JP2015022663A - Billing control apparatus, billing control method, program, and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A charging control apparatus, a charging control method, a program, and a printing system are provided that can improve the convenience of a user during charging printing. An accounting control apparatus includes a determination unit and a print control unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the amount of money input by the user is smaller than a charge amount required for printing the first print job. When the input amount is smaller than the charge amount, the print control unit instructs to change the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging control apparatus, a charging control method, a program, and a printing system.

  When printing by billing, the image forming apparatus displays a printing fee in advance, and starts printing when the fee is charged. Patent Document 1 proposes a charging printing system that provides a printing service using a prepaid card or an electronic wallet card.

  In the conventional charging printing system, for example, when printing a certain print job, if the remaining amount read from the card is insufficient for the fee required for printing, printing is not normally permitted. In addition, depending on the printing language, it may not be possible to execute printing because the advance printing fee cannot be calculated accurately.

  However, the user may desire printing within a printable range even if the remaining amount is insufficient. For this reason, there is a problem in that the convenience of the user is impaired in the method that does not permit printing due to a shortage of the remaining amount or an illegal fee calculation process.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the user at the time of charging printing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a determination unit that determines whether or not an input amount is smaller than a charge amount necessary for printing a first print job, A print control unit that instructs to change the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount when printing is smaller than the charge amount.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user at the time of charging printing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the dedicated terminal 20 and the print server 40 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job table that stores information on the analyzed print job. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a charge table that can be used for calculating the charge amount. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of printing processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a charge shortage determination process. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the instruction screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a billing screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of the charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an accounting control apparatus, accounting control method, program, and printing system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  For example, in universities and the like, a charging printing system is used that performs immediate charging and post-payment (expense transfer) using an IC card having a prepaid card function. Usually, an IC card issued by an administrator (such as a university) or a cash billing device is used. As IC cards having a prepaid card function or an electronic money function, cards issued by transportation facilities are also known. However, since the management subject is different, it may not be desirable to allow post-payment with a card issued by another person. In addition, charging using a plurality of cards may be restricted by a rule or the like. For this reason, it is desired to be able to print with a card that can be used for immediate payment.

  The printing system according to the present embodiment performs printing within the range of the deposit amount such as the remaining amount of the prepaid card or the amount inserted into the cash billing apparatus.

  For example, the printing system of the present embodiment acquires information such as color / monochrome and paper size for each page from print job data. Further, the printing system according to the present embodiment calculates an amount (billing amount) necessary for printing a print job by using a preset unit price for each color / monochrome and paper size. Furthermore, the printing system of the present embodiment calculates how many pages can be printed from the remaining amount. The printing system according to the present embodiment calculates how many pages can be printed based on the highest unit price when color / monochrome and paper size information cannot be acquired. As a result, printing can be performed within the range of the balance. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the user at the time of billing printing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10, a dedicated terminal 20 as a charging control apparatus, a charging apparatus 30, a print server 40, a client PC 50, and an authentication server 60.

  The image forming apparatus 10, the dedicated terminal 20, the print server 40, the client PC 50, and the authentication server 60 are connected by an arbitrary network such as a LAN (local area network) and the Internet. The dedicated terminal 20 and the billing apparatus 30 can be connected by any connection form.

  In FIG. 1, one device is shown, but any number of devices may be used. Further, for example, the print server 40 and the authentication server 60 may be realized as a single server (the print server 40 or the authentication server 60) by a plurality of physical devices.

  The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a recording medium such as printing paper in accordance with a print job designated by the user. The dedicated terminal 20 is a terminal for a user to select a print job and perform a settlement operation. The billing device 30 is a device for paying out the amount of money printed. The print server 40 is a server that executes print job spooling, print job analysis, and the like. The client PC 50 is a PC used for transmitting a print job by a user. The authentication server 60 executes authentication processing using authentication information (user ID, password) in response to requests from the client PC 50 and the dedicated terminal 20.

The overall flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG.
(1) The user executes printing from an application or the like using the client PC 50, and spools the print job. The print job is transmitted from the client PC 50 to the print server 40 via the network and spooled in the print server 40.
(2) When the print server 40 spools the print job, the print server 40 analyzes the print job and acquires the number of printed sheets, the color / monochrome information for each page, and the paper size for each page.
(3) When the user logs in to the dedicated terminal 20, the print job printed by the user is displayed on the display unit of the dedicated terminal 20. As the display information, a fee required for printing is also displayed. The user inputs a fee required for printing into the billing apparatus 30 and instructs execution of printing of the print job.
(4) The print server 40 transmits the instructed print job to the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 executes printing of the transmitted print job.
(5) The billing apparatus 30 withdraws the fee for the print job that has been printed.

  The charging method by the charging device 30 may be any of charging by a prepaid card and charging by cash. The charge insertion includes not only the insertion of cash but also the insertion of a prepaid card into the card slot and the holding of the prepaid card over a contact or non-contact card reader.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the dedicated terminal 20 and the print server 40 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dedicated terminal 20 includes an operation display unit 121, a reception unit 101, a communication unit 102, a determination unit 103, a display control unit 104, a print control unit 105, and a charging control unit 106. It is equipped with. The print server 40 includes a communication unit 201, an analysis unit 202, a print control unit 203, and a storage unit 221.

  The reception unit 101, the communication unit 102, the determination unit 103, the display control unit 104, the print control unit 105, and the charging control unit 106, for example, program a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Execution, that is, may be realized by software, may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by using software and hardware together. Similarly, the communication unit 201, the analysis unit 202, and the print control unit 203 may be realized by either software or hardware.

  The operation display unit 121 includes a display unit that displays information and an operation unit that receives various settings. The operation display unit 121 is realized by a touch panel, for example. In addition, you may comprise so that a display part and an operation part may be provided independently.

  The accepting unit 101 accepts input of various information specified via the operation display unit 121 and the like. For example, the accepting unit 101 accepts a print job selected by the user from the displayed print jobs (print job list or the like). The accepting unit 101 accepts an instruction to execute printing of the selected print job.

  The communication unit 102 performs communication with an external device such as the print server 40. As a protocol for communication by the communication unit 102, any protocol suitable for a network used for connection can be adopted.

  The determination unit 103 determines whether or not the amount of money (input amount) input for executing the print job is smaller than the charge amount necessary for printing the print job (first print job). The determination unit 103 acquires the value of the input amount by receiving, from the charging device 30, information on the amount actually input into the charging device 30, for example.

  The display control unit 104 controls display of various information on the operation display unit 121.

  The print control unit 105 controls printing of a print job. For example, the print control unit 105 transmits to the print server 40 the print of the print job instructed to be printed by the receiving unit 101. The print control unit 105 changes the print job (first print job) instructed to be printed to a print job (second print job) that can be printed within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount. To instruct the print server 40 to print.

  For example, the print control unit 105 instructs to change to the second print job for printing the number of pages that can be printed within the input amount out of the pages included in the first print job. The print control unit 105 may instruct to change to the second print job for printing from the first page of the first print job to the number of pages that can be printed within the input amount. In addition, the print control unit 105 may instruct to change the page included in the first print job to a second print job that prints a designated page within the number of pages that can be printed within the input amount. .

  The charging control unit 106 controls charging processing by the charging device 30. For example, when the instructed printing is completed, the charging control unit 106 charges a fee for the printed amount. The charging control unit 106 may be configured to switch the charging method. For example, the charging control unit 106 is designated from among a charging method that does not permit printing when the input amount is smaller than the charging amount, and a charging method that permits printing within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charging amount. Charging may be controlled by a different charging method.

  Depending on the model (type) of the image forming apparatus 10, there may be a case where it is possible to control to charge for each printing of one page. On the other hand, there is an image forming apparatus 10 that cannot charge for each printing of one page but can charge for each print job completed. In the latter case, for example, the charge control unit 106 acquires information about the print job that has actually been printed (number of pages for each color / monochrome, paper size, etc.) from the image forming apparatus 10 and charges for each print job. Is calculated.

  Therefore, the charging control unit 106 depends on the model of the image forming apparatus 10 among the charging method for charging for each page printing and the charging method for permitting printing within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charging amount. It may be configured to switch to a different charging method. Information (model or the like) for determining which billing method is to be used may be stored in the print server 40 and acquired at the time of determination, for example.

  The communication unit 201 of the print server 40 performs communication with external devices such as the image forming apparatus 10, the client PC 50, and the authentication server 60. As a protocol for communication by the communication unit 201, any protocol suitable for a network used for connection can be adopted.

  The analysis unit 202 executes print job analysis processing. For example, the analysis unit 202 analyzes a print job, and acquires the number of printed sheets, color / monochrome information for each page, and paper size for each page. When double-sided printing is designated, color / monochrome information is analyzed for each side of each page. Also, the analysis unit 202 refers to the analysis result and calculates a charge amount for the print job.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job table that stores information on the analyzed print job. The job table includes an ID, a user ID, a job name, a client PC, a spool time, a print language, a monochrome A3 number of faces, a monochrome A3 or more number of faces, a color A3 number of faces, and a color A3. The above includes the number of faces, the number of faces, color information, double-sided information, the number of copies, and the size.

  The ID is information for identifying a print job. The user ID is information for identifying a user (user) who has designated printing of a print job. The job name is the name of the print job, and for example, a print file name is used. The client PC is information (PC name, address, etc.) for identifying the client PC 50 to which the print job is transmitted. The spool time represents the time when the print job was spooled. The print language represents a language that describes a print job.

  The number of faces less than monochrome A3 represents the number of faces for which monochrome and a paper size less than A3 are designated. Monochrome A3 or larger number of faces represents the number of faces for which monochrome and A3 or larger paper sizes are designated. The number of faces less than color A3 represents the number of faces for which a color and a paper size less than A3 are designated. The number of colors A3 or more indicates the number of surfaces for which a color and a paper size of A3 or more are designated.

  The number of faces represents the number of faces to be printed. The number of pages is 1 per page for single-sided printing and 2 per page for double-sided printing. For example, 1 is set for color information, 2 is set for color, and 0 is set for any unknown color information. For example, the double-sided information is set to 1 for single-sided, 2 for double-sided, or 0 for unknown. The number of copies is the number of copies to be printed. The size represents the data size of the print job.

  The color / monochrome information for each page and the paper size for each page may be saved in the job table or may be saved in a temporary file. For example, the temporary file may have a format for storing records such as “(page number): paper size, color / monochrome information” for the number of pages.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a charge table that can be used for calculating the charge amount. The fee table includes an ID, less than monochrome A3, more than monochrome A3, less than color A3, more than color A3, and the minimum unit price. ID is information for identifying a charge pattern. Less than monochrome A3, more than monochrome A3, less than color A3, and more than color A3 represent unit prices of charges for the respective paper sizes. The minimum unit price represents the minimum value among the unit prices of each paper size. The unit price may be in units of 10 yen in the case of charging with cash, and in units of 1 yen in the case of prepaid cards or electronic money.

  For example, the analysis unit 202 refers to the job table as shown in FIG. 3 and the charge table as shown in FIG. 4 to calculate the charge amount for the print job as the total charge per page (surface). Can be calculated.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the print control unit 203 controls printing of the print job. For example, when receiving a print job print instruction from the dedicated terminal 20, the print control unit 203 requests the image forming apparatus 10 to print the instructed print job. When the dedicated terminal 20 is instructed to change the job, the print control unit 203 changes the designated print job in accordance with the instruction, and requests the image forming apparatus 10 to print the changed print job.

  The storage unit 221 stores information necessary for various processes of the print server 40. The storage unit 221 stores, for example, a job table and a fee table.

  Next, a printing process performed by the printing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of printing processing according to the present embodiment.

  The user instructs printing using the client PC 50 (step S101). In response to the instruction, the client PC 50 instructs the print server 40 to print the specified print job (step S102). The analysis unit 202 of the print server 40 analyzes the instructed print job (step S103). The analysis unit 202 stores the analysis result in, for example, a job table (step S104).

  The communication unit 201 of the print server 40 notifies the client PC 50 that the storage of the print job has been completed (step S105). The display control unit (not shown) of the client PC 50 notifies the user, for example, by displaying on the operation display unit (not shown) that the print job has been saved (step S106).

  When the stored print job is actually printed, the user executes a login process for the dedicated terminal 20 connected to the image forming apparatus 10 that executes printing (step S107). The dedicated terminal 20 transmits the authentication information (user ID, password, etc.) input in the login process to the authentication server 60 and requests login authentication (step S108).

  If the user is authenticated by the login authentication, the authentication server 60 transmits an authentication success (OK) to the dedicated terminal 20 (step S109). The display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 notifies the user, for example, by displaying authentication success (OK) on the operation display unit 121 (step S110).

  The display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 requests the print server 40 to acquire a list of print jobs (step S111). The request includes, for example, information (user ID) for identifying the authenticated user. The print server 40 acquires a print job corresponding to the user ID included in the request from the job table as shown in FIG. 3, and returns the print job to the dedicated terminal 20 (step S112). The information to be returned may include the charge amount of each job calculated by the analysis unit 202. The display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 displays a list of transmitted print jobs and a charge amount for each job (step S113).

  The user uses the dedicated terminal 20 to select a print job to be printed from the print jobs displayed in a list, and instructs printing (step S114). The display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 displays the charge amount of the selected print job (step S115) and prompts the user to input a charge. The user inputs a fee according to the billing amount displayed using the billing device 30 (step S116). The billing apparatus 30 notifies the dedicated terminal 20 that the fee has been charged and the amount of money to be charged (step S117).

  The user instructs execution of a print job using the dedicated terminal 20 (step S118). The determination unit 103 of the dedicated terminal 20 determines whether the input amount is smaller than the charge amount of the print job for which printing is instructed (step S119). Here, a case where the input amount is insufficient (when the input amount is less than the charge amount) will be described as an example.

  In this case, the display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 performs printing for the remaining amount (input amount) (remaining amount printing), forcibly prints in monochrome even for color (forced monochrome), or executes printing. A confirmation screen for selecting whether to cancel is displayed (step S120). Note that, even when the charge amount of the print job is unknown, it may be configured so that forced monochrome can be designated. In addition, when one or more print jobs with an unknown charge amount are included in a plurality of print jobs, only a print job with an unknown charge amount may be printed in forced monochrome, or all print jobs may be printed in forced monochrome. You may print with.

  When balance printing or forced monochrome is selected and printing execution is instructed by the user (step S121), the print control unit 105 of the dedicated terminal 20 instructs the printing server 40 to execute printing according to the selection (step S121). S122). The print control unit 203 of the print server 40 changes (edits) the print job as necessary in accordance with the instruction (step S123). For example, when the balance printing is designated, the print control unit 203 changes the print job so that the number of pages that can be printed within the range of the balance is designated. For example, when forced monochrome is designated, the print control unit 203 changes the print job so that a page (surface) for which color is designated is printed in monochrome. In the case of forced monochrome, even if all pages (surfaces) are printed in monochrome, the fee required for printing may exceed the amount of money input. In such a case, the process is interrupted by printing up to a page (surface) that can be printed within the input amount.

  The print server 40 requests the image forming apparatus 10 to execute the print job after the change (step S124). The image forming apparatus 10 executes the requested print job and, when completed, notifies the print server 40 of the completion of printing (step S125). The print server 40 notifies the dedicated terminal 20 of the completion of printing (step S126). The display control unit 104 of the dedicated terminal 20 notifies the user by displaying on the operation display unit 121 that printing has been completed (step S127).

  The user uses the dedicated terminal 20 to instruct to perform fee settlement (step S128). The accounting control unit 106 of the dedicated terminal 20 transmits log information of the print job to be settled to the print server 40 (step S129). The print server 40 collates the transmitted log information with the log in its own device, determines whether the information of the print job to be settled is correct, and if it is correct, notifies the dedicated terminal 20 that it is correct (OK) (step) S130).

  The charging control unit 106 of the dedicated terminal 20 executes a charge deduction from the charging device 30 (step S131). After the processing is completed, the dedicated terminal 20 performs logout in response to a user logout operation instruction (step S132).

  Details of the processing (charge shortage determination processing) of the portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in the printing processing of FIG. 5 will be further described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a charge shortage determination process.

  The display control unit 104 displays a list of print jobs acquired from the print server 40 on the operation display unit 121. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job list screen. The user selects a print job to be printed from the list screen as shown in FIG. 7, and instructs the execution of printing by pressing a “print” button. That is, the accepting unit 101 accepts a print job selected by the user from the displayed list of print jobs (step S201), and accepts a print instruction (step S202).

  The display control unit 104 displays an instruction screen for instructing to input a fee (step S203). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the instruction screen. The instruction screen may display the minimum unit price (10 yen in the example of FIG. 8). The user instructs the start of printing by pressing the “Yes” button on the instruction screen as shown in FIG.

  The billing apparatus 30 accepts a charge input by the user (step S204). The determination unit 103 of the dedicated terminal 20 determines whether or not the input amount is equal to or greater than the minimum unit price (step S205). If the input money amount is not equal to or greater than the minimum unit price (step S205: No), the process returns to step S203 and is repeated.

  When the input amount is equal to or greater than the minimum unit price (step S205: Yes), the determination unit 103 determines whether or not the charge amount for the print job has been acquired (step S206). Depending on the print language and the like, the information required for calculating the charge amount cannot be analyzed, and the charge amount may not be acquired. Therefore, the determination unit 103 acquires information indicating, for example, whether the charge amount has been acquired from the print server 40, or whether the print job can predict the charge amount. The determination unit 103 refers to this information to determine whether the charge amount for the print job has been acquired.

  When the charge amount can be acquired (step S206: Yes), the determination unit 103 determines whether or not the input amount is equal to or greater than the charge amount (step S207). When the input amount is smaller than the billing amount (step S207: No), the display control unit 104 displays a confirmation screen for selecting the balance printing, forced monochrome, and cancellation (step S208). FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. The user selects either balance printing or monochrome (forced monochrome) with a radio button, and presses the “Yes” button to instruct execution of either balance printing or forced monochrome. The user instructs to cancel printing by pressing a “No” button.

  The print control unit 105 determines whether cancellation has been instructed (step S209). When cancellation is instructed (step S209: Yes), the process returns to step S201 and is repeated. If cancellation is not instructed (step S209: No), the print control unit 105 determines whether or not the balance printing is instructed (step S210). When the balance printing is instructed (step S210: Yes), the print control unit 105 instructs the print server 40 to execute the balance printing (step S211). When the balance printing is not instructed, that is, when forced monochrome is instructed (step S210: No), the print control unit 105 instructs the print server 40 to execute forced monochrome printing (step S212).

  If it is determined in step S207 that the input amount is equal to or greater than the charge amount (step S207: Yes), the print control unit 105 instructs the print server 40 to perform normal printing (step S213).

  If the charge amount cannot be acquired in step S206 (step S206: No), the display control unit 104 displays a confirmation screen for selecting whether to execute forced printing (step S214). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen in this case. In the example of FIG. 10, when a color is selected and the “Yes” button is pressed, the print job including the color is printed as it is without being changed to monochrome. In this case, there is a possibility that printing may be interrupted halfway due to insufficient charges. For this reason, in the example of FIG. 10, a message indicating the possibility of interruption is displayed. When monochrome is selected in the example of FIG. 10 and the “Yes” button is pressed, the page (surface) with the color specified is changed to monochrome and printed. In this case as well, there is a possibility that printing is interrupted halfway due to a shortage of charges. If the “No” button is pressed, forced printing is not executed.

  The print control unit 105 determines whether forced printing is instructed (step S215). When the forced printing is not instructed, for example, when the “No” button is pressed in FIG. 10 (step S215: No), the process returns to step S201 and is repeated. When forced printing is instructed, for example, when the “Yes” button is pressed in FIG. 10 (step S215: Yes), the print control unit 105 instructs the print server 40 to perform color or monochrome forced printing (step S216). ).

  In response to the instructions in steps S211, S212, S213, and S216, the print server 40 prints the print job (not shown in FIG. 6). After execution of printing, the display control unit 104 displays a billing screen for displaying the amount to be settled (billed) (billed amount) (step S217). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a billing screen. When the “settlement” button is pressed in FIG. 11, the charging control unit 106 executes, for example, a charging process for withdrawing the charged amount from the prepaid card.

  In the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 103, the display control unit 104, the print control unit 105, and the charging control unit 106 are provided in the dedicated terminal 20. However, some or all of these functions are provided to other devices (for example, print The server 40) may be provided. Similarly, the functions of the analysis unit 202 and the print control unit 203 may not be provided in the print server 40, and some or all of these functions may be provided in another device (for example, the dedicated terminal 20). Further, the image forming apparatus 10 and the dedicated terminal 20 may be configured by a single casing.

  In addition, after the print job is not completed (when the print job cannot be printed on all pages regardless of whether there is a change in the print condition or the like), after the accounting settlement is completed in step S217, the remaining print job (print A screen for selecting whether to execute printing of a page that could not be printed may be displayed. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed in this case. As shown in FIG. 12, the confirmation screen has buttons (for example, “Yes”, “No”, etc.) that can select whether to execute the remaining print job, and a message that prompts charging (for example, “Print the remaining print job”). If you want to execute, please input the amount of money, etc.).

  Therefore, when the amount is input and “Yes” is selected, the processing from S205 is performed on the remaining print jobs. At this time, the print conditions (color information, double-sided information, paper size, etc.) of the remaining print jobs are set to the same print conditions as those of the print job printed halfway. In this way, the user can select to continue printing the remaining print jobs under the same printing conditions.

  Also, by making the selection in this way, the degree of freedom in selecting the charging device used by the user is improved. For example, a user selects and charges either a charging device (for example, a transportation IC card reader) for using an IC card having an electronic money function or a charging device (for example, a coin rack) for using cash. Assume that printing can be performed. At this time, the user first prints using the IC card, and the amount of money is insufficient. Therefore, after the amount of charge is printed, the remaining print job is printed with cash. become able to do.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration of the charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment communicates with a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 and a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 connected to a network. A communication I / F 54 for performing the above and a bus 61 for connecting each part.

  Note that the program executed by the charging control apparatus of the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The program executed in the charging control apparatus of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The program may be recorded on a readable recording medium and provided as a computer program product.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the charging control apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The program executed by the charging control apparatus according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units. As actual hardware, a CPU (processor) reads the program from the ROM and executes the above-described units. Are loaded on the main memory, and each unit is generated on the main memory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Dedicated terminal 30 Billing apparatus 40 Print server 50 Client PC
60 Authentication Server 101 Reception Unit 102 Communication Unit 103 Determination Unit 104 Display Control Unit 105 Print Control Unit 106 Charge Control Unit 121 Operation Display Unit 201 Communication Unit 202 Analysis Unit 203 Print Control Unit 221 Storage Unit

JP 2003-196737 A

Claims (10)

A determination unit for determining whether or not the input amount is smaller than a charge amount necessary for printing the first print job;
A print control unit that instructs to change and print the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount;
A charging control apparatus comprising: The first print job is a job including a page to be printed in color,
The print control unit instructs to change the first print job to a second print job for printing each page in monochrome when the input amount is smaller than the billing amount;
The charging control apparatus according to claim 1. The first print job is a job for printing a plurality of pages,
The print control unit prints the first print job with the number of pages that can be printed within the input amount out of the pages included in the first print job when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount. Instruct to change to the second print job to print,
The charging control apparatus according to claim 1. The print control unit changes the first print job to a second print job for printing from the first page of the first print job to the number of pages when the input amount is smaller than the billing amount. Instruct to print,
The charging control apparatus according to claim 3. The print control unit prints the first print job by printing a designated page within the number of pages among the pages included in the first print job when the input amount is smaller than the billing amount. 2 Instruct to change to print job and print
The charging control apparatus according to claim 3. The first charging method that does not permit printing when the input amount is smaller than the charging amount, and the second charging method that allows printing within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charging amount. A charging control unit for controlling charging by the charged charging method;
The charging control apparatus according to claim 1. Charging according to the model of the image forming apparatus among a first charging method that charges each time a page is printed and a second charging method that allows printing within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount A charging control unit for controlling charging by a method;
The charging control apparatus according to claim 1. A determination step of determining whether or not the input amount is smaller than a charge amount necessary for printing the first print job;
A print control step for instructing to change and print the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount;
A charging control method comprising: Computer
A determination unit for determining whether or not the input amount is smaller than a charge amount necessary for printing the first print job;
A print control unit that instructs to change the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount;
Program to function as. A printing system comprising a print server that controls printing by an image forming apparatus, and a charge control device,
The charging control device includes:
A determination unit for determining whether or not the input amount is smaller than a charge amount necessary for printing the first print job;
A first print control unit that instructs the print server to change the first print job to a second print job that can be printed within the input amount when the input amount is smaller than the charged amount; With
The print server
An analysis unit for analyzing the first print job and calculating the charge amount;
A second print control unit that changes the first print job to the second print job in response to an instruction from the charging control apparatus and instructs the image forming apparatus to perform printing by the second print job. ,
Printing system.

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