Printing cost calculation system and calculation method, printing cost calculation device, terminal device and program

Abstract

To provide a printing cost calculation system, a printing cost calculation method, a printing cost calculation device, a terminal device, and a program which are capable of, when using a privately owned printer for which cost is not managed in telework or the like, automatically calculating a printing cost for allowing settlement of the printing cost.SOLUTION: A printing cost calculation system includes: a terminal device 1 which instructs printing to an image forming device 2; and a printing cost calculation device 3 capable of communicating with the terminal device. The terminal device 1 includes transmission means 16 which transmits calculation information, including unique information of the image forming device 2, necessary for calculating the printing cost to the printing cost calculation device 3. The printing cost calculation device 3 includes calculation means 31 which calculates the printing cost on the basis of the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device 1, and output means 31 which outputs a calculation result of the printing cost by the calculation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing cost calculation system, a calculation method, a printing cost calculation device, a terminal device, and a program that can calculate printing costs even when printing is performed using a printer that is not subject to printing cost management, such as a personal printer.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a way of working called telecommuting has been spreading. Personal computers (hereinafter also referred to as PCs) used for telecommuting are often provided by the company side, but printers are often those owned by individuals at home.

[0003] When using a printer at the workplace, printing costs such as toner costs are managed by the company and borne by the company. On the other hand, home printers are originally purchased assuming personal use, and it is common for individuals to pay for the ink used. Therefore, when using a personal printer for telecommuting, the ink cost becomes a personal expense. Also, although a method of billing the company after use is considered, there is a problem of lack of accuracy.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when there is a printing instruction from a user, the image forming apparatus requests the business document determination system to determine whether the document to be printed is for business use. The business document determination system determines whether it is for business use based on a template, an image, and words. If it is for business use, it prints and charges the company. If it is determined to be for personal use, a warning is displayed on the display unit, and the user is instructed to select whether it is for business use or personal use. On the other hand, if it is determined to be for business use and the user selects and instructs business use, a technique for storing the page in a document storage server and notifying the administrator terminal is disclosed.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technology in which, under the control of a control module, a function identification module identifies a designated function from among multiple functions of an image forming apparatus, and if the designated function is the "Photo Print function", a personal identification module identifies the personal ID, a business / private use classification identification module identifies the business / private use classification, and a time zone determination module determines the time zone. Based on this result, an image reading module reads out image data, an image formation instruction module instructs image formation based on that image data, a history recording module records the history of image formation, and a billing module bills the individual in the case of private use, and the department in other cases. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-207344 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-111948 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, while the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can determine whether printing is for business use or not, they do not describe how to enable the settlement of printing costs when business printing is done on, for example, a personally owned printer that is not subject to cost management.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a printing cost calculation system, calculation method, printing cost calculation device, terminal device, and program that can automatically calculate printing costs in order to enable settlement of printing costs when using, for example, a personally owned printer that is not managed for expenses, in the case of teleworking, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above objectives will be achieved by the following means. (1) A printing cost calculation system comprising a terminal device for instructing an image forming apparatus to print, and a printing cost calculation device capable of communicating with the terminal device, The terminal device includes a transmission means for transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device. The printing cost calculation device includes a calculation means for calculating the printing cost based on the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device, and an output means for outputting the calculation result of the printing cost by the calculation means. Equipped with 、 The terminal device further includes a billing determination means for determining whether or not to bill for expenses, and the transmission means transmits the calculation information to the printing expense calculation device only when the billing determination means determines that expenses should be billed. A printing cost calculation system characterized by the following features. ( 2 The aforementioned billing determination means determines whether or not to bill for the costs using the image information of the file to be printed. 1 The printing cost calculation system described above. ( 3 The aforementioned billing determination means determines whether or not to bill for the costs using the attached information of the file to be printed. 1 The printing cost calculation system described above. ( 4 The aforementioned billing determination means determines whether or not to bill for expenses based on time information. 1 The printing cost calculation system described above. ( 5 The printing cost calculation system described in paragraph 1 above, wherein the unique information of the image forming apparatus is product information of at least one of the image forming apparatus or consumables. ( 6 The printing cost calculation system described in item 1 above contains information specific to the image forming apparatus, which is the unit price information of the consumables for the image forming apparatus. ( 7 )The preceding paragraph 1~ includes a cost settlement means that pays the printing costs calculated by the printing cost calculation device to the user of the terminal device. 6 A printing cost calculation system as described in one of the following. ( 8 The printing cost calculation device includes a payment determination means for determining whether or not to approve payment of printing costs, and a notification means for notifying a terminal device of the determination result of the payment determination means. 6The printing cost calculation system described in any one of the above. ( 9 ) The payment determination means determines whether to permit the payment of the printing cost by comparing it with the cost previously assigned to an individual or a group. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 8 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 10 ) The payment determination means determines whether to permit the payment based on whether the printing is necessary for business operations. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 8 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 11 ) The payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business operations by using the image information of the file to be printed. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 10 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 12 ) The payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business operations by using the attached information of the file to be printed. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 10 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 13 ) The payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business operations based on the time information. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 10 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 14 ) When the transmission of the calculation information before printing and the transmission of the calculation information after printing are performed from the terminal device, the calculation means of the printing cost calculation device calculates the printing cost every time the calculation information before and after printing is received. If there is a difference between the two calculated printing costs, the printing cost calculated based on the calculation information before printing is updated to the printing cost calculated based on the calculation information after printing. The printing cost calculation system described in Item 1 of the preceding paragraph. ( 15 ) The printing cost calculation device includes a target eligibility determination means for determining whether it is outside the scope of cost billing after receiving the calculation information after printing. If it is determined by the target eligibility determination means that it is outside the scope of cost billing, the already calculated printing cost is canceled. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 14 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 16 ) The target eligibility determination means determines whether it is outside the scope of cost billing by using the comparison result between the image information before printing and the image information after printing. The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. 15 The printing cost calculation system described in the preceding paragraph. ( 17 ) A printing cost calculation method executed in a printing cost calculation system including a terminal device for instructing printing to an image forming apparatus and a printing cost calculation device capable of communicating with this terminal device, comprising: The terminal device transmits calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost including the unique information of the image forming apparatus to the printing cost calculation device. The printing cost calculation device calculates the printing cost based on the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device and outputs the calculation result. death, The terminal device further determines whether or not to charge a fee, and only if it determines that a fee should be charged, it transmits the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device. A printing cost calculation method characterized by the above. ( 18 ) A terminal device capable of communicating with a printing cost calculation device that instructs printing to an image forming apparatus and calculates the printing cost at the image forming apparatus, comprising: Transmission means for transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost including the unique information of the image forming apparatus to the printing cost calculation device. and, A billing determination means for determining whether or not to charge an expense, Provided with 、 Only when the billing determination means determines that a fee should be charged, the transmission means transmits the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device. A terminal device characterized by the above. ( 19 ) A program for causing a computer of a terminal device capable of communicating with a printing cost calculation device that instructs printing to an image forming apparatus and calculates the printing cost at the image forming apparatus to execute: A transmission step of transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost including the unique information of the image forming apparatus to the printing cost calculation device. and, A billing determination step to determine whether or not to charge an expense, To execute 、 If the billing determination step determines that an expense should be charged, the transmission step causes the computer to execute the process of sending the calculation information to the printing expense calculation device. A program for the purpose.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] <00A0125>According to the printing cost calculation system and calculation method of this invention, calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost by the image forming apparatus is transmitted from a terminal device that instructs the image forming apparatus to print to a printing cost calculation device. The transmitted calculation information includes information specific to the image forming apparatus.

[0011] The printing cost calculation device, upon receiving the calculation information, calculates the printing cost based on that information and outputs the calculation result. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus used for printing is, for example, privately owned, the printing cost can be calculated using the printing cost calculation device.

[0012] Furthermore, since the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device to the printing cost calculation device includes information specific to the image forming machine, it is possible to calculate printing costs with high accuracy even if the type of image forming machine is different.

[0013] Furthermore, the printing cost calculation device according to this invention can calculate and output printing costs based on calculation information transmitted from a terminal device.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the terminal device of this invention, calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, can be transmitted to the printing cost calculation device.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the program of this invention, the computer of the printing cost calculation device can be made to perform a process of calculating the printing cost based on calculation information transmitted from the terminal device and outputting the calculation result, or the computer of the terminal device can be made to perform a process of transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing cost calculation system according to one embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of terminal device 1. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a terminal device in one embodiment of this invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a printing cost calculation device in one embodiment of this invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the subroutine for calculating printing costs in step S15 in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the operation of the terminal device in another embodiment of this invention. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the print settings screen of the printer driver displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the operation of a printing cost calculation device that determines whether printing is for business use and decides whether to approve or deny payment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows another example of how a printing cost calculation device works when it determines whether printing is for business use and decides whether to approve or deny payment. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows yet another example of how a printing cost calculation device works when it determines whether printing is for business use and decides whether to approve or deny payment. [Figure 11] This flowchart explains the operation of the terminal device that receives the result of the printing cost calculation device described in Figures 8 to 10, which determines whether the printing is for business use. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing cost calculation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the operation of a terminal device when an employee ID is sent along with calculation information for settling printing costs. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows the operation of the print cost calculation device after it receives calculation information and employee IDs from a terminal device. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows the operation when using the settlement function of the printing cost calculation device. [Figure 16]This flowchart shows the operation of the printing cost calculation device in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a terminal device in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This flowchart shows the operation of the printing cost calculation device that receives calculation information before and after printing. [Figure 19] This flowchart shows the operation of the printing cost calculation device in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This flowchart shows the operation of the printing cost calculation device in yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing cost calculation system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This printing cost calculation system includes a terminal device 1, an image forming apparatus 2, a printing cost calculation device 3, and the like.

[0019] Terminal device 1 consists of a PC 1a or tablet 1b and is used by the printer at home or elsewhere while working remotely. It performs operations such as issuing print instructions to the image forming apparatus 2 and collecting calculation information for calculating the printing costs of the image forming apparatus 2, and sending it to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with the calculation request. Alternatively, a cost calculation mode may be provided, and the terminal device may be configured to collect and send calculation information to the printing cost calculation device 3 only in this cost calculation mode. The configuration of terminal device 1 is shown in the block diagram in Figure 2.

[0020] Terminal device 1 includes a CPU 11, RAM 12, storage unit 13, display unit 14, input unit 15, communication unit 16, etc.

[0021] The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the entire terminal device 1 based on the operating system (also simply called the OS), the printer driver for controlling the printing of the image forming apparatus 2, the application (also simply called the app) for collecting and transmitting the information for calculating the aforementioned printing costs, and various other apps. The specific control details will be described later.

[0022] RAM12 is memory that provides a workspace for the CPU11 when it executes the program.

[0023] The memory unit 13 is a memory that stores the OS, various applications, and other data.

[0024] The display unit 14 displays various screens and messages for the user, such as the operation screen, the document / image to be printed, and the calculation results of the printing cost notified by the printing cost calculation device 3 (described later), and is composed of a display device such as an LCD.

[0025] The input unit 15 consists of a mouse, touch panel, or the like, used for user operation.

[0026] The communication unit 16 functions as a communication interface for communicating with the image forming apparatus 2 and the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0027] Terminal device 1 has the aforementioned printer driver installed for controlling printing on the image forming apparatus 2, enabling printing on the image forming apparatus 2. Specifically, the user opens the file to be printed from various applications such as a document creation application on the screen of terminal device 1, selects functions such as paper size, single-sided / double-sided printing, and color / monochrome using the printer driver, and then issues a print command. In addition, as mentioned above, terminal device 1 also has an application installed for sending calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost when printing on the image forming apparatus 2 to the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0028] Image forming apparatus 2 is, for example, a printer owned by an individual working from home, and is capable of communicating with terminal device 1 via wired or wireless connection.

[0029] The printing cost calculation device 3 calculates the printing cost based on the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device 1 and outputs the calculation result. It consists of a PC or server 3a installed within the company, or an image forming device 3b such as a multifunction digital multifunction printer (MFP). It may also be a server installed outside the company (including a cloud server). The output of the calculation result is not limited, but it is performed to the terminal device 1, for example, via a network, in order to notify the terminal device 1 of the calculation result. In this case, the user can recognize the calculated printing cost by having the terminal device 1 display the notified printing cost calculation result.

[0030] When the printing cost calculation device 3 is composed of a PC or server, it will have a configuration similar to the terminal device 1, as shown in Figure 2, including a CPU 31, RAM 32, storage unit 33, display unit 34, input unit 35, communication interface 36, etc. The functions of each of these parts are the same as those of the terminal device 1, except for the type of application stored in the storage unit 33. The printing cost calculation device 3 has applications stored and installed to calculate printing costs based on calculation information received from the terminal device 1 and to notify the terminal device 1 of the calculation results.

[0031] Next, the operation of the printing cost calculation system shown in Figure 1 will be explained. The operations shown in the flowcharts from Figure 3 onward are performed by the processors, such as the CPUs 11 and 31 of the terminal device 1 or the printing cost calculation device 3, operating according to the operation programs stored in the memory units 13 and 33, etc.

[0032] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate one embodiment of this invention. Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the terminal device 1, and Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0033] In the flowchart of Figure 3, step S01 determines whether the user has issued a print command to the image forming apparatus 2. If there is no print command (NO in step S01), the system waits until a print command is issued. If there is a print command (YES in step S01), in step S02, information for calculating the printing cost is collected and sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with a calculation request.

[0034] Printing costs primarily consist of the cost of consumables such as paper and ink (including toner). Ink usage accounts for a particularly large proportion. Since these consumables, especially ink, differ depending on the type of image forming apparatus 2, the information used to calculate printing costs includes image forming apparatus 2-specific information that can identify the unit price of the consumables used, particularly the unit price of ink. This image forming apparatus 2-specific information may be the unit price information of the consumables themselves, or it may be product information of the image forming apparatus 2 and / or product information of the consumables used in the image forming apparatus 2. Product information of the image forming apparatus 2 and consumables may include, for example, the name, type code, and product number of the image forming apparatus 2 and the consumables.

[0035] Furthermore, since ink usage varies depending on the image data being printed, it is desirable to include the image data being printed in the information used to calculate printing costs. It is also desirable to include printing settings that affect the amount of consumables used (for example, specifying color printing or monochrome printing, settings related to magnification such as 2-in-1 which combines two pages into one, paper size, number of sheets, etc.) in the information used to calculate printing costs.

[0036] After sending the information for calculating the printing cost, step S03 checks whether the printing cost calculation result has been received from the printing cost calculation device 3. If it has not been received (NO in step S03), it waits until it is received. If it is received (YES in step S03), step S04 instructs the image forming apparatus 2 to print, and in step S05 waits for the printing to be completed (NO in step S05). Once it is completed (YES in step S05), the process ends.

[0037] The print instruction in step S04 may be given based on user operation. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 2 may be instructed to print based on user operation without waiting for the calculation result from step S03 to be received.

[0038] In the flowchart of Figure 4 showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3, step S11 determines whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S11), it waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S11), in step S12, it receives calculation information from terminal device 1. The printing cost calculation device 3 is equipped with an image processing function, and in step S13, it virtually forms an image on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0039] Next, in step S14, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image, and then in step S15, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. The printing cost calculation process will be described later.

[0040] Next, in step S16, the calculated printing cost is output to the storage unit 33, and the storage unit 33 records it, for example, in association with the user who performed the printing.

[0041] Subsequently, in step S17, the calculation result of the printing cost is transmitted (output) to terminal device 1.

[0042] Terminal device 1 displays the calculated printing cost on the display unit 14, allowing the user to recognize the printing cost.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the subroutine for calculating the printing cost in step S15.

[0044] In step S151, it is determined whether the unique information of the image forming apparatus 2 included in the calculation information from terminal device 1 is product information for the image forming apparatus 2 or consumables, or unit price information for consumables. If it is product information, the unit price information for consumables such as ink and paper is obtained in step S152, and then the process proceeds to step S153. If it is unit price information for consumables, the process proceeds directly to step S153.

[0045] In step S153, the printing cost is calculated using the unit price information, and then the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0046] In step S152, the unit price information for consumables can be obtained, for example, by identifying the manufacturer from product information such as the name of the image forming apparatus 2 and the consumables, and then obtaining the information from the manufacturer's website. Alternatively, the printing cost calculation device 3 can maintain a table that associates product information for the image forming apparatus 2 and consumables with unit price information for consumables such as ink, and the unit price information for consumables can be obtained by referring to this table.

[0047] In this embodiment, the terminal device 1, which instructs the image forming apparatus 2 to print, transmits calculation information necessary for calculating the printing cost by the image forming apparatus 2, including product information of the image forming apparatus 2 and its consumables, or unit price information of consumables, to the printing cost calculation device 3. Upon receiving the calculation information, the printing cost calculation device 3 calculates the printing cost based on the calculation information and notifies the terminal device 1 of the calculation result. Therefore, even if the image forming apparatus 2 used for printing is, for example, personally owned, such as for teleworking, the printing cost can be calculated by the printing cost calculation device 3, and the user can recognize the calculated printing cost (payment amount).

[0048] Furthermore, since the calculation information includes unique information for the image forming apparatus 2, it is possible to calculate printing costs with high accuracy even if the type of image forming apparatus 2 is different.

[0049] In the above embodiment, calculation information was sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 before printing. However, the calculation information may be sent during printing by the image forming apparatus 2 or after printing. If the information is sent after printing, the calculation information may be information collected before printing or information collected after printing. In the case of calculation information collected after printing, even if a problem such as a paper jam occurs and the printing differs from what was planned before printing, information such as the amount of ink and the number of sheets of paper actually used for printing can be sent to the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0050] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 1 in another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the terminal device 1 has a function to determine whether or not to charge a fee by determining whether the printing by the image forming apparatus 2 is for business use.

[0051] In step S21, it is determined whether the user has issued a print command to the image forming apparatus 2. If there is no print command (NO in step S21), the system waits until a print command is issued. If there is a print command (YES in step S21), in step S22, it is determined whether the printing is for business use. The determination of whether it is for business use will be described later.

[0052] If it is for business use (YES in step S22), in step S23, information for calculating printing costs is collected and sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with the calculation request. In other words, an invoice is sent. Next, in step S24, it is checked whether the printing cost calculation result has been received from the printing cost calculation device 3. If it has not been received (NO in step S24), it waits until it is received. If it is received (YES in step S24), it proceeds to step S25.

[0053] If the use is not for business purposes in step S22 (the answer is NO in step S22), proceed to step S25 without sending calculation information (without billing).

[0054] In step S25, the image forming apparatus 2 is instructed to print, and in step S26, the system waits for the printing to be completed (NO in step S26). Once the printing is complete (YES in step S26), the process is terminated.

[0055] The print instruction in step S25 may be given based on user operation. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 2 may be instructed to print based on user operation without waiting for the calculation result from step S24 to be received.

[0056] One way to determine whether the use in step S22 is for the user to declare that it is for business purposes. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the printer driver's print settings screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 of the terminal device 1 can display a "Non-Business Printing" button 141. If the "Non-Business Printing" button 141 is turned on (checked), it is determined to be for non-business purposes; if it is not checked, it is determined to be for business purposes. This method respects the user's intentions.

[0057] Another method for determining whether something is for business use is for the terminal device 1 to analyze the image data to be printed. Specifically, it can check whether the image data has pre-registered characters, patterns, watermarks, etc. that indicate it is for business use, and if it does, it can be determined to be for business use. Alternatively, it can be determined whether it is for business use by checking whether there are company names or other characters in the header or footer, or, in the case of printing email documents, by checking the sender and recipient of the email.

[0058] Another method for determining whether a file is for business use is for terminal device 1 to examine the attached information of the file to be printed. This attached information may include the file name, file location, file owner, and, in the case of printing a web page, the URL (Uniform Resource Locator). For example, if the file name is related to business or the file location is on an internal company server, it can be determined that the file is for business use.

[0059] Another way to determine whether something is for business use is to base the decision on the current time the user is attempting to print. For example, if the current time falls within business hours, it can be considered business use.

[0060] As described above, in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the terminal device 1 determines whether the printing is for business use and only sends information for calculating printing costs to the printing cost calculation device 3 if it is for business use, thus preventing fraudulent billing in cases where the printing is not for business use.

[0061] In the embodiment described in Figure 6, the terminal device 1 determined whether the printing was for business use, but it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the printing cost calculation device 3 makes the determination.

[0062] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3, which determines whether or not to approve payment based on whether the printing is for business use. In the example in Figure 8, whether or not the printing is for business use is determined based on the file (image data) to be printed.

[0063] In step S31, it is determined whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S31), the system waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S31), in step S32, the system receives calculation information from terminal device 1, and then in step S33, it virtually forms an image on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0064] Next, in step S34, it is determined whether the formed image is within the scope of business, that is, whether it is for business use. To determine whether the image is within the scope of business, it is necessary to check whether it has pre-registered characters, patterns, watermarks, etc. that indicate it is within the scope of business. If it does, it is determined to be within the scope of business. Alternatively, it may be determined whether it is for business use based on whether there are characters such as the company name in the header or footer, or based on the recipient and sender of the email.

[0065] If the image is within the scope of work in step S34 (YES in step S34), payment is authorized in step S35. After calculating the amount of ink used from the formed image, in step S36, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. The printing cost calculation process is the same as the process in step S15 shown in the flowchart of Figure 4.

[0066] Next, in step S37, the calculated printing cost is recorded, for example, in association with the user who performed the printing, and then the process proceeds to step S38.

[0067] If the image in step S34 is not within the scope of work (resulting in NO in step S34), the calculation result in step S39 is set to "Payment not possible," and then the process proceeds to step S38.

[0068] In step S38, if payment is permitted, the calculated printing cost is notified to terminal device 1; if payment is not permitted, that fact is notified to terminal device 1.

[0069] Terminal device 1 displays the calculation result of the notified printing costs on the display unit 14, allowing the user to recognize which printing costs have been approved for payment and which have not.

[0070] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of how the printing cost calculation device 3 operates when it determines whether the printing is for business use and decides whether to approve or deny payment. In the example in Figure 9, the determination of whether the printing is for business use is based on the file storage location, which is one of the attached pieces of information for the file to be printed.

[0071] In step S41, it is determined whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S41), the system waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S41), in step S42, calculation information including the location of the file to be printed is received from terminal device 1. Then, in step S43, it is determined whether the location of the file to be printed is on the company server. If the file name of the file to be printed is used as supplementary information for the determination, it is sufficient to determine that it falls within the scope of work if the file name is related to business. Other supplementary information that can be used for the determination includes the file owner and, in the case of printing a web page, the URL.

[0072] In step S43, if the location where the file to be printed is saved is on the company's internal server (YES in step S43), payment is authorized in step S44, and the image is virtually formed on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0073] Next, in step S45, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image, and then in step S46, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. The printing cost calculation process is the same as the process in step S15 shown in the flowchart of Figure 4.

[0074] Next, in step S47, the calculated printing cost is recorded in association with the user who performed the printing, and then the process proceeds to step S48.

[0075] In step S43, if the destination of the file to be printed is not the company's internal server (the answer is NO in step S43), the calculation result in step S49 is set to "Payment not possible," and then the process proceeds to step S48.

[0076] In step S48, if the calculation result, i.e., payment is permitted, the calculated printing cost is notified to terminal device 1; if payment is not permitted, that fact is notified to terminal device 1.

[0077] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating yet another example of how the printing cost calculation device 3 determines whether the printing is for business use and decides whether to approve or deny payment. In the example in Figure 10, the determination of whether the printing is for business use is based on time information.

[0078] In step S51, determine whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S51), wait until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S51), receive calculation information from terminal device 1 in step S52, and then determine in step S53 whether the current time is within business hours. If business hours differ for each employee, employee attendance information may be referenced.

[0079] If the current time is within business hours (YES in step S53), proceed to steps S54 to S58. If the current time is not within business hours (NO in step S53), set the payment to "Not Allowed" in step S59, and then proceed to step S58.

[0080] Note that the processes in steps S54 to S58 shown in Figure 10 are the same as the processes in steps S44 to S48 in Figure 9, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0081] In the print cost calculation device 3, whose operation is explained in the flowcharts in Figures 8 to 10, the print cost calculation device 3 determines whether the print is for business use, so the terminal device 1 does not need to determine whether the print is for business use, and there is no need to provide each terminal device 1 with a function to determine whether the print is for business use.

[0082] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of terminal device 1 after it receives the result of the print cost calculation device 3, as explained in the flowcharts of Figures 8 to 10, determining whether the print is for business use. In this example, different processing is performed depending on whether terminal device 1 is personally owned or company owned.

[0083] In step S61, it is determined whether the user has issued a print command to the image forming apparatus 2. If there is no print command (NO in step S61), the system waits until a print command is issued. If there is a print command (YES in step S61), in step S62, information for calculating the printing cost is collected and sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with a calculation request.

[0084] Next, in step S63, it is checked whether the printing cost calculation result has been received from the printing cost calculation device 3. If it has not been received (NO in step S63), it waits until it is received. If it is received (YES in step S63), in step S64, it is determined whether the result from the printing cost calculation device 3 is "unpayable". If it is not "unpayable" (NO in step S64), in step S65, the image forming apparatus 2 is instructed to print, and in step S66, the process is terminated after waiting for the printing to be completed.

[0085] On the other hand, if payment is not possible in step S64 (YES in step S64), in step S67, the system checks whether terminal device 1 is owned by the company (loaned to the user) based on the information stored in terminal device 1. If it is not owned by the company (NO in step S67), the system proceeds to step S65 and instructs image forming apparatus 2 to print. If it is owned by the company (YES in step S67), the process is terminated to prohibit printing for purposes other than business.

[0086] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing cost calculation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. This printing cost calculation system includes, in addition to the terminal device 1, image forming apparatus 2, and printing cost calculation device 3 shown in Figure 1, a settlement means 4 for paying the user the printing cost calculated by the printing cost calculation device 3. The settlement means 4 may be configured by a PC or server separate from the printing cost calculation device 3, or the printing cost calculation device 3 may have the function of the settlement means 4. In this embodiment, the printing cost calculation device 3 will be described as having the function of the settlement means 4.

[0087] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of terminal device 1, which sends employee IDs along with calculation information for settling printing costs.

[0088] In step S71, it is determined whether the user has issued a print command to the image forming apparatus 2. If there is no print command (NO in step S71), the system waits until a print command is issued. If there is a print command (YES in step S71), in step S72, an identification code (employee ID) indicating that the user is an employee and information for calculating the printing cost are collected and sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with a calculation request.

[0089] Next, in step S73, it is checked whether the calculation result for the printing cost has been received. If it has not been received (NO in step S73), it waits until it is received. If it is received (YES in step S73), in step S74, the image forming apparatus 2 is instructed to print, and in step S75, the process is terminated after waiting for the printing to be completed.

[0090] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print cost calculation device 3 after it receives calculation information and employee ID from terminal device 1.

[0091] In step S81, it is determined whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S81), it waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S81), in step S82, the employee ID and calculation information are received from terminal device 1. Then, in step S13, an image is virtually formed on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0092] Next, in step S84, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image, and then in step S85, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. This printing cost calculation process is the same as the printing cost calculation process in step S15 of the flowchart in Figure 4, so the explanation is omitted.

[0093] Next, in step S86, the calculated printing cost is recorded in association with the employee ID, and then in step S87, the calculation result of the printing cost is transmitted to the terminal device 1.

[0094] If the settlement means 4 is an external device separate from the printing cost calculation device 3, the printing cost calculation device 3 may output the calculated printing cost and employee ID to the settlement means, and the settlement means 4 may store the printing cost associated with the employee ID.

[0095] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the operation when using the settlement function of the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0096] In step S91, determine whether a settlement request has been made. If not (NO in step S91), wait for a settlement request. If a settlement request has been made (YES in step S91), in step S92, sum the amounts recorded in the employee ID corresponding to the employee who made the settlement request, and then in step S93, wait for the payment to be completed to the employee account, etc. (NO in step S93).

[0097] Once the payment is complete (YES in step S93), clear the amount recorded in the employee ID in step S94.

[0098] In this way, printing costs incurred when printing is done using a personally owned image forming device 2 while working from home can be reimbursed.

[0099] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3 in yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a payment limit is set for each user performing printing, for example, on a monthly or daily basis, and payment is not permitted if the limit is exceeded.

[0100] In step S101, it is determined whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S101), it waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S101), in step S102, the employee ID and calculation information are received from terminal device 1. Then, in step S103, an image is virtually formed on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0101] Next, in step S104, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image, and then in step S105, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. This printing cost calculation process is the same as the printing cost calculation process in step S15 of the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0102] Next, in step S106, the amount recorded for the employee ID (printing cost) and the calculated cost are added together, and in step S107, it is determined whether the total value is within the upper limit set for that user. If it is within the upper limit (YES in step S107), in step S108, the total value is recorded in association with the employee ID, and then the process proceeds to step S109. If it is not within the upper limit (NO in step S107), in step S110, the calculation result is set to "Payment not possible," and then the process proceeds to step S109.

[0103] In step S109, the calculation result, i.e., the calculated printing cost, or "Payment not possible," is sent to terminal device 1.

[0104] In this way, setting a certain upper limit on payments to users can help control the increase in printing costs.

[0105] The payment limit can be set for individual users or for groups such as organizations to which users belong.

[0106] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 1 in yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the printing cost is calculated from the calculation information before and after printing by the image forming apparatus 2, and if there is a difference between the two calculated printing costs, the printing cost calculated based on the calculation information before printing, which is the previously calculated cost, is updated.

[0107] In step S121, it is determined whether the user has issued a print command to the image forming apparatus 2. If there is no print command (NO in step S121), the system waits until a print command is issued. If there is a print command (YES in step S121), in step S122, information for calculating the printing cost is collected and sent to the printing cost calculation device 3 along with a calculation request.

[0108] Next, in step S123, it is checked whether the printing cost calculation result has been received from the printing cost calculation device 3. If it has not been received (NO in step S123), it waits until it is received. If it is received (YES in step S123), in step S124, the image forming apparatus 2 is instructed to print, and in step S125, it waits for the printing to be completed (NO in step S125).

[0109] Once printing is complete (YES in step S125), in step S126, the printing results indicating whether or not errors such as paper jams occurred, along with calculation information including the actual number of printed pages and information specific to the image forming apparatus 2, are sent to the printing cost calculation device 3.

[0110] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3, which receives calculation information before and after printing.

[0111] In step S131, it is determined whether a calculation request has been received from terminal device 1. If not (NO in step S131), the system waits until a calculation request is received. If a calculation request is received (YES in step S131), in step S132, the system receives calculation information from terminal device 1, and then in step S133, it virtually forms an image on the image processing function according to the image data and print settings included in the calculation information.

[0112] Next, in step S134, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image, and then in step S135, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc. This printing cost calculation process is the same as the printing cost calculation process in step S15 of the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0113] Next, in step S136, the data is recorded in association with the user, and then in step S137, the calculation result is transmitted to the terminal device 1.

[0114] Subsequently, in step S138, the system waits for the print result and calculation information to be received (NO in step S138). Once received (YES in step S138), in step S139, the amount of ink used is calculated from the formed image. Then, in step S140, the printing cost is calculated based on the calculated amount of ink used, the number of sheets of paper, etc., and the system proceeds to step S141.

[0115] In step S141, the calculation result before printing and the calculation result after printing are compared to check if the results are the same, i.e., if the printing costs are the same. If they are the same (YES in step S141), nothing is done. If they are not the same (NO in step S141), the calculation result after printing is overwritten and recorded in step S142. If the printing costs are different, the calculation result after printing may be notified to terminal device 1.

[0116] In this embodiment, the printing cost is calculated before and after printing by the image forming apparatus 2, and if there is a discrepancy, the calculation result is corrected based on the actual printing. Therefore, even if a paper jam occurs or printing is canceled midway, it is possible to calculate the printing cost with high accuracy.

[0117] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3 in yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device determines whether or not to charge a fee by determining whether or not the printed image is within the scope of work, and if it is not subject to charge, it cancels the calculated printing cost.

[0118] In Figure 19, the operations of steps S151 to S158 are the same as the operations of steps S131 to S138 in Figure 18, so the explanation is omitted.

[0119] In step S159, it is determined whether the printed image included in the calculation information received in step S158 is within the scope of business. To determine whether the image is within the scope of business, it is necessary to check whether it has pre-registered characters, patterns, watermarks, etc. that indicate it is within the scope of business, similar to step S34 in the flowchart of Figure 8 mentioned above. If it does, it is determined to be within the scope of business. Alternatively, whether it is for business use can be determined by checking whether there are characters such as the company name in the header or footer, or by the sender and recipient of the email.

[0120] If the printed image falls within the scope of work (YES in step S159), in step S160, it is determined that the cost is billable, and the cost of printing is calculated and recorded. If the printed image falls outside the scope of work (NO in step S159), in step S161, it is determined that the cost is not billable, and the calculated printing cost is cleared (cancelled).

[0121] Thus, in this embodiment, printing costs are only reimbursed if the printed image falls within the scope of business operations, thus preventing payment for printing for personal use.

[0122] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing cost calculation device 3 in yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the device compares whether the images before and after printing are the same, and if they are different, it cancels the calculated printing cost.

[0123] In Figure 20, the operations of steps S171 to S178 are the same as the operations of steps S131 to S138 in Figure 18, so the explanation is omitted.

[0124] In step S179, it is determined whether the image before printing and the image after printing are the same. If they are the same (YES in step S179), it is determined that the cost is billable and no action is taken. Therefore, in this case, the calculated printing cost is paid. On the other hand, if the images before and after printing are not the same (NO in step S159), in step S180, it is determined that the cost is not billable and the printing cost is cleared (cancelled).

[0125] In this embodiment, since printing costs are only charged if the images before and after printing are the same, it is possible to prevent fraudulent billing due to intentional changes to the file to be printed after the information for calculating printing costs has been transmitted.

[0126] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, each embodiment does not have to be independent of the others, and two or more embodiments may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1. Terminal device 1a PC 1b Tablet 2 Image forming apparatus 3. Printing cost calculation device 3a PC, Server 3b Image forming device 4 Clearing device 11 CPU 12 RAM 13 Storage section 14 Display section 15 Input section 16 Communications Department 141 "Non-business Printing" button

Claims

1. A printing cost calculation system comprising a terminal device for instructing an image forming apparatus to print, and a printing cost calculation device capable of communicating with this terminal device, The terminal device includes a transmission means for transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device. The printing cost calculation device includes a calculation means for calculating the printing cost based on the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device, and an output means for outputting the calculation result of the printing cost by the calculation means. Equipped with, The printing cost calculation system is characterized in that the terminal device further includes a billing determination means for determining whether or not to bill for expenses, and the transmission means transmits the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device only when the billing determination means determines that expenses should be billed.

2. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the billing determination means determines whether or not to bill for costs using image information of the file to be printed.

3. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the billing determination means determines whether or not to bill for costs using the attached information of the file to be printed.

4. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the billing determination means determines whether or not to bill based on time information.

5. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the unique information of the image forming apparatus is product information of at least one of the image forming apparatus or consumables.

6. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the unique information of the image forming apparatus is the unit price information of the consumables of the image forming apparatus.

7. A printing cost calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cost settlement means for paying the printing costs calculated by the printing cost calculation device to the user of the terminal device.

8. The printing cost calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a payment determination means for determining whether or not to approve payment of printing costs, and a notification means for notifying a terminal device of the determination result of the payment determination means.

9. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 8, wherein the payment determination means determines whether or not to allow payment of printing costs by comparing them with costs pre-assigned to an individual or group.

10. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 8, wherein the payment determination means determines whether or not to approve payment based on whether the printing is necessary for business purposes.

11. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 10, wherein the payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business purposes using image information of the file to be printed.

12. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 10, wherein the payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business purposes using the attached information of the file to be printed.

13. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 10, wherein the payment determination means determines whether the printing is necessary for business purposes based on time information.

14. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 1, wherein, when the terminal device transmits calculation information before printing and calculation information after printing, the calculation means of the printing cost calculation device calculates the printing cost each time it receives the calculation information before and after printing, and if there is a difference between the two calculated printing costs, it updates the printing cost calculated based on the calculation information before printing to the printing cost calculated based on the calculation information after printing.

15. The printing cost calculation device includes an eligibility determination means for determining whether or not the printing cost is not subject to billing after receiving calculation information after printing, and if the eligibility determination means determines that the printing cost is not subject to billing, the printing cost that has already been calculated is canceled, according to claim 14.

16. The printing cost calculation system according to claim 15, wherein the means for determining eligibility determines whether or not the cost is not applicable by comparing the image information before printing with the image information after printing.

17. A method for calculating printing costs performed in a printing cost calculation system comprising a terminal device for instructing an image forming apparatus to print, and a printing cost calculation device capable of communicating with the terminal device, The terminal device transmits calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device. The printing cost calculation device calculates the printing cost based on the calculation information transmitted from the terminal device and outputs the calculation result. The printing cost calculation method is characterized in that the terminal device further determines whether or not to charge a fee, and only if it determines that a fee should be charged, transmits the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device.

18. A terminal device that can communicate with a printing cost calculation device that instructs an image forming apparatus to print and calculates the printing cost of the image forming apparatus, A transmission means for transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device, A billing determination means for determining whether or not to charge an expense, Equipped with, A terminal device characterized in that, only when the billing determination means determines that a fee should be charged, the transmission means transmits the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device.

19. A computer in a terminal device that can communicate with a printing cost calculation device that instructs the image forming apparatus to print and calculates the printing cost in the image forming apparatus, A transmission step of transmitting calculation information necessary for calculating printing costs, including information specific to the image forming apparatus, to the printing cost calculation device, A billing determination step to determine whether or not to charge an expense, Make it run, A program that causes the computer to perform the process of sending the calculation information to the printing cost calculation device in the transmission step only if it is determined in the billing determination step that an expense should be charged.

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