Server, method of controlling server, program and system

Abstract

To provide a charging system that enables a user of an image formation device to use the image formation device for any purpose of use and pay later selectively for non-business use.SOLUTION: A server 101 which is connected mutually communicably to an information processing device 111 and an image formation device 112 via the Internet 102 has: storage means which stores information on a print job that the image formation device executes; display means which display a screen for displaying a list of non-business print jobs not based upon a contract of information on the stored print jobs and print job not determined as the non-business print jobs; selection reception means which receive user's selection of a non-business print job not based upon the contract as a job to be paid for from the list of the print jobs; and payment processing means which displays a payment screen presenting selected charging information and payment means at a display part and then performs payment processing as operated by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a server that charges for print jobs of an image forming apparatus, a control method of the server, a program, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as a method for managing the operation cost of an image forming apparatus, contracts in the following forms have become widespread. That is, the side providing the service by the image forming apparatus and the side using the service determine an upper limit of the number of pages to be printed within a predetermined period, and pay a predetermined amount for it. On the other hand, with the change in work styles such as telecommuting and satellite offices, the number of cases where users involved in the business using the service install the image forming apparatus, which is the service target of the above contract, at home is increasing. In this case, the user has a request to use the image forming apparatus for purposes other than business purposes outside of business hours. However, for print jobs other than business purposes, they are usually not covered by the above contract and separate charges are incurred.

[0003] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for appropriately charging for each print job when there are multiple charging forms or charging targets in the print jobs to be executed by the image forming apparatus. For example, there are techniques for assigning department codes by department and specifying them when operating the image forming apparatus, and techniques for determining the owner of a print job based on user information held by the operating system in which the application used for printing operates. There are also techniques such as a billing code used to identify the billing destination based on the project to which the document belongs for each document. In Patent Document 1 listed below, a technique for calculating the charge amount by acquiring and using setting information regarding the user when the user performs an operation and prints is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-5227 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, it has not been considered to accept a selection from a user of an image forming apparatus and determine a charging method for a print job based on the selection. An object of the present invention is to provide a charging system that can be used by a user of an image forming apparatus regardless of the purpose of use of the image forming apparatus, and that enables selective settlement for use other than for business purposes at a later time. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is a server connected to communicate with an information processing device and an image forming apparatus via a network, the server including: storage means for storing information on a print job input from a first information processing device and executed by the image forming apparatus; first rules for print jobs based on a contract; generation means for generating charging information based on second rules for print jobs outside of business purposes not based on a contract; display means for displaying on a display unit of a second information processing device a screen showing a list of print jobs outside of business purposes not based on a contract and print jobs not determined to be print jobs outside of business purposes not based on a contract among the information on the print jobs stored in the storage means; selection reception means for receiving that a user has selected a print job outside of business purposes not based on a contract as a job to be settled from the list of print jobs; and settlement processing means for displaying on the display unit a settlement screen presenting charging information based on the second rules for the selected print job and a settlement means, and executing a settlement process based on an operation of the user, and is characterized by having these. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the charging system of the present invention, a user of an image forming apparatus can use the image forming apparatus regardless of the purpose of use, and selective settlement for use other than for business purposes becomes possible at a later time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 7A

Figure 7B

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Figure 9

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Figure 13

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. [First Embodiment] ·Overall system configuration Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the entire system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Server 101 is a server that provides a billing service in this system. Here, it is depicted as if there is a single device as server 101, but this server 101 may be one of various services. Alternatively, it may have a service cluster configuration implemented across multiple server devices. It may also be constructed on a virtual machine rather than a physical computer. The Internet 102 is a virtual layer of the network and has no physical entity, but here it is represented by the symbol of the cloud to represent the Internet.

[0010] Access point 103 is an access point of a wide area network (hereinafter referred to as "WAN"), such as a base station for mobile communication or an access point for a wide area wireless network. Among them, the one connected to the Internet is represented here as an access point of the WAN. Office 110 is held by the service user side in the said service. The first information processing device 111 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") placed in office 110 or the like. It does not necessarily have to be a physical computer and may also be a virtual machine placed on an enterprise network. The first image forming apparatus 112 is an image forming apparatus placed in office 110. Although it is illustrated as being for an office, it may also be an image forming apparatus for small-sized, small and medium-sized business (hereinafter referred to as "SMB") or an image forming apparatus for small office / home office (hereinafter referred to as "SOHO").

[0011] The telecommuting environment 120 is the home of a user belonging to the service user side of the said service, a satellite office, a shared office, etc. The portable information terminal 121, which is an information processing device, is a smartphone or a tablet computer and is connected to a network. Here, it is wirelessly connected to the WAN from the access point 103 and further connected to the Internet 102. Note that the portable information terminal 121 is not necessarily limited to the above, and any information processing device that can be connected to a network and perform information processing may be used. The second image forming apparatus 122 is an image forming apparatus installed in the telecommuting environment 120. Here, an image forming apparatus for SOHO is shown, but an image forming apparatus for SMB or for an office may also be used. The second information processing device 123 is a PC installed in the telecommuting environment 120. However, it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0012] ·Software configuration of the server Next, the software configuration of the server 101 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2(a). Note that the following software functions when the CPU of the server 101 expands and executes the software program on the RAM. The image forming apparatus identification means 130 determines which image forming apparatus is to execute the selection and settlement of jobs. The print job information storage means 131 stores information on print jobs input to and processed by the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122 in the office 110 or the telecommuting environment 120. The charging information generation means 132 manages a first charging rule for determining the charging amount for a print job based on a contract and a second charging rule for determining the charging amount for a print job for non-business purposes not based on a contract, and calculates the charging amount from the actual job information.

[0013] The job information list presentation / selection reception means 133 lists and presents the information on the jobs processed by the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122 identified by the image forming apparatus identification means 130 and receives a selection as to whether it is for a business purpose. The charging information and payment prompt reception means 134 presents the charging details generated by the charging information generation means 132 based on the content selected by the job information list presentation and selection reception means 133, and presents the payment means to receive payment.

[0014] ·Hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Although the first image forming apparatus 112 is typically illustrated, the basic structure is the same in the second image forming apparatus 122 as well. The controller 200 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus. The controller 200 controls the image forming apparatus to communicate with an external network, controls the printer and scanner, processes print job data, and controls the interface for human operation, etc. The CPU 201 expands and executes the control program stored in the ROM 203 or the secondary storage device 206 in the RAM 204, and comprehensively controls each device via the I / F of various devices connected to the system bus 202. Here, CPU is the abbreviation of Central Processing Unit, ROM is the abbreviation of Read Only Memory, RAM is the abbreviation of Random Access Memory, and I / F is the abbreviation of Interface. The system bus 202 connects the CPU 201, ROM 203, RAM 204, secondary storage device I / F 205, network I / F 210, HID I / F 207, and engine I / F 211 so that they can communicate with each other. Here, HID is the abbreviation of Human Interface Device. The ROM 203 stores programs and data such as control programs. The RAM 204 mainly functions as the main memory and work area of the CPU 201. The secondary storage device I / F 205 mediates the communication between the secondary storage device 206 and the system bus 202. The HID I / F 207 connects human interface devices such as the display unit 208 and the operation panel 209 to the system bus 202. The network I / F 210 connects the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122 to an external network 212. The engine I / F 211 has a function for connecting the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122 to a printer engine 212 or a scanner engine 213. The printer engine 212 provides a printer function, and the scanner engine 213 provides a scanner function.

[0015] ·Hardware configuration of the information processing device Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatuses 111 and 123 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Although the first information processing apparatus 111 is illustrated as a representative, the basic structure is the same also in the second information processing apparatus 123. The CPU 221 expands and executes a control program stored in the ROM 223 or the secondary storage device 226 in the RAM 224, and comprehensively controls each device via the I / Fs of various devices connected to the system bus 222. The system bus 222 communicably connects the CPU 221, the ROM 223, the RAM 224, the secondary storage device I / F 225, the network I / F 231, the HID I / F 227, and the general-purpose peripheral device I / F 232 to each other. The ROM 223 stores programs and data such as control programs. The RAM 224 mainly functions as the main memory and work area of the CPU 221. The secondary storage device I / F 225 mediates communication between the secondary storage device 226 and the system bus 222. The HID I / F 227 connects human interface devices such as a display 228, a keyboard 229, and a mouse 230 to the system bus 222. The network I / F 231 connects the information processing apparatuses 111 and 123 to an external network 233. The general-purpose peripheral device I / F 232 connects other peripheral devices.

[0016] ·Hardware configuration of the portable information terminal Next, the hardware configuration of the portable information terminal 121 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 241 loads a control program stored in the ROM 243 or the secondary storage device 246 into the RAM 244 and executes it, thereby comprehensively controlling each device via the I / F of each device connected to the system bus 242 . The system bus 242 connects the CPU 241, the ROM 243, the RAM 244, the secondary storage device I / F 245, the wireless network transceiver 250, the HID I / F 247, and the general-purpose wireless peripheral device I / F 251 so that they can communicate with one another. The ROM 243 stores programs such as control programs and data. The RAM 244 mainly functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 241 . The secondary storage device I / F 245 mediates communication between the secondary storage device 246 and the system bus 242 . The HID I / F 247 connects human interface devices such as a display unit 248 and an operation panel 249 to the system bus 242 . The wireless network transceiver 250 connects the portable information terminal 121 to a WAN or a local wireless network, such as a WLAN. Similarly, the general-purpose wireless peripheral device I / F 251 wirelessly connects the portable information terminal 121 to peripheral devices.

[0017] ·Printing process Next, the flow of printing processing from input of a print job to completion of printing in the system of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. Here, the processing in which the user in remote work environment 120 prints using second information processing device 123 will be described. Each step will be represented by "S" below. This process is realized by the CPUs of the information processing device 123, the image forming device 122, and the server 101 executing the programs related to this process. This process is started in response to a user operation. <Second Information Processing Device 123> In S302, the second information processing device 123 receives an operation to print a document from the user. In S303, the second information processing device 123 generates print data. In S304, the second information processing device 123 confirms the print instruction and determines whether information for identifying the billing destination is included in the print instruction or the document data.

[0018] Here, an example of a situation where information for identifying the billing destination is included in the print instruction is shown. First, it is a case where the print instruction is issued in a state where the second information processing device 123 is clearly logged in with an account associated with the business. As another example, in the application used to issue a print instruction for a document, a user interface for instructing the billing destination is installed at the time of the print instruction, and the user operates the user interface when issuing the print instruction. As yet another example, a case where information for identifying the billing destination is included in the document data is a case where a code for identifying the billing destination is pre-embedded in the attribute value of the document data and the program for printing can recognize it. If it is determined that such information is included (Yes in S304), the CPU 221 of the second information processing device 123 advances the process to S305, and if it is determined that it is not included (No in S304), the CPU 221 advances the process to S306.

[0019] In S305, since information for identifying the billing destination is included in the print instruction or the document data, information regarding the billing destination is further added to the print data generated in S303. Then the CPU 221 advances the process to S306. In S306, the CPU 221 transmits the generated print data to the second image forming apparatus 122. After the transmission is completed, the CPU 221 of the second information processing device 123 advances the process to S318 and completes the print process on the second information processing device 123. <Second image forming apparatus 122> In S307, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 receives print data from the information processing device 123. In the subsequent S308, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 extracts information from the print data and generates data to be transmitted to the server 101. Here, as an example, the data to be transmitted to the server 101 includes information as shown in Table 1.

[0020]

Table 1

[0021] In the subsequent S309, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 executes printing processing. In S310, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 determines whether the printing process has succeeded. If the printing process has succeeded (Yes in S310), the CPU 201 advances the process to S314. If it is determined that the printing process has not succeeded (No in S310), the CPU 201 advances the process to S311. Here, not succeeding means situations such as not being printed, or only a part being printed, or paper being output but no printing being performed. In S311, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 analyzes the situation where the printing has failed. In the subsequent S312, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 determines whether data should be transmitted to the server. Here, the case where data should be transmitted refers to a state where some resources have been consumed, such as whether any printing has been executed and paper has been output, or whether paper has been output although no printing has been performed. If it is determined that data should be transmitted (Yes in S312), the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 advances the process to S313. Also, if it is determined that data should not be transmitted (No in S312), that is, in a case where no printing has been performed and no paper has been output, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 advances the process to S317. In S313, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 includes, together with the information that the print job has failed, the number of printed pages and the number of sheets of paper output in the data to be transmitted. That is, in such a case, the data to be transmitted includes information such as the print failure flag shown in Table 2 in addition to those shown in Table 1.

[0022]

Table 2

[0023] When this print failure flag is attached to the data to be transmitted, the number of pages actually printed and the number of sheets of paper output are overwritten and set in the print job total page number and the finishing information of the print job. When the addition of information to the data to be transmitted is completed, the process proceeds to S314. In S314 where the process proceeds when printing is successful in S310 and when transmitted data with added data for the failed print in S313 is created, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 transmits the transmitted data to the server 101. When the transmission of the transmitted data is completed, the CPU 201 of the second image forming apparatus 122 proceeds with the process to S317. In S317, the printing process on the second image forming apparatus 122 ends. <Server 101> In S315, the server 101 receives the data transmitted from the second image forming apparatus 122 in S314. In S316, the server 101 identifies the image forming apparatus 122 by the image forming apparatus identifying means 130 and stores it in the print job information storage means 131. In S319, the server 101 completes the processing of the received data, and the processing related to a series of prints is completed. Note that S317, S318, and S319 are completed at their respective timings inside each device, and do not necessarily need to be synchronized. Although the case where printing is performed in the remote work environment 120 has been described here, the basic flow is the same when printing is performed in the office 110.

[0024] ·Payment process Next, the process flow from when a user in the first embodiment of the present invention classifies print jobs to when the user settles the payment for non-business use will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 7A and B. Here, an example will be described in which the user operates from portable information terminal 121, which is an information processing device, but the basic flow is the same when the user operates from second information processing device 123 via a web browser or the like. This process is realized by the CPUs of the mobile information terminal 121 and the server 101 executing the programs related to this process. This process is started when the user activates a program related to the payment process on the mobile information terminal 121.

[0025] <Mobile information terminal 121> First, in S402, the CPU 241 of the portable information terminal 121 accepts that the user has performed an operation to access the server 101 in order to use this service. In S403, the CPU 241 of the mobile information terminal 121 requests the user to select an image forming device that will be used for job sorting and billing. If there is only one candidate image forming device, this step may be omitted. This step may also be a step in which an image forming device is implicitly specified in the mobile information terminal 121 because the same process was performed last time, and the user is requested to confirm whether to confirm the specification. In S404, the portable information terminal 121 requests the server 101 for a job list related to the selected image forming apparatus and data for billing processing.

[0026] <Server 101> In S405, the server 101 accepts a request from the portable information terminal 121 in S404 for a job list related to the image forming apparatus selected and data for billing processing. In S406, the image forming apparatus identification means 130 extracts information for identifying the image forming apparatus included in the content of the request. In S407, the server 101 retrieves the job history processed by the second image forming apparatus 122 during the target period from the print job information storage means 131. In S408, the server 101 determines whether there is a job history during the target period. If there is a job history (Yes in S408), the process proceeds to S409. If there is no job history (No in S408), the process proceeds to S417. In S409, the server 101 focuses on the first job among the retrieved jobs during the target period. In S410, the server 101 determines whether a billing destination identification number (No. 4 in Table 1) is assigned to the job on which it is focusing. If the billing destination identification number is not assigned (No in S410), the process proceeds to S411. If the billing destination identification number is assigned and the billing destination is determined (Yes in S410), the process proceeds to S412. In S411, the server 101 adds the currently focused job to the display target jobs. After the addition is completed, the process proceeds to S414.

[0027] On the other hand, in S412, the server 101 determines whether the billing destination of the job on which it is focusing indicates non-business use. If it is not for non-business use, that is, if the job is for business purpose billing destination is specified (No in S412), the process directly proceeds to S414. On the other hand, if the billing destination indicates non-business use (Yes in S412), the server 101 proceeds to S413. In S413, the server 101 adds the currently focused job to the settlement target jobs. After the addition is completed, the process proceeds to S414. In S414, the server 101 determines whether the job history currently being focused on is the last one among the retrieved job histories. If the job history is not the last one (No in S414), the process proceeds to S415. If the job is the last one (Yes in S414), the process proceeds to S416. In S415, the server 101 focuses on the next job, returns the process to S410, and continues the process. On the other hand, in S416, as a result of the process, it is determined whether there are jobs to be displayed and jobs to be settled. If there are (Yes in S416), the process proceeds to S419. If there are not (No in S416), the process proceeds to S417. In S417, the server 101 generates a response indicating that there are no jobs to be displayed and transmits it to the portable information terminal 121.

[0028] <Portable information terminal 121> In S418, the portable information terminal 121 receives a response from the server 101 indicating that there are no jobs, displays a screen indicating that there are no jobs to be processed, and ends this process. <Server 101> In S419, the server 101 uses the job information list presentation / selection reception means 133 to generate data for displaying a list of jobs to be processed (display and settlement). In S420, the server 101 determines whether there are jobs that have already been added to the list as jobs to be settled. If there are jobs that have been added to the list as jobs to be settled (Yes in S420), the process proceeds to S421. If there are no jobs that have been added to the list as jobs to be settled (No in S420), the process proceeds to S422. In S421, the server 101 adds information indicating that the job to be settled has been selected as the settlement target. Then the process proceeds to S422. In S422, the server 101 transmits the job list data to the portable information terminal 121 through the generated job information list presentation / selection reception means 133.

[0029] <Portable information terminal 121> In S423, the portable information terminal 121 receives job list data and displays it on the screen. (Job selection screen) The screen displaying the job list is shown in FIG. 8. Although this shows what is displayed on the screen of the application, the same applies to the screen of a website. The screen 501 is displayed on the display part of the portable information terminal 121. The button 502 is a physical button of the portable information terminal 121. Since there are various types of portable information terminals 121, this figure is merely an example. For example, even if there is no button 502 and buttons are displayed on the screen 501, or if the screen 501 is displayed by some operation, it may be acceptable. The title of the screen and the like are displayed in the header 510 of the screen. The list display 511 of jobs is generated by the server 101 of the first embodiment and displayed on the portable information terminal 121. When the [Cancel] button 512 is pressed, the previous operations are cancelled. The [Selection Complete] button 513 is for completing the job selection operation and ending it. The check box 520 is for the user to select jobs in the list display 511 of jobs. When the user makes a selection from the unselected state, a check mark is displayed, and when the user makes a selection from the checked state, it transitions to the unselected state. For jobs to which information to be settled is added in S421, this check box may be displayed in a checked state as being already selected.

[0030] The display column 521 showing the date and time when the job was processed and its document name displays the time when it was input into the second image forming apparatus 122 and the print job document name shown in Table 3. The display column 522 showing the type of the document displays information such as the format of the document and color information, that is, whether it is full color, black and white, or monochrome. The display column 523 indicating the number of pages of the document displays the total number of pages of the document. Returning to the description of the flowchart, In S424, the portable information terminal 121 receives the operation performed by the user on the screen 501. The user makes a selection as a settlement target by checking from the check box 520 for jobs that are not for business purposes on the screen 501. Then, the user performs a selection completion operation by pressing the [Selection Completed] button 513. When the user operates the [Selection Completed] button 513, the portable information terminal 121 advances the process to S425.

[0031] In S425, the portable information terminal 121 determines whether there is a job selected as a settlement target job when the user finally presses the [Selection Completed] button 513. If there is a settlement target job (Yes in S425), the CPU 241 of the portable information terminal 121 advances the process to S426. On the other hand, if there is no job to be settled (No in S425), the CPU 241 of the portable information terminal 121 advances the process to S431, transmits to the server 101 that there is no selected job, and ends this process. In S426, the portable information terminal 121 transmits the selection result of the settlement target job to the server 101. In S427, the server 101 receives the selection result of the settlement target job. In S428, the server 101 receives and processes the selection result through the job information list presentation / selection reception means 133. In S429, the server 101 calculates the charging amount based on the charging rule corresponding to the job attribute by the charging information generation means 132 if there is a charging rule for the job selected as the settlement target, or based on a general charging rule if there is no charging rule. Then, in the subsequent S430, the server 101 transmits the charging amount information to the portable information terminal 121 through the charging information / settlement presentation reception means 134. <Portable Information Terminal 121> At S432, the mobile information terminal 121 receives the charge amount information and displays it on the screen 501, and presents options for payment means so that the user can perform a settlement. Specifically, the mobile information terminal 121 displays a payment means presentation screen 531 as shown in FIG. 9 below.

[0032] (Payment means presentation screen) FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen that displays the charge amount and presents settlement means. On the screen 501, a header 510 and a settlement screen 531 are displayed. On the settlement screen 531, there are an area 532 for displaying the aggregated information of the selected job, an area 533 for displaying the charge amount, and an area 534 for displaying options for payment means. The area 532 is an area for displaying the aggregated information about the selected job. Based on the screen in FIG. 8, it shows that there are 3 jobs that printed outside the business purpose, among which 1 is black and white, 0 is monochrome, and 2 are full color. It also shows that the total number of black and white pages is 1, the number of monochrome pages is 0, and the number of full color pages is 13. The area 533 is an area for presenting the charge amount. It presents an example where it is 10 yen per full color page and 5 yen per black and white page. According to this charging rule, it shows that the job to be settled here will total 135 yen.

[0033] The area 534 is an area for selecting a payment means. For example, it shows an example where [XyzPay] [Abc payment] for smartphone payment, payment by [credit card], or [payment at convenience store] for payment at the convenience store cashier can be selected by each button. Of course, for the payment means, it is preferable to make those applicable for convenience so that the user can use the ones they prefer.

[0034] Return to the explanation of the processing flow. In S433, an operation in which the user presses a button for a payment method or the [Cancel] button is received. Note that there are cases where the screen transitions midway for payment or cases where the operation is received but the payment is not actually completed here, but these will not be discussed in detail here. If the payment process or cancellation is completed, proceed to S434. In S434, it is determined whether it has been "cancelled". If it has been "cancelled" (Yes in S434), proceed to S435. If the billing information and payment presentation reception means 134 has received "payment completed" (No in S434), proceed to S439. In S435, the mobile information terminal 121 transmits information indicating that it has been cancelled to the server 101. <Server> In S436, the server 101 receives the information indicating that it has been "cancelled" and performs the cancellation process. In S437, a response indicating that "cancellation" has been accepted is transmitted to the mobile information terminal 121. <Mobile Information Terminal> In S438, the mobile information terminal 121 displays on the screen that "cancellation" has been accepted, and ends this process. In S439, which is entered when it has not been "cancelled" in S434, the mobile information terminal 121 transmits the payment information to the server 101. <Server> In S440, the server 101 executes the payment process and proceeds to S441. In S441, the server 101 generates and transmits a response indicating "payment completed" to the mobile information terminal 121.

[0035] <Mobile Information Terminal 121> In S442, the mobile information terminal 121 displays on the screen that "payment has been completed", and ends this process. As described so far, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when performing telecommuting using a second image forming apparatus 122 and a second information processing apparatus 123 placed in a telecommuting environment 120 such as at home, it is possible to perform printing for business purposes using them. At the same time, it is also possible to use the second image forming apparatus 122 for printing other than for business purposes. At this time, it is also possible to set a billing destination identification number in advance for printing other than for business purposes and assign it to a job for printing. However, it is also possible to omit the operation of simply assigning the billing destination identification number and perform printing more easily. Then, for example, during the unit period of the contract, at a timing such as around the closing date, it is possible to list jobs without the billing destination identification number being assigned, select those other than for business purposes, and directly use the settlement means until the settlement is completed. As a result, there is no need to perform any special prior preparations, either during printing or when settling a job not based on a contract. For this reason, it becomes possible to easily use it for purposes other than business purposes, and the effect is obtained that the hurdle for effectively utilizing an image forming apparatus installed in an environment such as at home is significantly lowered. For example, when a user executes printing on an image forming apparatus installed at home, it is difficult to comprehensively prepare in advance information on users for whom non-business use is assumed. For this reason, there are cases where it is not possible to directly determine whether a printing job is for business purposes or not. Also, when the service user concludes a contract, it is difficult to reach an agreement regarding the payment procedure for settling the expenses in advance for all users who perform such non-business use. The fact that there are remaining printing jobs for which it is not possible to determine whether they are for business purposes or not, or that there is no smooth payment procedure defined in advance even for those other than business purposes, becomes a factor that hinders the prompt completion of payment based on the contract. The present invention also obtains the effect of solving such problems.

[0036] In the above-described first embodiment, a system that sorts print jobs for each billing contract at the time of settlement was described. In the second embodiment, a system that further adds a function to issue a warning when the print volume approaches the upper limit of the contract will be described. [Second Embodiment] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The overall system of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that schematically shown in FIG. 1. The software configuration in the server 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 2(b). The contract job volume upper limit check means 141 is for determining whether the job volume is approaching the upper limit based on the contract. The alert issuing means 142 is for notifying the service user-side contract person or the user that the job volume is approaching the upper limit based on the contract. Also, the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122, the information processing apparatuses 111 and 123, and the portable information terminal 121 in the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those shown in FIG. 5.

[0037] Also, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the processing when printing is executed from the second information processing apparatus 123 to the second image forming apparatus 122 by a user operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 6. ·Warning issuance process based on the print job volume FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the periodic check process that the system of the present invention executes at regular intervals during the unit period of the contract, regardless of events such as the closing date and without access from the user. This process is realized by the CPU of the server 101 expanding the program into the RAM and executing it. <Server 101> In S602, the server 101 checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last check was performed on an arbitrary image forming apparatus to be processed. If the time has elapsed (Yes in S602), the server 101 proceeds to S604. If the time has not elapsed (No in S602), the server 101 proceeds to S603.

[0038] In S603, the server 101 determines whether a job equal to or more than a predetermined amount has been input since the previous check using the print job information storage means 131. If a job equal to or more than the predetermined amount has been input (Yes in S603), the server 101 advances the process to S604. If not (No in S603), the server 101 ends this process. If a predetermined period has elapsed since the previous execution of this check process, or if a job equal to or more than the predetermined amount has been input even if the period has not elapsed, the process advances to S604. In S604, the server 101 acquires the charging details at the time of the previous check process through the charging information generation means 132. In S605, the server 101 acquires the history of the jobs input since the previous execution of this check process from the print job information storage means 131. In S606, the server 101 further totals the charging amounts for each charging destination identification number (No. 4 in Table 1) using the charging information generation means 132. That is, for the charging details at the previous check, the charging amounts for the jobs input after that are added up. Also, totaling is performed for jobs with unclear charging destinations. In S607, the server 101 determines whether the amount of jobs based on the contract at this time exceeds a predetermined ratio (threshold) with respect to the upper limit set in the contract, that is, whether it is approaching the upper limit. If it is approaching the upper limit (Yes in S607), the server 101 advances the process to S608. If not (No in S607), the server 101 advances the process to S609.

[0039] In S609, the server 101 totals by adding the amount of jobs based on the contract and the amount of jobs without a charging destination identification number, that is, jobs with unclear charging targets. At S610, it is determined whether the total amount exceeds a predetermined ratio (threshold) with respect to the upper limit set in the contract, that is, whether it is approaching the upper limit. If it is determined that it is not approaching (No at S610), the server 101 ends this process. If it is determined that it is approaching (Yes at S610), the process proceeds to S611. At S611, the server 101 sends an alert (warning) to prompt the user resident in the remote working environment 120, which is assumed to be using the second image forming apparatus 122 during normal times, to sort out and settle jobs other than for business purposes. <Portable information terminal 121> At S612, the portable information terminal 121 notifies the user that an alert (warning) has arrived. Usually, the alert (warning) is received by an application on the portable information terminal 121 and displayed on its screen. However, depending on the operating state of the portable information terminal 121, it may not be displayed. In any case, if the user is using the portable information terminal 121, the notification is made so that the user can notice it somewhere.

[0040] At S613, the portable information terminal 121 determines whether there is a response from the user. If the user responds and the application on the portable information terminal 121 is opened (Yes at S613), the server 101 proceeds with the process to S614. If it is not opened (No at S613), the process proceeds to S617. At S614, the portable information terminal 121 starts an application for job sorting and prompts the user to execute the sorting. The actual process when the user performs job sorting and settlement is executed by a process according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. When the execution is completed, the application of the portable information terminal 121 notifies the result to the server 101 and the process proceeds to S615.

[0041] <Server 101> In S615, the server 101 determines whether the sorting by the user has been completed. If the sorting has been completed (Yes in S615), the server 101 advances the process to S616. If the sorting has not been completed (No in S615), the server 101 advances the process to S617. In S616, in the state after the settlement is completed using the contract job volume upper limit checking means 141, the server 101 determines, by the billing information generation means 132, whether the billing for the jobs based on the contract is approaching the upper limit set in the contract. If it is approaching the upper limit of the contract (Yes in S616), the server 101 advances the process to S608. If it is not approaching (No in S616), the server 101 advances the process to S617. In S608, the server 101 warns the person in charge of the contract using the alert issuing means 142 that the amount of jobs based on the contract is approaching the upper limit set in the contract. Note that although it is expressed as the person in charge of the contract here, it is not limited to an individual person in charge. For example, it may be sent to the responsible department or multiple persons in charge all at once. The same applies when it is expressed as the person in charge of the contract below. In this description, it is assumed that the information processing device used by the person in charge of the contract is the information processing device 111 placed in the office. Then, after the server 101 sends an alert (warning) to the person in charge of the contract, this process ends. <Information processing device 111> In S619, when an alert (warning) arrives at the information processing device 111 used by the person in charge of the contract, the information processing device 111 notifies the account of the person in charge of the contract in the operating system installed in it. This notification is often implemented in a form such as being displayed on the screen while the person in charge of the contract is using the information processing device 111.

[0042] <Server 101> In S617, the server 101 warns the user using the alert issuing means 142 that the billing is approaching the upper limit set in the contract, including jobs that may be outside the contract purpose. Then, an alert (warning) is sent to prompt the selection operation and billing for jobs outside the business purpose as soon as possible. The mobile information terminal 121 receives this alert (warning) at S612 and notifies the user. The subsequent processing is the same as that already described. At S617, the server 101 transmits an alert (warning) and proceeds with the processing to S618. At S618, the server 101 further transmits, using the alert issuing means 142, to the contract person in charge when the billing is approaching the contractual upper limit including a job that may be for non-business purposes. <Information processing device 111> At S619, similar to the one transmitted at S608, the alert (warning) is received by the information processing device 111 and notified to the contract person in charge. Also, on the server 101, when the transmission of the alert (warning) is completed, this processing ends.

[0043] According to the second embodiment of the present invention as described above, for example, when the amount of jobs that can be input monthly is fixed based on monthly billing, an alert (warning) can be issued to the contract person in charge when the amount of jobs is approaching the upper limit without waiting for the closing date. Also, if the amount of jobs approaching the upper limit includes a job that may be for non-business purposes and for which a billing destination identification number (4 in Table 1) has not been assigned, an alert (warning) can be issued to the user of the second image forming apparatus 122. And by selecting and finalizing a non-business purpose job and settling on the spot, it is possible to determine whether the amount of jobs based on the contract is really approaching the upper limit. That is, it becomes possible to reliably determine whether the amount of jobs based on the contract is approaching the upper limit within the contract period and issue an alert (warning). As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation where the amount of jobs covered by the contract is exceeded without notice and overbilling occurs, and the effect is obtained.

[0044] [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, when sorting the print jobs in the first embodiment, a thumbnail of the document is previewed to make it easier to sort the print jobs. Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The overall system of the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. Also, in the 32nd embodiment of the present invention, the processing when printing is executed from the second information processing device 123 to the second image forming device 122 by a user's operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 6. At this time, the data transmitted from the second image forming device 122 to the server 101 includes those shown in Table 3 in addition to those shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0045] [Table 3]

[0046] Then, after the second image forming device 122 forms a print job, it saves a predetermined number of pages of thumbnail images of the printed paper surface and includes them in the data transmitted to the server 101. The flow of processing until the user of the third embodiment of the present invention sorts the print jobs and settles the usage for non-business purposes is the same as that shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Also, the hardware configurations of the image forming devices 112 and 122, the information processing devices 111 and 123, and the portable information terminal 121 in the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as those schematically shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

[0047] Here, FIG. 11 is an example of a screen when the portable information terminal 121 in the third embodiment of the present invention displays a list of jobs on the screen at S423. Explanation of parts common to FIG. 8 is omitted. Thumbnail display buttons 700 used to display thumbnails are provided for each job. When the user presses the thumbnail display button 700, the screen switches to the thumbnail display screen shown in FIG. 12. Region 710 is a region for displaying attribute values of a document. Here, as an example, date and time, document name, type, and number of pages are displayed in this region. Region 711 is a region for displaying thumbnail images. The thumbnail image 721 is a reduced image of the printed paper surface image of the print job. The [Enlarge] button 722 allows the user to enlarge and display the thumbnail image by pressing this button. The [Reduce] button 723 allows the user to reduce and display the enlarged thumbnail image by pressing this button. The [Full Page] button 724 is for redisplaying the entire page. When the user presses the [Full Page] button 724, regardless of the magnification rate of the current thumbnail image display, it can be returned to the original full page display.

[0048] The area 712 is an area for displaying the [Back] button 725. The [Back] button 725 is for returning to the job list display screen 401 in FIG. 11. Also, in the third embodiment, during the middle of the contract unit period, regardless of events such as the closing date and without user access, etc., regular checks may be executed at regular intervals. The flow of processing when such regular checks are executed is the same as that shown in FIG. 10. As seen so far, by using the third embodiment of the present invention, the user can refer to the job thumbnail as needed, and it becomes possible to more easily determine whether the job is for non-business purposes. As a result, job sorting can be more easily achieved, and the effect that the use of the second image forming apparatus 122 for non-business purposes is promoted is obtained.

[0049] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The overall system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is the same as that shown in FIG. 1. The software configuration of the server 101 is shown in FIG. 2(c). The word anonymization setting means 151 is for holding the setting of the word anonymization function. Also, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the processing when printing is executed from the second information processing device 123 to the second image forming apparatus 122 by a user's operation is the same as that shown in FIG. 6. Also, the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatuses 112 and 122, the information processing devices 111 and 123, and the portable information terminal 121 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention are the same as those schematically shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

[0050] In the system of the present invention, the flow of processing until the user sorts print jobs and settles for non-business use is the same as that shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10. Also, the flow of the periodic check processing that the system of the present invention executes at regular intervals even in the middle of the contract unit period, regardless of events such as the closing date and without access from the user, is the same as that schematically shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6. Among the processes for sorting the jobs shown in FIG. 5 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention until settlement for non-business use, the content displayed on the screen of the application of the portable information terminal 121 is the same as that shown in FIG. 11.

[0051] (Contract content setting screen) FIG. 13 is an example of a screen presented as a website screen or the like on the web browser of the first information processing device 111, for example, when the server 101 sets a anonymization function for the service user side in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Screen 800 is a window of the web browser. Header 810 is the header part of the window. Content display area 811 is the content display part of the web browser. Message 821 is a message asking the server 101 whether to apply the process of anonymizing the word on the thumbnail to the service user side. This message also shows whether the current word anonymization function is enabled. The "[Change to Inactive]" button 822 is a button for switching the activation status of the word anonymization function. If the current setting value is active, it has the function of changing to inactive, and if it is inactive, it has the function of changing to active. The message 823 is a message indicating that when the word anonymization function is active, the specific words to be anonymized can be specified as a character string. The area 824 is a control for holding, editing, deleting, or adding words to be hidden in the word anonymization function.

[0052] The "[OK]" button 825 is used to instruct the operation of sending and saving the changes made by the user. When the user presses this "[OK]" button 825, the information within the page is sent from the first information processing device 111 to the server 101 and saved on the server 101 side. The "[Cancel]" button 826 is for instructing the operation of discarding and canceling the changes made by the user. When the user presses this "[Cancel]" button 826, all the changes made by the user within the page are discarded. The input field 830 is an input area for the words to be hidden in the word anonymization function. The "[Confirm]" button 831 is a button for confirming the words entered in the input field 830 as the targets to be anonymized. When the user performs an operation to change the content of the input field 830 and presses this "[Confirm]" button 831, the content currently held in the input field 830 is confirmed as the target to be hidden.

[0053] The "[Delete]" button 832 is a button for deleting the content that the input field 830 has confirmed. Even if the user rewrites the content of the input field 830, as long as it is before pressing the "[Confirm]" button 831, the content of the input field 830 before rewriting is valid and it is that content that is deleted. Once deleted, the deleted word will no longer be a target to be hidden. The word input field 833 is an area for adding new words to be hidden. [Add] Button 834 is a button for adding the word entered in the word input field 833 to the target to be anonymized. Regarding the content determined as the word to be hidden when the user performs operations such as addition, change, confirmation, and deletion within the area 824 and then confirms it, when the user finally presses the [Determine] button 825, it is sent to the server 101 and accepted to become valid. When the [Cancel] button 826 is pressed, it is not sent to the server 101 and does not finally become valid. In this case, the previously valid settings are maintained. Table 4 shows an operation example of the word anonymization function. As an example, assume that six words, "December 1st", "November 18th", "ABCD-012345", "Release", "Announcement", and "New Product", are set as the words to be hidden. In this case, if the hiding process is set to be valid, the server 101 performs character recognition on the thumbnail image displayed in Fig. 13. It detects the match with the set words in the resulting character string, and if there is a match, it performs the hiding process by replacing it with a black ■ or the like. Table 4 shows the result of performing such anonymization processing.

[0054]

Table 4

[0055] As seen so far, when using the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when using the second image forming apparatus 122 in the telecommuting environment 120 and selecting and settling a job, it is possible to prevent the information that the service user wants to hide from being read from the thumbnail. As a result, even if a person who uses the second image forming apparatus 122 for non-business purposes is a person who has nothing to do with the service-using side living in the telecommuting environment 120, the service 101 can present a thumbnail with important information hidden. Therefore, that person can perform sorting and settlement without touching information important to the service-using side. As a result, the second image forming apparatus 122 placed in the telecommuting environment 120 can be used by anyone, and anyone can sort jobs and easily settle for the portion they have used. This greatly improves the convenience of the second image forming apparatus 122.

[0056] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An information processing device, a server communicably connected to an image forming apparatus via a network, Storage means for storing information on a print job input from a first information processing device and executed by the image forming apparatus; Generation means for generating billing information based on a first rule for a print job based on a contract and a second rule for a print job for non-business purposes not based on a contract; Display means for displaying, on a display unit of a second information processing device, a screen showing a list of print jobs that are not based on a contract and are for non-business purposes and print jobs that are not determined to be for non-business purposes not based on a contract among the information on the print jobs stored in the storage means; Selection reception means for receiving that a user has selected a print job for non-business purposes not based on a contract as a job to be settled from the list of print jobs; A settlement processing means for displaying a settlement screen for presenting the charging information and settlement means based on the second rule of the selected print job on the display unit and executing a settlement process based on the operation of the user, and A server characterized by comprising the same. (Configuration 2) The second information processing device is a portable information terminal The server according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. (Configuration 3) The second information processing device is the first information processing device The server according to Configuration 1, characterized in that. (Configuration 4) The information of the print job includes information for identifying the image forming apparatus that executed the print job The server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that. (Configuration 5) For a print job determined to be for a business purpose not based on a contract, the display means displays it as a selected settlement target job The server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that. (Configuration 6) The settlement screen presents the number of printed pages and the charging amount as charging information The server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that. (Configuration 7) The settlement screen presents options for settlement means by buttons The server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that. (Configuration 8) When the charging amount of the print job set in the contract is approaching the upper limit, a means for issuing a warning for prompting the user to select a print job for a business purpose not based on the contract to the second information processing device is further provided The server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that. (Configuration 9) When the user selects a printing job for non - contract - based non - business purposes and completes the settlement, and when the charging amount of the printing jobs included in the contract is approaching the upper limit, the issuing means issues a warning to the third information processing device of the contract person in charge. The server according to configuration 8, characterized in that. (Configuration 10) The screen of the list of the printing jobs includes a button for the display means to switch to thumbnail display of documents for each printing job. The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that. (Configuration 11) It has anonymization setting means for setting words to be anonymized. When the display means displays the thumbnail of the document of the printing job, it displays the words set by the anonymization setting means in strikethrough. The server according to configuration 10, characterized in that. (Method 1) A control method for a server in which an information processing device, an image forming apparatus, and a network are communicably connected to each other, comprising: An accumulation step of accumulating information on printing jobs input from a first information processing device and executed by the image forming apparatus; A generation step of generating charging information based on a first rule for printing jobs based on a contract and a second rule for printing jobs for non - business purposes outside the contract; A display step of displaying, on a display unit of a second information processing device, a screen showing a list of printing jobs that are not for business purposes outside the contract and printing jobs that have not been determined to be for non - business purposes among the information on the printing jobs accumulated in the accumulation step; A selection reception step of receiving that the user has selected a printing job for non - business purposes outside the contract as a job to be settled from the list of the printing jobs; A settlement processing step of displaying a settlement screen presenting the charging information and settlement means based on the second rule of the selected printing job on the display unit and executing a settlement process based on the operation of the user. A control method for a server, characterized by comprising the above. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute the server control method described in Method 1. (Configuration 12) A server according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, An image forming apparatus that executes printing processing of a received print job and transmits print job data to the server, A first information processing device that inputs the print job into the image forming apparatus, A system in which a second information processing device that displays a list of print jobs and receives an operation of selecting and settling a print job by a user are connected to each other communicably via a network.

Explanation of Signs

[0057] 101 Server 111 Information processing device 112 Image forming apparatus 122 Information processing device 123 Image forming apparatus 130 Image forming apparatus identification means 131 Print job information storage means 132 Billing information generation means 133 Information list presentation / selection reception means 134 Billing information / settlement presentation reception means

Claims

1. A server that is communicably connected to an information processing device and an image forming apparatus via a network, storage means for storing information on a print job input from a first information processing device and executed by the image forming apparatus; generation means for generating charging information based on a first rule for a print job based on a contract and a second rule for a print job outside the scope of business not based on a contract; display means for displaying, on a display unit of a second information processing device, a screen showing a list of print jobs that are not print jobs outside the scope of business not based on a contract and print jobs that have not been determined to be print jobs outside the scope of business not based on a contract among the information on the print jobs stored in the storage means; selection reception means for receiving a selection by a user of a print job outside the scope of business not based on a contract as a job to be settled from the list of print jobs; settlement processing means for displaying, on the display unit, a settlement screen presenting charging information based on the second rule for the selected print job and a settlement means, and executing a settlement process based on an operation of the user The server is characterized by comprising the above.

2. The second information processing device is a portable information terminal The server according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The second information processing device is the first information processing device The server according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The information on the print job includes information for identifying the image forming apparatus that executed the print job The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

5. For a print job outside the scope of business not based on a contract that has been determined, the display means displays it as a selected job to be settled The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

6. The settlement screen presents the number of printed pages and the amount to be charged as charging information The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

7. The settlement screen presents options for settlement means by buttons The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

8. When the amount to be charged for a print job set in the contract is approaching the upper limit, the server further comprises issuing means for issuing a warning prompting the user to select a print job outside the scope of business not based on a contract on the second information processing device The server according to claim 1, characterized in that.

9. When the user selects a printing job for non - contract - based business purposes and completes the settlement, and if the charging amount of the printing jobs included in the contract is approaching the upper limit, the issuing means issues a warning to the third information processing device of the contract person in charge. The server according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The screen of the list of the printing jobs includes a button for the display means to switch to thumbnail display of documents for each printing job. The server according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. It has anonymization setting means for setting words to be anonymized, When the display means displays the thumbnail of the document of the printing job, it displays the words set by the anonymization setting means in strikethrough. The server according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. A control method for a server in which an information processing device, an image forming apparatus, and a network are communicably connected to each other, comprising: An accumulation step of accumulating information on a printing job input from a first information processing device and executed by the image forming apparatus; A generation step of generating charging information based on a first rule for printing jobs based on a contract and a second rule for printing jobs for non - contract - based business purposes; A display step of displaying, on a display unit of a second information processing device, a screen showing a list of printing jobs that are non - contract - based business - purpose - outside printing jobs and printing jobs that have not been determined to be non - business - purpose - outside printing jobs among the printing job information accumulated in the accumulation step; A selection reception step of receiving that the user has selected a non - contract - based business - purpose - outside printing job from the list of the printing jobs as a job to be settled; A settlement processing step of displaying a settlement screen presenting the charging information based on the second rule of the selected printing job and a settlement means on the display unit, and executing a settlement process based on the operation of the user. A control method for a server, characterized by comprising the above.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the server according to claim 12.

14. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 8 to 11, An image forming apparatus that executes a printing process of a received printing job and transmits printing job data to a server, A first information processing device that inputs the printing job into the image forming apparatus, A system in which a second information processing device that displays a list of printing jobs and receives operations of selecting and settling printing jobs by a user is connected by a network so as to be communicable with each other.

Images