forming apparatus is connected to a server, for example, a service for uploading scan data of a document read by the image forming apparatus via the server (also referred to as a content scan service) can be provided to the user. Become. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for restricting access to document information until the payment is settled after the document information is transmitted.

JP 2008-310675 A

  By the way, after the payment from the user is settled in the image forming apparatus, for example, if a communication error occurs between the image forming apparatus and the server while the scan data is being transmitted to the server, the data transmission is not completed, but the user is charged. There is a problem (also called overcharge). On the other hand, after the scan data is transmitted to the server and before the payment from the user is settled, for example, when the image forming apparatus is in an operation stop state, there is a problem that the scan data is used even though the payment is not settled. (It is also called free removal).

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a network transmission method, a network transmission system, and an image forming apparatus that can prevent both overcharge and free-of-charge.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first technical means of the present invention provides the user with respect to a process of uploading user data received by the image forming apparatus via a server connected to the image forming apparatus. And transmitting the data to the server when the image forming apparatus confirms payment of a predetermined amount from the user, and the server transmits the data to the server. The data reception completion information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and when the image formation apparatus has successfully received the data reception completion information, the payment from the user is settled. And when the image forming apparatus succeeds in the payment of the payment from the user, the step of transmitting charging completion information to the server; If successful reception of the charging completion information is obtained by; and a step of enabling the upload of the data has been received.

  The second technical means includes a step of returning the deposit from the user to the user when the image forming apparatus does not succeed in receiving the data reception completion information in the first technical means. It is characterized by.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the user data is scan data obtained by reading a document with the image forming apparatus.

  A fourth technical means is a network transmission system that charges the user for processing of uploading user data received by the image forming apparatus via a server connected to the image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus transmits the data to the server when confirming the deposit of a predetermined amount from the user, and sends the accounting completion information to the server when the settlement of the deposit from the user is successful. And a charging processing unit that settles the payment from the user when the data reception completion information is successfully received from the server, and the server completes the charging from the image forming apparatus. And a validation processing unit that validates the upload of the data received from the image forming apparatus when the information is successfully received. Those were.

  A fifth technical means is an image forming apparatus that charges the user for processing of uploading received user data via a server, and receives a predetermined amount of money from the user. A transmission unit that transmits the data to the server when confirmed, and a billing processing unit that settles the payment from the user when the reception completion information of the data is successfully received from the server. Is characterized in that, when the payment of the deposit from the user is successful, permission information for validating the upload of the data transmitted to the server is transmitted to the server.

  According to the present invention, since both the image forming apparatus and the server recognize user data, completion of data reception, and completion of charging, it is possible to avoid freezing and overcharging. More specifically, in order for the server to validate data upload, the image forming apparatus must transmit data and charging completion information, and the server must receive the data and charging completion information, so that it is possible to prevent freezing. In addition, in order for the image forming apparatus to settle the payment from the user, the server must transmit the data reception completion information and the image forming apparatus must receive the data reception completion information.

It is a block diagram of the network transmission system by this invention. It is a sequence diagram of the content scanning service by 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart relating to processing on the image forming apparatus side in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart relating to processing on the image forming apparatus side in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart regarding the process by the side of the server of FIG.

The network transmission method, network transmission system, and image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network transmission system according to the present invention.
At least one server 1 and image forming apparatus 10 are connected to the network 9. Further, the storage device 7 is installed outside the server 1, for example, and can store data received from the image forming apparatus 10. A storage device may be provided inside the server.

  The server 1 includes a control unit 4, and the control unit 4 is configured to be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10 via the transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3. The control unit 4 includes, for example, one or a plurality of CPUs (Central Processing Units), and functions as the validation processing unit 5. The validation processing unit 5 validates the upload of data stored in the storage device 7 and makes it available to the user. The receiving unit 3 receives user data and billing completion information from the image forming apparatus 10, and the transmitting unit 2 transmits the data reception completion information to the image forming apparatus 10.

The image forming apparatus 10 is installed in a convenience store, for example, and includes a communication I / F 11, an operation unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a printing unit 15, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17, and the like. These are connected via a bus.
The control unit 17 is configured to be able to communicate with the server 1 and an external device (not shown) via the communication I / F 11. For this reason, the communication I / F 11 corresponds to a transmission unit or a reception unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and transmits user data and charging completion information to the server 1 and receives the data from the server 1 as described later. Receive completion information. The communication I / F 11 includes, for example, a FAX communication unit, an Internet communication unit, an infrared communication unit, and the like.

The control unit 17 includes, for example, one or a plurality of CPUs and the like, loads various programs and data stored in, for example, a ROM of the storage unit 16 into the RAM, and executes the programs in the loaded RAM. As a result, the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10 can be controlled based on the content of instructions from the user while processing the data.
The document reading unit 13 is configured to be able to optically read a document set at a predetermined position, and an image of the read document is output to the image processing unit 14 via the control unit 17.

The operation unit 12 is disposed, for example, on the front side of the document reading unit 13, and includes an operation panel 20 including a liquid crystal display 22 and a transparent resistive film type touch panel 21, and a hard key 23 using a contact contact. The
For example, the touch panel 21 is formed so as to overlap the display 22, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for operating the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed on the operation panel 20.

For example, the image processing unit 14 performs various processes on the document data read by the document reading unit 13 to generate image data. The generated image data can be output to the printing unit 15. The read document data and generated image data are stored in the input image area 31 of the storage unit 16.
The printing unit 15 is configured to execute printing by performing paper feeding, image formation, transfer, fixing, paper discharge, and the like, and can print image data from the image processing unit 14 on a sheet.

  In addition, the control unit 17 includes, for example, a billing processing unit 41 and a re-challenge determination unit 42. The charging processing unit 41 can settle the payment from the user when the data reception completion information is successfully received, and the user pays a predetermined service fee to the administrator of the image forming apparatus 10. The user's payment information and the like are stored in the billing information area 32. Further, the re-challenge determination unit 42 can determine whether or not to continue communication with the server 1.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the content scanning service according to the first embodiment. 3 and 4 are flowcharts relating to processing on the image forming apparatus side, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to processing on the server side. In the present embodiment, an example is assumed in which processing (content scanning service) for uploading user scan data read by the image forming apparatus via a server is provided to the user.

First, the image forming apparatus 10 reads a user's original (for example, an answer sheet for correction guidance, an automobile inspection certificate necessary for estimating automobile insurance) by the original reading unit 13 (step S10 in FIG. 2).
Specifically, the user stands in front of the image forming apparatus 10 and sets the document on the document reading unit 13 in order to send the document content to the content provider server. When the content scanning service is selected on the operation panel 20 (YES in step S20 in FIG. 3), a service fee is calculated (step S21) and displayed on the operation panel 20, for example. Next, when the user selects to start reading a document (YES in step S22), the document is read by the document reading unit 13, and scan data is stored in the input image area 31 (step S24).

  When the reading of the document is completed (YES in step S23 in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 10 makes a provisional charge to the user (step S11 in FIG. 2). If reading of the document is not completed (NO in step S23 in FIG. 3), it is determined whether or not the user cancels the current reading transmission (step S25). If not canceled (NO in step S25), the process returns to step S22, but if canceled (YES in step S25), the scan data stored in the input image area 31 is discarded and the flow exits (step S26). ).

  The provisional billing shown in step S11 of FIG. 2 refers to a state in which a refund cannot be made unless the user cancels the current deposit. Specifically, for example, when the reading of the document is completed (YES in step S23 in FIG. 3), payment of the service fee is prompted, so when the user deposits (YES in step S27), the deposit amount is added (step S27). S28). If the deposit amount has been added or there is no deposit (NO in step S27), it is determined whether or not the user has canceled the present deposit (step S29). If the user has not canceled the current deposit (NO in step S29), the charging processing unit 41 determines whether the deposit has been completed (step S30).

If the user has canceled the current deposit (YES in step S29), the scan data stored in the input image area 31 is discarded (step S32), and the charging processing unit 41 returns the deposit to the user. The flow is exited (step S33).
When the user touches, for example, a deposit completion button displayed on the operation panel 20 (YES in step S30 in FIG. 3), the charging processing unit 41 compares the deposit amount with the service fee, and the deposit amount is equal to or greater than the service fee. If so (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to scan data transmission (step S12 in FIG. 2, step S40 in FIG. 4). For example, if the payment completion button is not touched even after a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S30 in FIG. 3), the process returns to step S27. If the deposit amount is less than the service fee (NO in step S31), a shortage of deposit is displayed on the operation panel 20 (step S34).

When the payment from the user can be confirmed (YES in step S31 in FIG. 3), the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the scan data stored in the input image area 31 to the server 1 (step S40 in FIG. 4).
When the server 1 successfully receives the scan data from the image forming apparatus 10 (YES in step S60 in FIG. 5), the server 1 stores the scan data in the storage device 7 (step S61). The stored scan data is in a temporary storage state, and uploading of this data is invalidated.

When the server 1 has received all the scan data from the image forming apparatus 10 (YES in step S62 in FIG. 5), the server 1 transmits the scan data reception completion information to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S13 in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 step S63).
Subsequently, when the image forming apparatus 10 successfully receives the scan data reception completion information from the server 1 (YES in step S41 in FIG. 4), the image forming apparatus 10 charges the user (step S14 in FIG. 2). In this billing, the billing processing unit 41 settles the deposit from the user (step S42 in FIG. 4) and receives the deposit from the user.

When the payment of the payment from the user is successful, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits charging completion information to the server 1 (step S15 in FIG. 2 and step S43 in FIG. 4).
If the server 1 has successfully received the charge completion information from the image forming apparatus 10 (YES in step S64 in FIG. 5), the validation processing unit 5 of the server 1 validates upload of scan data in the temporary storage state. (Step S16 in FIG. 2 and Step S65 in FIG. 5), the server 1 transmits the scan data to the server of the content provider.

  Thus, in order for the server 1 to validate uploading of scan data, the image forming apparatus 10 must transmit the scan data and charging completion information, and the server 1 must receive the scanning data and charging completion information. Specifically, for example, if the image forming apparatus 10 is in an operation stop state after the scan data is transmitted to the server 1 and before the payment from the user is settled, the image forming apparatus 10 can transmit the charging completion information. In addition, since the server 1 cannot receive the charge completion information, the upload of scan data is not validated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent free removal.

  Note that after the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the charging completion information to the server 1, the charging processing unit 41 determines whether or not there is a refund, and if the deposit amount exceeds the service fee (step S44 in FIG. 4). YES), the excess amount is refunded to the user, and the flow exits (step S45). In the image forming apparatus 10, after sending the accounting completion information to the server 1, a receipt may be printed, or a receipt and a thumbnail image of a document can be printed.

  On the other hand, if the server 1 cannot receive all the scan data from the image forming apparatus 10 (NO in step S62 in FIG. 5), it is determined whether a communication error has occurred with the image forming apparatus 10 (step S66). ). If this communication error has occurred (YES in step S66), the server 1 transmits a communication error to the image forming apparatus 10 (step S67). In this case, the server 1 does not transmit the scan data reception completion information to the image forming apparatus 10, discards the temporarily stored scan data, and exits the flow (step S68).

  When the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the reception completion information of the scan data cannot be received exceeds the predetermined time and the reception completion information has not been successfully received (NO in step S41 in FIG. 4), it is determined whether or not the time is over. Is determined (step S46). When it is determined that the time is over (YES in step S46), the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the time over to the server 1 (step S47). In the server 1, no communication error has occurred with the image forming apparatus 10 (NO in step S66 in FIG. 5). When this time-over is received (YES in step S69), the scan data in the temporary storage state is discarded. Then, the flow exits (step S68).

The image forming apparatus 10 transmits a time over to the server 1 (step S47 in FIG. 4) or receives a communication error from the server 1 before determining that the time is over (NO in step S46, in step S48). (YES), it is determined whether the re-challenge determination part 42 continues communication with the server 1 (step S49).
Even if this communication error is received, for example, if the user has not canceled the current reading transmission or if the image forming apparatus 10 has not transmitted the time-over to the server 1, the re-challenge determination unit 42 It is determined that the communication with the server 1 is continued (YES in step S49), and the scan data is transmitted again from the image forming apparatus 10 to the server 1 (step S40). In this way, if the scan data is retransmitted to the server, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of the user re-operating with the image forming apparatus.

  In contrast, for example, when the user cancels the current reading transmission or when the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the time-over to the server 1, the re-challenge determination unit 42 abandons continuation of communication with the server 1. (NO in step S49 in FIG. 4). As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the cancellation of the current reading transmission to the server 1 (step S50), discards the scan data stored in the input image area 31 (step S51), and the charging processing unit 41 receives the payment. Is returned to the user to exit the flow (step S52).

  As described above, in order for the image forming apparatus 10 to settle the payment from the user, the server 1 must transmit the scan data reception completion information, and the image forming apparatus 10 must receive the scan data reception completion information. Specifically, after confirming payment from the user, for example, if a communication error occurs between the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 1 while the scan data is being transmitted to the server, the server 1 transmits scan data reception completion information. The image forming apparatus 10 cannot receive the scan data reception completion information, and returns the payment to the user without proceeding to the checkout process. Therefore, overcharge can be reliably prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
When the image forming apparatus 10 transmits scan data to the server 1 (step S12 in FIG. 2 and step S40 in FIG. 4), security may be added to the scan data. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 also transmits a security release key to the server 1 when transmitting the accounting completion information to the server 1 (step S15 in FIG. 2 and step S43 in FIG. 4).

(Third embodiment)
In the image forming apparatus 10 of the above-described embodiment, the user's payment is confirmed after reading the document. However, the document can be read after confirming the user's payment.
(Fourth embodiment)
Further, the image forming apparatus 10 may read a photo stored in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, for example, instead of the user's original, and transmit the photograph to the user side via the server 1.

(Fifth embodiment)
The above-described configuration can be realized only by the image forming apparatus. Specifically, the communication I / F 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits user data to the server 1, and further transmits billing completion information to the server 1 when the payment from the user is successful. Instead, if permission information for validating the upload of data that has been transmitted to the server 1 is transmitted to the server 1, the server 1 can receive the data and the billing completion information, and can validate the data upload. Because.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server, 2 ... Transmission part, 3 ... Reception part, 4 ... Control part, 5 ... Activation processing part, 7 ... Storage apparatus, 9 ... Network, 10 ... Image forming apparatus, 11 ... Communication I / F, 12 ... Operation unit, 13 ... Document reading unit, 14 ... Image processing unit, 15 ... Printing unit, 16 ... Storage unit, 17 ... Control unit, 20 ... Operation panel, 21 ... Touch panel, 22 ... Display, 31 ... Input image area, 32 ... billing information area, 41 ... billing processing section, 42 ... re-challenge determination section.

Claims (5)

A network transmission method for charging the user for processing of uploading user data received by the image forming apparatus via a server connected to the image forming apparatus,
When the image forming apparatus confirms payment of a predetermined amount from the user, the step of transmitting the data to the server;
When the server has successfully received the data, transmitting the data reception completion information to the image forming apparatus;
When the image forming apparatus has successfully received the data reception completion information, a step of paying out the payment from the user;
When the image forming apparatus succeeds in the payment of the payment from the user, sending the accounting completion information to the server;
And a step of validating uploading of the received data when the server succeeds in receiving the accounting completion information. The network transmission method according to claim 1, comprising:
A network transmission method comprising: a step of returning the deposit from the user to the user when the image forming apparatus does not successfully receive the data reception completion information. The network transmission method according to claim 1 or 2,
The network transmission method, wherein the user data is scan data obtained by reading a document with the image forming apparatus. A network transmission system that charges the user for processing of uploading user data received by the image forming apparatus via a server connected to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus transmits the data to the server when confirming the payment of a predetermined amount from the user, and when the payment from the user is successful, A transmission unit that transmits to the server, and a charging processing unit that settles the payment from the user when the data reception completion information is successfully received from the server,
The network transmission comprising: an activation processing unit that validates uploading of the data received from the image forming apparatus when the server successfully receives the accounting completion information from the image forming apparatus. system. An image forming apparatus that charges the user for processing of uploading received user data via a server,
When the payment of a predetermined amount from the user is confirmed, the transmission unit that transmits the data to the server, and when the reception completion information of the data is successfully received from the server, the payment from the user And a billing processing unit that settles
The transmission unit transmits permission information for validating upload of the data transmitted to the server to the server when the payment of the payment from the user is successful. .

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