JPH02158758A - Copying fee payment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accomplish convenience at the time of utilizing a copying machine by grasping the number of copies every size of paper and paying the utilization fee corresponding to the number of copies with a card. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with a counting means for counting the paper feeding actions of a paper feeding device every size of paper, a reading means for reading information on an information recording medium and a card rewriting means for rewriting the information on the information recording medium corresponding to the counting by the counting means. The copies in every size of paper are counted and the utilization fee in response to the counted result is payed with the card. Thus, the convenience at the time of utilizing the copying machine is accomplished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a copying fee payment device for paying usage fees using a card in an image forming apparatus.

(Prior Art) In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, it is usually possible to supply paper of different sizes using multiple paper feed units. In order to know when to replace the paper, we counted the number of copies used for each developer and the total number of copies, and obtained the total number of copies made by all sizes of paper.

For this reason, in the past, it was impossible to grasp the number of sheets used for each size of paper in each paper feeder, and even though usage fees differed depending on the size of paper, It was said that it was impossible to ascertain accurate usage fees.

On the other hand, in recent years, when using multiple image forming devices, prepaid cards, credit cards, etc.
Although it is desired to use a card as a form of payment, no device has been developed that allows users to pay usage fees using a card. The payment procedure was complicated, as fees were paid in one lump sum according to the number of copies made.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Conventionally, it was not possible to count the number of copies for each paper size, making it impossible to accurately grasp the usage fee, and it was not possible to pay the usage fee with a card. This is an impediment to more convenient use of the forming apparatus.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the above-mentioned problems, and makes it possible to pay copy fees more conveniently by knowing the number of copies for each paper size and paying the usage fee according to the number of copies using a card. The purpose is to provide equipment.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a counting means for counting paper feeding operations of a paper feeding device for each paper size, and also provides a counting means for counting paper feeding operations of a paper feeding device for each paper size. a reading means for reading information on the
A card rewriting means is provided for rewriting information on the information recording medium according to the count of the counting means.

(Function) The present invention aims at simplifying the use by counting the number of copies for each paper size using the above-mentioned means and paying a usage fee by card according to the count result.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device of an apparatus according to this embodiment, and the details will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the main body 10 of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. A control panel 11 is provided on the top surface of the main body 1O of the copying machine, while a control panel 11 is provided on the side surface of the main body lO of the copying machine, as shown in FIG. Two upper and lower card slots 13 are provided into which a card 12, which is an information recording medium, on which information such as a usage fee and a recitation code is written is inserted.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the inside of the copying machine main body 10. Above it, a document mounting table 14 is provided, while on the upper right side of the copying machine main body 10, a card 12 inserted into the card slot 13 is placed. There are provided reading/writing devices 15a and 15b having the same structure above and below, which serve both as a reading means for reading information on the magnetic stripe 12a and as a rewriting means for rewriting the information on the magnetic stripe 12a.

Further, a paper feeding means 20 having a top paper cassette section 1B, a bottom picture paper cassette section 17, and a manual paper feeding section 18, which are paper feeding sections, is provided at the lower right side of the copying machine main body IO.

Further, a paper discharge tray 21 is provided on the left side of the copying machine main body IO.

Further, a photoreceptor drum 22 is provided approximately at the center of the copying machine main body IO, and around the photoreceptor drum 22, a charging device 23, an exposure lamp 24a, and first to sixth The exposure unit 241 of the exposure device 24 includes mirrors 24b to 24g and a lens 24h1, a developing device 26 consisting of an upper developing unit 28a and a lower developing unit 213b, a transfer device 27, a stripping device 28, a cleaning device 30, and a static eliminator 31. etc. are arranged in order.

Further, the paper is transferred from the paper feed means 20 to the paper discharge tray 2 via the transfer device 27.
1, a paper conveyance path 29 is formed, and a heat roller 29a is provided in front of the paper discharge tray 21.

At this point, due to the start of copying, the photoreceptor drum 22 is moved by the arrow S
direction, and is uniformly charged by the charging device 23.

Next, the document mounting table 14 is illuminated by the exposure lamp 14a.
A projected image of the upper document is formed on the exposure section 241 on the photoreceptor drum 22 by the exposure device 24 to form an electrostatic latent image.

This electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device 26 and reaches a transfer device 27 .

On the other hand, in synchronization with the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 22, the paper P is supplied to the transfer device 27 automatically or manually from the paper feed means 20, and the toner image is transferred onto the paper P by the transfer device 27. transcribed.

Thereafter, the paper P is removed from the photosensitive drum 2 by the peeling device 28.
2, and passes through the paper conveyance path 20 to the heat roller 2.
After being fixed by the image forming apparatus 9a, the paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray 21, and copying is completed.

On the other hand, after the transfer, residual toner is removed from the photosensitive drum 22 by a cleaning device 30, and residual charge is removed by a defrosting device 31, making the photosensitive drum 22 ready for the next copy.

Next, FIG. 5 shows the operation panel 33. In the upper right block of the figure, there is an interrupt key 34 for setting an interrupt mode for interrupt copying, and a preheating key for preheating the copying machine main body lO. 3B, and a counter key 87 for displaying the number of sheets fed from each sheet feeding section.

In the figure, the upper right center block is provided with a lamp section 38 that displays the status of the copying machine main body 10 using a lamp, and the upper right block in the figure is provided with a number display section 40 that displays the setting of the number of copies. It is being

In the figure, the lower right block includes a copy key 41 for executing the copying operation and a numeric keypad 4 for setting the number of copies, etc.
2 is provided.

The left block is provided with a density setting section 43 for setting copy density.

Furthermore, the block to the left includes a color selection key 44 for selecting the copy color, a cassette selection key 4B for selecting the paper feed cassettes 16a and 17a, an enlargement/reduction key 47 for setting enlargement mode and reduction mode, and A same-size key 48 is provided for setting the same-size mode.

Note that paper feed cassette IBa can be selected by pressing cassette selection key 4B.
If 517a is selected, size-specific storage areas 86a to 88e corresponding to the paper size in the storage device 86, which will be described later, are set.

Further, the leftmost block is provided with a display section 50 consisting of a liquid crystal panel for displaying operating conditions, etc., and an information key 51 for calling up the normal mode on the display section 50.

Next, the paper feeding means 20 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

On the right side of the paper feed unit 20, there are a manual paper feed section 18 and upper and lower paper feed cassette sections 16 and 17, which store paper P1, P2, and P3 of the sizes required for copying, respectively. , 17a are provided.

The upper and lower paper feed cassettes 1 (la, 17a) are of a cartridge type that can be freely attached to and removed from the copying machine main body 10, and the paper feed tray 18a and paper feed cassette lea
.

Above 17a, first to third pickup rollers 52, 53, and 54 for taking out the paper P are provided, and the sheets P1 and P2 taken out by the lowering and rotation of the first and second pickup rollers 52, 53 are provided. is a first feed roller 56a and a first separation roller 56b.
The separating means 5B separates only the topmost sheet,
It is supplied to registration rollers 57.

That is, the first feed roller 56a and the first separation roller 56b are driven in the direction of the arrow, and when there are no sheets P1 and P2 or when one sheet is being fed, the first feed roller 56a and the first separation roller 56b are driven in the direction of the arrow. Feed roller 5[ia and first separation roller 5
ib or between the sheets P1, P2 and the first separation roller 56b, and at this time, a spring joint provided around the spindle (not shown) slips, causing the first separation roller 56b to slip. 56b is rotated in the direction of arrow U.

Also, when two sheets of paper P1 and P2 are fed, paper P1
, P2 have small friction, so the first feed roller 56a and the first separation roller 56b both rotate in the direction of the arrow to convey only the topmost sheets P1 and P2 to the registration roller 57 side. It is something.

Then, after a predetermined period of time has passed since the sheets P1 and P2 were conveyed by the first separation means 5B, the paper stop switch 66
When turned on, the image is aligned with the registration rollers 57 and conveyed to the transfer device 27.

Also, the paper P3 taken out by the third pickup roller 54
The uppermost one is separated by a second separation means 58 consisting of a second feed roller 58a and a second separation roller 58b.
Only the sheets are separated and supplied to the registration rollers 57.

Note that the transport form of the paper P3 is similar to the transport form of the papers P1 and P2.

A manual feed switch 59 is provided between the first pickup roller 52 and the registration roller 57 to detect that the paper P1 is manually inserted. When the manual feed switch 59 is turned on, the first pickup roller 52 is lowered to convey the paper P1 to the first separating means 5B.

At this time, the display unit 50 displays that it is manual paper feeding, and the input of the cassette selection key 4θ is no longer accepted.

On the other hand, on the paper feed tray 18a of the manual paper feed unit 18, a manual feed size detection switch 60 is provided which is operated by a slideable guide 18b that regulates the width of the paper P1 and detects the size of the paper P1. .

When the manual feed size detection switch 60 is switched, size-specific storage areas 88a to 88e corresponding to the paper size are set in the storage device BB, which will be described later.

Moreover, the pretext for installing the paper feed cassette in each paper feed cassette section 16.17 is to detect whether or not the paper feed cassettes 16a and 17a are attached to the paper feed cassette section 16.17, and simultaneously insert the paper P2 into the paper feed cassette section 16.17.
．． Upper size switch 61 for detecting the size of P3.
A lower size switch 62 is provided.

During copying, if the paper feed cassette to be used, for example, the overprint paper cassette LEA, is not installed, the contact of the upper size switch 61 is closed, and a cassette non-installation signal is sent to a control device to be described later.

Further, when the sketch paper cassette 17a is not installed, the lower size switch 62 performs the same operation.

Further, at the bottom of each paper feed cassette installation port, there are upper and lower paper empty switches 63 that detect the presence or absence of paper P2 and P3 and send a paper empty signal to the control device.
．． 134 are provided.

Then, if the paper feed cassette lea, 17a is not installed, or if the paper empty signal is issued,
The paper supply lamp (not shown) of the lamp unit 38 blinks,
The input of the copy key 41 is no longer accepted.

Note that BB is paper Pi, P2. A paper stop switch that detects the arrival of P3 at the registration rollers 57 and inputs a detection signal to a control device to be described later so as to synchronize the rotation of the photosensitive drum and the conveyance of the paper P and feed the paper P from the registration rollers 57. be.

Next, according to FIG. 7, the upper and lower reading/writing devices 15a
, 15b will be explained in detail.

The upper and lower reading/writing devices 15a and 15b are
A first detection W87a that optically detects that the card 12 is inserted along the conveyance path B7 of the card 12 inserted from the card intake port 13, and a first conveyance roller 68a.
1. A second detection Wli7b that detects the reading timing of the card 12, a second conveyance roller 68b, and a third detection roller 67c1 that detects the writing timing of the card 12.
A conveyance roller 68c and a fourth detection g67d for detecting the end timing of reading the card 12 are provided.

A magnetic head 70 is provided at the second conveyance roller 38b, which serves both as a reading device and a rewriting device, and reads magnetic information on the card 12 and writes magnetic information on the card 12.

Next, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control device, in which the following devices are connected via an input interface circuit 72 to the input of a CPU 71 which performs main control of the entire copying machine main body 1O.

That is, the operation panel input switch 7 is operated by various keys on the operation panel 33, such as the numeric keypad 42 or the color selection key 44.
8. Paper stop switch 8B, other various switches/sensors necessary for copying operations 74, manual paper feed section 1
8 manual feed switch 59 and manual feed size detection switch 80. Upper size switch 61 and first paper empty switch 63 of overprint paper cassette section 1B, lower size switch 6 of unfed paper cassette section 17
2, a second paper empty switch 64, etc.

In addition, the output of the CPU 71 includes an output interface circuit 7.
The following devices are connected via 5.

That is, the operation panel display device 7B on the operation panel 33, such as the lamp section 38 or the display section 50, various power sources 77, various motors 78, various solenoids 80, etc.

The CPU 71 also includes a graphics ROMg2 and an A/D for storing the format for displaying the unit price, number of sheets, or charge for each paper size on the display unit 50 as shown in FIG. 8 or 9. Conversion unit 84a, bit discrimination unit 84b, EEFR that stores the recitation code and usage fee
Upper and lower reading/writing device 15a has a storage section 84 consisting of OM (electrically erasable and writable read-only memory).

15b is connected, and furthermore, a storage device 8, which will be described in detail below.
B is connected.

That is, the storage device 8B is an EEPROM, and is a storage device that stores the unit price for each size of paper, etc. As shown in FIG. Copy unit price, number of sheets fed, copy fee, and total number of sheets fed for each size are stored.

Each data is [4 bits x 5] or [4 bits x 6
] is stored as a BCD code.

Next, in the above configuration, FIGS. 11 to 14
The operation will be explained using the flowchart shown in the figure.

First, when installing the copying machine main body 10 and starting to use it,
In order to set the copy unit price for each paper size, the operator turns on the power (not shown) according to FIG. 11, and proceeds to step 87.

In step 87, the user operates the numeric keypad 42 to call up the charge registration mode, and the process proceeds to step 88.

At step 88, the paper sizes are sequentially displayed on the display unit 50 as shown in FIG.
Proceed to step 9.

In step 89, it is checked whether charge input for all sizes has been completed. If completed, the copy charge registration mode is terminated and the mode is placed in a normal standby state. If not, the process returns to step 88. .

Next, normal copying will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the power source (not shown) is turned on, step 10
Proceed to step 9.

In step 109, it is checked whether warming up of the heat roller 29a has been completed.

When the warming-up is completed, the warming-up completion indicator lamp is lit on the lamp section 38 on the operation panel 33, and the process proceeds to step 90.
Proceed to.

In step 90, either the upper or lower card slot 13
The card 12 inserted further is detected by the first detection 11B7a, and the process proceeds to step 91.

In step 91, the recitation code and usage fee on the magnetic stripe 12a are read by the magnetic head 70 of the read/write device 15, and stored in the storage unit 84 via the A/D conversion unit 84a and the bit discrimination unit 84b. Proceed to step 92.

In step 92, the recitation code is input from the numeric keypad 42, and the process proceeds to step 93. If the recitation code read from the card 12 and the recitation code input from the numeric keypad 42 match, the process proceeds to step 94, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step 94. Then, the process proceeds to step 95, where the re-input of the recitation code is displayed on the display section 50, and the process proceeds to step 9B.

In step 96, it is checked whether the recitation code has been re-entered three times or more, and if it has not been three or more times, the process returns to step 92. If it has been three or more times, the card 12 is inserted into the card slot 13. The warm-up completed state is returned without ejecting the paper and performing a copying operation.

In step 94, the verified balance of usage charges of the card is displayed on the display unit 50 as shown in FIG. move on.

In step 110, it is checked whether all copying has been completed, and if not, step Ill is executed.
If the process is completed, the process proceeds to step 97.

In step 97, the subtracted usage fee in the storage unit 84 is written to the card 12 via the A/D conversion unit 84a in place of the usage fee written on the card 12 before copying, and the usage fee is written on the card 12. The usage fee balance is displayed on the display section 50 as in step 94, and the process proceeds to step 98.

In step 98, it is checked whether there is a request to display the number of sheets fed by paper size or the total number of sheets fed and the copying fee. (This is input by pressing the counter key 37 on the operation panel 33.) If there is no display request, the process advances to step 100; if there is, the process advances to step 99.

In step 99, the graphics ROM is displayed on the display unit 50.
82 format, the unit price, number of sheets, charges, etc. for each paper size are displayed as shown in FIG.
Proceed to O.

In step 100, it is checked whether or not there is a request to clear the number of fed sheets and the copy fee. If a clear request is made by pressing the clear key in the numeric keypad 42, the process proceeds to step 102; if there is no clear request, the process proceeds to step 102. , proceed to step 101.

In step 101, it is checked whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the display request in step 98. If it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 102; if it has not elapsed, the process returns to step 100.

In step 102, the display on the display unit 50 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step 103.

In step 103, the normal mode is displayed on the display unit 50, and the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the card 12, which has been rewritten with the new usage fee, is ejected from the card receiving port 13, and the process returns to the warm-up completion state.

In step 111, key operations such as paper size, copy magnification, number of copies, etc. are accepted from the operation panel 33.

Next, proceeding to step 112, in order to check whether or not to use the paper feed tray 18a of the manual paper feed section 18,
Check whether manual feed switch 59 is turned on.

If it is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 113; if it is turned on, the process proceeds to step 119.

In step 119, the manual paper feed section 18 is selected and 123
Proceed to.

Further, in step 113, the lower size switch 62 of the upper paper feed cassette section 17 is used to check whether or not the upper paper feed cassette L7a is installed, and even if it is installed, the lower paper empty switch is checked to see if paper P3 is set. Check at 64.

If paper P3 is not set, the process advances to step 114.

In step 114, similarly to the upper paper feed cassette 17a in step 113, the upper paper feed cassette lea is checked.

If paper P2 is not set, the process advances to step 115.

In step 115, the lamp section 38 on the operation panel 33
The paper replenishment lamp is turned on, while the copy ready indicator lamp displayed on the lamp section 38 is turned off to return to the standby state.

In this way, when the manual paper feed section 18 is not used and the upper paper cassette lea and upper paper cassette 17a are not installed or the paper P2 and P3 are empty, the paper P2 and P3
This is to encourage the replenishment of

In step 113, if the upper paper feed cassette 17a is installed, the process advances to step 11B.

In step 11B, it is checked whether or not the upper paper feed cassette lea is installed, and even if it is installed, the paper P2
Check with the upper vapor empty switch 63 whether or not it is set.

If paper P2 is set, the process advances to step 118.

In step 118, it is checked whether the upper paper feed cassette 17a is currently selected by the cassette selection key 46. If the upper paper feed cassette 17a is selected,
Proceed to step 120. In step 120, the upper paper feed cassette 17a is selected, and the process proceeds to step 123.

In step 116, if the upper paper feed cassette 18a is not installed, step 118 is skipped and the process proceeds to step 120.

If the upper paper feed cassette 16a is installed in step 114, or if the upper paper feed cassette 16a is selected in step 118, the process advances to step 121.

In step 121, the overprint paper cassette lea is selected, and the process advances to step 123.

In this way, the top picture paper cassette 18a and the bottom picture paper cassette 17
If either one of the paper feed cassettes 16 and 17 is not installed, selection of that paper feed cassette section 16 or 17 is prohibited.

In step 123, the selected paper feed cassette section 16.
17 or a storage device 86 corresponding to the manual paper feed section 18
At the same time, the size of paper P in the selected paper feed cassette section IB, 17 or manual paper feed section 18 is displayed.

That is, the size of the stored paper P is determined based on the identification code of the selected paper feed cassette, and the size is displayed on the display section 50 on the operation panel 33.

After displaying the size of the paper P in this way, the process advances to step 124.

In step 124, it is checked whether there is any abnormality within the copying machine main body 10.

If there is an abnormality, it will be processed and the system will return to standby mode.

If there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step 125.

In step 125, the copy key 41 on the operation panel 33
Check whether it is turned on.

If it is turned on, the process proceeds to step 127 to confirm the usage fee for card 2, and if it is not turned on, the process returns to the standby state.

In step 127, the usage fee is calculated according to the paper size and number of copies specified in step 111,
Proceed to step 128.

In step 128, it is checked whether the usage fee balance of the card 12 is greater than the usage fee calculated in step 127.

If it is larger, start the copying operation and proceed to step 136.
If it is smaller, the process advances to step 129, and it is checked whether the next card 12 has been additionally inserted into the other intake port 13.

If it has been inserted, the process proceeds to step 130, where the usage fees for both cards 12 are added up, and the process returns to step 128.

If it has not been inserted, the process proceeds to step 131, where the display section 50 displays an insufficient balance, the card 12 is returned, and the state is returned to the warm-up completed state.

In step 13B, various solenoids, various motors, various power supplies, and various lamps are turned on, and the process proceeds to step 137.

In step 137, the selected paper feeding cassette section lea, 17a of the paper feeding means 20 or the manual paper feeding section 18
Any pickup roller 52.53.5 in
4 rotates to start feeding paper, and the process proceeds to step 138.

In step 138, one of the feed rollers 56a is used to convey the picked up paper P.

Rotate 58a and proceed to step 139.

In step 139, the paper stop switch 6B is turned on after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the feed roller conveyed the paper P, and the process proceeds to step 140.

In step 140, the sheet count display section 4 on the operation panel 33
The displayed content of 0 is subtracted by "1" and the process proceeds to step 141.

In step 141, the selected paper feed cassette section 18,
17 or a storage device 86 corresponding to the manual paper feed section 18
The data stored in the storage areas 88a to 86e are read out, and the process proceeds to step 142.

In step 142, "1" is added to the read data, and the process proceeds to step 143.

In step 143, the added data is stored again in the read storage areas 86a to 88e, and the process proceeds to step 144.

In step 144, the upper and lower reading/writing devices 15a
, 15b is read out, and the process proceeds to step 146.

In step 14B, the usage fee corresponding to the paper size is subtracted from the read data, and the process proceeds to step 147.

In step 147, the subtracted data is stored again in the storage unit 84, and the process proceeds to step 148.

In step 148, the registration roller 57 is rotated to convey the paper P to the transfer device 27, and the process proceeds to step 149.

Note that the subtraction on the sheet number display section 40 in step 130 may be performed between step 141 and step 148, or anywhere before or after that.

In step 149, it is checked whether or not the set number of sheets has been fed.

If paper feeding has been completed, the process advances to step 150; if it has not been completed, the process returns to step 137.

In step 150, various solenoids, various motors, various power sources, and various lamps are turned off, and the system returns to the standby state.

If a new copy is to be made from another document after this, the process proceeds from step 110 to step 111 to start a new copy, and if all copies have been completed, step 11
The process advances from step 0 to step 97, where the charge is displayed, the card charge is rewritten, etc., the card 12 is ejected, and all operations are completed.

After this, for example, if the fee needs to be revised, the first
Operate as shown in Figure 5.

That is, the power is turned on and the process proceeds to step 160.

In step 160, the user operates the numeric keypad 42 to call up the charge confirmation mode, and proceeds to step 161.

Step 1B! Then, a list of copying charges by paper size is displayed on the display unit 50, and the process proceeds to step 162.

In step 182, it is checked whether or not the copy fee is to be rewritten. If the copy fee is to be rewritten, the process proceeds to step 183; if not to be rewritten, the process is placed in a normal standby state.

In step 163, as in step 88, the display section 50
Since the paper sizes are sequentially displayed, the user enters the copying fee using the numeric keypad 42 while looking at the display, and proceeds to step 184.

In step 1B4, it is checked whether charge input for all sizes has been completed, and if completed, the copy charge confirmation mode is ended and the mode is placed in a normal standby state, and if not completed, the process returns to step 163. becomes.

With the configuration explained above, when copying, card 1
2, it is now possible to pay for copying fees, and there is no need to prepare coins for payment and insert the required number of coins into the fee payment device.Also, it is possible to count the number of copies and pay one by one according to the paper size. There is no need to do calculations and then make a lump sum payment later, making payment operations significantly simpler than before.

In addition, users can be limited by checking the password number, so
It is also possible to adopt pricing according to the purpose of use within a limited group.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments; for example, the card used may be a credit card rather than a prepaid card with a predetermined usage amount, and the payment may be made in a lump sum at the end of the month. good.

However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a storage device for storing usage fees for each employee and to register the payment account of each employee in advance.

The display format of the display section is also arbitrary, and if the display section is small, the number of sheets used and the usage fee for each paper size are displayed sequentially on the display section 187, as in the first modification shown in Fig. 16. It may be displayed for a certain period of time, or only the total usage fee may be displayed on the display section 16g, as in the second modification shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the information recorded on the information recording medium is not limited to the usage fee, but may also be the number of usage points, etc. In this case, in the case of a prepaid card, the usage number reaches a predetermined maximum number of usage points from "0". It can be used in any format, such as a card that can be used up to 0, or conversely, can be used from any initial number of usage points until the number of usage points reaches ``0''.If it is a credit card, the number of usage points can be increased sequentially. Depending on the frequency, it is possible to pay the usage fee at a later date.

Furthermore, the display means is not limited to a liquid crystal panel, but may also be a fluorescent display tube, a plasma display, or the like.

In the above embodiment, the card reading/writing device is built into the main body of the copying machine, but the third embodiment shown in FIG.
As in the modified example, a control box 170 dedicated to card payment is connected to the copying machine main body 171, and the usage fee and the balance of the card 173 are displayed on the display section 172 on the control box 170, or the operation key 174 is displayed.
You may input more necessary information.

Note that the number of card slots is not limited, regardless of whether it is a reading/writing device built into the main body or a reading/writing device provided in a control box separate from the main body. You can have multiple cards, insert a card into each one, and select the card that can be subtracted, or switch to the other card when one reaches "0", or you can import a single card. A plurality of cards may be taken in from the mouth and used in the order in which they were taken in until rOJ is reached.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically pay the copying fee using a credit card or prepaid card, and the copying fee is calculated after the copying is completed as in the conventional method. This saves you the hassle of having to prepare coins when making copies, and makes it possible to simplify payments.
In particular, it is possible to confirm whether the card user is the person who used the card by checking the recited code, which makes it possible to make deferred payments by credit card, and furthermore, because the user can be identified.
Special pricing allows for use within a limited group.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 15 show an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the control device, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the main body of the copying machine, and Figure 3 shows the card. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the copying machine main body, FIG. 5 is a front view of the operation panel, FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the paper feeding means, and FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the reading/writing device. Explanatory diagram, Figure 8 is a diagram showing the paper unit price on the display unit, Figure 9 is a diagram showing the number of fed sheets and copying fee on the display unit, Figure 1O is a configuration diagram of the storage device, and Figure 11 is the charge registration mode. 12 is a display diagram on the display section in charge registration mode, FIG. 13 (A) to (D) is a flowchart in copy mode, FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the charge confirmation mode, and FIGS. 16 to 18 show other modifications of the present invention.
The figure shows the number of fed sheets and the copying fee displayed on the display section showing the first modification, FIG. 17 shows the copying fee displayed on the display section showing the second modification, and FIG. 18 shows the third modification. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary copying machine main body and a control box. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Copying machine main body, 11... Control panel, 12... Card, 13... Card inlet, 15a, 15b... Top and bottom reading/writing device 16... Top picture paper cassette section 17 ...Drawing paper cassette section, 18...Manual paper feeding section, 20...Paper feeding means, 50...Display section, 70...
- Porcelain head, 71...CPU. Agent Patent Attorney Norifu Ogo Figure/2 Funeral map

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an apparatus for forming images on paper of multiple sizes and counting the number of sheets used according to the paper size, a paper feeding means comprising a plurality of paper feeding units capable of supplying paper of the plurality of sizes; A size detecting means for detecting the paper size provided in the paper feeding means, a counting means for counting an output signal corresponding to the paper feeding operation of the paper feeding means and the detection result of the size detecting means, and a password code is inputted. input means;
a reading means for reading an information recording medium to which predetermined usage information and a password are attached; a rewriting means for rewriting information on the information recording medium according to count data of the counting means; The method further comprises a display means for displaying the information read by the reading means, and a control means for controlling the operation of each of the means only when the password read by the reading means is compared with the input signal from the input means. Features a copy fee payment device.