JP2010028616A - Copy charge management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience in charging when copying a publication of a plurality of pages on a source recording medium wherein the publication is recorded over the respective pages. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 217 of a copy machine 210 obtains, from a non-contact IC tag of a book, book information and information representing a printing position of a page code. Furthermore, the control unit 217 of the copy machine 210 obtains page information, that the page code represents, on the basis of the information of the printing position of the page code. On the basis of the book information and the page information, a control unit 104 of a charging server 100 calculates a copy charge to be demanded for copying, that a user is to perform, while referring to a charging database DBc inside a storage unit 106. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing billing when copying content information from a recording medium such as a book including one or more pages that can optically read the content information.

  Conventionally, when copying a copyrighted work such as a sentence or a photograph printed on a book or the like with a copying machine, a bar code reader reads a bar code including recording medium specifying information that can specify an original recording medium and uses a control panel. There is a technology that transmits set copy conditions to a copyright management server and collectively manages the copyright information, calculates the fee for copying, and issues authentication information for copying (for example, patent documents) 1).

JP 2006-270243 A

  However, in one book, not all pages have the same value as a literary work, and each page has a different value. For example, in one book, the value of a page on which an experimental result is posted is relatively high, while the value of a page on which an advertisement is posted is relatively low. Also, for example, if you copy the entire chapter in a book or all of the partial pages of a single page, the price for one page is multiplied by the number of pages. You may want to set a higher price. However, the above prior art cannot meet such a request. Such a problem is widespread when copying a copyrighted work on each page of a recording medium including one or more pages each capable of optically reading content information.

  The present invention has been made in order to deal with at least a part of the above-described problems, and is convenient for charging when copying the copyrighted work on each page of the original recording medium in which the copyrighted work is recorded over a plurality of pages. It aims at improving.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original recording medium on which a literary work is recorded over a plurality of pages. From an original recording medium provided with a page information recording unit in which page information enabling identification of whether or not there is specified and a specific information recording unit in which recording medium specifying information capable of specifying the original recording medium is recorded In the duplication fee management system for managing the duplication fee when reading and copying the copyrighted work, billing information relating to the duplication fee of the original recording medium is stored in association with the page information and the recording medium specifying information. A billing storage unit, a duplicating unit that duplicates the copyrighted work, a recording medium specifying information acquiring unit that acquires the recording medium specifying information, and page information acquisition that acquires the page information When, and a charging determination unit configured to determine the replication fee based on the charging information associated with the recording medium specifying information and said page information.

  That is, the accounting information associated with the page information of the original recording medium and the recording medium specifying information is stored in the accounting storage unit, and the duplication fee corresponding to each page is determined by the accounting determination unit. Therefore, since the charge amount can be changed in units of pages, fine charge can be made. In other words, it is possible to charge according to the value of the copyrighted work. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of billing when copying the copyrighted work on each page of the original recording medium.

As a second aspect, in the first aspect, the charging storage unit further stores group charging information representing additional charges associated with a plurality of sets of the page information, and the charging determination unit When all copies corresponding to a plurality of sets of page information are duplicated within a predetermined period, the duplication fee is determined based on the billing information and the additional fee.
According to this aspect, for example, for a copy of a multi-page work whose value is improved when the multi-page is duplicated, it is possible to charge according to the value. Note that the plurality of sets of page information may relate to pages included in the same original recording medium, or may relate to pages of different books.

As a third aspect, in the first aspect or the second aspect, a plurality of the duplication units are provided.
In such a case, for example, when a plurality of copies of a copyrighted work that improves the value of the copyrighted work when it is duplicated in a plurality of pages is performed using a plurality of duplication units, Charges can be made according to the value of the copied work.

  In any one of the first to third aspects, the duplicating unit includes a user information input unit for receiving user information that can specify a user who duplicates the copyrighted work. The duplication control unit permits duplication by the duplication unit when a predetermined condition including that the user information is input via the user information input unit is satisfied.

In addition, the billing determination unit, when the copyrighted work of all pages corresponding to a plurality of sets of page information is read by the same user within a predetermined period, Determine the replication fee for each copy.
In such a case, even if the same user makes a duplicate of a multi-page work that improves the value of the work when it is duplicated in multiple pages, the duplicated work Can be charged according to the value of.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, a replication method, a replication device, a replication management method, a replication management device, a charging method, a charging device, a replication fee management system, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods or devices, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded , And a data signal or the like embodied in a carrier wave including the computer program.

A. First embodiment:
As shown in FIG. 1, the duplication fee management system includes a billing server 100 and copiers 210 and 220 serving as duplication units connected to the billing server 100 via a network NT such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Is provided. Note that the number of copiers connected to the accounting server 100 may be three or more (plural).

  The accounting server 100 includes a communication unit 102, a control unit 104, and a storage unit 106 as an accounting storage unit. The billing server 100 can communicate with the copy machines 210 and 220 via the communication unit 102 and the network NT. The control unit 104 of the billing server 100 refers to the billing database DBc in the storage unit 106 and attempts to be performed at each copy machine based on information transmitted from the copy machines 210 and 220 via the network NT. A copy fee charged for copying (hereinafter also referred to as “copy fee”) is determined. Thereafter, the accounting server 100 transmits fee information representing the copying fee to the copy machines 210 and 220 via the communication unit 102.

  The storage unit 106 of the billing server 100 stores, for example, an international standard book number (ISBN) as recording medium specifying information (hereinafter also referred to as “book information”) as a part of information on a copy fee charged for copying. : International Standard Book Number) and information on the copy unit price associated with the page number as page information are stored. The information on the copy unit price is stored in the copy unit database DB1 (FIG. 1) in the charging database DBc in the storage unit 106.

  In addition, the storage unit 106 stores additional fee information associated with a predetermined combination of page numbers as part of the copy fee information charged for the copy. This additional charge information is stored in the database DB2 (FIG. 1) in the charging database DBc in the storage unit 106.

  The user database UDB in the storage unit 106 of the accounting server 100 stores user information of users who are permitted to copy. The control unit 104 of the billing server 100 refers to the user database UDB in the storage unit 106 and performs copying in each of the copying machines 210 and 220 based on the user information transmitted from the copying machines 210 and 220 via the network NT. Decide whether to allow or not. Thereafter, the accounting server 100 transmits information representing the determination result to the copiers 210 and 220 via the communication unit 102.

The copying machine 210 includes a placement unit 211, an optical sensor 212, a printing unit 213, a book information reading unit 214, a user card reading unit 215 as a user information input unit, a communication unit 216, and a control unit 217. A storage unit 218 and an operation unit 219.
The placement unit 211 has a flat plate shape. When copying is performed, a book M0 or the like as an original recording medium to be copied is placed on the placement unit 211 with the copy side facing down. Of the placement unit 211, the part where the copy target is to be placed is made of a transparent material.
The optical sensor 212 optically reads the surface of the copy target placed on the opposite side across the placement unit 211 (that is, the surface on which the contents of the book M0 are written) through the placement unit 211. It is a sensor that can. Information read by the optical sensor 212 is stored in the storage unit 218 as image data.

  In this specification, information on characters and figures as a copyrighted work that a user copies from an original recording medium such as the book M0 may be referred to as “content information”. Note that when the user copies the cover or imprint of the book, it is written on the cover or imprint, and information on the book name and author name copied by the user is included in the “content information”. That is, in this specification, information for billing management, information that can specify an original recording medium such as a book M0 in which content information is recorded, and information that can specify each page thereof are: Represents information for billing management, which is not obtained by the user by copying. However, it is not prevented that the same information as part or all of the information is read from the page of the book M0 and included in the “content information”.

  The printing unit 213 can perform printing on the printing paper M2 as a secondary recording medium according to the image data stored in the storage unit 218. For example, the printing unit 213 can be configured to perform printing by attaching toner to the photosensitive drum and transferring the toner to the printing paper M2.

  The book information reading unit 214 communicates with a non-contact IC tag Mi1 (not shown in FIG. 1) as a medium information storage unit affixed to the spine of the book M0, and the non-contact IC tag Mi1. Is a device for reading the book information stored in. The book information reading unit 214 is provided on a lid for pressing a copy target against the placement unit 211 when copying using the copy machine 210. The book information reading unit 214 is configured and arranged to read a sufficient range of non-contact IC tags so that the non-contact IC tags provided on the spine of books of various sizes can be read. ing.

The user card reading unit 215 is a device in which a user ID card UC having a contact IC tag is inserted, and information related to the user recorded on the user ID card UC can be read.
The communication unit 216 is a device for communicating with the billing server 100 via the network NT.
The control unit 217 controls the placement unit 211, the optical sensor 212, the printing unit 213, the book information reading unit 214, the user card reading unit 215, the communication unit 216, and the operation unit 219 to perform various processes.

  The storage unit 218 can store information acquired via the optical sensor 212, the book information reading unit 214, the user card reading unit 215, the communication unit 216, and the information processed by the control unit 217. The storage unit 218 can be configured by a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory or a fixed disk.

  The operation unit 219 is a liquid crystal panel having a touch panel function that can receive an instruction from the user and can be controlled by the control unit 217 to indicate the state of the copier 210 to the user. The control unit 217 receives instruction information from the user via the operation unit 219 and notifies the user of the state of the copier 210 via the operation unit 219.

  On the other hand, the other copying machine 220 includes a placement unit 221, an optical sensor 222, a printing unit 223, a book information reading unit 224, a user card reading unit 225, a communication unit 226, and a control unit 227. And a storage unit 228. The configuration and operation of each unit of the copier 220 are the same as the configuration and operation of each corresponding unit of the copier 210. The components corresponding to each other of the copiers 210 and 220 are denoted by the same reference numerals with the last numbers.

Next, the contents of the copy unit price database DB1 will be described.
For example, for a book having an ISBN 978-4-7693-XXXX-Y, the copy price is lower than usual for the 10th, 15th, 16th, and 22nd pages on which advertisements are placed. Value (for example, 10 yen which is the actual cost per page).

Next, the contents of the additional charge database DB2 will be described.
For example, for a residential map having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-PPPP-Q, the fifth page on which a map including a certain apartment is listed, and a list of resident names for each room of the apartment are listed. For the combination of pages 102 to 104, 20 yen can be set as an additional charge.

Next, the book M0 used in this duplication fee management system will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the book M0 is a publication consisting of a plurality of pages on which various works are printed. A non-contact IC tag Mi1 as a specific information recording unit, which is a kind of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification System), is attached to the spine. The non-contact type IC tag Mi1 stores an international standard book number (ISBN) of the book and information indicating a printing position of a page code Mi2 as a page information recording unit to be described later. Various information regarding the recording medium can be specified by the non-contact IC tag Mi1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the book M0, a page code Mi2 representing a page number is recorded on each page. The page code Mi2 is a pattern that represents information as a whole by the presence or absence of printing in a minute region. The page code Mi2 is, for example, an optically readable barcode or QR code (registered trademark). The page code Mi2 is information that can identify which page of a plurality of pages is in a read state.

  The page code Mi2 includes information on the page number of the page to which the page code Mi2 is attached in the book M0. The page code Mi2 is arranged at a position closer to the binding portion (throat) M02 than the front edge M01 of each page. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the page code Mi2 is arranged in the center portion when the pages of the book M0 are equally divided into the top and bottom directions with respect to the directions of the top M03 and the top M04.

  For example, when the page code Mi2 is provided at the end of each page, the page code of a different page is changed to the page code of the page during copying by bending or tearing a part of the page. This is because there is a risk of fraudulent acts that appear to be. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by providing the page code Mi2 at the position of the book M0, it is possible to prevent such an illegal act. Note that the non-contact IC tag Mi1 attached to the spine also records information about the printing position of the page code Mi2.

Next, processing in the copy machine 210 and the accounting server 100 when the copy machine 210 copies the book M0 will be described with reference to FIG. Of course, when copying the book M0 by the copying machine 220, the same processing is performed.
When copying the book M0 with the copy machine 210, first, the user inserts the user ID card UC into the user card reading unit 215 of the copy machine 210. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 217 of the copier 210 acquires the user information stored in the user ID card UC via the user card reading unit 215 (step S210). User information is information uniquely given to each user. A functional unit of the control unit 217 that performs the function of step S210 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a user information acquisition unit 410.

  Next, the control part 217 transmits user information to the accounting server 100 via the communication part 216 (step S220). Then, the control part 104 of the accounting server 100 receives user information via the communication part 102 (step S110).

  The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 determines whether or not the user represented by the user information read from the user ID card UC is a user permitted to copy (step S120). Here, the storage unit 106 of the accounting server 100 stores user information of a user permitted to copy as a user database UDB. The control unit 104 of the billing server 100 collates the user information of the user permitted to copy in the user database UDB with the user information read from the user ID card UC (step S120). And a user's determination is performed. The functional unit of the control unit 104 that performs the function of step S120 is shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 transmits the user information collation result to the copier 210 via the communication unit 102 (step S130). The control unit 217 of the copier 210 receives the collation result via the communication unit 216 (step S230).

  The control unit 217 of the copier 210 determines whether or not the user represented by the user information read from the user ID card UC is a user permitted to copy (step S235). If the user is permitted to copy, the control unit 217 uses the operation unit 219 to display that copying is possible. On the other hand, if the user is not permitted to copy, the control unit 217 uses the operation unit 219 to display that copying is not permitted. Thereafter, the process ends.

  In step S235, after a display indicating that copying is possible is performed on the operation unit 219, the user operates the copy machine 210 via the operation unit 219 to copy the book M0. In the meantime, the control unit 217 performs steps S240 to S260. In the meantime, reading by the optical sensor 212 is performed, but printing by the printing unit 213 is not performed.

  The control unit 217 of the copier 210 acquires the book information of the book M0 from the non-contact IC tag Mi1 of the book M0 via the book information reading unit 214 (step S240). More specifically, ISBN as book information and information on the print position (see FIG. 3) of the page code Mi2 are acquired. The acquired ISBN and information on the printing position of the page code Mi2 are stored in the storage unit 218. A functional unit of the control unit 217 that performs the function of step S240 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a book information acquisition unit 420.

  Upon receiving an instruction from the user via the operation unit 219, the control unit 217 of the copier 210 optically reads the surface of the book M0 using the optical sensor 212 (step S250). As a result, the generated image data is stored in the storage unit 218. A functional unit of the control unit 217 that performs the function of step S250 in FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as an image data acquisition unit 430.

  The control unit 217 of the copier 210 analyzes the portion corresponding to the page code Mi2 in the image data obtained in step S250 based on the print position information of the page code Mi2 obtained in step S240, and the page code Mi2. The page information represented by is acquired (step S260). More specifically, the page number of the page read via the optical sensor 212 is acquired. The acquired page number is stored in the storage unit 218. A functional unit of the control unit 217 that performs a function of acquiring a page number by OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing (step S260) is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a page number acquisition unit 440.

  In the present embodiment, information on the printing position of the page code Mi2 is acquired in advance from the non-contact IC tag Mi1. Therefore, page number information can be obtained by analyzing a part of the image data. Therefore, the load of the page information acquisition process (step S260) is reduced as compared with an aspect in which the print position of the page code Mi2 is unknown and the entire image data needs to be analyzed.

The control unit 217 of the copier 210 uses the operation unit 219 to inquire whether or not to end copying (step S265). If the user gives an instruction to end copying via the operation unit 219, the process proceeds to step S270. When there is an instruction to copy (continue) from the user via the operation unit 219, a reading process is executed (step S250).
The control unit 217 of the copier 210 transmits the page information indicating the page number of the page read via the optical sensor 212 and the ISBN to the charging server 100 via the communication unit 216 (step S270).

The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 receives the ISBN and the page information of the read page via the communication unit 102 (step S140).
The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 refers to the accounting database DBc in the storage unit 106 based on the ISBN and the page information of the read page, and makes a copy requesting for the copy that the user is going to make A fee is calculated (step S150).

  For example, when the first to tenth pages are copied for a book having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-XXXX-Y, for example, for the tenth page on which an advertisement is posted based on the charging database DBc. , Charge 10 yen (per page). For the 4th to 6th pages where the experimental results are posted, charge 50 yen per page, and for the 1st to 3rd pages and 7th to 9th pages, charge 30 yen per page. Can do.

  The control unit 104 of the billing server 100 sets the total amount as a copy fee charged for the copy that the user intends to perform (step S150). According to such an aspect, it is possible to set a different copy fee for each page in one book and charge the copy fee to the person who performs the copy. The functional unit of the control unit 104 that performs the function of step S150 is shown in FIG.

The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 transmits fee information representing the copying fee calculated in step S150 to the copier 210 via the communication unit 102 (step S160).
The control unit 217 of the copy machine 210 receives fee information via the communication unit 216 (step S280). Based on the fee information, the operation unit 219 displays a copy fee.

Thereafter, in step S285, if the user gives an instruction to output via the operation unit 219, the process proceeds to step S290. Based on the image data stored in the storage unit 218, the control unit 217 of the copier 210 performs printing on the printing paper M2 using the printing unit 213 (step S290). A functional unit of the control unit 217 that performs the function of step S290 is shown in FIG.
On the other hand, if the user gives an instruction not to output via the operation unit 219 in step S285, the process ends.

  According to the embodiment as in this embodiment, it is possible to finely charge for each page when copying the copyrighted work of each page of the book M0 from which the copyrighted work can be read in page units. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience of billing when copying the copyrighted work of each page of the book M0 from which the copyrighted work can be read in page units.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a different copy unit price is set for each page of a book regarding the copy fee. However, the information stored in the copy unit price database DB1 may be as follows. For example, a system in which an advertiser bears a part of the copying fee may be used. Moreover, about the 4th-6th page on which the experimental result is published, it can be made more expensive than usual (for example, 50 yen per page). And about other pages, it can be set as a normal amount (for example, 30 yen per page).

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of a house map and a resident name list has been briefly described with respect to additional charges. However, the additional charge stored in the additional charge database DB2 may be in other forms. For example, in a housing map and a resident name list example, a map including an apartment and a resident name list may be recorded in the same book as described above, but may be recorded in different books.

  In addition, for a residential map having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-PPPP-Q, 50 yen is set as an additional charge for the combination of multiple pages on which partial maps constituting a map of one city are posted. can do. Further, for a book having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-XXXX-Y, an additional fee of 100 yen can be set for each page group constituting each chapter.

  The book information reading unit 214 and the book information acquisition unit 420 correspond to a “recording medium specifying information acquisition unit”. The page number acquisition unit 440 corresponds to a “page information acquisition unit”. The fee calculation unit 320 corresponds to a “billing determination unit”. In the present embodiment, the information stored in the copy unit price database DB1 corresponds to “billing information”. The information stored in the additional charge database DB2 corresponds to “group charge information”.

B. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, in the process of step S150 of FIG. 4, when a certain user tries to copy using a single copying machine (for example, the copying machine 210), the book transmitted from the copying machine. A copying fee is calculated based on the information and page information. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a copying fee is calculated based on book information and page information transmitted from a plurality of copiers in a past fixed period. Specifically, in the second embodiment, the processes in steps S110, S140, and S150 in FIG. 4 are different from those in the first embodiment. The other points of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 stores the user information received in step S110 of FIG. 1 and the book information and page information received in step S140 in the storage unit 106, and for a predetermined period (for example, three days). Only minutes). Data including such information is referred to as copy history data CHD (see FIG. 1). The copy history data CHD is updated in response to reception of user information, book information and page information from a plurality of copy machines 210 and 220 connected to the billing server 100 (steps S110 and S140 in FIG. 4). In the fee calculation process in the second embodiment, the additional fee is calculated using the copy history data CHD.

Next, fee calculation processing (corresponding to step S150 in FIG. 1) in the second embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 104 of the billing server 100 calculates a copy fee based only on a page unit charge among the copy fees charged for the copy that the user intends to perform (step S152). The specific process is the same as that described for step S150 in the first embodiment.

  That is, for example, when the first to tenth pages are copied for a book having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-XXXX-Y, for example, the tenth page on which the advertisement is posted based on the charging database DBc Is charged 10 yen (per page). For the 4th to 6th pages where the experimental results are posted, charge 50 yen per page, and for the 1st to 3rd pages and 7th to 9th pages, charge 30 yen per page. Can do.

  The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 determines whether or not the copy history data CHD stored in the storage unit 106 includes a record of the user's copy of the user information received in the immediately preceding step S110 (see FIG. 4). (Step S154 in FIG. 5). If the copy history data CHD includes a record of the user copy in the user information received immediately before, the process proceeds to step S156. On the other hand, if the copy history data CHD does not include the user record of the user information received immediately before, the process is terminated. In that case, the copying fee based on only the accounting for each page (see step S152) becomes the copying fee charged for the copying that the user is going to make.

  The control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 makes the following determination based on the copy history data CHD and the accounting database DBc in the storage unit 106 (step S156). That is, it is determined whether or not there is a combination in which all pages are newly copied by the current copy among the combinations in the predetermined page number associated with the additional charge registered in the charging database DBc. Is done. If such a page number combination exists, the process proceeds to step S158. If no such page number combination exists, the process ends. In that case, the copying fee based on only the accounting for each page (see step S152) becomes the copying fee charged for the copying that the user is going to make.

  As part of the copy fee information charged for the copy, an additional fee associated with a predetermined combination of page numbers is calculated and added to the copy fee obtained in step S152 (step S158). In addition, among the combinations at the specified page number associated with the additional charge, if there are multiple combinations for which all pages have been newly copied by the current copy, the combinations at all these page numbers Will be added. That is, when the process of step S158 is performed, a copying fee based only on page-based charging (see step S152) and an additional fee determined in consideration of past copying history (see step S158) are determined by the user. Included in the copy fee charged for copies made by.

  For example, for a residential map having a certain ISBN 978-4-7693-PPPP-Q, the fifth page on which a map including a certain apartment is listed and the resident name for each room of the apartment are listed on page 103. When a page is copied in the current copy by the copy machine 210, 20 yen is charged as an additional charge in addition to charge per page (for example, 30 yen per page). In addition, if all of the multiple pages on which partial maps that constitute a map of one city are copied in this copy, an additional fee of 50 yen will be added in addition to the charge for each page. Will be charged.

  In addition, a user first copies from the first 120 pages to 155 pages of the fourth chapter of a book having an ISBN 978-4-7693-XXXX-Y by using the copy machine 210, and after another three days Assume that the copying machine 220 has copied pages 156 to 182 which is the last page of Chapter 4. In such a case, in copying after using the copying machine 220, 30 yen per page is charged for copying from page 120 to page 155 (step S152). Then, an additional charge of 100 yen resulting from copying the entire chapter 4 is added (step S158).

In such a case, even if copying is performed at different times with different copiers, it is possible for a person who makes a copy of a page whose value as information is increased by copying it together. As a charge to be charged, a charge corresponding to the value can be set.
The control unit 104 in this embodiment corresponds to a “billing control unit”. The control unit 217 corresponds to a “duplication control unit”.

C. Variation:
In addition, this invention is not restricted to said Example and embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary, it is possible to implement in various aspects. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  In the above embodiment, the international standard book number (ISBN) is employed as the book information that is associated with the book M0 and can identify the book M0. In addition to this, as the book information that can be associated with the book M0 and can specify the book M0, other information can be adopted. For example, a book that combines at least a part of a book name, author name, publisher name, plate form (eg, new book version), plate number (eg, 3rd edition), and print number (eg, 2nd print) It can also be information. Moreover, URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) can also be used as book information. That is, the book information associated with the book M0 may be information (for example, information represented by a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, and the like) that can identify a book M0 from other books M0. That's fine.

  -The non-contact IC tag Mi1 as a medium information storage part which recorded book information can also be comprised in another aspect. For example, a bar code or QR code (registered trademark) can be used as a two-dimensional code that represents information as a whole depending on whether or not each part is printed. In such an embodiment, the non-contact IC tag Mi1 can be read optically. Therefore, in such an aspect, it is preferable that the recording medium specifying information acquisition unit is also configured to be able to acquire book information through optical means.

  In the above embodiment, the non-contact type IC tag Mi1 is attached to the spine of the book M0 as the original recording medium. In addition, the non-contact IC tag Mi1 only needs to be provided somewhere in the book M0. For example, it may be affixed to the front cover or back cover. Further, it may be embedded in a front cover, back cover, or back cover. Further, it may be provided on each page. For example, a non-contact type IC tag Mi1 that records book information and a page code Mi2 that records page information are integrated into a single pattern (for example, a barcode) optically recorded on each page. It can also be recorded.

  In the above embodiment, the book information reading unit 214 is provided on the lid for pressing the copy target against the placement unit 211 when copying using the copying machine 210. In addition, the book information reading unit 214 as the recording medium specifying information acquisition unit can be provided in another place such as the placement unit 211, for example. However, it is preferable that the book information can be acquired when the book page is optically read through the input unit. And it is preferable that book information can be acquired non-contactedly from non-contact-type IC tag Mi1 provided in the book.

  In the above embodiment, the page information is a page number. This page number may be a serial number in the book, or may be a page number assigned according to other laws. For example, in the case of a magazine, it may be a number assigned to each page as a serial number from the first page of the first issue of each year. Moreover, the number attached | subjected to each page as a serial number from the 1st page of the first issue of the magazine itself may be sufficient. That is, the page information may be information (for example, information represented by a combination of letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) that can distinguish a page from other pages at least in the book M0.

  In the above embodiment, the accounting server 100 has information on the copy unit price associated with the ISBN and the page number as the database DB1 (see FIG. 1). The accounting server 100 has additional fee information associated with a predetermined combination of page numbers as the database DB2 (same as above). Then, with reference to charging database DBc including databases DB1 and DB2, the copy fee for copying is determined (step S150 in FIG. 4).

  In addition, the page code Mi2 provided on each page may include information on the copy unit price of the page as at least a part of the page information. Further, the page code Mi2 includes, as at least a part of the page information, information on a plurality of pages (may be pages of other books) associated with the page, and information on additional charges when all of them are copied. May be included. That is, the page code Mi2 can store predetermined page information associated with the page on which the page code Mi2 is provided.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the information on the copy unit price is stored in association with ISBN as book information and page number as page information. In addition, the information on the copy unit price may be stored in association with only the book information. For example, for a book having a constant copy unit price for each page, the copy unit price may be stored in association with only the book information. Further, it may be stored in association with the page number.

  In the above embodiment, the page code Mi2 in which page information is recorded is a pattern that represents information as a whole depending on whether or not printing is performed in a minute area. In addition, the page code Mi2 can also be configured in other modes such as a magnetic recording medium that records page information by magnetism or an IC tag. However, the page code Mi2 is preferably a storage unit that optically records information. For example, the page code Mi2 may be configured such that information can be read by applying light other than visible light.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the page code Mi2 is arranged at a position closer to the binding portion M02 than the front edge M01 of each page. Further, the page code Mi2 is included in the center portion when each page of the book M0 is divided into three equal parts in the top-and-bottom direction. In addition, the page code Mi2 in which the page information is recorded can be provided at an arbitrary position on each page. Further, the page code Mi2 is not limited to a mode provided on the surface of each page, and may be embedded in each page, for example. However, it is more preferable that the page code Mi2 is configured and arranged so that the page information can be optically read together with the content information of the book M0 as the original recording medium.

  In the embodiment described above, based on the image data stored in the storage unit 218, copying (printing) is performed on the printing paper M2 using the printing unit 213. However, the process of copying to the secondary recording medium such as the printing paper M2 based on the information read from the book M0 is applied to a physical medium such as paper or a resin sheet that can be read directly by humans. Not limited to recording. That is, the secondary recording medium includes a semiconductor memory and a hard disk. Therefore, a process of generating data in a predetermined format (for example, a data file in a gif format, a jpeg format, a PDF format, etc.) based on information read from the book M0 and copying it to the secondary storage medium can be performed. .

  -Although not mentioned in the above embodiment, for example, when the number of copied pages exceeds a predetermined number, or when the copying fee exceeds a certain value, the copying fee may be reduced. it can. The number of copied pages and the copy fee can be calculated based on the current copy obtained based on the page information in steps S240 and S140 of FIG. Also, the copy history data CHD can be referred to and determined based on the number of pages copied in the past predetermined period and the charged copy fee. As a mode of reducing the copying fee, various modes such as reducing the unit price of the page, reducing the total fee by a predetermined rate, and reducing the predetermined amount from the total fee can be used. The predetermined period can be set in advance by a manager of the copy fee management system to a desired period.

  The duplication fee management system may include a copyright database that stores copyright information in the storage unit 106. This copyright database stores user information of the author when the author is included in the user of the copy fee management system. The copyright database stores author information in association with book information (ISBN). Further, the copyright database also stores information about the existence of copyright.

  In such an aspect, in the process of step S150 of FIG. 4, the user information obtained in step S110 is collated with the author information obtained from ISBN by referring to the copyright database. If the user of the user information matches the author, the copying fee is set to a copying fee corresponding to the actual cost, which is lower than that for a general user (step S150).

In such an aspect, in the process of step S150 in FIG. 4, the copyright database is referred to and the existence of the copyright is confirmed based on ISBN. If the copyright has already been extinguished, the copy fee will be a copy fee equivalent to the actual cost, which is lower than that of the book where the copyright still exists.
According to such an aspect, it is possible to set an appropriate copying fee according to whether or not there is a copyright and whether or not the user is an author.

In the above embodiment, if the user gives an instruction to output via the operation unit 219, printing is executed (see steps S285 and S290 in FIG. 4). In addition, information can be recorded through other processes.
For example, the copying machine may be provided with a cash processing machine, and it may be configured such that information is recorded after confirming that a bill or money exceeding the calculated fee is actually inserted into the cash processing machine. The user ID card UC may be a card having a prepaid card function, and information may be recorded after a fee calculated from the user ID card UC is withdrawn.

  Further, it is possible to associate the user information with the user's bank account and record the information after deducting the charge from the user's bank account. The user ID card UC is a card having a credit card function, or user information is associated with a user's credit card number. And it can also be set as the aspect which records information, after confirming that the account of a credit card is effective. In other words, the process that triggers the recording of information after calculating the fee can be various processes.

  In the second embodiment, the copy history data CHD is updated based on the information from the two copiers, but the book information of the book copied by the user in the past predetermined period and the page information of the page are: It is also possible to update the information based on information from only one copier. Even in such an aspect, an additional fee can be imposed when a plurality of related pages are copied with a single copying machine.

  In the above embodiment, after confirming that the user represented by the user information read from the user ID card UC is a user permitted to copy, the content is read (step S120 in FIG. 4). , S250). In addition, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the contents are read without confirming that the user is permitted to copy. With such a correspondence, it is possible to make a copy widely for general users and charge. Further, for example, when a copy of an entire chapter is prohibited as an agreement in a library, in such a mode, it is possible to charge only for each page without specifying a user who performs copying.

  In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. . For example, part of the functions of the control units 217 and 227 (FIG. 1) can be executed by the control unit 104 of the accounting server 100 as a host computer.

  A computer program for realizing such a function is provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. The host computer reads the computer program from the recording medium and transfers it to the internal storage device or the external storage device. Alternatively, the computer program may be supplied from the program supply device to the host computer via a communication path. When realizing the function of the computer program, the computer program stored in the internal storage device is executed by the microprocessor of the host computer. Further, the host computer may directly execute the computer program recorded on the recording medium.

  In this specification, the host computer is a concept including a hardware device and an operation system, and means a hardware device that operates under the control of the operation system. The computer program causes such a host computer to realize the functions of the above-described units. Note that some of the functions described above may be realized by an operation system instead of an application program.

  In the present invention, the “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, An external storage device fixed to a computer such as a hard disk is also included.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the duplication charge management system of a present Example. The perspective view which shows the state which looked at the book M0 used in this replication fee management system from the back cover side. The perspective view which shows the state which looked at the book M0 used in this replication fee management system from the page side. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the copy machine 210 and the accounting server 100 when the copy machine 210 copies the book M0. The flowchart which shows the calculation process of the charge in 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Billing server 102 ... Communication part 104 ... Control part 106 ... Memory | storage part 210,220 ... Copy machine 211,221 ... Loading part 212,222 ... Optical sensor 213,223 ... Printing part 214,224 ... Book information reading part 215 225, user card reading unit 216, 226, communication unit 217, 227, control unit 218, 228, storage unit 219, 229, operation unit 310, user verification unit 320, charge calculation unit 410, user information acquisition unit 420, book Information acquisition unit 430 ... Image data acquisition unit 440 ... Page number acquisition unit 450 ... Print control unit CHD ... Copy history data DBc ... Billing database M0 ... Book M01 ... Front edge M02 ... Binding part M03 ... Ten M04 ... Ground M2 ... Print paper Mi1 ... Non-contact IC tag Mi2 ... Page code NT ... Network

Claims (3)

A page information recording unit on which original information is recorded across a plurality of pages, and in which page information is recorded that can identify which page of the plurality of pages is in a read state. And a copy fee for managing a copy fee when the work is read and copied from the original recording medium to which the original recording medium to which the original recording medium can be specified is recorded. In the management system,
A billing storage unit that stores billing information related to the copy fee of the original recording medium in association with the page information and the recording medium specifying information;
A duplication unit for duplicating the copyrighted work;
A recording medium specifying information acquisition unit for acquiring the recording medium specifying information;
A page information acquisition unit for acquiring the page information;
A duplication fee management system comprising: a billing determination unit that decides the duplication fee based on the billing information associated with the recording medium specifying information and the page information. The charging storage unit further stores group charging information representing additional charges associated with a plurality of sets of the page information,
The charging determination unit determines the copying fee based on the charging information and the additional fee when all copies corresponding to the plurality of sets of page information are copied within a predetermined period. The replication fee management system according to 1.   The duplication fee management system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of duplication units are provided.

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