Information processing system, control method for information processing system, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that can appropriately associate print data and a code pattern provided from an external settlement service with each other.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus 116 acquires, from an external settlement service, a settlement code for settling the amount input in association with input of a medical registration card ID, and stores print data designated in association with input of the settlement code and the medical registration card ID in association with the medical registration card ID.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing System, Information Information Processing system How to control , and and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] The introduction of cashless payments using two-dimensional codes and other payment codes is being promoted for the purpose of improving business efficiency and customer convenience in retail store payments and counter payments in various industries. However, in some industries such as medical institutions, cashless payments have not become widespread due to cost burdens and other reasons, despite the need to improve the efficiency and convenience of counter payments.

[0003] Cashless payment using a payment code includes a store scan method in which a business entity scans a payment code displayed by a user on a smartphone or the like, and a user scan method in which a user scans a payment code presented by a business entity using a smartphone or the like. The user scan method has the advantage that the business entity does not need to prepare a scanning device, which reduces the cost burden and makes it easy to introduce. In addition, the user scan method uses a payment code containing amount information, which eliminates the need to input the amount, making it possible to improve the efficiency and convenience of counter accounting. It is being considered to introduce cashless payment using the user scan method with such characteristics to medical institution accounting. For example, by attaching an image of a payment code containing amount information of accounting to a receipt such as a medical fee statement or a dispensing fee statement printed at the time of accounting at a medical institution, it is possible to reduce the cost burden and improve the efficiency and convenience of counter accounting at a medical institution. As a technology related to attaching a code image to a printed matter in this way, the technology of Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In Patent Document 1, a printing device generates a code pattern such as a QR code based on personal information logged into the printing device, and combines the generated code pattern with the data to be printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-129586 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the generation of the payment code used in cashless payment is not performed by the printing device that prints the print data, but by an external payment service that provides a payment service using the payment code. Therefore, there is a strong demand for a mechanism that can appropriately associate the print data with the payment code provided by the external payment service in order to combine the intended payment code with the print data.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to transmit information for generating a code for paying an amount to an external payment service, receive a code generated based on the transmitted information, and compare the received code with For payment To provide a mechanism for synthesizing print data, and when both printing based on the generated synthetic data and payment of the amount using the code are not completed, executing printing based on the synthetic data generated by synthesis, notifying an error based on the fact that printing based on the synthetic data and payment of the amount using the code have already been completed, and when printing based on the synthetic data is completed but payment of the amount using the code is not completed, displaying a confirmation screen for confirming with a user whether to print based on the synthetic data, and when instructed on the confirmation screen to print based on the synthetic data, causing printing to be performed based on the synthetic data generated by synthesis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the information processing system of the present invention includes a transmission means for transmitting information for generating a code for settling an amount to an external payment service, a reception means for receiving a code generated based on the information transmitted by the transmission means, and a code received by the reception means. For payment The printing apparatus includes a combining means for combining print data and generating combined data, a control means for causing a printing means to print based on the combined data generated by combining by the combining means when both printing based on the combined data and payment of the amount using the code are not completed, a notification means for notifying an error based on the fact that printing based on the combined data and payment of the amount using the code have already been completed, and a display means for displaying a confirmation screen for confirming with a user whether to print based on the combined data by the printing means when printing based on the combined data is completed but payment of the amount using the code is not completed, and when instructed on the confirmation screen displayed by the display means to print based on the combined data by the printing means, the control means causes the printing means to print based on the combined data generated by combining by the combining means. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, information for generating a code for settling an amount is transmitted to an external payment service, a code generated based on the transmitted information is received, and the received code and For payment The printing data is synthesized, and if both printing based on the generated synthetic data and payment of the amount using the code are not completed, a printing means is caused to execute printing based on the synthetic data generated by synthesis, and an error is notified based on the fact that printing based on the synthetic data and payment of the amount using the code have already been completed. If printing based on the synthetic data is completed but payment of the amount using the code is not completed, a confirmation screen is displayed to confirm with the user whether to print based on the synthetic data, and when instructed on the confirmation screen to print based on the synthetic data, printing based on the synthetic data generated by synthesis is caused to be performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the flow of cash payments in a medical institution. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of payment using a payment code in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the detailed procedure of steps S305 to S307 in FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an accounting data set storage process executed by the information processing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a print control process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the detailed procedure of steps S305 to S307 in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the steps of an accounting data set storage process executed by an information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a print control process executed by an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 and an information processing apparatus 116 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. Fig. 1(b) shows the configuration of the information processing apparatus 116.

[0012] 1A, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage memory 105, an operation unit 109, a scanner unit 114, and a printer unit 115. The control unit 101 is connected to the storage memory 105, the operation unit 109, the scanner unit 114, and the printer unit 115. The control unit 101 also includes a CPU 102, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, a LAN I / F unit 106, a line I / F unit 107, an operation unit control unit 108, an IO control unit 110, and an image processing unit 113. The CPU 102, the ROM 103, the RAM 104, the LAN I / F unit 106, the line I / F unit 107, the operation unit control unit 108, and the IO control unit 110 are connected to each other via a system bus 111. The image processing unit 113 is connected to the IO control unit 110 via an image bus 112.

[0013] The control unit 101 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 102 executes programs stored in the ROM 103 and the storage memory 105 to cause software modules (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100 to execute various processes. The ROM 103 stores a system boot program and the like. The RAM 104 is a system work memory area for the CPU 102 to execute the software modules (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 104 is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data when the image data is processed. The storage memory 105 is composed of an HDD (hard disk) or an SSD (solid state drive) and is used as an internal storage. The storage memory 105 stores, for example, system software modules for implementing various functions of the image forming apparatus 100 and image data transferred from the RAM 104.

[0014] The LAN I / F unit 106 is an I / F for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to a LAN. The LAN I / F unit 106 performs data communication with an external device connected to the LAN, such as an information processing device 116 or an external storage device 124 that holds an accounting data set described later. The line I / F unit 107 is an I / F for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to a WAN. The line I / F unit 107 performs data communication with an external device connected to the WAN. The operation unit control unit 108 is an I / F for the control unit 101 and the operation unit 109. For example, the operation unit control unit 108 outputs a VGA signal to the operation unit 109 and causes the operation unit 109 to display an image corresponding to the VGA signal. The operation unit control unit 108 also outputs information input by a user to the operation unit 109 to the CPU 102. The operation unit 109 is equipped with a display device, a keypad device, and a card reader device, and is configured with an LCD touch panel or the like. The operation unit 109 interprets the VGA signal output from the operation unit control unit 108 and displays an image corresponding to the VGA signal.

[0015] The IO control unit 110 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 111 and the image bus 112 and converts the data structure of the system bus 111. The image bus 112 is composed of a general-purpose bus such as a PCI bus, IEEE1394, and PCIEx, and transfers image data at high speed. In addition to the IO control unit 110 and the image processing unit 113, a scanner unit 114 and a printer unit 115 are connected to the image bus 112. The image bus 112 converts image data between synchronous and asynchronous systems. The image processing unit 113 is composed of a plurality of ASICs. The image processing unit 113 performs resolution conversion processing, compression processing, decompression processing, and binary / multi-value conversion processing on the image data. The scanner unit 114 reads an original and generates image data. The printer unit 115 prints the image data generated by the scanner unit 114 and print data that is data to be printed and is obtained from the information processing device 116.

[0016] 1(b), the information processing device 116 includes a CPU 117, a ROM 118, a RAM 119, a storage unit 120, an input reception unit 121, and an external connection unit 122. The CPU 117, the ROM 118, the RAM 119, the storage unit 120, the input reception unit 121, and the external connection unit 122 are connected to each other via a system bus 123.

[0017] The CPU 117 executes a program stored in the ROM 118 to cause a software module (not shown) of the information processing device 116 to execute each process. The ROM 118 stores a boot program of the system and the like. The RAM 119 is a system work memory area for the CPU 117 to execute a software module (not shown) of the information processing device 116. The RAM 119 is also a memory for temporarily storing data when processing the data. The storage unit 120 is a non-volatile storage device for storing image data and setting information, such as a HDD or SSD. The input reception unit 121 is an input device such as a keyboard or a touch screen. A user inputs various instructions, setting values, and the like to the input reception unit 121. The external connection unit 122 performs data communication with an external device or an external system via a LAN, the Internet, or the like.

[0018] Incidentally, the introduction of cashless payments using two-dimensional codes and other payment codes (code patterns) is being promoted for the purpose of improving the efficiency of business operations and customer convenience in payments at retail stores and at counters in various industries. However, in some industries such as medical institutions, despite the need to improve the efficiency and convenience of counter payments, cashless payments have not become widespread due to reasons such as the cost burden, and payments are still made in cash.

[0019] 2 is a diagram showing the flow of cash payment at a medical institution. In this embodiment, a hospital is described as an example of a medical institution, but the medical institution is not limited to a hospital and may be a pharmacy or the like.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in a medical institution, after reception processing (step S201), waiting / calling (step S202), and examination (step S203), the patient is in a state of waiting for payment. Meanwhile, a medical institution clerk (hereinafter simply referred to as "clerk") performs calculation processing of the receipt necessary for counter accounting (step S204), and prints the receipt and prescription (step S205). After completing printing of the receipt and prescription, the clerk calls the patient waiting for payment (step S206) and performs payment processing for the called patient (step S207). In step S207, since payment is made by cash, it takes time to process each called patient, and a queue occurs. For this reason, payment by cash reduces the work efficiency of the medical institution clerk, and increases the waiting time for patients for payment processing. In response to this, the introduction of payment by payment code using an external payment service is being considered for payment at medical institutions. For example, by attaching a payment code including billing amount information to a receipt printed at a medical institution during billing, it is possible to improve the efficiency and convenience of over-the-counter billing at a medical institution. To realize such cashless payment, it is necessary to combine a payment code provided by an external payment service with the print data of the receipt. In order to combine an intended payment code with the print data of the receipt, there is a strong demand for a mechanism that can appropriately associate the print data of the receipt with the payment code provided by the external payment service.

[0021] In contrast, in the present embodiment, a payment code for settling the amount entered in conjunction with the input of the medical appointment card ID is obtained from an external payment service, and the printing data specified in conjunction with the input of the payment code and the medical appointment card ID is stored in correspondence with the medical appointment card ID.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of payment by a payment code in the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the patient performs reception processing (step S301). In step S301, the patient selects a payment code from among cash, credit card, and a payment code as a payment method. At this time, the patient selects one external payment service from among a plurality of external payment services that provide a payment service by a payment code. Then, steps S302 to S304, which are the same processes as steps S202 to S204, are performed. Then, the clerk prepares to print the receipt and prescription (step S305). In step S305, the clerk operates the information processing device 116 to prepare print data for printing the receipt and prescription and a payment code without printing the receipt and prescription. When these preparations are completed, the clerk notifies the patient that the preparations are completed. Details of the process by the information processing device 116 in step S305 will be described later.

[0023] Upon receiving the notification that preparation is complete, the patient uses the image forming device 100 installed in the medical institution to print the print data and payment code prepared by the office staff (step S306). This causes, for example, a medical receipt including the payment code to be printed. The patient scans the printed payment code with a smartphone and makes payment through an external payment service (step S307). By making payment using the payment code in this manner, it is possible to prevent queues from occurring during payment processing and reduce the waiting time of patients for payment processing. It is also possible to reduce the man-hours required for payment processing and improve the work efficiency of office staff.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the detailed procedure of steps S305 to S307 in FIG. 3. In step S305 described above, the information processing device 116 creates print data for printing the receipt and prescription of the patient 400 according to the instruction of the office worker 401, and also accesses an external payment service. At this time, the information processing device 116 accesses an external payment service selected by the patient 400 together with the payment method in step S301 from among a plurality of external payment services that provide a payment service by a payment code. The information processing device 116 requests the external payment service to create a payment code based on the patient's 400's patient card ID (user identification information) and the amount entered by the office worker 401 (see, for example, (1) in FIG. 4). When the payment code created according to this request is obtained from the external payment service, the information processing device 116 stores an accounting data set 402 including the patient's 400's patient card ID, print data, payment code, and attribute information (see, for example, (2) in FIG. 4) (storage control means). The attribute information in the accounting data set 402 includes a printing status and a payment status. For example, in the attribute information, information indicating whether printing using the accounting data set 402 has been performed is set as the printing status. In addition, when the payment method is a payment code, information indicating whether payment using the accounting data set 402 has been performed is set as the payment status of the attribute information. When the payment method is not a payment code, a non-payment code indicating that payment is not made by a payment code is set. The information processing device 116 stores the accounting data set 402 in a specified folder in a specified storage location. The specified storage location is, for example, the external storage device 124 that can communicate via the external connection unit 122, or the storage unit 120. When storage of the accounting data set 402 is completed, the clerk 401 notifies the patient 400 that preparation is complete.

[0025] Upon receiving the notification that preparation is complete, the patient 400 logs into the image forming device 100 by inputting the patient's 400 patient card ID into the operation unit 109 (see, for example, (3) in FIG. 4). The image forming device 100 receives a print instruction from the logged-in patient 400 and acquires the accounting data set 402 corresponding to the patient card ID input at the time of login from the above-mentioned predetermined storage location (see, for example, (4) in FIG. 4). Next, the image forming device 100 refers to attribute information included in the acquired accounting data set 402. For example, if both the printing status and the settlement status in this attribute information are not yet executed, the image forming device 100 combines the settlement code with the print data in a specified format stored in the RAM 104. The image forming device 100 also prints the print data with the settlement code combined (see, for example, (5) in FIG. 4). As a result, for example, a receipt 405 including an image 404 of the settlement code is printed. After completing printing, the image forming device 100 updates the printing status of the attribute information in the accounting data set 402 stored in the specified location to "print completed" (see, for example, (6) in FIG. 4). Next, the patient 400 logs out from the image forming device 100 (see, for example, (7) in FIG. 4).

[0026] In addition, the patient 400 uses the smartphone 406 to scan the image 404 of the payment code on the receipt 405, and accesses the external payment service selected in step 301, for example, A-Pay 407 in FIG. 4, to make the payment (see, for example, (8) in FIG. 4). When the payment is completed, A-Pay 407, which is the external payment service, notifies the information processing device 116, which requested the creation of the payment code for this payment, of the completion of the payment by a predetermined method such as E-mail or SNS (see, for example, (9) in FIG. 4). Upon receiving the notification of the completion of the payment, the information processing device 116 updates the payment status of the attribute information in the accounting data set 402 stored in a predetermined storage location to completed (see, for example, (10) in FIG. 4). Here, the information processing device 116 stores the attribute information with the payment status updated to completed in the above-mentioned predetermined storage location, or requests the external storage device 124, which is the above-mentioned predetermined storage location, to update the payment status to completed.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the accounting data set storage process executed by the information processing device 116 in Fig. 1. The process in Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 117 of the information processing device 116 executing a program read from the ROM 118 to the RAM 119. The process in Fig. 5 is executed in step S305 when the office clerk prepares to print the receipt and prescription.

[0028] In FIG. 5, when the patient's appointment card ID is input in input reception unit 121 (YES in step S501) and print data is further specified (YES in step S502), CPU 117 performs the process of step S503. In step S503, CPU 117 stores the specified print data in the above-mentioned predetermined storage location in association with the appointment card ID. Next, when an amount is input in input reception unit 121 (YES in step S504), CPU 117 acquires a payment method corresponding to the appointment card ID from storage unit 120 (step S505). In this embodiment, information indicating the payment method and external payment service selected by the patient in step S301 is stored in storage unit 120 in association with the appointment card ID of the patient. Next, CPU 117 determines whether the acquired payment method is a payment code (step S506).

[0029] If the result of the determination in step S506 is that the acquired payment method is not a payment code, the accounting data set storage process proceeds to step S510, which will be described later. If the result of the determination in step S506 is that the acquired payment method is a payment code, the CPU 117 notifies the external payment service selected by the patient in step S301 of the amount entered in step S504. The CPU 117 also requests the external payment service to create a payment code for paying the notified amount (step S507) (request means).

[0030] In response to this request, CPU 117 acquires a payment code for settling the amount from the external payment service (step S508), and stores this payment code in association with the patient appointment card ID in the specified storage location together with the print data (step S509). Next, CPU 117 generates attribute information corresponding to the stored print data and payment code (step S510). Next, CPU 117 associates the attribute information with the patient appointment card ID and stores it in the specified storage location together with the print data and payment code (step S511). In this way, in this embodiment, an accounting data set including the print data, payment code, and attribute information associated with the patient appointment card ID is stored in the specified storage location. After that, the accounting data set storage process ends.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print control processing executed by image forming apparatus 100 in Fig. 1. The processing in Fig. 6 is realized by CPU 102 of image forming apparatus 100 executing a program read from ROM 103 or accumulation memory 105 to RAM 104. The processing in Fig. 6 is executed when the patient prints the print data and the payment code in step S306.

[0032] 6, when a user ID is input to operation unit 109 and CPU 102 receives a login request using this user ID (YES in step S601), it performs login processing based on the input user ID (step S602) (login processing execution means). If authentication is successful, the user who input the user ID to operation unit 109 is able to give various instructions to image forming apparatus 100, such as executing a job. Next, CPU 102 determines whether the ID type of the input user ID is a patient registration card ID (step S603).

[0033] If it is determined in step S603 that the ID type of the input user ID is not a patient registration card ID, the CPU 102 displays a home screen on the operation unit 109 (step S604), and the print control process ends.

[0034] If it is determined in step S603 that the ID type of the input user ID is a patient appointment card ID, CPU 102 performs processing in step S605. In step S605, CPU 102 queries the external device (external storage device 124 or information processing device 116) that is the specified storage location for the accounting data set corresponding to the patient appointment card ID. The external device sends a response notice to this query to image forming device 100. The response notice includes information indicating whether or not the accounting data set corresponding to the patient appointment card ID is stored in the external device, and attribute information in the accounting data set corresponding to the patient appointment card ID. Based on the response notice received from the external device, CPU 102 determines whether or not the accounting data set corresponding to the patient appointment card ID is stored in the external device (step S606).

[0035] If it is determined in step S606 that the accounting data set corresponding to the patient registration card ID is stored in the external device, CPU 102 determines the attribute information included in the response notification received from the external device (step S607).

[0036] In step S607, if both the printing status and the payment status in the attribute information are not yet completed, the CPU 102 acquires an accounting data set corresponding to the patient ID from the external device (step S608) (data set acquisition means). Next, the CPU 102 acquires print data and a payment code from the accounting data set, and combines the print data with the payment code in a specified format stored in the RAM 104 (step S609). Next, the CPU 102 controls the printer unit 115 to print the print data combined with the payment code (step S610). When printing is completed, the CPU 102 updates the printing status of the attribute information in the accounting data set stored in the specified storage location to completed (step S611). In step S611, the CPU 102 transmits the attribute information with the printing status updated to completed to the external device that is the specified storage location, or requests the external device that is the specified storage location to update the printing status to completed. Next, the CPU 102 waits until the user inputs a logout request to the operation unit 109. When the user inputs a logout request to operation unit 109 (YES in step S612), CPU 102 performs logout processing (step S613), and the print control processing ends.

[0037] In step S607, if either the printing status or the payment status in the attribute information is not yet executed, or if a non-payment code is set for the payment status, the print control process proceeds to step S614. In step S614, CPU 102 displays a print confirmation screen (not shown) on operation unit 109 to confirm with the user whether or not printing is required. Next, CPU 102 determines whether or not a print request has been received from the user (step S615).

[0038] If it is determined in step S615 that a print request has been received from the user, the print control process proceeds to step S608. If it is determined in step S615 that a print request has not been received from the user, the print control process proceeds to step S612.

[0039] In step S607, if both the printing status and the settlement status in the attribute information are "already implemented," CPU 102 displays an error screen on operation unit 109 (step S616). Next, CPU 102 sends an error notification to a predetermined destination by e-mail or the like (step S617). Thus, in this embodiment, it is determined based on the attribute information whether or not to perform printing using the accounting data set. Then, the print control process ends.

[0040] According to the embodiment described above, a payment code for settling the amount entered in association with the entry of the patient card ID is obtained from an external payment service, and the print data specified in association with the entry of the payment code and the patient card ID is stored in association with the patient card ID. This allows the print data to be appropriately associated with the payment code provided by the external payment service.

[0041] In the embodiment described above, the payment code and print data acquired from the external payment service are stored in the storage unit 120 of the information processing device 116. This allows the print data to be appropriately associated with the payment code provided by the external payment service in a configuration in which the information processing device 116 outputs print data to the image forming device 100.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the payment code and print data acquired from the external payment service are stored in the external storage device 124. As a result, in a configuration in which print data is output from the information processing device 116 to the image forming device 100 via the external storage device 124, the print data can be appropriately associated with the payment code provided by the external payment service.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the accounting data set includes attribute information including the printing status and the payment status, and whether or not to print based on the accounting data set is determined based on the attribute information included in the accounting data set. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary printing, such as printing a receipt that includes a payment code for an already-paid transaction.

[0044] Next, an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0045] The second embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment in terms of configuration and operation, but differs from the first embodiment in that the information processing device 116 combines a payment code with print data. Therefore, a description of the overlapping configurations and operations will be omitted, and the following describes the different configurations and operations.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the detailed procedure of steps S305 to S307 in the second embodiment. In step S305 described above, the information processing device 116 creates print data for printing a receipt and a prescription in accordance with an instruction from the office worker 401, and also accesses an external payment service. Here, the information processing device 116 accesses an external payment service selected by the patient 400 together with the payment method in step S301 from among a plurality of external payment services that can realize payment by a payment code. As in (1) of FIG. 4, the information processing device 116 requests the external payment service to create a payment code based on the patient's 400 medical card ID and the amount input by the office worker 401 (for example, see (1) of FIG. 7). When the information processing device 116 acquires a payment code from the external payment service in response to this request, it generates payment code combined print data. The payment code combined print data is print data that is obtained by combining the acquired payment code in a prescribed format previously stored in the storage unit 120 with the print data designated by the clerk 401 when he / she inputs the patient ID card. The information processing device 116 also stores the payment code combined print data and the accounting data set 701 including the attribute information in the above-mentioned predetermined storage location (see, for example, (2) in FIG. 7). After that, the same processing as in (3) and (4) in FIG. 4 is performed (see, for example, (3) and (4) in FIG. 7). Next, the image forming device 100 refers to the attribute information included in the acquired accounting data set 701. For example, if both the printing status and the payment status in this attribute information are not yet performed, the image forming device 100 prints the payment code combined print data (see, for example, (5) in FIG. 7). As a result, the receipt 405 including the image 404 of the payment code is output. After that, the same processing as in (6) to (10) in FIG. 4 is performed (see, for example, (6) to (10) in FIG. 7).

[0047] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the accounting data set storage process executed by the information processing device 116 in the second embodiment. Like the accounting data set storage process of Figure 5, the accounting data set storage process of Figure 8 is also realized by the CPU 117 of the information processing device 116 executing a program read from ROM 118 to RAM 119. Note that, like the accounting data set storage process of Figure 5, the accounting data set storage process of Figure 8 is also executed in step S305 when the office clerk prepares to print the receipt and prescription.

[0048] In FIG. 8, CPU 117 performs the processes of steps S501 to S508. Next, CPU 117 combines the payment code with the print data in a specified format pre-stored in storage unit 120 (step S801). This generates payment code combined print data. Next, CPU 117 associates the payment code combined print data with the patient appointment card ID and stores it in the above-mentioned specified storage location together with the print data before combination (step S802). Next, CPU 117 performs the processes of steps S510 and S511. In this way, in this embodiment, accounting data set 701 including the payment code combined print data associated with the patient appointment card ID is stored in the specified storage location.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print control processing executed by image forming apparatus 100 in the second embodiment. Like the print control processing of Fig. 6, the print control processing of Fig. 9 is also realized by CPU 102 of image forming apparatus 100 executing a program read from ROM 103 or accumulation memory 105 to RAM 104. Also, like the print control processing of Fig. 6, the print control processing of Fig. 9 is also executed in step S306 when the patient prints the print data and the payment code.

[0050] In FIG. 9, the CPU 102 performs the processes of steps S601 to S607.

[0051] In step S607, if either the printing status or the payment status in the attribute information is not yet executed, or if a non-payment code is set in the payment status, the print control process proceeds to step S614. The subsequent process is the same as that in the flowchart of FIG.

[0052] In step S607, if the printing status and the settlement status in the attribute information are both "already executed," the print control process proceeds to step S616. Note that the subsequent processes are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

[0053] In step S607, if the printing status and the payment status in the attribute information included in the response notification received from the external device are both "unexecuted," the print control process proceeds to step S608. The accounting data set acquired by CPU 102 in step S608 includes the payment code composite print data generated in step S801. Next, CPU 102 controls printer unit 115 to print the payment code composite print data (step S901). Next, CPU 102 performs the processes in and after step S611.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the payment code for settling the amount entered with the patient card ID is acquired from an external payment service, and the payment code composite print data in which the payment code is composited is stored in association with the patient card ID. This ensures that the print data and the payment code provided by the external payment service are associated with each other.

[0055] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Image forming device 102 CPU 116 Information processing equipment 117 CPU 120 Storage section 124 External storage device 402, 701 Accounting Data Set

Claims

1. A transmitting means for transmitting information for generating a code for settling an amount to an external payment service; a receiving means for receiving a code generated based on the information transmitted by the transmitting means; a synthesizing means for synthesizing the code received by the receiving means with print data for payment, and generating synthesized data; a control means for causing a printing means to execute printing based on the composite data generated by the composition by the composition means when both the printing based on the composite data and the payment of the amount using the code are not completed; a notification means for notifying an error based on the fact that printing based on the composite data and settlement of the amount using the code have already been completed; a display means for displaying a confirmation screen for confirming with a user whether or not to perform printing based on the composite data by the printing means when printing based on the composite data has been completed but payment of the amount using the code has not been completed; When instructed on the confirmation screen displayed by the display means to print based on the composite data by the printing means, the control means causes the printing means to print based on the composite data generated by synthesis by the synthesis means.

2. The device further includes a receiving unit for receiving the identification information, 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the combining means combines the code received by the receiving means, which corresponds to the identification information accepted by the accepting means, with the print data.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the identification information is a user ID.

4. 4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the code is a two-dimensional code.

5. A sending step of sending information for generating a code for settling the amount to an external payment service; a receiving step of receiving a code generated based on the information transmitted in the transmitting step; a combining step of combining the code received in the receiving step with print data for payment to generate combined data; a control step of causing a printing means to execute printing based on the composite data generated by the composition in the composition step, when both the printing based on the composite data and the payment of the amount using the code are not completed; a notification step of notifying an error based on the fact that printing based on the composite data and settlement of the amount using the code have already been completed; a display step of displaying a confirmation screen for confirming with a user whether or not to perform printing based on the composite data by the printing means when printing based on the composite data has been completed but payment of the amount using the code has not been completed; A control method for an information processing system, characterized in that, when instructed on the confirmation screen displayed in the display step to print based on the composite data by the printing means, the control step causes the printing means to print based on the composite data generated by synthesis in the synthesis step.

6. 6. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 5.

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