Tenant management system, information processing device and tenant management program

Abstract

To provide a tenant management system, an information processing device and a tenant management program that can reduce a period during which functions requiring billing among functions of an application program cannot be used when a billing mechanism is changed.SOLUTION: A tenant management system that manages tenants which are login destinations of electronic devices, comprises a billing management unit which performs billing based on data included in a billing master table and billing sub tables regarding the billing to the tenants for use of an application program provided by the tenant management system. When a function requiring the billing is used among functions of the application program, the billing management unit updates data that needs to be updated according to the use of the application program among data included in the plurality of billing sub tables, and can switch the one actually used for the billing among the plurality of billing sub tables (S144-S146).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tenant management system for managing a tenant to which an electronic device is logged in, an information processing device, and a tenant management program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an information processing system including an electronic device and a tenant management system that manages tenants to which the electronic devices are connected (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-033449 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-156128 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional information processing systems, when charging a tenant for the use of an application program provided by a tenant management system, for example, when changing the charging method such as a flat-rate charging method that allows use up to a specific usage limit for a specific period such as every month, or a pay-as-you-go charging method in which there is no usage limit but charging is made according to the amount of usage, if it is necessary to convert data for the existing charging method to data for the new charging method, there is a problem that the functions of the application program that require charging cannot be used until the data conversion is complete.

[0005] Furthermore, in conventional information processing systems, when a billing management system that manages billing for tenants outside the tenant management system is provided, there is a problem that when changing the billing management system actually used for billing, functions of the application program that require billing cannot be used until data transfer to the new billing management system actually used for billing is complete.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a tenant management system, an information processing device, and a tenant management program that can reduce the period during which functions of an application program that require charging cannot be used when the charging mechanism is changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tenant management system of the present invention is a tenant management system that manages tenants who are logged in to by electronic devices, and is equipped with a charging management unit that executes the charging based on data contained in a charging master table, which is a table related to charging for the tenant regarding the use of an application program provided by the tenant management system, and data contained in a charging sub-table, which is a table related to the charging, and when a function of the application program that requires the charging is used, the charging management unit updates data contained in a plurality of charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program, and the charging management unit is capable of switching between the plurality of charging sub-tables that are actually used for the charging.

[0008] With this configuration, the tenant management system of the present invention updates data contained in multiple charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program when a function of the application program that requires charging is used, and is capable of switching one of the multiple charging sub-tables that is actually used for charging.Therefore, when the charging mechanism is changed by switching one of the multiple charging sub-tables that is actually used for charging, the need for data conversion or migration can be reduced, and as a result, the period during which functions of the application program that require charging cannot be used can be reduced.

[0009] In the tenant management system of the present invention, the plurality of charging sub-tables may include at least two charging sub-tables having different charging methods.

[0010] With this configuration, the tenant management system of the present invention can switch between at least two charging sub-tables having different charging methods, whichever is actually used for charging, thereby reducing the period during which functions of an application program that require charging cannot be used when the charging method is changed.

[0011] In the tenant management system of the present invention, the multiple charging sub-tables may include the charging sub-table provided in the tenant management system and the charging sub-table provided in an external charging management system to the tenant management system.

[0012] With this configuration, the tenant management system of the present invention can switch between a charging sub-table provided in the tenant management system and a charging sub-table provided in a charging management system external to the tenant management system, whichever is actually used for charging, thereby reducing the period during which functions of an application program that require charging cannot be used when the system provided with the charging sub-table actually used for charging is changed between the tenant management system and the charging management system.

[0013] In the tenant management system of the present invention, the multiple charging sub-tables may include a charging sub-table provided in a first charging management system external to the tenant management system, and a charging sub-table provided in a second charging management system external to both the tenant management system and the first charging management system.

[0014] With this configuration, the tenant management system of the present invention is capable of switching between a charging sub-table provided in a first charging management system external to the tenant management system and a charging sub-table provided in a second charging management system external to both the tenant management system and the first charging management system, and therefore it is possible to reduce the period during which functions of an application program that require charging cannot be used when the system provided with the charging sub-table actually used for charging is changed among multiple charging management systems external to the tenant management system.

[0015] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that manages tenants to which electronic devices are logged in, and is equipped with a charging management unit that executes the charging based on data contained in a charging master table, which is a table regarding charging for the tenant for use of an application program provided by the information processing device, and data contained in a charging sub-table, which is a table regarding the charging, and when a function of the application program that requires the charging is used, the charging management unit updates data contained in a plurality of the charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program, and the charging management unit is capable of switching between the plurality of the charging sub-tables that are actually used for the charging.

[0016] With this configuration, when a function of an application program that requires charging is used, the information processing device of the present invention updates data contained in the multiple charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program, and is capable of switching which of the multiple charging sub-tables is actually used for charging.Therefore, when the charging mechanism is changed by switching which of the multiple charging sub-tables that is actually used for charging, the need for data conversion or migration can be reduced, and as a result, the period during which functions of the application program that require charging cannot be used can be reduced.

[0017] The tenant management program of the present invention is a tenant management program for causing a computer to function as a tenant management system that manages tenants who are logged in to electronic devices, and the tenant management system has a charging management unit that performs the charging based on data contained in a charging master table, which is a table related to charging for the tenant for use of an application program provided by the tenant management system, and data contained in a charging sub-table, which is a table related to the charging, and when a function of the application program that requires the charging is used, the charging management unit updates data contained in the multiple charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program, and the charging management unit is capable of switching between the multiple charging sub-tables to be actually used for the charging.

[0018] With this configuration, a computer executing the tenant management program of the present invention, when a function of an application program that requires charging is used, updates data contained in the multiple charging sub-tables that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of the application program, and is capable of switching which of the multiple charging sub-tables is actually used for charging.Therefore, when the charging mechanism is changed by switching which of the multiple charging sub-tables that is actually used for charging, the need for data conversion or migration can be reduced, and as a result, the period during which functions of the application program that require charging cannot be used can be reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0019] The tenant management system, information processing device, and tenant management program of the present invention can reduce the period during which functions requiring billing among the functions of an application program cannot be used when the billing mechanism is changed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the tenant management system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Diagram 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of mutual relationships between tenants managed by the tenant management information illustrated in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the billing management system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a billing master table managed by the tenant management system shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a charging sub-table managed by the tenant management system shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an accounting sub-table managed by the accounting management system shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image processing system shown in FIG. 1 when data of a specific tenant is newly registered in the charging table. [Figure 10] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the billing master table shown in FIG. 6 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added. FIG. [Figure 11] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the charging sub-table shown in FIG. 7 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added. FIG. [Figure 12] 9 is a diagram showing an example of the charging sub-table shown in FIG. 8 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 when a function requiring a fee is used among the functions of an application program. FIG. [Figure 14] 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the tenant management system shown in FIG. 2 when usage sub-table information of a specific tenant in the charging master table is changed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] First, a configuration of an image processing system as an information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 10 includes a tenant management system 20 that manages tenants who are login destinations of image processing devices as electronic devices described below. The tenant management system 20 can realize, by linking with the image processing devices, cloud printing, which is a function of downloading a print job stored on a cloud to the image processing device and having the image processing device execute the downloaded print job, and cloud scanning, which is a function of uploading scan data read from a document by the image processing device to the cloud. The tenant management system 20 may be configured by one computer (information processing device) such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured by multiple computers. The tenant management system 20 may be realized on a cloud.

[0025] The image processing system 10 includes an accounting management system 30 that manages, outside the tenant management system 20, the accounting for tenants managed by the tenant management system 20 regarding the use of application programs provided by the tenant management system 20. The image processing system 10 may include at least one accounting management system other than the accounting management system 30 that manages, outside the tenant management system 20, the accounting for tenants managed by the tenant management system 20. The accounting management system may be configured by one computer such as a PC, for example, or may be configured by multiple computers. The accounting management system may be realized on the cloud.

[0026] The image processing system 10 includes an image processing device 40 as an electronic device in a LAN (Local Area Network) 11. The image processing system 10 may include at least one other image processing device as an electronic device in the LAN 11 in addition to the image processing device 40. The image processing system 10 may include at least one image processing device as an electronic device in each of at least one LAN different from the LAN 11. The image processing device may be configured, for example, by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), a dedicated printer, a dedicated scanner, or the like.

[0027] The tenant management system 20 and the billing management system can communicate with each other via a network 12 such as the Internet. The tenant management system 20 and the image processing device can communicate with each other via the network 12.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the tenant management system 20 when configured by one computer.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the tenant management system 20 includes an operation unit 21 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 22 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a communication unit 23 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without going through a network, a memory unit 24 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 25 which controls the entire tenant management system 20.

[0030] The storage unit 24 can store a tenant management program 24a for managing tenants. The tenant management program 24a may be installed in the tenant management system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the tenant management system 20, or may be additionally installed in the tenant management system 20 from an external storage medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, or may be additionally installed in the tenant management system 20 from a network.

[0031] The storage unit 24 stores tenant management information 24b for managing tenants.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relationships between tenants managed by the tenant management information 24b.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the tenants managed by the tenant management information 24b include a master tenant as the top-level tenant, an organization management tenant as a tenant that manages a specific organization, and an application management tenant as a tenant that manages application programs that users can use using an image processing device.

[0034] The master tenant has at least one organizational management tenant directly under it. A user of the master tenant may be, for example, a person belonging to a regional headquarters of a manufacturer of image processing devices.

[0035] An organization management tenant can have at least one organization management tenant directly subordinate thereto, and can have at least one application management tenant directly subordinate thereto. A user of the organization management tenant can be, for example, a person belonging to a sales company or a dealer of a manufacturer of image processing devices.

[0036] A user of the application management tenant may be, for example, a person who belongs to a company that uses an image processing device.

[0037] The application programs managed by the application management tenant may be, for example, an application program for cloud printing and an application program for cloud scanning. The application programs managed by the application management tenant include application programs that require a fee to use at least some of the functions. For example, the application program for cloud printing may be an application program that is available free of charge for monochrome printing and available for a fee for color printing.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the memory unit 24 stores user management information 24c that manages each user of the tenants managed by the tenant management information 24b, application management information 24d that manages application programs available to each user of the application management tenants managed by the tenant management information 24b, and billing management information 24e that manages billing for each application management tenant managed by the tenant management information 24b.

[0039] As will be described later, the billing management information 24e includes a number of tables relating to billing (hereinafter referred to as "billing tables").

[0040] The tenant management information 24b, the user management information 24c, the application management information 24d, and the billing management information 24e may each be managed by a database.

[0041] The control unit 25 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 25. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes programs stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

[0042] By executing the tenant management program 24a, the control unit 25 realizes a tenant management unit 25a that manages tenants, a user management unit 25b that manages each user of the tenants, an application management unit 25c that manages application programs available to each user of the application management tenants, and a billing management unit 25d that manages billing for each application management tenant.

[0043] The management of tenants by the tenant management unit 25a includes, for example, new tenant registration and tenant modification. Tenant modification includes, for example, changing the tenant name and changing the tenant representative. When a user instructs the tenant management system 20 to manage tenants from the operation unit 21 or from an external computer via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a executes tenant management in accordance with the instruction from the user.

[0044] User management by the user management unit 25b includes, for example, creating a user for each tenant and modifying a user for each tenant. A modification to a user includes, for example, changing a user's email address. When a user instructs the tenant management system 20 to manage a user from the operation unit 21 or from an external computer via the communication unit 23, the instruction from the user is transmitted to the user management unit 25b via the tenant management unit 25a. Then, the user management unit 25b executes user management in accordance with the instruction from the user.

[0045] The management of application programs by the application management unit 25c includes, for example, activating application programs for each application management tenant. When a user instructs the tenant management system 20 to manage an application program from the operation unit 21 or from an external computer via the communication unit 23, the instruction from the user is transmitted to the application management unit 25c via the tenant management unit 25a. Then, the application management unit 25c executes management of the application program in response to the instruction from the user.

[0046] The management of charges by the charge management unit 25d includes, for example, management of a charge table in the charge management information 24e. When a user instructs the tenant management system 20 to manage charges in the charge management information 24e from the operation unit 21 or from an external computer via the communication unit 23, the instruction from the user is transmitted to the charge management unit 25d via the tenant management unit 25a. Then, the charge management unit 25d manages charges in the charge management information 24e in response to the instruction from the user.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of the billing management system 30 configured by one computer.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the billing management system 30 comprises an operation unit 31 which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 33 which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wired or wireless means without going through a network, a memory unit 34 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 35 which controls the entire billing management system 30.

[0049] The storage unit 34 can store a billing management program 34a for managing billing for each application management tenant managed by the tenant management system 20. The billing management program 34a may be installed in the billing management system 30 during the manufacturing stage of the billing management system 30, or may be additionally installed in the billing management system 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the billing management system 30 from a network.

[0050] The storage unit 34 stores billing management information 34b that manages billing for each application management tenant managed by the tenant management system 20. The billing management information 34b includes at least one billing table, as described below. The billing management information 34b may be managed by a database.

[0051] The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

[0052] The control unit 35 executes the charge management program 34a to realize a charge management unit 35a that manages charges for each application management tenant managed by the tenant management system 20.

[0053] An example of the management of charges by the charge management unit 35a is management of a charge table in the charge management information 34b. When a user instructs the tenant management system 20 to manage charges in the charge management information 34b from the operation unit 21 of the tenant management system 20 or from an external computer via the communication unit 23 of the tenant management system 20, the instruction from the user is transmitted in this order to the charge management unit 35a of the charge management system 30 via the tenant management unit 25a and the charge management unit 25d of the tenant management system 20. Then, the charge management unit 35a executes management of charges in the charge management information 34b in response to the instruction from the user.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example of image processing device 40 when configured as an MFP.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing device 40 includes an operation unit 41 which is an operating device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 42 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a printer 43 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 44 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 45 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a fax communication unit 46 which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile device (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a memory unit 47 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 48 which controls the entire image processing device 40.

[0056] The control unit 48 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 48. The CPU of the control unit 48 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 47 or the ROM of the control unit 48.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a charging master table 51 managed by the tenant management system 20. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a charging sub-table 52 managed by the tenant management system 20. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a charging sub-table 53 managed by the charge management system 30.

[0058] Charging master table 51 shown in Fig. 6 and charging sub-table 52 shown in Fig. 7 are charging tables included in charging management information 24e of the tenant management system 20. The charging management information 24e includes a charging master table and a charging sub-table for each application program. Charging sub-table 53 shown in Fig. 8 is a charging table included in charging management information 34b of the charging management system 30. The charging management information 34b includes a charging sub-table for each application program. Hereinafter, the application program that is the subject of charging master table 51, charging sub-table 52, and charging sub-table 53 is referred to as application program A.

[0059] The charging tables are specified by table IDs serving as identification information. Hereinafter, the table IDs of charging master table 51, charging sub-table 52, and charging sub-table 53 will be referred to as "TA0001," "TA0002," and "TA0003," respectively.

[0060] The billing master table 51 shown in FIG. 6 includes a tenant ID as identification information of a tenant, the amount of data uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by the application program A in the entire period up to now (hereinafter referred to as the “overall period upload data amount”), the number of times that data was uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by the application program A in the entire period up to now (hereinafter referred to as the “overall period upload count”), the amount of data downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by the application program A in the entire period up to now (hereinafter referred to as the “overall period download data amount”), and the number of times that data was downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by the application program A in the entire period up to now (hereinafter referred to as the “overall period download count”). For each tenant, the database includes the following: the amount of data uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "amount of uploaded data this month"), the number of times data was uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "number of uploads this month"), the amount of data downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "amount of downloaded data this month"), the number of times data was downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "number of downloads this month"), and usage sub-table information indicating which of multiple charging sub-tables is actually used for charging.

[0061] The total period upload data amount, total period upload count, total period download data amount, and total period download count in the billing master table 51 are not used directly for billing, but are information for the user's reference.

[0062] In the sub-table usage information in the billing master table 51, the billing sub-table is indicated by the table ID.

[0063] The charging sub-table 52 shown in FIG. 7 is a charging sub-table for a flat-rate charging method in which usage is allowed up to a specific usage limit each month.

[0064] The charging sub-table 52 includes a tenant ID as identification information for a tenant, charging plan information indicating the charging plan contracted by the target company of the tenant, the upper limit of the amount of data that can be uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "upload upper limit data amount this month"), the upper limit of the number of times that data can be uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "upload upper limit number of times this month"), the upper limit of the amount of data that can be downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "download upper limit data amount this month"), and the upper limit of the number of times that data can be uploaded from the image processing device to the tenant management system 20 by application program A this month (hereinafter referred to as the "download upper limit data amount this month"). For each tenant, the database includes the maximum number of times data can be downloaded from the tenant management system 20 to the image processing device by application program A (hereinafter referred to as "this month's download maximum number"), the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of upload data for this month from the maximum upload data amount (hereinafter referred to as "this month's remaining upload data amount"), the number obtained by subtracting the number of uploads for this month from the maximum upload data amount (hereinafter referred to as "this month's remaining upload number"), the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of download data for this month from the maximum download data amount (hereinafter referred to as "this month's remaining download data amount"), the number obtained by subtracting the number of downloads for this month from the maximum download data amount (hereinafter referred to as "this month's remaining download number"), and master table information indicating the associated billing master table.

[0065] The charging plan information in the charging sub-table 52 indicates, for example, either a "trial plan" indicating a trial plan or a "formal plan" indicating a formal plan. The charging plan information is not used directly for charging, but is information for the user's reference.

[0066] In the master table information in the charging sub-table 52, the charging master table is indicated by a table ID.

[0067] The charging sub-table 53 shown in FIG. 8 is a charging sub-table for a pay-per-use charging method in which there is no limit to usage but charging is based on the amount of usage.

[0068] The charging sub-table 53 includes, for each tenant, a tenant ID as identification information of the tenant, and master table information indicating the associated charging master table.

[0069] In the master table information in the charging sub-table 53, the charging master table is indicated by a table ID.

[0070] Next, the operation of the image processing system 10 will be described.

[0071] First, the operation of the image processing system 10 when data of a specific tenant is newly registered in the billing table will be described.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image processing system 10 when data of a specific tenant is newly registered in the charging table.

[0073] The example shown in FIG. 9 is a case where data regarding an application program A of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" is newly registered in the billing table.

[0074] When an instruction to newly register data related to application program A of a tenant having a tenant ID of "TE0003" in the charging table (hereinafter referred to as a "new registration instruction") is input from the operation unit 21 or from a computer not shown via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a of the tenant management system 20 requests the charging management unit 25d to newly register data related to application program A of the tenant having a tenant ID of "TE0003" in the charging table, as shown in FIG. 9 (S101).

[0075] When the billing management unit 25d receives the request in S101, it adds data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" to the billing master table 51 (S102).

[0076] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the billing master table 51 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added.

[0077] In comparison with the charging master table 51 shown in FIG. 6, the charging master table 51 shown in FIG. 10 has added a record of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003". When a flat-rate charging method is specified in the new registration instruction, the usage sub-table information in the record of the tenant with the tenant ID of "TE0003" is "TA0002" indicating the charging sub-table 52. When a pay-per-use charging method is specified in the new registration instruction, the usage sub-table information in the record of the tenant with the tenant ID of "TE0003" is "TA0003" indicating the charging sub-table 53. In the charging master table 51 shown in FIG. 10, the usage sub-table information indicates "TA0002". If data for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has just been newly registered, in the record of the tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the amount of uploaded data for the entire period, the number of uploads for the entire period, the amount of downloaded data for the entire period, the number of downloads for the entire period, the amount of uploaded data for this month, the number of uploads for this month, the amount of downloaded data for this month, and the number of downloads for this month are all 0.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, when the processing of S102 is completed, if a flat-rate billing method is specified in the new registration instruction, the billing management unit 25d adds data of a tenant with a tenant ID of “TE0003” to the billing sub-table 52 (S103).

[0079] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the charging sub-table 52 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added.

[0080] 7, the charging sub-table 52 shown in FIG. 11 has an additional record for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003". In the record for the tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the master table information is "TA0001" indicating the charging master table 51. In the record for the tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the plan specified in the new registration instruction is input as the charging plan information. In the charging sub-table 52 shown in FIG. 11, "official plan" is input as the charging plan information. In the record for the tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the plan specified in the new registration instruction is input as the current month's upload limit data volume, current month's upload limit number of times, current month's download limit data volume, and current month's download limit number of times. 11, "1000MB", "100 times", "1000MB", and "100 times" are entered in the current month's upload limit data amount, current month's upload limit number, current month's download limit data amount, and current month's download limit number, respectively. If data for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has just been newly registered, in the record for the tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the current month's remaining upload data amount, current month's remaining upload number, current month's remaining download data amount, and current month's remaining download number are the same values ​​as the current month's upload limit data amount, current month's upload limit number, current month's download limit data amount, and current month's download limit number, respectively.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, when the process of S103 ends, billing management section 25d prohibits changes to the used sub-table information in billing master table 51 (S104).

[0082] When the processing of S104 ends, the billing management unit 25d asynchronously requests the billing management system 30 to add data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" (S105). Because the processing of S105 is executed asynchronously, the billing management unit 25d can execute other operations before completing the addition of the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" to the billing sub-table 53. For example, the billing management unit 25d can start updating the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the billing table before completing the addition of the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" to the billing sub-table 53.

[0083] When the charge management unit 35a of the charge management system 30 receives the request of S105, it adds data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" to the charge sub-table 53 (S106).

[0084] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the charging sub-table 53 in a state in which data of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003" has been added.

[0085] 8, the charging sub-table 53 shown in Fig. 12 has an additional record for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003". In the record for the tenant with the tenant ID of "TE0003", the master table information is "TA0001" that indicates the charging master table 51.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 9, when the processing of S106 is completed, the billing management unit 35a of the billing management system 30 notifies the tenant management system 20 of the completion of adding the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" to the billing sub-table 53 (S107).

[0087] When the billing management unit 25d of the tenant management system 20 receives the notification in S107, it lifts the prohibition on changing the used sub-table information in the billing master table 51 (S108).

[0088] When the process of S102 ends, if a pay-per-use billing method is specified in the new registration instruction, billing management unit 25d requests billing management system 30 to add data of a tenant having a tenant ID of "TE0003" (S109).

[0089] When the charge management unit 35a of the charge management system 30 receives the request in S109, it adds data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" to the charge sub-table 53 (S110).

[0090] In the process of S110, the charging sub-table 53 in a state where the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" has been added is as shown in FIG.

[0091] When the process of S110 ends, the billing management unit 35a notifies the tenant management system 20 of the completion of adding the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" to the billing sub-table 53 (S111).

[0092] Upon receiving the notification in S111, the billing management unit 25d of the tenant management system 20 prohibits any changes to the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 (S112).

[0093] When the processing of S112 ends, the charging management unit 25d asynchronously adds data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" to the charging sub-table 52 (S113). Because the processing of S113 is executed asynchronously, the charging management unit 25d can execute other operations before completing the addition of the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" to the charging sub-table 52. For example, the charging management unit 25d can start updating the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the charging table before completing the addition of the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" to the charging sub-table 52.

[0094] In the process of S113, the charging sub-table 52 in a state in which the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" has been added is as shown in FIG.

[0095] When the process of S113 ends, billing management section 25d lifts the prohibition on changing the sub-table information in use in billing master table 51 (S114).

[0096] When the process of S108 or S114 ends, the billing management unit 25d notifies the tenant management unit 25a of the completion of new registration of data related to the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the billing table (S115).

[0097] Upon receiving the notification in S115, the tenant management unit 25a notifies the completion of new registration of data related to application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the charging table (S116). When a new registration instruction is input from the operation unit 21, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S116 by the display unit 22. When a new registration instruction is input from a computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S116 to the computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23.

[0098] Next, the operation of the image processing system 10 when a function requiring a fee is used among the functions of an application program will be described.

[0099] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the image processing system 10 when a function for which a fee is required is used among the functions of an application program.

[0100] The example shown in FIG. 13 is an example in which a function requiring billing is used among functions of application program A of a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003".

[0101] When data is uploaded to the tenant management system 20 using application program A for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", or when data is downloaded from the tenant management system 20 using application program A for a tenant with a tenant ID of "TE0003", the tenant management unit 25a of the tenant management system 20 requests the charging management unit 25d to update the data in the charging table for application program A of the tenant with the tenant ID of "TE0003" according to the actual amount of data uploaded or downloaded and the number of times (S121), as shown in FIG. 13.

[0102] When the billing management unit 25d receives the request in S121, it updates the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the billing master table 51 (S122). That is, when data is uploaded to the tenant management system 20 by using the application program A for the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003", the billing management unit 25d increases the entire period upload data amount, the entire period upload count, the current month upload data amount, and the current month upload count in the record of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" according to the actual upload data amount and count. Also, when data is downloaded from the tenant management system 20 by using the application program A for the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003", the billing management unit 25d increases the entire period download data amount, the entire period download count, the current month download data amount, and the current month download count in the record of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" according to the actual download data amount and count.

[0103] When the process of S122 is completed, if the usage sub-table information in the charging master table 51 indicates "TA0002" indicating the charging sub-table 52, the charging management unit 25d updates the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the charging sub-table 52 (S123). That is, when data is uploaded to the tenant management system 20 using the application program A for the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003", the charging management unit 25d reduces the remaining upload data amount this month and the remaining number of uploads this month in the record of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" according to the actual amount of data uploaded and the number of times. Also, when data is downloaded from the tenant management system 20 using the application program A for the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003", the charging management unit 25d reduces the remaining download data amount this month and the remaining number of downloads this month in the record of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" according to the actual amount of data downloaded and the number of times.

[0104] When the process of S123 ends, billing management section 25d prohibits changes to the sub-table information in use in billing master table 51 (S124).

[0105] When the processing of S124 ends, the billing management unit 25d asynchronously requests the billing management system 30 to update the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" (S125). Because the processing of S125 is executed asynchronously, the billing management unit 25d can execute other operations before the update of the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the billing sub-table 53 is completed. For example, the billing management unit 25d can start a new update in the billing table of the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" before the update of the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the billing sub-table 53 is completed.

[0106] When the billing management unit 35a of the billing management system 30 receives the request of S125, it updates the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the billing sub-table 53 (S126). Note that the billing sub-table 53 shown in Fig. 12 does not have any data to update in either case where data is uploaded to the tenant management system 20 using the application program A for the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" and data is downloaded from the tenant management system 20 using the application program A for the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003". Therefore, the billing management unit 35a does not execute anything in particular in S126 and executes the subsequent process of S127.

[0107] When the process of S126 ends, the billing management unit 35a notifies the tenant management system 20 of the completion of updating the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" in the billing sub-table 53 (S127).

[0108] When the billing management unit 25d of the tenant management system 20 receives the notification in S127, it lifts the prohibition on changing the used sub-table information in the billing master table 51 (S128).

[0109] When the processing of S122 is completed, if the usage sub-table information in the charging master table 51 indicates "TA0003" indicating the charging sub-table 53, the charging management unit 25d requests the charging management system 30 to update the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" (S129).

[0110] When the charge management unit 35a of the charge management system 30 receives the request of S129, it updates the data of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" in the charge sub-table 53 (S130), similar to the process of S126.

[0111] When the process of S130 ends, the billing management unit 35a notifies the tenant management system 20 of the completion of updating the data of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" in the billing sub-table 53 (S131).

[0112] When the billing management unit 25d of the tenant management system 20 receives the notification in S131, it prohibits any changes to the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 (S132).

[0113] When the processing of S132 ends, the charging management unit 25d asynchronously updates the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the charging sub-table 52 (S133). Because the processing of S133 is executed asynchronously, the charging management unit 25d can execute other operations before the update of the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the charging sub-table 52 is completed. For example, the charging management unit 25d can start a new update in the charging table of the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" before the update of the data of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in the charging sub-table 52 is completed.

[0114] When the process of S133 ends, billing management section 25d lifts the prohibition on changing the sub-table information in use in billing master table 51 (S134).

[0115] When the process of S128 or S134 ends, the billing management unit 25d notifies the tenant management unit 25a of the completion of updating the data in the billing table for the application program A of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" (S135).

[0116] Next, the operation of the tenant management system 20 when the used sub-table information in the charging master table 51 is changed will be described.

[0117] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the tenant management system 20 when the usage sub-table information of a specific tenant in the charging master table 51 is changed.

[0118] The example shown in FIG. 14 is an example in which sub-table usage information relating to application program A of a tenant with a tenant ID of “TE0003” is changed in the billing master table 51.

[0119] When an instruction to change the usage sub-table information for application program A of a tenant having a tenant ID of "TE0003" (hereinafter referred to as a "specification sub-table information change instruction") is input from the operation unit 21 or from a computer not shown via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a of the tenant management system 20 requests the billing management unit 25d to change the usage sub-table information for application program A of the tenant having a tenant ID of "TE0003" (S141), as shown in FIG. 14.

[0120] When the billing management unit 25d receives the request in S141, if changing the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" is prohibited, the billing management unit 25d notifies the tenant management unit 25a that the change of the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant whose tenant ID is "TE0003" has failed (S142).

[0121] When the tenant management unit 25a receives the notification in S142, it notifies that the change of the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" has failed (S143). When a specification sub-table information change instruction is input from the operation unit 21, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S143 by the display unit 22. When a specification sub-table information change instruction is input from a computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S143 to the computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23.

[0122] When the billing management unit 25d receives the request in S141, if changes to the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" are not prohibited, the billing management unit 25d prohibits changes to the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51, except for the subsequent changes in S145 (S144).

[0123] When the process of S144 ends, the billing management unit 25d changes the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" in accordance with the specification in the specification sub-table information change instruction (S145).

[0124] Specifically, when the specification subtable information change instruction specifies that the charging subtable indicated by the usage subtable information should be the charging subtable 52, the charging management unit 25d, in S145, changes the table ID indicated in the usage subtable information in the charging master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" to "TA0002" indicating the charging subtable 52. Therefore, the charging management unit 25d performs charging to the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" for the use of the application program A based on the data included in the charging master table 51 and the data included in the charging subtable 52.

[0125] Furthermore, if the specification subtable information change instruction specifies that the charging subtable indicated by the usage subtable information should be the charging subtable 53, the charging management unit 25d, in S145, changes the table ID indicated in the usage subtable information in the charging master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" to "TA0003" indicating the charging subtable 53. Therefore, the charging management unit 25d performs charging to the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" for the use of the application program A based on the data included in the charging master table 51 and the data included in the charging subtable 53.

[0126] When the process of S145 ends, billing management section 25d lifts the prohibition on changing the sub-table information in use in billing master table 51 (S146).

[0127] When the process of S146 ends, the billing management unit 25d notifies the tenant management unit 25a that the change of the sub-table information used in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant with the tenant ID "TE0003" has been successful (S147).

[0128] When the tenant management unit 25a receives the notification in S147, it notifies that the change of the usage sub-table information in the billing master table 51 for the application program A of the tenant having the tenant ID "TE0003" has been successful (S148). When a specification sub-table information change instruction is input from the operation unit 21, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S148 by the display unit 22. When a specification sub-table information change instruction is input from a computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23, the tenant management unit 25a executes the notification in S148 to the computer (not shown) via the communication unit 23.

[0129] As described above, when a function of application program A that requires charging is used, the tenant management system 20 updates the data contained in charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53 that needs to be updated in accordance with the use of application program A (S123 to S128 or S129 to S134), and is also capable of switching between charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53 which are actually used for charging (S144 to S146). Therefore, when the charging mechanism is changed by switching between charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53, the need for data conversion or migration can be reduced, and as a result, the period during which functions of application program A that require charging cannot be used can be reduced.

[0130] The tenant management system 20 changes the billing mechanism by switching between the billing sub-table 52 and the billing sub-table 53 which is actually used for billing, and therefore can reduce the processing load required to change the billing mechanism even when the billing mechanisms for multiple tenants are changed at once.

[0131] The tenant management system 20 can switch between the charging sub-table 52 and the charging sub-table 53, which have different charging methods, and which is actually used for charging (S144 to S146), so that when the charging method is changed, the period during which functions of the application program A that require charging cannot be used can be reduced.

[0132] Since the image processing system 10 is equipped with a charging master table 51 and charging sub-tables 52 and 53, each of which has a different charging method, compared to a configuration in which a single charging table that consolidates the data of charging master table 51, charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53 is provided instead of charging master table 51, charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53, the possibility that the charging table accessed when actually performing charging will include items other than those required for actual charging is reduced, and as a result, the time required to access data in the charging table when actually performing charging can be reduced.

[0133] Since the image processing system 10 is equipped with a charging master table 51 and charging sub-tables 52 and 53 which have different charging methods, the amount of data in the entire charging tables can be reduced by the amount that common data can be consolidated into charging master table 51, compared to a configuration in which a charging table consolidating the data of charging master table 51 and charging sub-table 52 and a charging table consolidating the data of charging master table 51 and charging sub-table 53 are provided instead of charging master table 51, charging sub-table 52 and charging sub-table 53.

[0134] The image processing system 10 includes a charging subtable 52 for a flat-rate charging method and a charging subtable 53 for a pay-per-use charging method as a plurality of charging subtables having different charging methods. However, the image processing system 10 can include a charging subtable for any charging method. For example, the image processing system 10 may include a plurality of different charging subtables for flat-rate charging methods as a plurality of charging subtables having different charging methods. The image processing system 10 may also include a plurality of different charging subtables for pay-per-use charging methods as a plurality of charging subtables having different charging methods. The image processing system 10 may also include a charging subtable for a charging method that is neither a flat-rate charging method nor a pay-per-use charging method.

[0135] Image processing system 10 includes two charging subtables, charging subtable 52 and charging subtable 53, as multiple charging subtables with different charging methods. However, image processing system 10 may include three or more charging subtables as multiple charging subtables with different charging methods.

[0136] The tenant management system 20 can switch between the charging sub-table 52 provided in the tenant management system 20 and the charging sub-table 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20, which is actually used for charging (S144 to S146). Therefore, when the system provided with the charging sub-table actually used for charging is changed between the tenant management system 20 and the charging management system 30, the period during which functions of the application program A that require charging cannot be used can be reduced.

[0137] The tenant management system 20 may be capable of switching between the charging subtable 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20 and the charging subtable provided in the charging management system external to both the tenant management system 20 and the charging management system 30, which is actually used for charging. If the tenant management system 20 is capable of switching between the charging subtable 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20 and the charging subtable provided in the charging management system external to both the tenant management system 20 and the charging management system 30, the period during which functions requiring charging among the functions of the application program A cannot be used can be reduced when a system provided with a charging subtable actually used for charging is changed among a plurality of charging management systems external to the tenant management system 20.

[0138] In this embodiment, the contents of the charging subtable 52 provided in the tenant management system 20 and the contents of the charging subtable 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20 are different. However, the contents of the charging subtable 52 provided in the tenant management system 20 and the contents of the charging subtable 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20 may be the same. Similarly, the contents of the charging subtable 53 provided in the charging management system 30 external to the tenant management system 20 and the contents of the charging subtable provided in the charging management system external to both the tenant management system 20 and the charging management system 30 may be the same.

[0139] In the present embodiment, the image processing system 10 includes the charging master table 51 in the tenant management system 20. However, the image processing system 10 may include the charging master table 51 in an external charging management system of the tenant management system 20.

[0140] In this embodiment, the image processing system 10 includes an external charge management system of the tenant management system 20. However, the image processing system 10 does not have to include an external charge management system of the tenant management system 20. When the image processing system 10 does not include an external charge management system of the tenant management system 20, the charge management information 24e of the tenant management system 20 includes multiple charge sub-tables for the same application program.

[0141] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image processing device, but the electronic device of the present invention may be an electronic device other than an image processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 20 Tenant management system (computer, information processing device) 24a Tenant Management Program 25d Billing Management Department 30 Billing Management System 40 Image processing device (electronic device) 51 Billing Master Table 52 Charge Subtable 53 Charge Subtable

Claims

1. A tenant management system for managing a tenant to which an electronic device is logged in, a charging management unit that executes the charging based on data included in a charging master table as a table related to charging for the tenant regarding use of an application program provided by the tenant management system and data included in a charging sub-table as a table related to the charging, the billing management unit updates data that needs to be updated in accordance with use of the application program, among data included in the plurality of billing sub-tables, when a function that requires billing is used among functions of the application program; The tenant management system according to the present invention, wherein the billing management unit is capable of switching one of the plurality of billing sub-tables to be actually used for the billing.

2. The tenant management system according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of charging sub-tables include at least two charging sub-tables each having a different charging method.

3. The plurality of charging sub-tables include The charging sub-table provided in the tenant management system; The charging sub-table provided in a charging management system external to the tenant management system; The tenant management system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

4. The plurality of charging sub-tables include the charging sub-table provided in a first charging management system external to the tenant management system; the charging sub-table provided in a second charging management system external to both the tenant management system and the first charging management system; The tenant management system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. An information processing device that manages a tenant to which an electronic device is logged in, a charge management unit that executes the charging based on data included in a charging master table as a table related to charging the tenant for use of the application program provided by the information processing device and data included in a charging sub-table as a table related to the charging, the billing management unit updates data that needs to be updated in accordance with use of the application program, among data included in the plurality of billing sub-tables, when a function that requires billing is used among functions of the application program; The information processing apparatus, wherein the billing management section is capable of switching one of the plurality of billing sub-tables to be actually used for billing.

6. A tenant management program for causing a computer to function as a tenant management system for managing tenants to which electronic devices are logged in, The tenant management system includes a billing management unit that executes the billing based on data included in a billing master table as a table related to billing for the tenant regarding use of an application program provided by the tenant management system and data included in a billing sub-table as a table related to the billing, the billing management unit updates data that needs to be updated in accordance with use of the application program, among data included in the plurality of billing sub-tables, when a function that requires billing is used among functions of the application program; The tenant management program, wherein the billing management unit is capable of switching one of the plurality of billing sub-tables to be actually used for the billing.

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