Image processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an easy-to-use screen when copying is selected as one option of an executable service.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus comprises: an image forming unit that performs image formation; an operating unit that has a touch panel and displays an operating screen; and a control section that controls the image forming unit and the operating unit. The control section causes the operating unit to display a first screen for receiving selection of a service, after receiving a predetermined operation on the first screen, causes the operating unit to display a user authentication screen, when receiving an operation on the user authentication screen, causes the operating unit to display a second screen, when receiving a predetermined operation on the second screen, causes the operating unit to display a copying start button for receiving the start of copying, upon completion of copying, causes the operating unit to display a screen including a notification to urge a user to pay attention to a document placed on a document platen and a button for the user to log out from a service, and when the button for the user to log out from the service is operated or after a predetermined time elapses, executes processing of logging out from the service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus in which an authenticated user sets and charges for jobs relating to image processing. [Background technology]

[0002] Image processing devices are known that are installed in public places such as convenience stores and public facilities and provide image processing services, such as copying, printing, issuing certificates and tickets, image scanning, and image transmission, for a fee. These image processing devices perform payment processing for the provided service each time the service is provided. In other words, users pay for each service they receive. Many image processing devices allow users to choose from a variety of payment methods, including cash, electronic money, credit cards, prepaid cards, and payment with points earned under a point system.

[0003] In addition to the payment method, there are also payment methods that can be selected based on the person paying the fee, i.e., the type of party to be charged. The most common payment method is the payment method in which the user pays the fee individually (hereinafter referred to as individual billing in this specification). In contrast to this, there is a payment method in which when a user uses a service as a business, the corporation or other entity that performs the business pays the fee (hereinafter referred to as corporate billing in this specification). Corporate billing is a system in which corporate users create individual accounts and billing and settlement are handled for those accounts.

[0004] The purpose of corporate billing is similar to the billing method for an image processing device installed in a business establishment and used by employees of that establishment. That is, the employees use the image processing device for work. The image processing device stores usage records within the image processing device. Furthermore, the usage records may be transmitted to an external management device connected via communication, and the management device may tally up the usage records of the image processing device within the establishment. Billing is based on the usage records and is levied on the business. Billing is not levied on the employees who use the image processing device.

[0005] Corporate billing differs from the billing for in-office image processing devices described above in that corporate billing is premised on user authentication. In-office image processing devices are usually only accessible to employees of the business, so user authentication is optional and not required. In the case of image processing devices installed in public places, they are used by an unspecified number of people. Therefore, billing management cannot be carried out without user authentication and ensuring that only authenticated users can use corporate billing. Therefore, users of corporate billing (for example, businesses) obtain a unique user ID and password by entering into a service contract.

[0006] Employees working for the business use the acquired user ID and password to log in to an image processing device installed in a public place. Then, they execute jobs related to image processing services, such as copying, printing, or image scanning. The image processing device sends information related to the usage history of jobs executed while logged in to an external management device connected to the device so that the information can be communicated with. The management device tallys up the usage history for each user ID and charges the user associated with the user ID. In recent years, telecommuting has become more common, and it is expected that the use of corporate billing will increase further.

[0007] For example, the following technology is known for managing charges for image processing devices installed in public places. This technology controls image formation processing by linking a department management function that manages usage by user department with a charging function using an external charging device. More specifically, the main control unit determines whether the total number of sheets used and the requested number of sheets corresponding to a department ID code exceeds the limit number corresponding to that department ID code. If the limit number is exceeded, the operation display unit displays a message indicating that the requested number of sheets exceeds the limit, the number of sheets in excess, and the amount for printing the excess number of sheets (excess amount), thereby prompting the user to insert the excess amount into the external charging device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-219481 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, when printing documents for business use at a corporate charge, there may be cases where a user wants to keep a copy of the submitted document. Conventionally, however, corporate and personal charges had to be executed as separate jobs. Therefore, after performing user authentication and printing a document at a corporate charge, the user had to log out and then start printing the document again at a personal charge from the beginning. Even though the documents were the same document, i.e., the same image data, and the same print job, the billing methods were different, so the user had to start over as separate jobs, resulting in cumbersome operations.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable a user to easily execute a job using a different payment method when the user selects a payment method that requires user authentication. In other words, the invention enables a user to allocate charges to different parties with a simple operation when executing a job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides an image processing device comprising: an authentication unit that performs user authentication; an operation unit that provides an operation screen for an authenticated user to set up and charge for a job related to image processing; a job control unit that displays on the operation screen an option of whether to charge for the job using a second payment method different from the first payment method in addition to or instead of a first payment method linked to the user authentication, and performs charging processing for the job in accordance with the selection; and an image processing unit that executes the job based on the set and selected charging processing under the control of the job control unit.

[0012] From a different perspective, the present invention provides an image processing method including the steps of: a computer performing user authentication; providing an operation screen for the authenticated user to set up and charge for a job related to image processing; displaying on the operation screen an option for whether to charge for the job using a second payment method different from the first payment method in addition to or instead of a first payment method linked to the user authentication; performing charging processing for the job in accordance with the selection; and executing the job using an image processing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The image processing device of this invention is equipped with a job control unit that displays on an operation screen an option of whether to charge for a job using a second payment method different from the first payment method in addition to or instead of a first payment method linked to user authentication, and performs charging processing for the job according to the selection.Therefore, when a payment method involving user authentication is selected to execute a job, the job can easily be executed using another payment method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (general portal screen); FIG. [Figure 4] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (user authentication screen). [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (corporate billing portal screen); [Figure 6] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (color selection screen). FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (single-sided / double-sided selection screen). [Figure 8] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (paper size selection screen). [Figure 9] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (original reading screen); FIG. [Figure 10] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (image confirmation screen). [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (corporate billing confirmation screen); [Figure 12] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (corporate / individual billing confirmation screen). [Figure 13] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (screen during copying). [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (copy completion screen). [Figure 15] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (login continuation screen). [Figure 16] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit shown in FIG. 1 (end screen). [Figure 17] 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the corporate / individual setting confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (first processing part). [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (second processing part). [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (third processing part). [Figure 21]10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (fourth processing part). [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (fifth processing part). [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (sixth processing part). [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (sixth processing part). [Figure 25] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (seventh processing part). [Figure 26] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (eighth processing part). [Figure 27] 10 is a flowchart showing part of the processing executed by the control unit in this embodiment (ninth processing part). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is given by way of example only in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. (Embodiment 1) <Configuration of image forming system> First, the image forming system in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including a multifunction peripheral, a cash handling machine, a receipt printer, and a photo paper printer as one aspect of an image forming system in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of the image forming system shown in Fig. 1.

[0016] 1, a multifunction peripheral 101 constituting part of an image forming system 100 includes an operation unit 102, a scanner unit 15, a control unit 11, a data storage unit 30, a communication interface circuit 24, and an image forming unit 13. The operation unit 102 includes an operation detection element 10, a display element 12, and an operation control circuit 21. The data storage unit 30 includes a ROM 30m and a RAM 30d. The image forming unit 13 includes an image processing circuit 20, an image forming unit 13d, and a paper transport unit 13t. Located adjacent to the left of the multifunction device 101 is a cabinet containing a cash handling machine 105, receipt printer 110, and photo paper printer 120. The photo paper printer 120 prints on photo paper. The printed photo paper is ejected to a photo paper ejection port 121. The cash handling machine 105 includes a short-range wireless communication interface circuit 105d that communicates with an IC card or the like equipped with a short-range wireless communication chip.

[0017] 2, the operation unit 102 of the multifunction peripheral 101 is provided on the front side for easy user operation. The operation unit 102 also includes a display element 12 and an operation detection element 10 that includes a touch panel or the like that receives user operations on the display element 12. The control unit 11 recognizes a signal indicating an input operation to the operation detection element 10. The display element 12 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display device. The display element 12 displays information related to the status of the multifunction peripheral 101 and operations accepted by the operation detection element 10. The operation control circuit 21 generates and displays content to be displayed on the display element 12 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 11. The operation control circuit 21 also notifies the control unit 11 of operations detected by the operation detection element 10.

[0018] 3 to 16 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display element 12 of the operation unit 102. Fig. 3 is an example of a screen (general portal screen) that displays services that can be executed by the image forming system 100 and allows the user to select one. The image forming system 100 executes the selected service in response to the user touching any of the buttons displayed on the general portal screen shown in Fig. 3. That is, the operation detection element 10 detects the user's touch operation, and the control unit 11 recognizes the touch operation and controls the image forming unit 13, the scanner unit 15, the communication interface circuit 24, etc. to execute the selected service.

[0019] Returning to the description of the multifunction peripheral 101. The control unit 11 recognizes the status of each part of the multifunction peripheral 101 and controls its operation. Specifically, it is composed of hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit; hereinafter, for simplicity, CPU and MPU will be collectively referred to as CPU in this specification), built-in memory, input / output interface circuits, timer circuits, etc. The CPU executes an image processing program stored in the memory, thereby realizing functions related to image formation of the multifunction peripheral 101, such as reading an image of a document and printing the image. The control unit 11 also accepts user operations on the operation detection element 10 and controls the screen of the display element 12.

[0020] From a functional viewpoint related to the processing executed by the CPU, the control unit 11 includes a reading job control unit 11r that executes control related to the reading of images, a printing job control unit 11p that executes control related to the printing of images, and a user interface control unit 11u that executes control related to the display and operation of the operation unit 102. In addition to the built-in memory, the control unit 11 also accesses the ROM 30m and RAM 30d of the data storage unit 30. An example of hardware that constitutes the ROM 30m is a flash memory. The CPU reads out the control program stored in the non-volatile memory 11m and loads it into the RAM 30d as needed. Then, it executes processing in accordance with the control program loaded into the RAM 30d. It then controls the hardware included in the multifunction peripheral 101. It also controls operations and displays. It also controls communication with external devices via the communication interface circuit 24. In other words, software resources and hardware resources work together to realize functions related to image formation, such as printing.

[0021] The control unit 11 and the image forming unit 13, and the control unit 11 and the scanner unit 15 are connected to each other so that data can be transferred. 2, the multifunction peripheral 101 includes a scanner unit 15. The scanner unit 15 reads an image of a document placed on a platen under the control of the control unit 11 and converts the image into an image signal. That is, it executes image reading processes for copy, fax, and scanner jobs. The image processing circuit 20 generates image data based on the image signal output by the scanner unit 15. Alternatively, it generates image data for printing based on print data received via the communication interface circuit 24. The generated image data is then printed by the image forming unit 13, or transmitted to an external device via the communication interface circuit 24.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 101 includes four paper trays 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d and an ejection tray 18. The paper trays 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d accommodate sheets of various sizes, for example, A4, A3, B5, and B4. Under the control of the control unit 11, the paper transport unit 13t feeds and transports a sheet stored in one of the paper trays.

[0023] Image forming unit 13d prints specified image data on a sheet fed from one of paper trays 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d under the control of control unit 11. Examples of print jobs include printing as a printer, printing as a copy, and printing received faxes. The paper transport unit 13t transports the sheet printed by the image forming unit 13d to the discharge tray 18 and discharges it. The communication interface circuit 24 is an interface for communicating data with external devices via a network.

[0024] <<Overview of operation flow>> Next, an outline of the operation flow of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 16, taking a copy job as an example. 3 is an example of a screen (general portal screen) that displays services that can be executed by image forming system 100 and waits for the user to select a service and give instructions. As shown in Fig. 3, image forming system 100 can perform printing related to content and printing tickets in addition to the services of copying, printing, faxing, scanning, and administrative services (printing of identification documents such as resident registration cards).

[0025] Furthermore, the general portal screen has a "Corporate Services" button 201. In response to the user touching the "Corporate Services" button 201, the control unit 11, functioning as the user interface control unit 11u, causes the operation unit 102 (more specifically, the display element 12) to display a user authentication screen (see FIG. 4) related to corporate billing. 4, when a login name (i.e., user ID) and password (login password) are entered and the "Next" button 203 is touched, the control unit 11 performs user authentication in response to the operation. When the user authentication is complete, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display a corporate billing portal screen (see FIG. 5). From then on, until you log out, the service fee will basically be charged as corporate billing. However, a distinctive feature of this embodiment is that you can also use personal billing without logging out, or you can temporarily switch to personal billing. This process will be described later.

[0026] The operational flow for corporate billing services is as follows. In the following, this embodiment will be described using "Simple Copy" as an example of a corporate billing service, but the flow is similar for other services. Here, other services are services that can be selected other than "Simple Copy" on the corporate billing portal screen shown in FIG. 5. For example, "Print and Scan with Smartphone," "Various Copy," and "Network Print" are other services. When the "simple copy" button 207 is touched on the corporate billing portal screen shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to sequentially display a series of setting screens relating to the copy job and accepts the settings. As the first setting screen, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display a color selection screen (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, full color, black and white, and monochrome can be selected as the type of color to be printed. For monochrome, one of six colors, red, green, blue, light blue, magenta, and yellow, is selected. At the bottom of the color selection screen, a bar display showing the progress of the setting menu in stages (five stages in the example shown in FIGS. 6 to 16), and a deposited amount column showing the amount accepted by the cash handling machine 105 are displayed. These are also displayed on the screens of FIGS. 7 to 16.

[0027] When a color is selected on the color selection screen, the control unit 11 then causes the operation unit 102 to display a single-sided / double-sided selection screen (see FIG. 7). When either "single-sided" or "double-sided" is selected on the single-sided / double-sided selection screen, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display a paper size selection screen (see FIG. 8). When a paper size is selected on the paper size selection screen and the "Next" button 209 is touched, the control unit 11 then causes the document reading screen (see FIG. 9) to be displayed on the operation unit 102. When the "Change Settings" button 211 is touched on the document reading screen, the control unit 11 further accepts changes to the settings for each of the items "Document Type," "Border Erase," "Reduce Show-Through," and "Slightly Smaller."

[0028] When the "Read Original" button 213 is touched on the original reading screen, the control unit 11 reads the original placed on the platen based on the settings made up to that point, and displays the image confirmation screen (see Figure 10) on the operation unit 102, causing the read image to be displayed on the image confirmation screen. When the user checks the loaded image on the image confirmation screen and touches the "Next" button 215, the control unit 11 responds by displaying a corporate billing confirmation screen (see FIG. 11) on the operation unit 102. The corporate billing confirmation screen accepts a change to the number of copies. Furthermore, a setting item for "Personal billing printing" 217 is displayed, and the user is asked whether or not to perform personal billing printing at the same time. When the "Start Copying" button 219 is touched with the setting of "No" for printing for personal charges, the control unit 11 starts printing for copying and displays a copying in progress screen (see FIG. 13) on the operation unit 102.

[0029] When the printing related to the copy is completed, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display a copy completion screen (see FIG. 14). When the "OK" button is touched on the copy completion screen, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display the termination screen (see Figure 16) for a predetermined period of time, then executes a process to log out from the corporate billing service, and causes the operation unit 102 to display the general portal screen (see Figure 3). This is an outline of the normal operation flow.

[0030] On the other hand, one characteristic aspect of this embodiment is that printing of personal charges can be selected on the corporate charge confirmation screen (FIG. 11) described above. When printing for personal charges is set to "Yes" on the corporate charge confirmation screen and the "Start Copying" button 219 is touched, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display the corporate / personal charge confirmation screen (see FIG. 12). The corporate / personal charge confirmation screen accepts changes to the number of copies for each of the corporate charge and personal charge. The number of copies for the corporate charge and personal charge can also be changed to zero. In the example shown in FIG. 12, "corporate use," i.e., the number of copies for the corporate charge, is 1, and "personal use," i.e., the number of copies for the personal charge, is 1. With this setting, when the cash required for the personal charge is inserted and the "Start Copying" button 223 is touched, two copies of the same document are made: one copy for the corporate charge and one copy for the personal charge. One of the copies is paid for as the corporate charge, and the other is paid for as the personal charge.

[0031] <Flowchart> The processing executed by the control unit 11 in this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to a flowchart. 18 to 27 are flowcharts showing examples of processing executed by the control unit 11 in this embodiment. When the power of the multifunction peripheral 101 is turned on, the control unit 11 performs initialization processing after the power is turned on, then displays the general portal screen shown in Figure 3 on the operation unit 102 and waits for instructions from the user (step S11 in Figure 18).

[0032] The general portal screen is basically a screen for the user to select various services related to personal billing. However, when the "Corporate Services" button 201 on the general portal screen is touched (Yes in step S13), the user authentication screen shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the operation unit 102 (step S19), and login processing to the corporate billing service is performed. In detail, the login name and password related to the corporate billing service are entered on the user authentication screen in Fig. 4, and the system waits for the "Next" button 203 to be touched (step S21). Here, the login name and password are given when the user signs a contract for the corporate billing service.

[0033] 3 is displayed, if a service other than the "Corporate Service" button 201 is selected (No in step S13, Yes in step S15), the selected service related to personal billing, such as simple copy, is executed (step S17). Note that the service related to personal billing is not a characteristic process of this embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. When the service selected in step S15 is completed, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S11, displays the general portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform another operation (returns to step S11 via step S17). Also, when the general portal screen of Figure 3 is displayed, if the "Corporate Services" button 201 is not touched and no other services are selected (No in step S13 and No in step S15), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S13 and waits for user operation.

[0034] After step S19, when the user authentication screen of FIG. 4 is displayed, if a login name and password related to corporate billing are entered and the "Next" button 203 is touched (Yes in step S21), the control unit 11 determines whether the entered login name and password are registered or not (step S25). On the other hand, if the "End" button is touched on the user authentication screen shown in FIG. 4 (No in step S21 followed by Yes in step S23), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S11, displays the general portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform another operation. Also, if the login name and password are not entered on the user authentication screen shown in Figure 4 and the "End" button has not yet been touched (No in step S21 and then No in step S23), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S21 and waits for user operation.

[0035] After determining whether the input login name and password are those registered in advance (Yes in step S21), if the result of determining that the input login name and password do not match any of the registered ones (No in step S25), the control unit 11 returns the process to the above-mentioned step S19, and then displays a user authentication screen on the operation unit 102, requesting the user to re-enter the login name and password. To check whether the entered login name and password are registered, the control unit 11 sends the entered login name and password to a server for managing corporate billing services, which then performs the check and receives the result. Here, the server for managing corporate billing services is an external server that stores login names and passwords related to corporate billing services and is connected via the communication interface circuit 24.

[0036] If the login related to corporate billing is successful in step S25 (Yes in step S25), the control unit displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102 (step S31 in FIG. 19) and waits for a user operation. In step S25, as a result of determining whether the input login name and password are those registered in advance, if the input login name and password match those registered (Yes in step S25), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S31 shown in Fig. 19. That is, the control unit 11 displays on the operation unit 102 a corporate billing portal screen provided to a user who has logged in to the corporate billing service and waits for an operation by the user.

[0037] The control unit 11 makes the following determination while the corporate billing portal screen of FIG. 5 is displayed on the operation unit 102. First, it is determined whether the "Simple Copy" button 207 has been touched (step S33). In this embodiment, the case where the "Simple Copy" button 207 has been touched will be described in detail below. If another corporate billing service has been selected (No in step S33 and Yes in step S35), the service related to the selected corporate billing is executed (step S37). The other corporate billing services will be described in detail below, but the essence of the characteristic configuration is the same as in the case of simple copy.

[0038] In step S37, when the selected service is completed, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S31, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform another operation (via step S37 to step S31). 5 (No in step S35 and Yes in step S39), the control unit 11 performs processing to log out from the corporate billing service (step S41). Then, the processing returns to step S11 shown in FIG. 18, the general portal screen is displayed on the operation unit 102, and the control unit 11 waits for an operation by the user.

[0039] 5, if the "Simple Copy" button 207 is not touched, no other corporate billing service is selected, and the "Exit" button is not touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S33 and waits for a user operation (the path from No in step S33, No in step S35, and No in step S39). When the "Simple Copy" button 207 is touched on the corporate billing portal screen shown in FIG. 5 (Yes in step S33), the control unit 11 displays the color selection screen shown in FIG. 6 on the operation unit 102 (step S43) and waits for the user to perform an operation related to the selection. 6 is displayed, if an operation to select a color is performed (Yes in step S45), the control unit 11 stores the selected color in the data storage unit 30 as a setting for the selected "simple copy" job (step S47).Then, the control unit 11 advances the process to step S61 shown in FIG. 20, displays the single-sided / double-sided selection screen (see FIG. 7) on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation related to the selection.

[0040] Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the color selection screen shown in Figure 6 (No in step S45 and Yes in step S49), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the color selection screen shown in Figure 6 (No in step S49, then Yes in step S51), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0041] 6, if no color has been selected, the "Exit" button has not been touched, or the "Back" button has not been touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S45 and waits for a user operation (the path from No in step S45, No in step S49, and No in step S51). 7 is displayed after step S61, if an operation to select one of them is performed (Yes in step S63 in FIG. 20), the control unit 11 stores the selected content as the setting for the selected "simple copy" job in the data storage unit 30 (step S65).Then, the control unit 11 advances the process to step S71, displays the paper size selection screen (see FIG. 8) on the operation unit 102, and waits for a user operation.

[0042] Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the single-sided / double-sided selection screen shown in Figure 7 (No in step S63 and Yes in step S67), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the single-sided / double-sided selection screen shown in FIG. 7 (No in step S67, then Yes in step S69), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S43 shown in FIG. 19, displays the color selection screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0043] 7, if neither single-sided nor double-sided has been selected, the "Exit" button has not been touched, nor has the "Return" button been touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S63 and waits for a user operation (the path from No in step S63, No in step S67, and No in step S69). After step S71, with the paper size selection screen shown in FIG. 8 being displayed, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, when a paper size is selected and the "Next" button 209 is touched (Yes in step S73), the control unit 11 stores the selected paper size in the data storage unit 30 as a setting for the selected "simple copy" job (step S75).Then, the control unit 11 advances the process to step S81 shown in Fig. 21, displays a document reading screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for an operation by the user.

[0044] Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the paper size selection screen shown in Figure 8 (No in step S73 and Yes in step S77), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the paper size selection screen shown in FIG. 7 (No in step S77, then Yes in step S79), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S61, displays the single-sided / double-sided selection screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. 8, if no paper size is selected, the "Exit" button is not touched, or the "Return" button is not touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S73 and waits for a user operation (the path from No in step S73 to No in step S77 to No in step S79).

[0045] After step S81 in FIG. 21, in the state where the document reading screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, when the "Change Settings" button 211 is touched, the control unit 11 displays an operation screen (not shown) related to the setting change on the operation unit 102 and accepts a user operation related to the setting change. When the processing related to the setting change is completed, the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S83. Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the manuscript reading screen shown in Figure 9 (No in step S83 followed by Yes in step S87), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the document reading screen shown in FIG. 9 (No in step S87, then Yes in step S89), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S71 shown in FIG. 20, displays the paper size selection screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0046] 9 (No in step S89, then Yes in step S91), the control unit 11 causes the scanner unit 15 to read the document (step S93). After waiting for the document reading to be completed (Yes in step S95), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S101 shown in Fig. 22, where it displays an image confirmation screen (see Fig. 10) on the operation unit 102 and waits for a user operation. 9, if the "Change Settings" button, the "Exit" button, the "Back" button, or the "Read Original" button 213 has not been touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S83 and waits for a user operation (the path from No in step S83, No in step S87, No in step S89, and No in step S91).

[0047] After step S101, in the state where the image confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, if 90° rotation of the image is selected (Yes in step S103), the control unit 11 performs a process of rotating the image of the document displayed on the screen by 90° to the right and displaying it (step S105), and then returns the process to step S103. When the "Reload" button is touched on the image confirmation screen shown in Fig. 10, the control unit 11 causes the process to proceed to step S43 shown in Fig. 19, and causes the color selection screen to be displayed on the operation unit 102. That is, the setting operation related to the simple copy job is accepted from the beginning, and then the document is reloaded.

[0048] Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the image confirmation screen shown in Figure 10 (No in step S107 and Yes in step S109), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the image confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 (No in step S109 followed by Yes in step S111), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S81 shown in FIG. 21, displays the document reading screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0049] If the "Next" button 215 is touched on the image confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 (No in step S111 and Yes in step S113), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S121 shown in FIG. 23 and causes the corporate billing confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11 to be displayed on the operation unit 102. 10, if 90° rotation is not selected, the "Reload" button is not touched, the "Exit" button is not touched, the "Back" button is not touched, and the "Next" button 215 is not touched yet, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S103 and waits for a user operation (the path of No in step S103, No in step S107, No in step S109, No in step S111, and No in step S113).

[0050] After step S121 shown in FIG. 23, the corporate billing confirmation screen (see FIG. 11) is displayed, and the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, if the setting for the number of copies to be printed is changed (Yes in step S123), the control unit 11 updates the display of the number of copies and the total amount according to the changed content (step S125), and then returns the process to step S123. Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the corporate billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 11 (No in step S123 and Yes in step S127), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the corporate billing confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11 (No in step S127 and Yes in step S129), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S101 shown in FIG. 22, displays the image confirmation screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0051] 11, when the setting for "Print personal charges" 217 is changed from the initial setting of "No" to "Yes" (No in step S129 and Yes in step S131), the control unit 11 changes the display mode of the selected "Yes" button to a mode indicating that it has been selected. Then, the control unit 11 displays the corporate / personal charge confirmation screen shown in FIG. 12 on the operation unit 102 (step S141 in FIG. 24), and waits for an operation by the user. A distinctive feature of this embodiment is that printing for personal billing can be set in a corporate billing service. In addition, if the "Start Copying" button 219 is touched on the corporate billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 11, the control unit 11 proceeds to step S171 shown in Figure 25, displays the copying in progress screen (see Figure 13) on the operation unit 102, and starts copying.

[0052] 11, if the number of copies is not changed, the "Finish" button is not touched, the "Retrieve" button is not touched, the settings related to printing for personal charges are not changed, and the "Start Copying" button 219 is not touched, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S123 (the path from No in step S123, No in step S127, No in step S129, No in step S131, and No in step S133). After step S141 shown in FIG. 24, in the state where the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, the control unit 11 makes the following determination.

[0053] First, it is determined whether at least one of the number of copies charged to the corporation or the number of copies charged to the individual has been changed. If either the number of copies to be printed has been changed (Yes in step S143), the control unit 11 updates the display of the number of copies and the total amount according to the changed content (step S145). Then, the process returns to step S143. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the number of copies for corporate use has been set to zero on the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Fig. 12. According to the settings shown in Fig. 17, even in the corporate billing service, it is possible to set the number of copies for corporate billing to zero so that corporate billing is not performed, and to execute a job using only individual billing. For example, when selecting the "Go to corporate portal screen while logged in" button 227 on the copy completion screen shown in Fig. 14 to copy multiple copies of a document at both corporate and personal charges, some of the documents can be copied at personal charges only. Here, copying is merely one example of a selectable service. Also, if you select "No" for "Print at personal charge" 217 on the corporate charge confirmation screen in Figure 11, you can make copies at corporate charge only. Even if you set the number of copies for personal use to "zero" on the corporate / personal charge confirmation screen in Figure 12, you can make copies at corporate charge only. Here, copying is just one example of a selectable service. Also, if the "Exit" button is touched on the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 12 (No in step S143 and Yes in step S147), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S31 shown in Figure 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation. Furthermore, if the "Back" button is touched on the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 12 (No in step S147 and Yes in step S149), the control unit 11 returns the processing to step S121 shown in Figure 23, displays the corporate billing confirmation screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for the user to perform an operation.

[0054] 12 is displayed, the control unit 11 determines whether the setting for the "personal payment method" has been changed (step S151). If the payment method for personal billing has been changed, the control unit 11 changes the settlement method for personal billing to the changed payment method (step S153). The control unit 11 then returns the process to step S143 and waits for an operation from the user. In the example corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 12, "cash" has been selected as the "personal use payment method." When the user deposits cash into the coin slot 106 or bill slot 107 of the money handling machine 105, the "deposited amount" on the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 12 is updated to the amount deposited. Figure 12 shows a state in which a 50 yen coin has been deposited. Since the "total amount" for "personal use" is displayed as 50 yen, the payment for the personal bill is made with the amount deposited, neither over nor under. Therefore, no change is dispensed into the coin return slot 108 after payment. In the example of the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Figure 12, two payment methods, "cash" and "electronic money," can be selected, but there may be more payment methods to choose from, such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and payment methods using points earned through a points system.

[0055] Also, it is determined whether the setting for "Print receipt for personal use" has been changed on the corporate / personal charge confirmation screen shown in Fig. 12 (step S155). If a change has been made, the control unit 11 updates the setting for whether or not to print a receipt for personal charge (step S157), returns the process to step S143, and waits for an operation from the user. Furthermore, it is determined whether or not the "Go to personal use menu screen" button 221 has been touched on the corporate / personal billing confirmation screen shown in Fig. 12 (step S159). If the "Go to personal use menu screen" button 221 has been touched (No in step S155 and Yes in step S159), the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display a setting screen similar to that for the corporate billing service. That is, the control unit 11 causes the operation unit 102 to display setting screens similar to those in Figs. 6 to 8. Then, the control unit 11 accepts settings for simple copy related to personal billing (step S161). If the settings related to personal billing have been accepted, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S141.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the "Start copying" button 223 has been touched while the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Fig. 12 is displayed. If the "Start copying" button 223 has been touched, the control unit 11 advances the process to step S171 shown in Fig. 25, displays a copying screen (see Fig. 13) on the operation unit 102, and starts copying related to corporate billing and individual billing. On the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in FIG. 12, in the following cases, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S143 and waits for a user operation. That is, in the cases where the number of copies is not changed, neither the "Exit" button nor the "Back" button is touched, the "Personal Use Payment Method" is not changed, and neither the "Print Receipt for Personal Billing" is changed. Furthermore, in the cases where neither the "Go to Personal Use Menu Screen" button 221 nor the "Start Copying" button 223 is touched (the path is No in step S143, No in step S147, No in step S149, No in step S151, No in step S155, No in step S159, and No in step S163).

[0057] If the "Start Copy" button is touched after step S133 shown in FIG. 23 or step S163 shown in FIG. 24, the control unit 11 starts printing related to the copy as shown in step S12 of FIG. 25, displays the copying in progress screen (see FIG. 13) on the operation unit 102, and makes the following determination. 13 is displayed, if the "Cancel Copy" button 225 is pressed (Yes in step S173), the control unit 11 continues printing up to the in-progress print job and performs billing processing, while canceling subsequent printing (step S175).The control unit 11 then returns the process to step S31 shown in FIG. 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for a user operation.

[0058] 13 is displayed, the control unit 11 determines whether the setting for "Print receipt for personal use" has been changed (No in step S173, then step S177). If a change has been made (Yes in step S177), the control unit 11 updates the setting for whether or not to print a receipt for personal charges (step S179), returns the process to step S173, and waits for an operation from the user. Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the printing related to the copy has been completed (step S181). When the printing has been completed (Yes in step S181), the control unit 11 displays a copy completion screen (see FIG. 14) on the operation unit 102 and waits for a user operation. When the copying screen in FIG. 13 is displayed, if the "Cancel Copy" button 225 is not touched, the settings related to "Printing personal charge receipt" are not changed, and printing is not yet completed (No in step S173, No in step S177, and No in step S181), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S173.

[0059] After step S183, in a state where the copy completion screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, it is determined whether or not the "Go to corporate portal screen while remaining logged in" button 227 has been touched. If the "Go to corporate portal screen while remaining logged in" button 227 has been touched (Yes in step S185), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S31 shown in Fig. 19, displays the corporate billing portal screen on the operation unit 102, and waits for an operation by the user. Next, if the "Continue with the same service" button 229 is touched on the copy completion screen shown in FIG. 4 (No in step S185 and Yes in step S187), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S201 shown in FIG. 26, displays the login continuation screen shown in FIG. 15 on the operation unit 102, and waits for user operation.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the setting for "Print personal receipt" has been changed on the copy completion screen of Fig. 14 (step S189). If a change has been made, the control unit 11 updates the setting for whether or not to print a receipt for personal charges (step S191), returns the process to step S183, and waits for an operation from the user. Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the "OK" button 231 has been touched on the copy completion screen shown in Fig. 14 (No in step S189, and then step S193). If the "OK" button 231 has been touched (Yes in step S193), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S211 shown in Fig. 27, and causes the operation unit 102 to display the completion screen shown in Fig. 16. 14, if neither the "Go to corporate portal screen while logged in" button 227 nor the "Continue with the same service" button 229 is touched, the setting related to "Print personal charge receipt" is not changed, and the "OK" button 231 has not been touched yet, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S183 (the path from No in step S185, No in step S187, No in step S189, and No in step S193).

[0061] In the state where the "Continue the same service" button 229 is touched in step S187 and the login continuation screen of FIG. 15 is displayed via step S201 in FIG. 26, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, it is determined whether or not the "Continue with the same settings" button 233 has been touched. If the "Continue with the same settings" button 233 has been touched (Yes in step S203), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S81 shown in Fig. 21 and causes the document reading screen of Fig. 9 to be displayed on the operation unit 102. Then, the control unit 11 waits for a user operation related to reading a new document.

[0062] On the other hand, if the "Continue with different settings" button 235 is touched on the login continuation screen of FIG. 15, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S43 shown in FIG. 19, and displays the color selection screen of FIG. 6 on the operation unit 102 to accept new settings related to reading a new document. If none of the buttons has been touched on the login continuation screen of FIG. 15 (No in step S203 and No in step S205), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S203 and waits for a user operation. Furthermore, when the "OK" button 231 is touched on the copy completion screen of FIG. 14 and the end screen of FIG. 16 is displayed via step S211 shown in FIG. 27, the control unit 11 makes the following determination. First, if a setting to print a receipt has been made, the receipt printer 110 prints a receipt for corporate billing and / or personal billing according to the setting (step S213). The printed receipt is ejected to the receipt printer ejection port 111. The control unit 11 controls the receipt printer 110 to print receipts for corporate billing and receipts for individual billing separately. This is regardless of whether the payment method is the same or different, as the entities making the payments are different.

[0063] In this embodiment, whether or not to print receipts for corporate billing is set in advance by the user when signing the corporate billing service contract. Whether or not to print receipts for personal billing is set by the user each time printing is performed using the setting item for "Print personal receipts" in Figure 12. When the "Exit" button 237 is touched on the end screen of Fig. 16 (Yes in step S215), or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed (No in step S215, then Yes in step S217), the control unit 11 performs processing to log out from the corporate billing-related service (step S219). Then, the processing returns to step S11 shown in Fig. 18, and the general portal screen of Fig. 3 is displayed on the operation unit 102 to wait for a user operation. An example of the predetermined period of time is 60 seconds after printing is completed, but is not limited to this. When the termination screen of FIG. 16 is displayed, if the "End" button 237 is not touched and the predetermined period has not yet elapsed (the path from No in step S215 to No in step S217), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S215. The above is an example of the processing executed by the control unit 11 in this embodiment.

[0064] (Embodiment 2) In this embodiment, when the payment means for both the corporate charge and the individual charge are cash, the control unit 11 displays a screen on the operation unit 102 that allows the user to select whether to settle the corporate charge and the individual charge separately and give change separately, or to settle the corporate charge and the individual charge together and give change all at once, and waits for user operation. The selection screen may be provided, for example, on the corporate / individual billing confirmation screen shown in Fig. 12. Alternatively, it may be provided on the copy in progress screen shown in Fig. 13 or the copy completion screen shown in Fig. 14.

[0065] When corporate billing uses cash as a payment method, the billing recipient may deposit a predetermined amount of cash in advance as necessary expenses with the user of the multifunction peripheral 101 (for example, a freelancer contracted by the corporation). When necessary expenses are paid in advance like this, the user needs to manage the deposited cash separately from their personal wallet. Therefore, it is more convenient for the user to receive change for the corporate bill and the personal bill separately. On the other hand, some corporations and others bill necessary expenses and then pay later. In such cases, the user advances the costs of copying, etc. from their personal wallet, so it is more convenient for them to receive change for the corporate bill and the personal bill together. However, receipts are issued separately for the corporate bill and the personal bill. According to this embodiment, the user can choose whether to pay the change for the corporate charge and the individual charge separately or in one lump sum, which is convenient as the user can select the method that is most suitable for them depending on the settlement method for the corporate charge.

[0066] (Embodiment 3) In the first embodiment, all users who use the corporate billing service can select "Yes" or "No" for "Print personal billing" 217 on the corporate billing confirmation screen in FIG. According to this embodiment, for users of corporate billing services, printing of specific original images or image data is prohibited for personal charges, while printing of other original images or image data is permitted for personal charges. In other words, for specific original images or image data, the "Printing of personal charges" 217 item is not displayed on the corporate billing confirmation screen in Figure 11.

[0067] By predetermining image information that provides an attribute prohibiting printing of personal charges and then embedding the image information in the document image, it is possible to prohibit "printing of personal charges" for a specific document image. The technology for embedding image information in the document image can be realized by utilizing known technology that is used, for example, in a function to prevent illegal copying of banknotes. Alternatively, by predefining attribute data that provides an attribute prohibiting printing for personal charges and adding that attribute to image data for printing, it is possible to prohibit "printing for personal charges" for specific image data. The technology for adding attributes to image data to disable specific functions can be realized by, for example, applying the technology for adding attributes prohibiting editing or printing to image data in PDF (Portable Document Format).

[0068] The multifunction device that reads the original image or that receives the image data for printing is assumed to have a function to extract predetermined image information that prohibits printing for personal charges and a function to extract predetermined attribute data, and prohibits printing for personal charges based on the image information extracted from the original image or the attribute data extracted from the image data.

[0069] According to this aspect, for example, if a corporation or the like that outsources work to a freelancer includes confidential company information in a document or image data that it provides to the freelancer, the corporation or the like can superimpose the image information or add the attribute data to the document or image data. This prevents the freelancer from printing at a personal charge, and therefore from copying or printing confidential company information for a personal copy.

[0070] (Fourth embodiment) In the third embodiment, a method for prohibiting printing of specific document images or image data at an individual charge has been described. In this embodiment, among users who use the corporate billing service, certain users are prohibited from printing personal bills, while other users are allowed to print personal bills. In other words, for certain users, the "Print personal bills" option 217 is not displayed on the corporate billing confirmation screen in Figure 11.

[0071] By predetermining an attribute that prohibits printing for personal charges and associating that attribute with the login password of each user managed by the management server for the corporate billing service, it is possible to prohibit "printing for personal charges" for specific users. When the multifunction machine that reads the original image or the multifunction machine that receives the image data for printing receives information from the server that printing for personal charges should be prohibited during login processing for the corporate billing service, the multifunction machine prohibits printing for personal charges based on the information received from the server.

[0072] For example, a corporation or other entity that outsources work to freelancers may outsource new work to a freelancer with whom it has built a relationship of trust through many years of outsourcing work, or it may outsource new work to a freelancer with whom it has not outsourced work before. According to this aspect, the corporation or other entity can decide whether to allow or prohibit printing at an individual charge depending on the trustworthiness of the freelancer, and can associate the attribute of whether to allow or prohibit printing at an individual charge with the login password assigned to each freelancer.

[0073] (Embodiment 5) In this embodiment, when "Yes" is selected for "Printing with personal billing" 217 on the corporate billing portal screen in Fig. 11, the control unit 11 generates a history of jobs executed with personal billing. The generated history is then stored in the data storage unit 30, or alternatively, it is transmitted to a server for corporate billing services connected via the communication interface circuit 24 and stored in the server. Corporations and other entities that are subscribers to the corporate billing service shall be able to refer to the history as necessary. For example, if a situation arises in which information leakage is suspected, the history can be referenced to check whether or not the information related to the information leakage has been printed or copied as an individual charge.

[0074] As mentioned above, (i) An image processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: an authentication unit that performs user authentication; an operation unit that provides an operation screen for an authenticated user to set up and charge for a job related to image processing; a job control unit that displays on the operation screen an option of whether to charge for the job using a second payment method different from the first payment method in addition to or instead of a first payment method linked to the user authentication, and performs charging processing for the job in accordance with the selection; and an image processing unit that executes the job based on the set and selected charging processing under the control of the job control unit.

[0075] In this invention, the authentication unit provides the function of identifying whether a user is authorized to use a specific payment method, the first payment method. While any type of means for user authentication may be used, as an example, authorized users may be identified by inputting a user ID (also called a login name) and password. Specific examples of hardware resources constituting the authentication unit include a memory that stores pairs of user IDs and passwords to be authenticated, and a CPU that compares these with the input user ID and password. Another example includes a CPU that accesses an external server connected via communication and obtains pairs of user IDs and passwords stored on the server, and a memory that stores the processing to be executed by the CPU as a program.

[0076] The operation unit also provides a screen on which the user can perform operations related to job settings and billing. A specific example of this is a circuit primarily composed of a liquid crystal display device and a touch panel. In the case of an operation that accepts operations by the user remotely, the operation unit generates and transmits data for an operation screen to be displayed on an external device connected via communication. It then receives information on the user's operations on the operation screen displayed on the external device and determines processing in accordance with those operations. The components of the operation unit include a CPU that performs these processes and a memory that stores the processes to be executed by the CPU as programs.

[0077] Furthermore, a job related to image processing refers to a series of processes related to image processing, such as a copy job or print job related to printing, an image scan job related to image reading, or an image transmission job related to image transmission. A payment method represents a billing and settlement mode classified based on the party to be billed, particularly the type of party to be billed. Specific examples include corporate billing and individual billing in the above-mentioned embodiment. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first payment method corresponds to corporate billing, and the second payment method corresponds to individual billing.

[0078] Furthermore, in this invention, after one job is completed, the user can execute multiple jobs while maintaining the authenticated state. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to log out and re-execute user authentication each time a job is completed. When executing the next job while maintaining the authenticated state, the settings and charges for the next job may be carried over from the previous job. However, the operation unit may provide an operation screen for setting and charging for the next job.

[0079] Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. (ii) The job control unit may display a plurality of options as payment methods related to the second payment method on the operation screen. In this way, various payment methods can be provided as payment means for the second payment method, such as cash, electronic money, credit cards, prepaid cards, and payment using points earned in a points system.

[0080] (iii) The job may be a printing job, and the job control unit may display on the operation screen the number of copies to be printed of the job to be charged using the first payment method and the number of copies to be printed of the job to be charged using the second payment method, each of which may be changed. In this way, the user can confirm the settings of the number of copies to be printed that will be charged using the first payment method and the number of copies to be printed that will be charged using the second payment method before executing a job. Furthermore, the user can change each number of copies to be printed as needed.

[0081] (iv) The system may further include a receipt generation unit that generates receipts related to the charging, and the job control unit may cause the receipt generation unit to individually generate a receipt related to the charging using the first payment method and a receipt related to the charging using the second payment method. This is convenient because separate receipts are issued for the first and second payment methods, which are billed to different parties.

[0082] (v) When the first payment method and the second payment method are both cash payment methods, the job control unit may display on the operation screen an option of whether to make the payment using the first payment method and the payment using the second payment method together or separately. In this way, when cash payments require change, the user can receive change for the first and second payment methods, which are billed to different parties, making it easier for the user to manage their change. The user does not need to exchange money to distribute the change between the two payment methods.

[0083] (vi) If the image data or manuscript relating to the job contains payment information indicating whether a payment method different from the first payment method is permitted, and the payment information relating to the job does not permit a payment method different from the first payment method, the job control unit may not display on the operation screen an option as to whether to charge the job using the second payment method in addition to or instead of the first payment method. In this way, by using the payment information, it is possible to prevent image data or manuscripts containing information that the business operator wants to keep secret from being printed as a copy for the user. In this embodiment, the image data or manuscript is provided to the user by a corporation or the like that is the party to the billing under the first payment method, and the payment information is attached to the image data or manuscript by that corporation or the like. In the case of image data, the payment information can be attached as one of the file attributes, and in the case of manuscripts, it can be attached as a mark on the image (for example, text information such as "Confidential" or "Secret"). However, the payment information is predefined as information that the image processing device can acquire, and the corporation or the like attaches the payment information to the image data or manuscript in accordance with that definition.

[0084] (vii) The device may further include a user information acquisition unit that acquires user information relating to the authenticated user from an external device that is communicatively connected, the user information including information as to whether or not the user accepts a payment method different from the first payment method, and if the user information relating to the user does not accept a payment method different from the first payment method, the job control unit may not display on the operation screen an option as to whether or not to charge the job using the second payment method in addition to or instead of the first payment method. In this way, by using the user information, it is possible to limit the users who are permitted to print image data or manuscripts containing information that the business operator wants to keep confidential, and to prevent other users from printing, etc. However, the user information is defined in advance so that it can be acquired from an external device with which the image processing device can communicate, and the business operator stores the user information in the external device in accordance with that definition and has the image processing device acquire it.

[0085] (viii) When execution of the job using the second payment method in addition to the first payment method is selected, the job control unit may display on the operation screen options for making settings for the job using the second payment method separately from settings for the job using the first payment method. In this way, it is possible to execute jobs based on different settings for the first and second payment methods, such as printing documents to be submitted to a business on one side without enlarging or reducing them, and printing documents to be printed as a copy by the user by reducing two pages onto one page and printing them on both sides.

[0086] (ix) When the job is charged using the second payment method, the image processing device may further include a history generation unit that generates and stores a history of the job executed using the second payment method. The generated history may be stored in the image processing device, but is preferably stored in an external management device that is communicatively connected. In this way, by generating and storing a history, if an incident occurs at a later date that suggests a possible information leak, the stored history can be used to verify the possibility of an information leak.

[0087] (x) A preferred aspect of the present invention includes an image processing method comprising the steps of: a computer performing user authentication; providing an operation screen for the authenticated user to set up and charge for a job related to image processing; displaying on the operation screen an option for whether to charge for the job using a second payment method different from the first payment method in addition to or instead of a first payment method linked to the user authentication; performing charging processing for the job in accordance with the selection; and executing the job using an image processing unit.

[0088] Preferred aspects of the present invention include any combination of the above-mentioned aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10: operation detection element, 11: control unit, 11p: print job control unit, 11r: read job control unit, 11u: user interface control unit, 12: display element, 13: image forming unit, 13d: image forming unit, 13t: paper transport unit, 15: scanner unit, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d: paper tray, 18: discharge tray, 20: image processing circuit, 21: operation control circuit, 24: communication interface circuit, 30: data storage unit, 30d: RAM, 30m: ROM 100: Image forming system, 101: Multifunction device, 102: Operation unit, 105: Money handling machine, 105d: Near field wireless communication interface circuit, 106: Coin slot, 107: Bill slot, 108: Coin return slot, 110: Receipt printer, 111: Receipt printer outlet, 120: Photo paper printer, 121: Photo paper outlet 201: "Corporate service" button, 203: "Next" button, 205: "Exit" button, 207: "Simple copy" button, 209: "Next" button, 211: "Change settings" button, 213: "Scan original" button, 215: "Next" button, 217: "Print personal charges", 219, 223: "Start copying" button, 221: "Go to personal use menu screen" button, 225: "Cancel copying" button, 227: "Go to corporate portal screen while remaining logged in" button, 229: "Continue with the same service" button, 231: "OK" button, 233: "Continue with the same settings" button, 235: "Continue with different settings" button, 237: "Exit" button

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image; an operation unit having a touch panel and displaying an operation screen; a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the operation unit, The control unit displaying a first screen on the operation unit for receiving a service selection from the user; After receiving a predetermined operation on the first screen, a user authentication screen for receiving user login is displayed on the operation unit; When the operation of the user authentication screen is accepted, a second screen is displayed on the operation unit, the second screen being a screen for accepting a service selection from the user, and at least some of the selectable services are different from those on the first screen; When a predetermined operation is received on the second screen, a copy start button for receiving the start of copying is displayed on the operation unit; When the operation of the copy start button is accepted, copying is started; After the copying is completed, a screen including a notice to call attention to the document placed on the document table and buttons for accepting operations is displayed on the operation unit; The image processing device executes a logout process when the button is operated while the screen is displayed, or when a predetermined time has passed without any touch operation on the touch panel.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, after accepting the start of the copying operation through the copy start button, causes the operation unit to display a copying screen indicating that the copying operation is in progress.

3. the copy-in-progress screen includes a copy stop button; The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit stops the copy operation in progress when the copy stop button is operated.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when accepting an operation on the user authentication screen, causes the operation unit to display the second screen including a copy service selection button that accepts the selection of a copy service, and when accepting an operation on the copy service selection button, causes the operation unit to display a copy setting screen including the copy start button.

5. The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit displays one or more setting screens related to copying on the operation unit before the copy service is selected and the copy start button is pressed, and displays a button on the one or more setting screens related to copying to return the display to the previous screen.

6. The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein after accepting the start of the copy using the copy start button, the control unit causes the operation unit to display a copy in progress screen indicating that the copy is in progress, but does not display a button on the copy in progress screen for returning the display to the previous screen.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second screen includes, as options for executable services, a plurality of options related to copying, each having different settings.

8. the control unit, after accepting the start of the copying by the copy start button, causes the operation unit to display a copying in progress screen indicating that the copying is being executed; The image processing device of claim 7, wherein regardless of which of multiple copy-related options is selected, the control unit displays, in that order, an operation screen on which the copy start button is displayed, the copying in progress screen, and a screen including a notification calling attention to the document placed on the document tray and a button to accept operations.

9. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein when the button is operated, the control unit executes a process of logging out without waiting for the predetermined time to elapse.

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