JP7056263B2 - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method.

As an example of an information processing device that processes information requested by a user, a copy function that reads an image printed on a recording medium and copies it to another recording medium, and a scanner function that records the read image as data are provided. A multifunction device (MFP) provided in a complex manner is known.

In recent years, there has been a widespread use of installing multifunction devices in stores and public places (libraries, etc.) to provide users with services to use the multifunction devices. Some multifunction devices are equipped with a billing device and a billing function so that the consideration for using the service can be paid using cash or electronic currency.

Further, a technique is also disclosed in which a usage fee can be collected without providing a charging device in the multifunction device by making the usage fee of the multifunction device paid in advance (see Patent Document 1).

In Patent Document 1, a "payment slip" is created in which a fee for using (for example, copying) of the content selected by the user is described in a multifunction device installed in a store or the like, and the user's payment is completed based on this payment slip. A technique for operating a multifunction device according to a compound code generated by the device is disclosed.

According to the technique of Patent Document 1, it is possible to use the service by prepaid even for a multifunction device having no special device or function such as a billing device. However, it cannot be used in such a way that the contents (documents) brought in by oneself are output in a desired format or form. For example, even if the user wants to print on both sides or output in an aggregated format, it is not possible to calculate the consideration for it, and there is a problem in collecting charges according to various usage modes. In addition, in order for the user to obtain an output that reflects various settings, there is a limit to the support of the multifunction device installed in the store.

That is, in the prior art, when operating the device on the condition that the fee is paid in advance, it is difficult to deal with the fee calculation and the fee collection based on the detailed conditions specified by the user in the device that actually provides the service. be.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides an information processing system capable of responding to advance payment corresponding to detailed conditions set by a user even when the use of a function provided in the information processing device is controlled on the condition of payment of consideration. With the goal.

In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is an information processing system in which an information processing device, an information input / output device, and an information management device are connected by a communication network so that they can communicate with each other. Therefore, the information processing apparatus is input in the information input unit and the information input unit that accepts the input of the processing target information that is the information to be processed and the input of the processing condition information indicating the processing conditions for the processing target information. The consideration for information processing based on the information group is calculated, and the consideration information generation unit that generates the consideration information including the consideration and the identification information that uniquely identifies the information group from which the consideration information is generated are generated, and the identification is performed. An identification information generation storage unit that stores information in association with the information group, a processing management information notification unit that notifies the information management device of processing management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated with each other, and the identification information are recorded. Information processing that executes information processing to which the processing conditions are applied to the processing target information in response to the input of the identification recording medium output unit that outputs the recorded recording medium and the payment completion information indicating that the payment for the consideration has been completed. The information input / output device includes an execution unit, receives input of the identification information, identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information, and executes payment processing corresponding to the consideration information. A payment processing unit, a payment completion information generation unit that generates the payment completion information, a payment completion information notification unit that notifies the payment completion information to the information processing apparatus, and a payment completion unit that outputs the payment completion information to a recording medium. The information management device includes an information output unit, and the information management device has a processing management information storage unit that stores the identification information notified from the processing management information notification unit in association with the consideration information, and a notification from the payment processing unit. It is characterized by including a consideration information notification unit that identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information and notifies the information input / output device based on the identification information.

According to the present invention, even when the use of the function provided in the information processing apparatus is controlled on the condition of payment of consideration, it is possible to deal with prepayment corresponding to detailed conditions set by the user.

The system diagram which shows the whole structure of the information processing system which is one Embodiment of this invention. The hardware block diagram of the MFP which concerns on this embodiment. The hardware configuration diagram of the cash register terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The hardware configuration diagram of the management server which concerns on this embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the example of the functional structure of the MFP which concerns on this embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the example of the functional configuration of the cash register terminal which concerns on this embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the example of the functional configuration of the management server which concerns on this embodiment. The sequence diagram which shows the example of the processing flow in the said information processing system. The sequence diagram which shows another example of the processing flow in the said information processing system.

[System configuration of information processing system 1]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an MFP 100 which is an embodiment of an information processing device, a cash register terminal 200 which is an embodiment of an information input / output device, and a server 300 which is an embodiment of an information management device. These are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network. It should be noted that the cash register terminal 200 may be configured to include a function executed by the server 300.

[Hardware configuration of MFP100]
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is a multifunction device (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) which is an example of an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner, and as shown in FIG. 2, a CPU ( Central Processing Unit 110, RAM (Random Access Memory) 120, ROM (Read Only Memory) 130, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 140, operation panel 150, and I / F 160 are connected via a common bus 180. To prepare for. Further, the I / F 160 is connected to a scanner unit 165, which is an image reading device, and a communication module 170, which is connected to a communication network and executes data transmission / reception with other devices.

The CPU 110 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire MFP 100. The RAM 120 is a volatile storage medium capable of high-speed reading and writing of information, and is used as a work area when the CPU 110 processes information. The ROM 130 is a read-only non-volatile storage medium, and stores programs such as firmware. The HDD 140 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information and having a large storage capacity, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

The I / F 160 connects and controls the common bus 180 with various hardware, networks, and the like. The communication module 170 is a communication interface for the MFP 100 to connect to a wired connection line (for example, a LAN). The scanner unit 165 is a module having a function of optically reading an image formed on a recording medium and converting it into data.

The MFP 100 having the above hardware configuration is a device that processes a control program stored in the ROM 130 and an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 120 from a storage medium such as the HDD 140 by an arithmetic function provided in the CPU 110. Is. The processing constitutes a software control unit including various functional modules of the MFP 100. The combination of the software control unit configured in this way and the hardware resources including the above-described configuration constitutes a functional block that realizes the functions of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.

[Hardware configuration of cash register terminal 200]
Next, the hardware configuration of the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as a general computer, like the MFP 100 described above. Therefore, the CPU 210, the RAM 220, the ROM 230, the HDD 240, the operation panel 250, and the I / F 260 are connected via the common bus 180. The money management unit 261 and the communication module 262 are connected to the I / F 160.

The money management unit 261 has a function of collecting and managing the consideration for the request from the user U, a function of generating information for managing the fact when the payment is completed, and the like. The communication module 262 has a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from another device.

Similar to the MFP 100, the cash register terminal 200 is also processed by the arithmetic function provided in the CPU 210, such as a control program stored in the ROM 230 and an information processing program (application program) loaded into the RAM 220 from a storage medium such as the HDD 240. As a result, a software control unit including various functional modules is configured. The combination of the software control unit configured in this way and the hardware resources including the above-described configuration constitutes a functional block that realizes the function of the cash register terminal 200 according to the present embodiment.

[Hardware configuration of server 300]
Next, the hardware configuration of the server 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 300 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as a general computer, like the MFP 100 and the cash register terminal 200 described above. Therefore, the CPU 310, the RAM 320, the ROM 330, the HDD 340, and the I / F 350 are connected via the common bus 180. A communication module 351 is connected to the I / F 350. Since the server 300 according to the present embodiment mainly inputs and outputs data by communicating with the cash register terminal 200, it does not have a characteristic human interface like the operation panel 250 of the cash register terminal 200. May be good. Further, as will be described later, the server 300 has the main functions of managing the data received from the cash register terminal 200 and outputting the data requested from the cash register terminal 200. Therefore, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the same function as that of the server 300 can be realized by using the hardware resources of the cash register terminal 200 without particularly providing the server 300.

In the information processing system 1 having the above configuration, when using the MFP 100, the user U inputs information to be processed (processing target information) and information defining the processing content (processing condition information) to the MFP 100, and the user U inputs the information to the MFP 100. By paying the price, you can get the processing executed. Therefore, the information processing system 1 is premised on a "prepayment" method in which payment of a fee is completed in advance of executing processing.

[Mechanical configuration of MFP100]
Next, a functional block of the MFP 100, which is a main component of the information processing system 1, will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 100 includes a controller 10, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 164, a scanner unit 165, a paper output tray 166, an operation panel 150, a paper feed table 167, a print engine 168, and paper discharge. It has a tray 169. In FIG. 5, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the paper flow is indicated by a broken line arrow.

The operation panel 150 is a display unit that visually displays the state of the MFP 100, and is also an input unit when the user directly operates the MFP 100 as a touch panel or inputs information to the MFP 100. Therefore, the operation panel 150 functions as an operation display unit. It also functions as an information input unit.

Here, among the communication functions provided in the MFP 100, a general one will be illustrated. The MFP 100 includes an interface for communicating with other devices via various communication networks. For example, Ethernet® that can be used with the communication module 170 (see FIG. 2). In addition, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface may be provided. As a communication network that can be used by the MFP 100, there is a network that uses the TCP / IP protocol. It also includes an interface for performing facsimile transmissions, which is used when the MFP 100 functions as a facsimile. Therefore, the MFP 100 is provided with an interface to which a telephone line can also be connected.

The controller 10 is composed of a combination of a software control unit and hardware. Specifically, in the software control unit, a program stored in a ROM 130, a non-volatile memory, and a non-volatile storage medium such as HDD 140 is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter, memory) such as RAM 120, and the CPU 110 is used. It is configured by performing operations according to the program.

The controller 10 includes a main control unit 11, an engine control unit 12, an image processing unit 13, an operation display control unit 14, an input / output control unit 15, a job management information notification unit 16, a release code acquisition unit 17, and a print job ID generation unit 18. , And the charge calculation unit 19. The controller 10 functions as a control unit that controls the entire MFP 100.

The main control unit 11 controls each unit included in the controller 10. The engine control unit 12 plays a role as a drive means for controlling or driving the print engine 168, the scanner unit 165, and the like. The image processing unit 13 generates drawing information based on the image information to be printed out according to the control of the main control unit 11. This drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 168 which is an image forming unit.

Further, the image processing unit 13 processes the image pickup data input from the scanner unit 165 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the storage medium of the MFP 100 as a result of the scanner operation, or transmitted to another information processing terminal or storage medium via the communication network.

The operation display control unit 14 controls the information display on the operation panel 150, and notifies the main control unit 11 of the operation content input via the operation panel 150. The operation display control unit 14 acquires information for displaying soft keys on the operation panel 150 from the HDD 140, and notifies the main control unit 11 together with the information input via the operation panel 150.

The operation display control unit 14 functions as a user interface when the user U uses a predetermined processing function in the MFP 100. For example, when using a print function corresponding to image formation output processing, an interface for inputting and designating setting information (for example, printing on both front and back sides, aggregate printing, etc.) indicating a printing mode is configured. Therefore, the setting information input from the operation display control unit 14 becomes the processing condition (processing condition) specified by the user U, and is used for the usage charge calculation processing described later. Set the processing condition for the setting information. Configure the processing condition information.

The input / output control unit 15 controls the job management information notification unit 16 and the release code acquisition unit 17, and notifies the server 300 of the job management information via the communication network. Job management information is information that is configured by associating job ID with consideration information. The job ID is identification information for uniquely identifying and managing the processing target information and the processing conditions when the user U inputs the processing target information and the processing conditions to the MFP 100. The consideration information is information including the usage fee calculated for the processing content corresponding to the job ID.

The job management information notification unit 16 notifies the server 300 of the job management information. The job management information notification unit 16 constitutes a processing management information notification unit.

The release code acquisition unit 17 cancels the standby state and performs processing when the operation using the processing function is executed for the MFP 100 and the execution of the processing function is waiting on condition of payment of the fee. It has a function of obtaining a release code to be executed from the cash register terminal 200. The release code acquisition unit 17 acquires the release code from the cash register terminal 200 and notifies the main control unit 11 of the release code. The main control unit 11 instructs the engine control unit 12 and the image processing unit 13 to execute the print job associated with the release code generated by the print job ID generation unit 18.

The print job ID generation unit 18 is printing identification information for uniquely identifying the processing target information read by using the scanner unit 165 and the processing target information input from the external device via the communication network. Generate a job ID. Further, the print job ID generation unit 18 executes a process of storing the processing target information and the processing condition information in the storage medium (for example, HDD 140) in association with the print job ID. The print job ID generation unit 18 constitutes an identification information generation storage unit.

The charge calculation unit 19 uses a function used to execute specified information processing based on an information group consisting of input processing target information and processing condition information specified for the processing target information. The usage fee, which is the consideration for, is calculated and the consideration information is generated. The charge calculation unit 19 constitutes a consideration information generation unit.

The main control unit 11 generates job management information based on "job management information" that associates the print job ID generated by the print job ID generation unit 18 with the consideration information generated by the charge calculation unit 19. The job management information is notified to the server 300 via the job management information notification unit 16.

When the MFP 100 operates as a printer, the input / output control unit 15 first receives it as a print job including processing target information which is print data from an external device or an external storage medium via a communication network. The input / output control unit 15 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 11. When the main control unit 11 receives the print job, the main control unit 11 controls the image processing unit 13 to generate drawing information (drawing data) based on the document information or the image information included in the print job.

The drawing information generated by the image processing unit 13 is assigned a print job ID in the print job ID generation unit 18 and stored in the HDD 140. The image processing unit 13 constitutes an information input unit that receives input of processing target information and processing condition information and executes a predetermined process.

When a valid release code is input, the main control unit 11 reads out the corresponding print job stored in the HDD 140 and notifies the engine control unit 12. The engine control unit 12 controls the print engine 168 and causes the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 167 to perform image formation based on the drawing information corresponding to the read print job. That is, the image processing unit 13, the engine control unit 12, and the print engine 168 function as an image forming output unit. Documents image-formed by the print engine 168 are ejected to the output tray 169.

When the MFP 100 operates as a scanner, the operation display control unit 14 transfers the scan execution signal to the main control unit 11 in response to a scan execution instruction by the operation of the operation panel 150 by the user. The main control unit 11 controls the engine control unit 12 based on the received scan execution signal.

The engine control unit 12 drives the ADF 164 and conveys the image pickup target document set in the ADF 164 to the scanner unit 165. Further, the engine control unit 12 drives the scanner unit 165 and captures an image of a document conveyed from the ADF 164. Further, when the original is not set in the ADF 164 and the original is directly set in the scanner unit 165, the scanner unit 165 captures the set original under the control of the engine control unit 12. That is, the scanner unit 165 operates as an image pickup unit, and the engine control unit 12 functions as a read control unit.

In the image pickup operation, an image pickup element such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (charge-coupled device) included in the scanner unit 165 optically scans the document, and the image pickup information generated based on the optical information is generated. Will be done. The engine control unit 12 notifies the main control unit 11 of the image pickup information generated by the scanner unit 165. When the main control unit 11 receives the image pickup information, the main control unit 11 transfers the image pickup information to the image processing unit 13. The image processing unit 13 generates image information based on the image pickup information received from the engine control unit 12 under the control of the main control unit 11.

The drawing information generated by the image processing unit 13 is assigned a print job ID in the print job ID generation unit 18 and stored in the HDD 140.

When a valid release code is input, the main control unit 11 reads out the corresponding print job stored in the HDD 140 and notifies the engine control unit 12. The engine control unit 12 controls the print engine 168 and causes the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 167 to perform image formation based on the drawing information corresponding to the read print job. That is, the image processing unit 13, the engine control unit 12, and the print engine 168 function as an image forming output unit. Documents image-formed by the print engine 168 are ejected to the output tray 169.

When the MFP 100 operates as a copying machine, the image processing unit 13 generates drawing information based on the image pickup information received from the scanner unit 165 by the engine control unit 12 or the image information generated by the image processing unit 13. Based on the drawing information, the engine control unit 12 drives the print engine 168 as in the case of printer operation. When the information formats of the drawing information and the imaging information are the same, the imaging information can be used as it is as the drawing information.

The main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 included in the MFP 100 constitute an information processing execution unit.

[Functional configuration of cash register terminal 200]
Next, the functional configuration of the cash register terminal 200 constituting the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 20 of the cash register terminal 200 has a payment processing unit 21, a release code generation unit 22, a release code notification unit 23, and a release code print output unit 24.

The payment processing unit 21 receives the print job ID described in the payment slip brought by the user U, and requests the server 300 for the consideration information associated with the print job ID. Further, the payment processing unit 21 executes the payment processing based on the consideration information acquired from the server 300. The settlement process notifies the user U of the amount of money based on the consideration information, and executes the process of receiving money corresponding to the amount of money. When the payment processing is completed, the payment processing unit 21 notifies the release code generation unit 22 of that fact and the print job ID for which the payment has been completed.

The release code generation unit 22 generates a release code associated with the print job ID based on the notification from the payment processing unit 21, and notifies the release code notification unit 23. The release code may be generated so as to include the print job ID in the payment completion information, or may be generated as information completely different from the print job ID. Further, the release code generation unit 22 may use the print job ID as it is as the release code. The unlock code generation unit 22 constitutes a payment completion information generation unit.

The release code notification unit 23 notifies the MFP 100 of the release code. In addition, the release code is notified to the release code print output unit 24. When the release code notification unit 23 notifies the MFP 100 of the release code, the release code notification unit 23 notifies the MFP 100 in a format in which the corresponding print job ID can be recognized by the MFP 100. For example, the MFP 100 may be notified as a character string in which the release code is connected to the print job ID. In this case, the MFP 100 may first identify the print job ID having a predetermined length, and then perform processing so that the information connected to the print job ID is recognized as a release code. When the release code and the print job ID are the same, the MFP 100 that has received the print job ID notification from the cash register terminal 200 has a "payment presence / absence flag" for the print job ID stored in the HDD 140. You can add it. In this case, when the print job ID is notified from the cash register terminal 200, the "payment presence / absence flag" associated with the print job ID may be updated to the information indicating "payment". The cancellation code notification unit 23 constitutes a payment completion information notification unit.

The release code print output unit 24 prints the release code notified from the release code notification unit 23 on the receipt and outputs it. As an output mode, the release code is displayed and printed with readable information (character string or the like), the release code is encoded based on a predetermined rule, and the coded information is printed. Here, the coding method can be appropriately selected, but for example, the release code may be given a specific coding to be used as payment completion coding information. The payment completion coded information may be, for example, two-dimensional bar-coded payment completion information. In this case, the payment completion information expressed as a two-dimensional code is printed on a recording medium to form a receipt. The release code print output unit 24 constitutes a payment completion information output unit.

[Mechanical configuration of server 300]
Next, the functional configuration of the server 300 constituting the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 72, the controller 30 of the server 300 has a job management information storage unit 31 and a consideration information read notification unit 32.

The job management information storage unit 31 stores the job management information notified from the MFP 100. The job management information storage unit 31 reads the consideration information in response to an inquiry from the consideration information read notification unit 32, and notifies the read consideration information to the consideration information read notification unit 32. The job management information storage unit 31 constitutes a processing management information storage unit.

The consideration information read notification unit 32 notifies the cash register terminal 200 of the consideration information corresponding to the inquired print job ID based on the consideration information notified from the job management information storage unit 31. The consideration information read notification unit 32 constitutes a consideration information notification unit.

The functions provided in the server 300 mainly include a function of storing the jog management information notified from the MFP 100 and a function of notifying the consideration information in response to an inquiry from the cash register terminal 200. Therefore, these functions may be integrated into the cash register terminal 200, and the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured only by the MFP 100 and the cash register terminal 200.

[Display information generation sequence]
Next, the flow of processing executed in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 illustrates a series of processing flows for registering processing target information in the MFP 100 in the billing mode. FIG. 9 illustrates a flow of processing for executing a print job registered in the MFP 100 after payment is completed.

When the user U intends to execute information processing using the MFP 100, the operation mode in the MFP 100 is selected. The MFP 100 includes a "normal mode" and a "billing mode". The normal mode is an operation mode that uses functions that can be used without the condition of payment of consideration. The billing mode is an operation mode that uses a function that becomes available on condition that payment of consideration is made. The characteristic information processing method of the present invention is the information processing method when the "billing mode" is selected as the operation mode. Therefore, the following description relates to the information processing method in the "billing mode".

The selection / switching between the normal mode and the billing mode may be performed by the user U via the operation panel 150 of the MFP 100, or may be controlled by the server 300.

First, the user U inputs "processing target information" for which processing is requested in the billing mode to the MFP 100. The method of inputting the processing target information differs depending on what kind of function the user U requests to use. For example, when using the copy function or the scanner function, a document is set in the ADF164, and "copy" or "scanner" is selected via the operation screen displayed on the operation panel 150. By this operation, as described above, the main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 convert the original into image data and generate drawing data. The generated drawing data is stored in the HDD 140. When the function as a printer is used, the processing target information is input to the MFP 100 from the communication network or the external storage medium, and the drawing data is similarly generated. The generated drawing data is stored in the HDD 140 (S801).

In S801, the method of inputting the processing target information when using the printer function may be from an online storage or cloud service accessible by the MFP 100 via a communication network, or from another information processing terminal via an interface cable. ..

Subsequently, the user U sets the processing conditions for the processing target information via the condition setting screen displayed on the operation panel 150 (S802). There are various options for printing conditions depending on the specifications of the MFP 100. For example, "double-sided printing", "aggregate printing (2in1, 4in1 ...)", "color / monochrome output", "drilling", "presence / absence of staples", "number of copies" and the like can be selected.

When the input of the condition information is completed, the MFP 100 calculates the function usage fee for executing the process requested by the user based on the process target information and the process condition information (S803). The calculated charge is displayed on the operation panel 150.

On the charge display screen, an operation button for selecting "accept" payment of the displayed charge and a "back" button for returning to the condition setting screen are displayed. When the operation for selecting these is performed, the selected process is executed.

Subsequently, a "print job ID" is generated as identification information that can uniquely identify the request for the process (S804). In S804, the generated print job ID is associated with the corresponding drawing data (processing target information) and consideration information (information indicating the function usage fee) and stored in the HDD 140. In S804, , The above information group is stored in the HDD 140, and the server 300 is notified as "job management information" in which the print job ID and the consideration information are associated with each other.

The server 300 stores and manages the notified job management information in, for example, the HDD 340.

Subsequently, the MFP 100 prints and outputs the print job generated in S804 using a predetermined layout (S806). The output in S806 is referred to as a "payment slip". The print job ID itself and information (character string, two-dimensional bar code, etc.) that can be input to the print job ID at the cash register terminal 200 are printed on the payment slip. Printing of the payment slip is executed by the operation of the main control unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 included in the MFP 100. These constitute the identification recording medium output unit by the control unit.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention, even if the MFP 100 is not equipped with the billing function, the charge setting corresponding to the use of various functions and the detailed setting of the usage conditions is performed. be able to. In addition, information processing based on the processing conditions set in detail can be executed and the processing result can be stored before the payment of the fee.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 9, the user U executes the payment procedure based on the information on the payment slip. Specifically, the print job ID is input to the cash register terminal 200. The cash register terminal 200 inquires the server 300 about the consideration information based on the input print job ID (S901).

Based on the inquiry from the cash register terminal 200, the server 300 refers to the consideration information previously notified and stored by the MFP 100, and notifies the cash register terminal 200 of the consideration information (S902).

The cash register terminal 200 displays the charge included in the consideration information notified from the server 300 on the operation panel 250, and informs the user U of the amount of the consideration. User U pays the currency corresponding to the consideration. In the payment process, when the payment satisfying the consideration is completed, the cash register terminal 200 notifies the server 300 of the information indicating the payment completion associated with the print job ID (S903). The server 300 erases the job management information related to the print job ID associated with the payment completion notification from the HDD 340.

Subsequently, the cash register terminal 200 generates a release code corresponding to the print job ID for which the payment process is completed, and notifies the MDP 100 (S904). The MFP 100 stores the notified release code in association with the corresponding print job ID.

At the same time in S904, the cash register terminal 200 outputs a receipt in which the release code is recorded and notifies the user U of the release code (S905). The user U inputs the release code to the MFP 100. The release code may be input via the "release code input screen" displayed on the operation panel 150. Further, the scanner function may be used to read and decode the release code or the two-dimensional bar code printed on the receipt to specify the release code.

The MFP 100 identifies the print job ID based on the input release code, reads out the drawing data associated with the specified print job ID and stored in the HDD 140, and notifies the engine control unit 12. The engine control unit 12 executes an output process (print process) using the notified drawing data (S906).

As described above, according to the embodiment of the information processing method according to the present invention, even if the MFP 100 is not equipped with the billing function, the fee is paid for the use of various functions and the detailed setting of the usage conditions. The user can be licensed to use the function on condition of. It will be possible to support prepayment corresponding to the detailed conditions set by the user.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist thereof, and technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims. All of them are the subject of the present invention. Although the above embodiment shows a suitable example, those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

1: Information processing system 10: Controller 11: Main control unit 12: Engine control unit 13: Image processing unit 14: Operation display control unit 15: Input / output control unit 16: Job management information notification unit 17: Release code acquisition unit 18: Print job ID generation unit 19: Charge calculation unit 20: Controller 21: Payment processing unit 22: Release code generation unit 23: Release code notification unit 24: Release code print output unit 30: Controller 31: Job management information storage unit 32: Consideration Information read notification unit 100: MFP
110: CPU
120: RAM
130: ROM
140: HDD
150: Operation panel 160: I / F
165: Scanner unit 166: Paper output tray 167: Paper feed table 168: Print engine 169: Paper output tray 170: Communication module 180: Common bus 200: Cash register terminal 210: CPU
220: RAM
230: ROM
240: HDD
250: Operation panel 260: I / F
261: Money management unit 262: Communication module 300: Server 310: CPU
320: RAM
330: ROM
340: HDD
350: I / F
351: Communication module

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-146838

Claims (6)

An information processing system in which an information processing device, an information input / output device, and an information management device are connected by a communication network so that they can communicate with each other.
The information processing device is
An information input unit that accepts input of processing target information, which is information to be processed, and processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information.
A consideration information generation unit that calculates the consideration for information processing based on the information group input in the information input section and generates consideration information including the consideration.
An identification information generation storage unit that generates identification information that uniquely identifies the information group from which the consideration information is generated and stores the identification information in association with the information group.
A processing management information notification unit that notifies the information management device of processing management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated with each other.
An identification recording medium output unit that outputs a recording medium on which the identification information is recorded, and an identification recording medium output unit.
It is provided with an information processing execution unit that executes information processing in which the processing conditions are applied to the processing target information in response to input of payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration has been completed.
The information input / output device is
A payment processing unit that accepts input of the identification information, identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information, and executes payment processing corresponding to the consideration information.
The payment completion information generation unit that generates the payment completion information,
A payment completion information notification unit that notifies the information processing device of the payment completion information,
A payment completion information output unit that outputs the payment completion information to a recording medium is provided.
The information management device is
A processing management information storage unit that stores the identification information notified from the processing management information notification unit in association with the consideration information, and a processing management information storage unit.
It is provided with a consideration information notification unit that identifies the consideration information associated with the identification information based on the identification information notified from the payment processing unit and notifies the information input / output device. An information processing system that features it. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device executes the information processing in response to the payment completion information input via the information input unit. The payment completion information output unit generates payment completion coding information in which the payment completion information to be output to the recording medium is encoded, and outputs the payment completion coding information to the recording medium.
The information processing execution unit decodes the payment completion coding information input via the information input unit, and the processing target information corresponding to the payment completion information encoded in the payment completion coding information. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, which executes information processing to which the processing conditions are applied. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the payment completion coding information is a two-dimensional bar code of the payment completion information. Information processing is an image formation output process in which an image is formed and output on a recording medium.
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing condition is a condition for forming an image on both the front and back surfaces of the recording medium and outputting the image. It is an information processing method executed by communicating with each other in an information processing device, an information input / output device, and an information management device connected by a communication network.
In the information processing device
A step for accepting input of processing target information which is processing target information and input of processing condition information indicating processing conditions for the processing target information, and
A step of calculating the consideration for information processing based on the input information group and generating consideration information including the consideration, and
A step of generating identification information that uniquely identifies the information group from which the consideration information is generated, and storing the identification information in association with the information group.
A step of notifying an external device of processing management information in which the identification information and the consideration information are associated with each other.
The step of outputting the recording medium on which the identification information is recorded, and
Based on the input of payment completion information indicating that payment for the consideration has been completed, the processing target information and the processing conditions are specified, and information processing is executed by applying the processing conditions to the processing target information. And execute
In the information input / output device
A step of accepting input of the identification information, identifying the consideration information associated with the identification information, and executing payment processing corresponding to the consideration information.
The steps to generate the payment completion information and
The step of notifying the information processing apparatus of the payment completion information, and
Execute the step of outputting the payment completion information to the recording medium, and
In the information management device
A step of associating and storing the identification information notified from the information processing apparatus and the consideration information, and
Based on the identification information notified from the information input / output device, the step of identifying the consideration information associated with the identification information and notifying the information input / output device is executed. Information processing method .

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