Image forming apparatus that performs fee calculation, control method for image forming apparatus, and program

Abstract

To solve such a problem that, in a direct print function, an image processing apparatus internally performs file analysis and a user looks at an output result (e.g. printed matter) to confirm whether or not the result matches a selected image file, in a case where the image processing apparatus performs fee settlement before printing output data, fee calculation in which setting (e.g. output method full color) in an operation request is applied to all files / all pages is performed regardless of a selected file content, and the fee becomes too high.SOLUTION: In order to solve the aforementioned problem, it is determined whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing in a page unit and then fee calculation is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that calculates fees when printing, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrophotographic image processing devices having a scanner and a printer can transmit images read by the scanner to an external device and print received PDL (Page Description Language) data and image files.

[0003] Traditionally, these image processing devices have been installed in the offices of companies and businesses for use by employees, with the company or business bearing all the costs of using the functions and maintenance. However, going forward, there will be a demand for environments where various users with different payment methods can use the device (public spaces, retail stores, shared offices, etc.), and for individual user-specific payment within a company.

[0004] In this case, after receiving an operation request, the image processing device must be controlled so that payment is made to the user before transmitting or printing the output data. Payment is made, for example, by connecting to an external payment system.

[0005] On the other hand, as mentioned above, image processing devices can receive and print image files; this function is called direct printing. Image files can be received via a network or by connecting an external storage device such as a USB memory stick and selecting the desired file from the image files stored on the media. When receiving image files directly in this way, the image processing device must analyze the file to determine whether it is color or monochrome data and whether it is a file that can be output using its own capabilities.

[0006] To determine the usage fee for an image processing device, information is required as to whether the output method is full color or monochrome and whether output is possible, and the user must be able to confirm this information in order to accept the determined usage fee.

[0007] Patent Document 1 presents a technique for printing the total number of pages in addition to the file name for TIFF files in index printing by direct printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2007-237608 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, conventionally, such file analysis is performed internally by the image processing device, and the user checks the output result (e.g., printed matter) to confirm whether it matches the selected image file. Therefore, if payment is made before the image processing device prints the output data, the fee calculation applies the setting at the time of operation request (e.g., output method full color) to all files / all pages, regardless of the content of the selected file, which may result in redundant fees (excessively high fees).

[0010] On the other hand, if the fee calculation is performed after all output data for the selected files has been generated, problems arise such as the time it takes from the operation request to the payment of the fee, which reduces convenience, and the inability to store all output data if the image processing device has a small memory capacity.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a means that allows users to accurately check the charges in advance without reducing the convenience of payment or increasing the cost of adding storage capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is provided. and a part of the plurality of files acquired by said acquisition means. While the information of the file is displayed on the display means, the remaining files a control means for preventing the display of information about the file on the display means; A fee calculation means for calculating fees for files with priority over the remaining files, and a control means for displaying information. A reception unit that receives a selection of a file to be printed from among the displayed part of the files. and the fee calculation means calculates the fee for each page of each file acquired by the acquisition means. determining means for determining whether a page is a color page or a monochrome page; Calculating a fee for printing each of the files based on the determination result of each page in the means. and the means to The display means displays the determination result by the determination means corresponding to each of the files, and the determination result includes the number of color pages, monochrome pages, and pages that cannot be output. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Users can accurately check prices without reducing convenience or increasing costs [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] Image processing device hardware configuration [Figure 2] Direct print function output after payment [Figure 3] Print price list example [Figure 4] Output results and fees for direct print function [Figure 5] Detailed display of page count after file analysis in this embodiment [Figure 6] Flowchart in this embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The program of the control unit (115) relating to the flowchart of the image processing device is stored in the ROM (102) of the control unit (115), read into the RAM (104), and executed by the CPU (103).

[0016] In the following embodiment, the image processing device (100) prints an image file acquired from an external storage medium, but the method of acquiring the image file is not limited, and other methods are also possible, such as acquiring it from an external device connected to a network.

[0017] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image processing device and an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a single device or a system consisting of multiple devices, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] Each component of the control unit (115) of the image processing device (100) is connected to a system bus (101) and an image bus (110). The ROM (102) is a ROM that stores a system boot program. System software that realizes each means of the present invention is stored in the ROM (102) or storage memory (105) and executed by the CPU (103). The RAM (104) is a system work memory area for the CPU (103) to execute software, and also serves as image memory for temporary storage when processing image data. The storage memory (105) is used as internal storage. It stores data read by the scanner unit (112), image data, system software, etc. The storage memory (105) is composed of an HDD (hard disk) or SSD (solid state drive). The network I / F unit (106) is an I / F unit for connecting via a LAN (local area network) or WAN, and inputs and outputs information to and from each connected device. The external storage media I / F unit (107) is an I / F unit for connecting to external storage media such as USB memory, and inputs and outputs information to and from the connected external storage media. The above devices are placed on the system bus (101). The IO control unit A (109) is a bus bridge that connects the system bus (101) to an image bus (110) that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure of the system bus (101). The image bus (110) is composed of general-purpose buses such as a PCI bus, IEEE1394, and PCIEx. The following devices are placed on the image bus (110). It connects the image input / output devices, such as a scanner unit (112) and a printer unit (113), to the image processing unit (111) and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. The image processing unit (111) is composed of multiple ASICs that perform image processing such as resolution conversion, compression / decompression, and binary / multi-value conversion on input and output image data. The image data operation unit control unit B (108) is an interface unit with the operation unit (114) (UI = User Interface), and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit (114) to the operation unit (114). It also plays a role in transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit (114) to the CPU (103).This is an I / F unit that allows software to control the operation unit (114) equipped with a display device, a keypad device, and a card reader device. In the present invention, the operation unit (114) is composed of an LCD touch panel or the like, and interprets and displays the VGA signal output from the operation unit control unit B (108).

[0019] Figure 2 shows the output after payment in the direct print function.

[0020] Here, the image processing device (204) is the image processing device (100) of FIG.

[0021] A user (201) connects a USB memory (202) to the external storage media I / F unit (107) of an image processing device (204). Various files (203), such as JPEG, TIFF, and PDF, are stored in the USB memory (202). The image processing device (204) displays a list of files (203) on the operation unit (114), and the user (201) selects the desired file from the list and sets the output color mode and other settings and requests a print operation from the operation unit (114).

[0022] An application (205) that controls payment is installed in the ROM (102) of the image processing device (204). The application (205) calculates the fee according to the print operation request settings and the number of pages of the selected file, and sends a payment request to the print payment system (206) connected via the network I / F unit (106).

[0023] When the application (205) receives a notification of payment completion from the print payment system (206), the image processing device (204) analyzes the selected files, generates print images (207) of each file / each page, and prints them onto paper media, etc. (208).

[0024] FIG. 3 shows an example of a print fee schedule.

[0025] The print fee table (301) is referenced when calculating the fee, which is 30 yen per page if the output color mode is full color, and 10 yen per page if it is monochrome.

[0026] The print fee table (301) may be stored in the ROM (102) of the image processing device (100) and referenced by the application (205), or may be held by the print payment system (206) and notified to the application (205) when a payment request is made.

[0027] Figure 4 shows the output results and fees for the direct print function.

[0028] 401 to 404 are the same as 201 to 204 in Figure 2. Here, the files selected by the user (401) are File A (JPEG format, 1 color page), File B (TIFF format, 1 color page, 2 monochrome pages, 1 page that cannot be output), and File C (PDF format, 1 color page, 1 monochrome page). Before file analysis, simple information such as the number of pages in each file is known, but detailed information (color / monochrome, whether it can be output or not) is not known.

[0029] Here, the user (401) also sets the output color mode and requests printing in full color.

[0030] The application (405) refers to the print price list (301), calculates the price as 180 yen in total for six full-color pages at 30 yen each, and displays the price (407) on the operation unit (114).

[0031] When the user (401) gives notice of approval for the fee display (407) from the operation unit (114), the application (405) makes a payment request to the print payment system (406).

[0032] When the application (405) receives a notification of payment completion from the print payment system (406), the image processing device (404) analyzes the selected files, generates print images (408) of each file / each page, and prints them onto paper media, etc. (409).

[0033] However, the user (401) checks the printout (409) that was output as a result of the file analysis and recognizes that there are three color pages and three monochrome pages. This causes a problem for the user (401) in that the contents of the printout (409) do not match the contents that the user (401) agreed to in the price display (407).

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a detailed display of the number of pages after file analysis in this embodiment.

[0035] The display of the screen (501) and the screen (502) in the example of FIG. 4 will be described.

[0036] A screen (501) is a screen on which the image processing device (404) displays a list of files in the USB memory (402) when the user (401) selects a file to be printed.

[0037] Five files (aaa.Jpe, bbb.Tiff, ccc.Pdf, ddd.Jpg, eee.Pdf) are displayed on the screen (501), and the user (401) has selected three files (aaa.Jpe, bbb.Tiff, ccc.Pdf). The image processing device (404) then performs file analysis of the displayed files (without generating print images) and displays the analysis results on the screen (501). Therefore, the number of color pages, monochrome pages, and pages that cannot be output for each file is displayed on the screen (501).

[0038] A screen (502) is displayed by the image processing device (404) and the application (405) when the user (401) accepts the fee, and is displayed instead of the fee display (407).

[0039] Screen (502) displays the file selected on screen (501) and the results of that file analysis, as well as the fee calculated based on the number of pages (color pages, monochrome pages, and pages that cannot be printed) based on the results of the file analysis.

[0040] Therefore, no redundant charges are included, and the user (401) can confirm that the contents he / she has agreed to on the screen (502) match the contents of the printed copy (409).

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of this embodiment.

[0042] The CPU (103) refers to / obtains file information in an external storage medium connected to the external storage medium I / F unit (107) (S601), and displays a file list screen (501) showing a list of files on the operation unit (114) (S602).

[0043] The CPU (103) sequentially analyzes the details of the contents of the file (S603), and sequentially adds and displays the number of pages for each output method on the file list screen (S604).

[0044] When a file to be printed is selected on the file list screen (501) and a print request is made (S605), if not all of the files to be printed have been analyzed (S606), the CPU (103) analyzes the remaining files to be printed and displays the results (S607).

[0045] After S607 or if all analysis has been completed in S606, the CPU (103) calculates the fee based on the output method of the file analysis results and the print fee schedule (301) stored in the ROM (102) (S608). The CPU (103) displays a payment confirmation screen (502) on the operation unit (114) (S609), and when the payment confirmation screen (502) indicates that the approval has been confirmed (OK) (S610), it sends a payment request to the print payment system (406) (S611). When the print payment system (406) notifies the CPU (103) that payment has been completed (S612), the CPU (103) prints the file to be printed (S613).

[0046] If the payment confirmation screen (502) in S610 indicates that the approval confirmation has been rejected, the CPU (103) displays the file list screen and the number of pages for each output method displayed in S602 and S604 (S614), returns to S605, and waits again for the selection of the file to be printed and a print request.

Claims

1. acquiring means for acquiring a plurality of files from an external device; a control means for displaying information on some of the files acquired by the acquisition means on a display means, while not displaying information on the remaining files on the display means; a fee calculation means for calculating a fee for the part of the files in priority over the remaining files; a receiving unit for receiving a selection of a file to be printed from among the part of the files whose information is displayed by the control unit; The fee calculation means a determining means for determining whether each page of each file acquired by the acquiring means is a color page or a monochrome page; means for calculating a fee for printing each of the files based on the determination result of each page by the determination means; The display means displays the judgment results by the judgment means corresponding to each file for each file, and the judgment results include the number of color pages, monochrome pages, and pages that cannot be output.

2. a second determination means connected to a fee payment system for determining whether the calculated fee has been paid; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit that prints the file for which the fee has been paid, based on the determination that the fee has been paid.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external device is an external storage medium.

4. an acquiring step of acquiring a plurality of files from an external device; a control step of displaying information about some of the files acquired in the acquisition step while not displaying information about the remaining files; a fee calculation step of calculating a fee for the part of the files in preference to the remaining files; a receiving step of receiving a selection of a file to be printed from among the part of files whose information is displayed in the control step, In the fee calculation step, determining whether each page of each file acquired in the acquiring step is a color page or a monochrome page; calculating a fee for printing each of the files based on the determination result for each page; The control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the determination result corresponding to each file is displayed for each file, and the determination result includes the number of color pages, monochrome pages, and pages that cannot be output.

5. a second determination step, connected to a fee payment system, for determining whether the calculated fee has been paid; 5. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a printing step of printing the file for which the fee has been paid based on the determination that the fee has been paid.

6. 6. The method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the external device is an external storage medium.

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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