JP2001169030A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium that count the number of printed sheets and charge the user without giving unexpected damage to a user. SOLUTION: Input means 4 for inputting image information, printing means 1 for printing image data, conversion means 5 for converting image information input to input means 4 to image data, and printing in printing means 1 An image processing apparatus having counter means for counting the number of sheets;
For the printing of blank image data input to the input means 4 from 8 and 9, the count number of the counter means is added, and for the printing of self-generated image data by the conversion means 4, the count number of the counter means is added. It does not add. Billing is not performed when a blank sheet not instructed by the user is output or when an adjustment image is output, and it is possible to prevent the user from being charged an extra fee.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus suitable for counting the number of printed sheets and charging the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a multifunction machine in which a copying machine has a printer function, the same charging method per output as the charging method for the copying function is adopted as the charging method. When blank image data is sent from the host, a billing process is performed in the same manner as normal image data.

In an apparatus having only a printer function, there is a mode for restricting blank page output in a printer setting item, and a user who does not want to output an extra blank page sets an extra blank page by setting the item. I have tried not to. Even if the user sets a mode in which blank paper output is not restricted and discharges extra blank paper, such a printer is not a method of charging a fee per sheet, so an unexpected amount is added to the user. The actual harm did not occur.

[0004]

However, in the case of an apparatus in which a copying machine has a printer function, when the host instructs printing of a two-sided odd-numbered page, the printer function must be self-generated by setting the last page as a blank page. Output order was sometimes out of order. At this time, it is not possible to determine whether the function that manages the charging counter is blank data from the host or blank data generated inside the multifunction peripheral, and charging is performed for the output of either blank data. The counter was increasing. Therefore, in particular, when blank data is self-generated in order to match the output order inside the multifunction peripheral, an unexpected amount of money is charged to the user.

Further, in the case of an apparatus in which a copying machine is provided with a printer function, the same charge method per output as the charging method for the copying function is adopted as the charging method even when the printer function is used. For this reason, if the user sets a mode in which blank paper output is not restricted and extra blank paper is output, unlike a device having only a printer function, the user is charged for all of blank paper output, and the user is inadvertently charged. Damage had occurred.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an image processing apparatus which counts the number of prints and charges the user so as not to cause unexpected damage to a user.
It is an object to provide an image processing method and a storage medium.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image information; printing means for performing printing based on the image information; and a counter for counting the number of prints in the printing means. Means for printing image data input to the input means from another terminal device, adding a count number in the counter means, and printing the self-generated image data. In this case, the count in the counter means is not added.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image data input to the input means is image data including blank image data.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus further comprises a conversion unit for converting the image information input to the input unit into image data, and the printing unit performs printing based on the image data. Then, the self-generated image data is generated by the conversion means.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the self-generated image data is blank image data.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the self-generated image data is adjustment image data.

[0012] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: input means for inputting image information; printing means for performing printing based on the image information; first counter means for counting the number of prints in the printing means; An image processing apparatus having a second counter for counting the number of non-chargeable sheets out of the number of prints, wherein the second counter is used for printing image data input to the input unit from another terminal device. The count number of the first counter means is added, and for the printing of the self-generated image data, the count number of the second counter means is added together with the count number of the first counter means.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image data input to the input means is image data including blank image data.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus further comprises a conversion unit for converting the image information input to the input unit into image data, and the printing unit performs printing based on the image data. Then, the self-generated image data is generated by the conversion means.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the self-generated image data is blank image data.

In one embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the self-generated image data is adjustment image data.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting image information; a printing unit for printing image data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a conversion unit that converts the image information input to the input unit into the image data; and a counter unit that counts the number of prints in the printing unit, wherein the image data is blank image data. In such a case, the count in the counter means is not added.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting image information; a printing unit for printing image data;
Converting means for converting the image information input to the input means into the image data; first counter means for counting the number of printed sheets in the printing means; An image processing apparatus having a second counter unit, wherein when the image data is blank image data, the count number in the second counter unit is added together with the counter number in the first counter unit. I have to.

An image processing method according to the present invention is a method for converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data, and counting the number of prints. The number of prints is counted when printing image data input from another terminal device, and the number of prints is not counted when printing self-generated image data.

An image processing method according to the present invention is a method for converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data, and counting the number of prints. For printing of image data input from another terminal device, the number of prints is counted, and for printing of self-generated image data, the self-generated image data is excluded from the billing target together with the number of prints. Count the number of prints.

An image processing method according to the present invention is a method for converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data, and counting the number of prints. When the image data is blank image data, the number of printed sheets is not counted.

An image processing method according to the present invention is a method for converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data, and counting the number of prints. If the image data is blank image data, the number of prints based on the blank image data is counted together with the number of prints as a non-chargeable object.

The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each unit of the image processing apparatus.

The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the above-described image processing method.

[0025]

Since the present invention comprises the above technical means, the count number for the self-generated image data is not added, and only the count number necessary for the user is added. Therefore, it is possible to suppress counting of the number of prints that do not need to be charged, such as blank image data.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document, and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 (printing unit) and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a network interface unit 4, a formatter unit 5 (conversion means), a core unit 6, and the like.

The network interface unit 4 is an interface for exchanging information between the apparatus and personal computers or workstations (hereinafter, referred to as PC / WS) 7, 8, and 9 using a network adapter or the like.

The formatter unit 5 includes PC / WS7, 8, 9
Code data representing the image transferred from the printer unit 2
The image data is developed into image data recordable by.

The core 6 will be described later.
Controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the network interface unit 4, and the formatter unit 5.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds a document one by one in order from the last page onto the platen glass 102, and after the reading operation of the document is completed, the platen glass 102
The upper original is discharged.

When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the original is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105, 106, 1
07 and a lens 108 are guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109.

As described above, the scanned image of the original is CC
The image data read by the CCD 109 and output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 2.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2
It drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and the reader unit 1
Causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 2
02, a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202.

A developer is applied to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by a developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the cassette 20
The recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 4 and the cassette 205, is conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and transfers the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 to the recording paper.

The recording paper carrying the developer is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing section 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in respective pins.

When no sorting is set, the sorter 220 stores the recording paper at the uppermost pin. If double-sided recording is not set, the recording paper is stored in the uppermost bin. When double-sided recording is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path by the flapper 209. When multiple recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flapper 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

Next, the configuration of the reader unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the reader unit 1. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction.
The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111.

The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 in accordance with the settings set on the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed and the copy is performed by the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2.

The control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. Also, the memory 11
Reference numeral 6 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

Next, the configuration of the core section 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 6. When the copying function is used, image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 122, and control and commands from the reader unit 1 are transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing.
The image data transferred to 21 is transferred to the network interface unit 4 via the interface 120 according to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1.

The core unit 6 includes PC / WSs 7, 8, and 9
Is received via the network interface unit 4 and is supplied to the data processing unit 121. Data processing unit 121
Is the interface unit 1 under the control of the CPU 123.
The image data is output to the formatter unit 5 via the CPU 20 and image data is generated here.

Further, the core unit 6 causes the image data generated by the formatter unit 5 to be transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120, and transfers the image data via the interface unit 122 under the control of the CPU 123. And outputs it to the reader unit 1. Then, the data is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the printer unit 2.

Next, the flow of image code data including blank paper sent from the host will be described. The code data representing the blank image input via the network interface unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120, and then transferred to the formatter unit 5 via the interface unit 120 and the image data Will be expanded to. This image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120. The core unit 6 transmits the image data to the interface unit 122.
And transmits to the reader unit 1 via a signal line (not shown) that the image is not a self-generated blank image. In the reader unit 1, the accounting counter stored in the memory 116 is incremented by one, and the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

Next, the flow of self-generated blank image data will be described. The blank image data generated by the formatter unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120. Then, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and notifies the reader unit 1 that the image is a self-generated blank image through a signal line (not shown). The reader unit 1 transfers the image data to the printer unit 2 without increasing the charge counter held in the memory 116. This blank page image data is generated when the host issues an instruction to print both-sided odd-numbered pages, and the output order obtained becomes inconsistent unless the last page is blank as a blank page.

When the user is charged, the user is billed using the value of the charging counter in which the self-generated blank output is not counted, so that only the image output excluding the self-generated blank paper is accurately collected. Can be.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, counting is not performed when a blank sheet not specified by the user is output or when an adjustment image is output. As a result, the user is not charged, and it is possible to prevent the user from being charged an extra fee.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the charging counter is not incremented when it is determined that the image is a self-generated blank image. However, in the present embodiment, the non-charging counter is increased when a self-generated blank image is output. Things. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the image processing apparatus, the configuration of the reader unit and the printer unit, and the block configurations of the reader unit and the core unit are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described in the first embodiment. The description is omitted here.

The blank image data generated by the formatter unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120. Then, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and notifies the reader unit 1 of the fact that the image is a self-generated blank image through a signal line (not shown). When the reader unit 1 is notified that the image is a self-generated blank image, the count of the non-charging counter stored in the memory 116 is increased (added).
Then, the count number of the charging counter is also increased. Then, the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

When the user is charged, the value of the non-charging counter is subtracted from the value of the charging counter, so that only the image output excluding the self-generated blank image can be collected.

Although the first and second embodiments have described the case of a blank image, the same applies when the image data generated by the formatter unit 5 is an adjustment image.

In the first and second embodiments, blank image data and adjustment image data are generated by the formatter unit 5. However, blocks for generating blank image data and adjustment image data are separately provided. It may be provided.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when a blank sheet not instructed by the user is output or when an adjustment image is output, the value is added to the non-charge counter. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the user from being charged an extra fee.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, regardless of whether the blank image is self-generated or not, when the blank image is printed, billing is performed excluding the blank sheet. Also in the third embodiment, the configuration of the image processing apparatus, the configuration of the reader unit and the printer unit, and the block configurations of the reader unit and the core unit are the same as those described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS.
The description is omitted here because it is the same as that shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the flow of code data for one page in the third embodiment will be described. The code data representing the blank image input via the network interface unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120, and then transmitted to the interface unit 1
The image data is transferred to the formatter unit 5 via the reference numeral 20 and developed into image data. This image data is stored in the interface unit 1
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121 via
The PU 123 determines whether the developed image data is a blank image.

If the image is not a blank image, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and informs the reader unit 1 that the image is not a blank image via a signal line (not shown). Reader unit 1
Then, the accounting counter stored in the memory 116 is increased by one, and the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is a blank image, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and notifies the reader unit 1 that the image is a blank image via a signal line (not shown). Inform reader unit 1. When the reader unit 1 is informed of a blank image via a signal line (not shown), the reader unit 1 transfers the image data to the printer unit 2 without increasing the charge counter stored in the memory 116.

When the user is charged, the charge is made using the value of the charging counter in which the blank page output is not counted, so that only the image output excluding the blank page can be collected accurately.

As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, even when the printer function is used, the charge counter is not added in the case of outputting a blank image, so that extra blank paper is used. Can be prevented from being charged when is output. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of actual harm that an unexpected amount is charged to the user.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the charging counter is not incremented when it is determined that the image is a blank image. However, in the present embodiment, when an adjustment image such as a blank image is output, the non-charging counter is increased. It was done. Also in the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the image processing apparatus, the configuration of the reader unit and the printer unit, and the block configuration of the reader unit and the core unit are the same as those shown in FIGS.
Since it is the same as that shown in FIG. 4, the description is omitted here.

The code data representing the blank image input via the network interface unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120, and then transferred to the formatter unit 5 via the interface unit 120. Is developed into image data. This image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface unit 120, and thereafter,
It is determined whether the developed image data is a blank image.

If the image is not a blank image, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and informs the reader unit 1 that the image is not a blank image via a signal line (not shown). Reader unit 1
Then, the accounting counter stored in the memory 116 is increased by one, and the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is a blank image, the core unit 6 transfers the image data to the reader unit 1 via the interface unit 122, and notifies the reader unit 1 of the fact that the image is a blank image through a signal line (not shown). Inform reader unit 1. When the reader unit 1 is informed of a blank image via a signal line (not shown), the reader unit 1 increases the count of the non-charging counter stored in the memory 116 and also increases the count of the charging counter. Then, the image data is transferred to the printer unit 2.

When the user is charged, the user subtracts the value of the non-charging counter from the value of the charging counter so that only the image output excluding the blank image is collected from the user.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, even when the printer function is used,
In the case of outputting a blank image, adding a non-charging counter can prevent charging when extra blank paper is output. Therefore, occurrence of actual harm that an unexpected amount is charged to the user can be suppressed.

(Other Embodiments) Each functional block and processing procedure shown in the above various embodiments may be constituted by hardware, or may be constituted by CPU, MPU, R
It may be configured by a microcomputer system including an OM and a RAM, and its operation may be realized according to a work program stored in a ROM or a RAM. The present invention also includes a software program for realizing the functions described above, which is provided to a RAM so as to realize the functions of the respective functional blocks, and which is executed by operating the functional blocks according to the programs. include.

In this case, the program itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program itself and means for supplying the program to a computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program Constitute the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program, the above-described ROM or RAM
Besides, for example, floppy disk, hard disk,
Optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-
I, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, zip, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer. Needless to say, such a program is also included in the embodiment of the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the above.

Further, after the supplied program is stored in the memory provided on the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program is provided on the function expansion board or the function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0071]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium for counting the number of prints and charging without causing any unexpected damage to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a reader unit and a printer unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 4 Network interface part 5 Formatter part 6 Core part 7, 8, 9 PC / WS

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for inputting image information; printing means for performing printing based on the image information; and counter means for counting the number of prints in the printing means. For the printing of the image data input from the terminal device to the input means, the count number of the counter means is added, and for the printing of the self-generated image data, the count number of the counter means is not added. An image processing apparatus characterized in that: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data input to the input unit is image data including blank image data. A conversion unit for converting the image information input to the input unit into image data, wherein the printing unit performs printing based on the image data, and converts the self-generated image data into the image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus generates the image data. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-generated image data is blank image data. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-generated image data is image data for adjustment. 6. An input unit to which image information is input; a printing unit for performing printing based on the image information; a first counter unit for counting the number of printed sheets in the printing unit; An image processing apparatus having a second counter for counting the number of non-target sheets, wherein the first counter counts for printing of image data input from another terminal to the input unit. An image processing apparatus for printing the self-generated image data by adding the count number in the second counter means together with the count number in the first counter means. . 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image data input to the input unit is image data including blank image data. 8. An image processing apparatus comprising: a conversion unit configured to convert the image information input to the input unit into image data; wherein the printing unit performs printing based on the image data; The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatus generates the image data. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the self-generated image data is blank image data. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the self-generated image data is image data for adjustment. 11. An input unit to which image information is input; a printing unit to print image data; a conversion unit to convert the image information input to the input unit to the image data; An image processing apparatus comprising: counter means for counting the number of sheets; wherein when the image data is blank paper image data, the count in the counter means is not added. 12. An input unit for inputting image information, a printing unit for printing image data, a conversion unit for converting the image information input to the input unit into the image data, and a printing in the printing unit. An image processing apparatus comprising: first counter means for counting the number of sheets; and second counter means for counting the number of non-chargeable sheets out of the number of printed sheets, wherein the image data is blank image data. , The first
An image processing apparatus characterized in that the count number in the second counter means is added to the count number in the counter means. 13. Converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data,
An image processing method for counting the number of prints, wherein the number of prints is counted for printing of image data inputted from another terminal device, and the number of prints is counted for printing of self-generated image data. An image processing method, wherein the number of printed sheets is not counted. 14. Converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data,
An image processing method for counting the number of prints, wherein the number of prints is counted for printing of image data inputted from another terminal device, and the number of prints is counted for printing of self-generated image data. And counting the number of prints based on the self-generated image data together with the number of prints as non-chargeable. 15. Converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data,
An image processing method for counting the number of prints, wherein if the image data is blank image data, the number of prints is not counted. 16. Converting input image information into image data, performing printing based on the image data,
An image processing method for counting the number of prints, wherein, when the image data is blank image data, counting the number of prints by the blank image data together with the number of prints as a non-chargeable object. Image processing method. 17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute each unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Description: 18. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the image processing method according to claim 13.