JP2015032038A - Control device, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To bill a user without inflicting a disadvantage when charging is performed while billing an external device from a control device for controlling a wireless power supply function.SOLUTION: When a job is received from an external device, a power transmission to the external device from a power transmission part is controlled in parallel with starting a process of the job. Billing information for the power transmission to the external device is generated according to a billing amount corresponding to a process time for processing the job and the billing amount corresponding to a predetermined unit time. The billing information is transmitted via a communication part. When the process time remains for the predetermined unit time, the billing amount corresponding to the time shorter than the process time corresponding to the predetermined unit time or the time longer than the process time corresponding to the predetermined unit time is generated, and a control is made to perform the power transmission during the time corresponding to the generated billing amount and the predetermined unit time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power transmission unit for supplying power to an external device, a control device, a control method, and a program for controlling a communication unit that performs communication with the external device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for paying a fee for printing performed by a printing device using general-purpose electronic money stored in an IC card or the like is known (Patent Document 1). According to the fee collection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, printing is performed after a print job transmitted from a terminal is charged using a general-purpose electronic money by a printing device. In this system, a print job is transmitted from an information terminal such as a PC, and charging is performed using another IC card.

  Recently, a technique in which a general-purpose electronic money mechanism of an IC card is mounted on a portable terminal is also known (Patent Document 2).

  As another technique, a technique for performing high-speed data transfer using a portable terminal is known. It is known to perform short-range wireless communication in addition to communication via a conventional communication network. The communication device of the other party of the short-range wireless communication is, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Printer), and it is known that data such as image data is transmitted / received. By using the above-described general-purpose electronic money mechanism of the IC card and the transmission / reception mechanism of image data or the like using a mobile terminal, it is possible to complete the process from transmission of a print job to payment using a single mobile terminal.

  Furthermore, in order to realize efficient communication in view of communication speed and operability, it is known to perform short-range wireless communication by two types of communication methods. Information necessary for the second short-range wireless communication method of the communication target device is transmitted / received to / from each other by the relatively low-speed first short-range wireless communication method that can reliably identify the communication partner, and the second short-range wireless communication method using the information A method of performing high-speed communication by a distance wireless communication method has been proposed (Patent Document 3).

  An example of the first near field communication system is NFC (Near Field Communication), and examples of the second near field communication system are Bluetooth (registered trademark) and wireless LAN. Patent Document 1 proposes a printer that first transmits the communication method and encryption method of the next communication by NFC, and switches the communication to perform printing using the second communication method when the communication is switched. Yes. Hereinafter, such pairing of devices in the first short-range wireless communication method and switching to the second short-range wireless communication method are referred to as handover.

  As another technique, there is known a wireless power feeding system including a power feeding device that outputs power wirelessly without being connected by a connector, and an electronic device that charges a battery by power supplied wirelessly from the power feeding device. (Patent Document 4).

  When such a technique is used, a device that pays with the use of general-purpose electronic money as consideration for charging the portable terminal can be considered. In particular, the present invention can be applied to a system in which a charging function is easily provided to a user whose amount of charge of a mobile terminal has decreased in a public place or the like and paid with electronic money as a price.

  Also, a system has been proposed in which a charging device is installed on a network and a fee is calculated for a requested job (Patent Document 5).

JP 2007-140990 A JP 2006-048270 A JP 2007-166538 A JP 2008-113519 A JP 2003-067832 A

  However, when charging is performed for charging using the wireless power feeding system as described above, there are the following problems. In other words, it is possible to know in advance the amount charged for a job that requires billing, but if the billing system goes down for some reason or when access to the billing server is concentrated, the response to the user cannot be made or slowed down. There is a possibility that. In addition, when charging is performed all at once, there is a problem that, for the convenience of the user, when charging is stopped halfway, the charging time is short with respect to the amount charged in advance. In addition, even if a refund is made, it is not recommended because it is necessary to pay attention to security problems such as preventing electronic money once charged from being refunded to a third party.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and charging is performed so that a user is not disadvantaged when charging while charging an external device from a control device that controls a wireless power feeding function. The purpose is to provide a control technology that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A control device that controls a power transmission unit for supplying power to an external device and a communication unit that performs communication with the external device,
When receiving a job from the external device, in parallel with the start of the processing of the job, control means for controlling power transmission from the power transmission unit to the external device;
Generating means for generating charging information for power transmission by the control means to the external device according to a processing time for processing the job and a charging amount corresponding to a predetermined unit time;
Transmission means for transmitting the billing information via the communication unit, and
When the processing time is longer than the predetermined unit time, the generation unit is shorter than the processing time corresponding to the predetermined unit time or shorter than the processing time corresponding to the predetermined unit time. A billing amount corresponding to a long time is generated, and the control means controls to perform the power transmission for a time corresponding to the generated billing amount and the predetermined unit time.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when charging while charging to an external apparatus from the control apparatus which controls a wireless power feeding function, it can charge so that a user may not be disadvantaged.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a portable communication terminal device. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a printing apparatus. It is a top view of an operation display part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a portable communication terminal device. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an NFC unit. It is a figure which shows the structure of a wireless electric power feeding system. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a NFC memory. It is a figure which shows an example of an accounting table. It is a flowchart which shows the process after a portable communication terminal device selects a printing image until printing of a printing apparatus is started. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in parallel with the printing start. It is a figure which shows an example of a charging screen display. It is a flowchart which shows the timing which starts and stops the count of charging time.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the relative arrangement of components, the display screen, and the like described in the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

  In the present embodiment, a method for not performing unnecessary wireless power feeding when performing data transmission by wireless power feeding and near field wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) will be described.

  In the following, NFC is used as short-range wireless communication, but other wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used. Also, any method such as an electromagnetic induction method or a resonance method may be used for wireless power feeding. In the present embodiment, a portable communication terminal device such as a smartphone and a printing device are illustrated as information processing devices constituting an information processing system for realizing the wireless power feeding control method, but the present invention is not limited to these. Clearly not.

  Here, short-range wireless communication refers to wireless communication in which a communication range represented by NFC is a relatively small predetermined range (for example, 1 meter to several centimeters).

<Basic operation>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system.

  A server apparatus 101, a portable communication terminal apparatus 200, and a multifunction printer (hereinafter referred to as MFP) 300 are connected to a network 100.

  The server device 101 provides various functions such as printing image data storage and user ID management, and stores programs such as an image processing application.

  The portable communication terminal device 200 has at least a short-range wireless communication function and a power receiving function in wireless power feeding. In the present embodiment, the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 is an apparatus having at least two types of wireless communication functions with different authentication methods and communication speeds. The portable communication terminal device 200 may be any device having a short-range wireless communication function and a power receiving function by wireless power feeding, such as a personal information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or a digital camera.

  The printing apparatus 300 has a reading function for reading a document by placing the document on a document table, a printing function for performing printing using a print engine such as an ink jet printer, and the like, and a FAX function and a telephone function. May be.

  The network 100 and the server apparatus 101 are connected by a wired LAN. The network 100 and the printing apparatus 300 are connected by a wired LAN or a wireless LAN (hereinafter referred to as WLAN). The network 100 and the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 are connected by WLAN. Since both the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 and the printing apparatus 300 have a WLAN function, peer-to-peer (hereinafter referred to as P2P) communication is possible by performing mutual authentication.

  Note that the communication forms of the above-described configurations are merely examples, and are not limited to these. For example, the printing apparatus 300 and the network 100 may be connected by a WLAN.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the portable communication terminal device 200.

  In this embodiment, a smartphone is taken as an example. A smartphone is a multi-function mobile phone equipped with a camera, a network browser, a mail function, etc. in addition to the functions of a mobile phone. The NFC unit 201 is a unit that performs communication using NFC, and can actually perform communication by bringing the NFC unit 201 closer to the counterpart NFC unit within a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 cm).

  The wireless power reception unit 206 receives power from the wireless power transmission unit by bringing the wireless power transmission unit 206 within a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 cm) of the wireless power transmission unit that is a power supply source. The battery can be charged with the power received by the wireless power receiving unit 206. The wireless power receiving unit 206 is disposed in the vicinity of the NFC unit 201 in the apparatus, and can perform NFC communication and wireless power reception simultaneously.

  The WLAN unit 202 is a unit for performing communication by WLAN, and is disposed in the portable communication terminal device 200. The display unit 203 is, for example, a display having an LCD display mechanism. The operation unit 204 includes a touch panel type operation mechanism, and detects user press information. A typical operation method is that the display unit 203 displays a button icon or a software keyboard, and the user presses the operation unit 204 to issue an event in which the button is pressed. A power key 205 is used to turn on and off the power.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the printing apparatus 300.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, a multi function printer (MFP) having a reading function (scanner) is taken as an example. In FIG. 3A, a document table 301 is a glassy transparent table, and is used when a document is placed and read by a scanner (not shown). The document cover 302 is a cover for preventing reading light from leaking to the outside when reading with the scanner. The printing paper insertion port 303 is an insertion port for setting paper of various sizes. The paper set in the printing paper insertion port 303 is conveyed to the printing unit one by one, and is printed out from the printing paper discharge port 304 after performing desired printing.

  In FIG. 3B, an operation display unit 305, a wireless power transmission unit 306, and an NFC unit 308 are disposed on the upper portion of the document cover 302. The operation display unit 305 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The NFC unit 308 is a unit for performing short-range wireless communication. The wireless power transmission unit 306 can transmit power to the wireless power receiving unit when the distance from the wireless power receiving unit as a power transmission destination is within a predetermined distance (about 10 cm). The wireless power transmission unit 306 is disposed in the vicinity of the NFC unit 308 in the printing apparatus 300, and can perform NFC communication and wireless power reception at the same time. In the WLAN unit 307, an antenna for communicating by WLAN is embedded.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the operation display unit 305.

  The display unit 406 is a display screen that displays a user interface such as an image or an operation menu. For example, a dot matrix LCD is given as an example. A cross key 401 is used for operations such as cursor movement on the display unit 406. A set key 402 is a key for setting input. A function key 403 is used for operations such as function setting. A start key 404 instructs execution of functions such as start of print recording.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the portable communication terminal device 200.

  The portable communication terminal device 200 includes a main board 500 that performs main control of the device, a WLAN unit 517 that performs WLAN communication, and a communication unit that performs communication with an external device. The communication unit includes an NFC unit 518 that performs NFC communication and a BT unit 521 that performs Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication.

  In the main board 500, the CPU 502 is a system control unit and controls the entire portable communication terminal apparatus 200. The ROM 503 stores a control program executed by the CPU 502, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 503 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 503.

  The RAM 504 is configured by a memory such as SRAM (Static RAM), stores data such as program control variables, and stores data such as setting values registered by the user and management data of the portable communication terminal device 200. Various work buffer areas are provided.

  The image memory 505 is configured by a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and temporarily stores image data received via the communication unit and image data read from the data storage unit 512 for processing by the CPU 502.

  The nonvolatile memory 522 is configured by a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data that is to be stored even after the power is turned off. This includes, for example, phone book data and device information connected in the past. Note that the memory configuration is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the image memory 505 and the RAM 504 may be shared, or data backup or the like may be performed in the data storage unit 512. For example, in this embodiment, a DRAM is used as the image memory 505, but a storage medium such as a hard disk or a nonvolatile memory may be used.

  The data conversion unit 506 performs analysis such as page description language (PDL), and data conversion such as color conversion and image conversion. The telephone unit 507 controls the telephone line and processes voice data input / output via the speaker unit 513 to realize telephone communication. The operation unit 508 controls the signal of the operation unit 204 (FIG. 2). A GPS (Global Positioning System) 509 acquires position information such as the current latitude and longitude at which the portable communication terminal device 200 is located. The display unit 510 electronically controls the display content of the display unit 203 (FIG. 2), and can perform various input operations, display the operation status and status status of the printing apparatus 300, and the like.

  The camera unit 511 has a function of electronically recording and encoding an image input via a lens. An image captured by the camera unit 511 is stored in the data storage unit 512. The speaker unit 513 realizes a function of inputting or outputting voice for a telephone function, and other functions such as alarm notification. The power supply unit 514 controls a portable battery (battery). The power supply state of the power supply unit 514 includes a state where the battery is exhausted, a power-off state where the power key 205 is not pressed, a normal start-up state, and a start-up but power saving. There is a power saving state.

  The wireless power receiving unit 523 is connected to the power supply unit 514 and supplies the power received from the adjacent wireless power transmission unit to the power supply unit 514. The power supply unit 514 can be charged with power supplied from the wireless power receiving unit 523. Details of the wireless power receiving unit 523 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The communication unit of the portable communication terminal device 200 includes a WLAN unit 517, an NFC unit 518, and a BT unit 521, and performs wireless communication with an external device in three types of communication modes: WLAN, NFC, and BlueTooth (registered trademark). Can do. Each unit of the communication unit converts data into a packet and transmits the packet to another device, or conversely converts a packet from another external device into data and transmits it to the CPU 502. The WLAN unit 517, the NFC unit 518, and the BT unit 521 are connected to the system bus 519 by bus cables 515, 516, and 620, respectively. Also, the WLAN unit 517, the NFC unit 518, and the BT unit 521 are units for realizing communication conforming to the standard. Details of the NFC unit will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Various components in the main board 500 are connected to each other via a system bus 519 managed by the CPU 502.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing apparatus 300.

  The printing apparatus 300 includes a main board 601 that performs main control of the apparatus itself, and a communication unit that communicates with an external apparatus. The communication unit includes a WLAN unit 613 that performs WLAN communication, an NFC unit 617 that performs NFC communication, and a BT unit 618 that performs Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. The WLAN unit 613, the NFC unit 617, and the BT unit 618 are connected to the system bus 619 via bus cables 620, 621, and 622, respectively.

  In the main board 601, a CPU 602 is a system control unit and controls the entire printing apparatus 300. The ROM 603 stores a control program executed by the CPU 602, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In the present embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 603 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 603.

  The RAM 604 is configured by a memory such as SRAM (Static RAM), stores data such as program control variables, stores data such as setting values registered by the user and management data of the printing apparatus 300, and is used for various works. A buffer area is provided.

  The nonvolatile memory 605 is configured by a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data that the user wants to retain even when the power is turned off. Specifically, network connection information, user data, and the like. The image memory 606 is configured by a memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), and stores image data received via the communication unit and image data processed by the code decoding processing unit 612. Further, similarly to the memory configuration of the portable communication terminal device 200, the memory configuration of the printing apparatus 300 is not limited to the above-described memory configuration.

  The data conversion unit 607 performs analysis such as page description language (PDL), conversion from image data to print data, and the like. A reading control unit 608 controls the reading unit 610 to output image data obtained by optical reading. The reading unit 610 optically reads a document with a CIS image sensor (contact image sensor). Further, the reading control unit 608 performs various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing on the image signal converted into the electrical image data via an image processing control unit (not shown), thereby achieving high definition. The correct image data.

  The operation unit 609 and the display unit 611 correspond to the operation display unit 305 (FIG. 4), and include keys for a user to operate and an LCD for display. The code decoding processing unit 612 performs code decoding processing and enlargement / reduction processing of image data (JPEG, PNG, etc.) handled by the printing apparatus 300. The paper feeding unit 614 holds printing paper. Paper feed from the paper feed unit 614 to the recording unit 615 is performed under the control of the recording control unit 616. Note that the paper feeding unit 614 may include a plurality of paper feeding units so that a plurality of types of paper can be held in one apparatus. In this case, the recording control unit 616 can control from which paper feeding unit the paper is fed.

  The recording control unit 616 performs various kinds of image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), and converts the image data into high-definition image data. The data is converted and output to the recording unit 615. The recording unit 615 records an image on the recording paper supplied from the paper supply unit 614 according to the image data supplied from the recording control unit 616. The recording control unit 616 also plays a role of periodically reading information in the recording unit 615 and updating information in the RAM 604. Specifically, status information such as the remaining amount of the ink tank and the state of the print head is updated.

  The power supply unit 623 controls a portable battery or an external power supply. The power supply state of the power supply unit 623 includes a state where the battery is exhausted, a power-off state in which the power-on button is not pressed by the operation display unit 305, a normal start-up state, and a start-up state that is not activated. There is a power saving state that is power. The wireless power transmission unit 624 is connected to the power supply unit 623, and can supply power to a nearby wireless power reception unit through the power supply unit 623. Details of the wireless power receiving unit will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing details of the NFC unit 518 of the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 or the NFC unit 617 of the printing apparatus 300.

  Hereinafter, the NFC unit 518 and the NFC unit 617 are collectively referred to as the NFC unit 700. Prior to the description of FIG. 7, NFC communication will be described. When performing near field communication using an NFC unit, an apparatus that first outputs an RF (Radio Frequency) field and starts communication is called an initiator. A device that communicates with an initiator in response to a command issued by the initiator is called a target. Here, the passive mode and the active mode will be described. The communication mode of the NFC unit includes a passive mode and an active mode. In the passive mode, the target responds to the initiator command by performing load modulation. Therefore, it is not necessary to supply power to the target. On the other hand, in the active mode, the target responds to the command of the initiator by the RF field emitted by the target itself. For this reason, the active mode requires power supply to the target, but has a feature that the communication speed can be increased compared to the passive mode.

  In FIG. 7, the NFC unit 700 includes an NFC controller unit 701, an antenna unit 702, an RF unit 703, a transmission / reception control unit 704, an NFC memory 705, a power source 706, and a device connection unit 707. As the power source 706, the power source unit 514 (FIG. 5) or the power source unit 623 (FIG. 6) can be used.

  The antenna unit 702 receives radio waves and carriers from other NFC devices (devices equipped with NFC units), and transmits radio waves and carriers to other NFC devices. The RF unit 703 has a function of modulating / demodulating an analog signal into a digital signal. The RF unit 703 includes a synthesizer, identifies the band and channel frequencies, and executes band and channel control based on the frequency allocation data.

  The transmission / reception control unit 704 executes transmission / reception control such as assembly / disassembly of transmission / reception frames, preamble addition / detection, and frame identification. The transmission / reception control unit 704 also controls the NFC memory 705 to read / write various data and programs. The transmission / reception control unit 704 communicates with the system bus of the device through the device connection unit 707. When operating in the active mode, the NFC unit 700 is supplied with power via the power source 706 and communicates with other NFC devices that are within a communicable range by the carrier transmitted and received via the antenna unit 702. When operating in the passive mode, the NFC unit 700 receives a carrier from another NFC device via the antenna unit 702 and receives power from the other NFC device by electromagnetic induction. Then, the NFC unit 700 communicates with the other NFC device by transmitting / receiving data through carrier modulation.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless power feeding system including a wireless power receiving unit 801 (power receiving unit) and a wireless power transmitting unit 804 (power transmitting unit).

  Here, the wireless power receiving unit 801 can be used as the wireless power receiving unit 523 of the portable communication terminal apparatus 200, and the wireless power transmission unit 804 can be used as the wireless power transmission unit 624 of the printing apparatus 300.

  In this system, the battery connected to the wireless power receiving unit 801 can be charged by wirelessly transmitting power (wireless power feeding) from the wireless power transmitting unit 804 to the wireless power receiving unit 801. Specifically, the wireless power transmission unit 804 includes a resonance element 805 and a coil changeover switch 806. In addition, a battery is connected to the wireless power transmission unit 804, and a magnetic flux is generated by turning on the coil changeover switch 806 and causing a current to flow through the resonance element 805. The wireless power receiving unit 801 includes a resonance element 802 and a coil changeover switch 803. When the resonance element 802 of the wireless power receiving unit 801 is brought close to the magnetic flux generated from the resonance element 805, a current is also generated in the resonance element 802 by electromagnetic induction. In this state, when the coil changeover switch 803 is in the on state, the battery connected to the wireless power receiving unit 801 can be charged. The method described above is based on the electromagnetic induction method, but the wireless power feeding according to the present embodiment is not limited to the electromagnetic induction method, and wireless power transmission using a magnetic field resonance method or other methods may be used.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an internal structure of the NFC memory 705 of the printing apparatus 300. Reference numerals 901 to 915 shown in FIG. 9A represent the entire image of the NFC memory 705. FIG. 9 clearly shows only the items necessary for explaining the present invention, and in reality, further information necessary for operating the apparatus is omitted here. 916 to 929 shown in FIG. 9B show details of the accounting table A911. The billing table B and other billing tables have the same configuration.

  The printing apparatus identifier 901 is an ID for uniquely specifying the printing apparatus 300 and is held as information unique to the apparatus. The portable communication terminal apparatus 200 can uniquely recognize the printing apparatus 300 that communicates using the printing apparatus identifier 901.

  The job list 902 is a place for storing jobs transmitted from the portable communication terminal device 200, and includes job information 903 and handover information 904. For example, when the job information 903 is a print job, information such as a paper size, a paper type, an image file designation, and image correction information is designated. By referring to the job information 903, the printing apparatus 300 performs printing. You can decide what to do. The handover information 904 describes the storage destination of the image file. Here, handover refers to setting of a job and connection information to the storage destination of the image file in a relatively low-speed proximity wireless communication method (NFC or the like) when the size of the image file used for the job is large. Next, the communication is performed after switching to a relatively high-speed communication method (such as WLAN or Bluetooth).

  The charge table acquirer list 905 holds a history of users who have acquired charge tables as a list. For example, user information 906 and 907 set in the portable communication terminal device 200 are stored as specific contents of the list. The user information includes, for example, a user name, acquisition date and time, and an identifier. The identifier is information that can be uniquely specified by the portable communication terminal device, and may be, for example, a serial number or a telephone number when the portable communication terminal device 200 is a telephone.

  The charging table selection criterion 908 stores a criterion for selecting a plurality of types of charging tables. The charging table list 909 manages a plurality of charging tables. Here, the charging table A 911 specified by the charging table A identifier 910, the charging table B 913 specified by the charging table B identifier 912, and the default charging table identifier 914 A default billing table 915 specified in (1) is managed.

  In the accounting table A911, the accounting table setting date and time 916 stores the date and time when the accounting table was set. The billing table setter 917 stores the user name (setter) who set the billing table.

  In the print job 918, the charge by size 919 is a charging table for each size of paper to be printed, and stores information such as A4 = 10 yen, A3 = 30 yen, and the like. The paper type fee 920 is a charging table for each type of paper to be printed. For example, information such as glossy paper = 1.5 times, plain paper = 1.0 times, reused paper = 0.8 times is stored. Has been. The print mode charge 921 is an additional charge setting for various print modes, and stores information such as, for example, clean mode = 2 times, face brightening correction = 10 yen, stapling processing = 5 yen, and the like. Therefore, for example, when printing on glossy paper of A3 and correcting face brightly, the charge amount is 30 yen * 1.5 times + 10 yen = 55 yen.

  In the scan job 922, the size-specific fee 923 is the same as that of the print job. A charge by reading resolution 924 is a billing table set for each resolution to be scanned, and stores information such as 75 dpi = 0.5 times, 300 dpi = 1.0 times, 600 dpi = 2.0 times, and the like. The fee 925 for each transmission method is determined according to how the scanned image is transmitted. For example, information such as 0 yen for a memory card brought by the user, 5 yen for sending by e-mail, and 100 yen for using a CD medium attached to the printing apparatus 300 is stored. Therefore, for example, when A3 paper is scanned at 75 dpi and sent to a desired destination by e-mail, the charge amount is 30 yen * 0.5 times + 5 yen = 20 yen.

  In the fax job 926, the charge by size 927 is the same as that of the print job or the scan job. The communication time charge 928 stores information such as 10 yen / minute. The option fee 929 stores information such as a retransmission setting of 5 yen and a broadcast setting of 5 yen. Thus, for example, if 5 A4 fax originals are sent, takes 3 minutes, and resend is set, the charge amount is 10 yen * 5 + 10 yen * 3 + 5 yen = 85 yen.

  In the charging 930, the charge mode-specific charge 931 is a billing table set for each charge mode, and stores information such as quick charge = 2.0 times, normal charge = 1.0 times, and the like. The charge time charge 932 is a billing table set for each charge time, and stores information such as 30 yen / minute, for example. Details will be described with reference to FIG. Therefore, for example, when charging for 5 minutes by rapid charging, the charge amount is 2.0 times * 5 * 30 yen = 300 yen.

  Information related to the billing table shown in FIG. 9 is appropriately acquired by the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 by NFC communication. Information about the acquired billing table is stored as a list in the nonvolatile memory 522 of the portable communication terminal device 200. The number that can be held according to the capacity of the nonvolatile memory 522 can be made variable.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a charging table for charging by charging time during normal charging described in FIG. The total amount increases every 30 yen per minute. This billing table means that when the user starts normal charging, he / she will be charged 30 yen first, and another 30 yen will be charged 1 minute after the start of charging, resulting in a total amount of 60 yen. That is. That is, the unit time charged is 1 minute and the unit amount is 30 yen. At this time, if the user stops charging in 2 minutes and 30 seconds, charging is stopped in 2 minutes and 30 seconds while charging for 3 minutes, that is, 90 yen is charged. The user has lost money for the charging time of the minute. In this case, it can be said that there is a disadvantage for the user with respect to the billing amount. Note that FIG. 10 is merely an example, and the unit time and the unit charge of the charging table may be different, and there should be a timing at which a loss occurs to the user no matter how fine the unit time granularity is. is there.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence for eliminating the disadvantage of the user described in FIG.

  First, in step S1101, the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 performs print image selection. In the print image selection, an image to be printed on the printing apparatus 300 is selected from the portable communication terminal apparatus 200. A plurality of images may be selected. Also, other data formats such as text instead of images may be used. When selection of the print image is completed, job transmission is performed from the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 to the printing apparatus 300 in step S1102. At this time, the remaining battery information of the portable communication terminal device 200 is also transmitted together with the job data.

  The job may be address information indicating a reference destination (storage destination) of the image data instead of the image data. In that case, in step S1103, the printing apparatus 300 inquires of the server apparatus 101 about the image data selected by the address information. In step S <b> 1104, the printing apparatus 300 receives corresponding image data from the server apparatus 101.

  Next, in step S1105, the printing apparatus 300 determines whether the remaining battery level indicated by the remaining battery level information received from the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 80%). If the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in step S1105), printing is started in step S1111. On the other hand, if the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S1105), in step S1106, the printing apparatus 300 estimates the time from the start of printing to the completion of printing from the received job (determines the estimated time). ) Job analysis.

  In job analysis, received image data is converted into a format that can be printed by a printer, and an estimate is made of how long it takes to complete printing. Various estimation methods such as a method of estimating from the number of scans of the print head until printing is completed and a method of estimating from the size after data conversion are conceivable. Any estimation method may be used. Make it not exist. In addition, any time may be used as long as it is determined by some rule, not the estimated time for printing completion.

  After the estimated time is determined, in step S1107, the printing apparatus 300 performs charging stop time setting. Here, it is control which determines the charge stop time which does not produce a disadvantage for a user as demonstrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 10, since the unit time of the accounting table is 1 minute, a value less than the unit time is rounded down with respect to the estimated time. That is, assuming that the estimated time is 4 minutes and 30 seconds, the charging stop time is set to 4 minutes by rounding down 30 seconds and stored in the RAM 604. Here, by stopping charging at the determined charging stop time, it is possible to charge 4 minutes * 30 yen = 120 yen and charge for 4 minutes, so the user charges only for the amount charged. It can be performed.

  Next, in step S1108, the printing apparatus 300 sends the information in the accounting table (for example, FIG. 10) to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200, the estimated time determined in step S1106, and the charging stop time determined in step S1107. Send. NFC communication or WLAN communication can be used for this transmission.

  In step S1109, portable communication terminal apparatus 200 displays a charging screen on display unit 203. An example of the billing screen display will be described with reference to FIG. In the display unit 203 of FIG. 13, a charging table of the charging time-specific charge 932, an estimated time (4 minutes and 30 seconds), and a charging stop time (4 minutes) are displayed. In addition, a Yes / No button is arranged at the bottom of the display unit 203. When the Yes button is pressed, charging is started by wireless power feeding, and when the No button is pressed, charging is not started by wireless power feeding ( To prohibit charging).

  In step S1110, the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 transmits a billing presence / absence notification having information on whether the Yes button is pressed or the No button is pressed to the printing apparatus 300.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 1111, the printing apparatus 300 starts printing in response to the billing presence / absence notification. In step S <b> 1112, when printing is completed, the printing apparatus 300 transmits a completion notification to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200.

  In step S1105, it is determined whether or not the remaining battery level of the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. However, the user can select whether or not to execute charging regardless of the remaining battery level. Good. Alternatively, even if the remaining battery level of the portable communication terminal device 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, depending on the print content, the remaining battery level is consumed, or the remaining battery level is smaller than the predetermined value (for example, 30%). ) May be notified to the portable communication terminal device 200 to allow the user to select whether or not to execute charging.

  Next, processing executed in parallel with the start of printing in the printing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  12 is executed by the CPU 602 of the printing apparatus 300. Specifically, a program for realizing the processing shown in FIG. 12 is stored in the ROM 603 of the printing apparatus 300. Then, the CPU 602 executes the program on the RAM 604, thereby realizing the processing shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 1201, the printing apparatus 300 determines whether to charge the portable communication terminal apparatus 200. This determination is made based on a billing presence / absence notification from the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 or a remaining battery level. If it is determined not to charge (NO in step S1201), the process ends. If it is determined that charging is to be performed (YES in step S1201), the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, the printing apparatus 300 refers to the charging table and charges the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 for a unit time. In the example of FIG. 10, the charge is 30 yen. In this case, the printing apparatus 300 generates billing information indicating the billing amount and transmits it to the portable communication terminal device 200.

  Next, in step S1203, the printing apparatus 300 starts counting the charging time. Next, in step S1204, the printing apparatus 300 switches the coil changeover switch 806 of the wireless power transmission unit 804 to ON. In step S1205, the printing apparatus 300 determines whether the charging time count has reached the charging stop time. If it is determined that the charging stop time has been reached (YES in step S1205), the coil changeover switch of the wireless power transmission unit 804 is turned off and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the charging stop time has not been reached (NO in step S1206), in step S1206, the printing apparatus 300 determines whether the unit time has been reached. If it is determined that the unit time has been reached (YES in step S1206), in step S1207, the printing apparatus 300 refers to the charging table and adds a charge for the unit time to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200. In the example of FIG. 10, an additional 30 yen is additionally charged. Then, the process returns to step S1205. In this case, the printing apparatus 300 generates billing information indicating the billing amount and transmits it to the portable communication terminal device 200.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the unit time has not been reached (NO in step S1207), the process returns to step S1205 without charging.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 300 generates billing information for each unit time. In parallel with the start of printing, charging by wireless power feeding is started, and charging is stopped as the charging stop time has elapsed. Therefore, there is no excess or shortage of charging time with respect to the charged amount, and there is no disadvantage for the user.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the timing for starting and stopping the counting of the charging time.

  First, in step S1401, when the printing apparatus 300 receives a job from the portable communication terminal apparatus 200, the printing apparatus 300 transmits a message to that effect to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200. At this time, as described in FIG. 12, the printing apparatus 300 starts counting the charging time in step S1402. Here, if recovery processing is started in the printing apparatus 300 in step S1403, the printing apparatus 300 transmits a message indicating that to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200.

  In step S1404, the printing apparatus 300 stops counting the charging time. This is because the recovery process is an operation irrelevant to the printing operation, and accordingly, the printing completion time is delayed, and there is a disadvantage for the user due to the convenience of the printing apparatus 300 side. There is an object to offset the disadvantage by stopping the counting of the charging time while continuing the charging.

  In step S1405, when printing is resumed, the printing apparatus 300 transmits a message to that effect to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200. In step S1406, the printing apparatus starts counting the charging time again.

  The above-described flowchart is merely an example of the embodiment. For example, when the recovery process is being performed, the wireless power feeding function may be stopped (invalidated) after the charging time is stopped. Shall. Further, the estimated time may be remeasured when it is determined that the recovery process is started. After the re-measurement, the information on the accounting table, the estimated time after the re-measurement, and the charge stop time after the re-measurement are transmitted from the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and the display unit 203 of the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 has a display as shown in FIG. You may make it make a user select again by performing an accounting screen display.

  In the above embodiment, when the printing time is left for a predetermined time unit (for example, 1 minute) for charging for power supply, the power supply time is rounded down. For example, in the above example, when the estimated printing time is 4 minutes 30 seconds, the power feeding time is set to 4 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a power feeding time longer than the printing time may be set. For example, in the above example, even if the power supply time is set to 5 minutes and charging corresponding to 5 minutes is performed and printing is completed in 4 minutes 30 seconds, wireless power supply can be continued for 30 seconds thereafter. Good. In this case, a message indicating that the remaining 30 seconds can be charged may be notified from the printing apparatus 300 to the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 by NFC communication.

  In the above embodiment, charging for wireless power feeding has been described. However, charging processing may also be performed for print processing. In that case, the user of the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 may select whether to cause the printing apparatus 300 to execute only one or both of the printing process and the wireless power feeding. Further, the charge per unit time when both printing processing and wireless power feeding are executed may be set to be lower than the charge obtained by adding the charge per unit time. As a method for realizing this charging method, for example, when only one of print processing and wireless power feeding is executed, a charging table corresponding to three patterns for executing both of them is prepared in the printing apparatus. . When a job is received from the portable communication terminal device 200, it is determined which of the above three patterns is determined according to the contents of the job, and a charging table corresponding to the determined pattern is stored in the portable communication terminal device. 200.

  Moreover, when both the printing process and the wireless power feeding are executed among the three patterns of processing as described above, the power feeding time corresponding to the printing time may be set. For example, when only wireless power feeding is performed, wireless power feeding is possible without providing a time limit, and power feeding may be performed if charging is appropriately performed.

  Thereby, for example, in the case of a service that is provided free of charge for wireless power supply during execution of print processing, according to the processing of this embodiment, an appropriate power supply time is set according to the execution time of the print processing. be able to.

  As described with reference to FIG. 11, when the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 transmits a job in step S1102, the printing apparatus 300 acquires an image from the server apparatus 101 and performs printing. Therefore, when performing wireless power supply during printing in step S <b> 1111, the portable communication terminal device 200 can perform power supply in a state where data transmission by NFC is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent power from being consumed by NFC communication despite wireless power feeding. Note that even when data to be printed is transmitted by NFC communication, for example, printing is started after data transmission is completed, and power is supplied during printing, so that the portable communication terminal apparatus 200 can be configured as described above. Wireless power feeding can be performed in a state where data transmission by NFC is not performed.

  In the above embodiment, a charging table is described as an example of information for specifying a charging method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the charging method is stored in a memory included in the printing apparatus 300 in various data formats. You may keep it.

  In the above-described flowchart, the case where the external device is charged while performing printing using the printing function of the printing apparatus 300 is described as an example. It can also be applied when using the function (FAX).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, even when charging an external device while charging, it is possible to charge the user so as not to cause a disadvantage.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of a job performed by the printing apparatus, printing by the printing apparatus has been described as an example. However, processing corresponding to a job is not limited to this. For example, a process of transmitting data (for example, a read image obtained by reading a document with the printing apparatus or a document or image stored in a memory of the printing apparatus) from the printing apparatus to the portable terminal may be performed. Specifically, when the portable terminal requests the printing apparatus to transmit the data as a job, the printing apparatus transmits the various data to the portable terminal in response to the request. In addition to the processing corresponding to the job, the data transmitted from the portable terminal to the printing apparatus may be stored in the internal or external memory by the printing apparatus, or the data may be stored in the external apparatus ( For example, the processing may be transmitted to a server on the network.

  Note that the functions of this embodiment can also be realized by the following configuration. That is, it is also achieved by supplying a program code for performing the processing of the present embodiment to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus executing the program code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code also realizes the function of the present embodiment.

  Further, the program code for realizing the function of the present embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by a plurality of computers cooperating. Also good. Further, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit for realizing the function of the program code may be provided. Alternatively, a part of the program code may be realized by hardware and the remaining part may be executed by a computer.

Claims (8)

A control device that controls a power transmission unit for supplying power to an external device and a communication unit that performs communication with the external device,
When receiving a job from the external device, in parallel with the start of the processing of the job, control means for controlling power transmission from the power transmission unit to the external device;
Generating means for generating charging information for power transmission by the control means to the external device according to a processing time for processing the job and a charging amount corresponding to a predetermined unit time;
Transmission means for transmitting the billing information via the communication unit, and
When the processing time is longer than the predetermined unit time, the generation unit is shorter than the processing time corresponding to the predetermined unit time or shorter than the processing time corresponding to the predetermined unit time. A control device that generates a billing amount corresponding to a long time, and wherein the control means controls to perform the power transmission for a time corresponding to the generated billing amount and the predetermined unit time. Determining means for determining an estimated time for processing a job received from the external device;
A setting means for setting a time obtained by rounding down a time less than a unit time of the billing table from the estimated time as a charging stop time by the power transmission unit;
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit continues charging the external device from the start of charging the external device until the charge stop time is reached. It further comprises a counting means for counting the charging time to the external device,
When the control means performs a predetermined process unrelated to the job while processing the job, the control means stops counting by the counting means until the predetermined process is completed. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Further comprising receiving means for receiving the remaining battery level of the battery provided in the external device from the external device;
The said control means performs the process for charging from the said power transmission part to the said external apparatus, when the said battery remaining charge is less than predetermined value. The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The control device according to item. Even if the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, if the remaining battery level falls below the predetermined value during processing of a job received from the external device, the control means The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a process for charging the external device is executed. When charging the external device from the power transmission unit in parallel with the processing of the job received from the external device, the transmission unit is configured to process the accounting table and the job via the communication unit. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein information including a period of time and a charging stop time is transmitted to the external device. A control method for controlling a power transmission unit for supplying power to an external device and a communication unit for performing communication with the external device,
When receiving a job from the external device, in parallel with the start of processing of the job, a control step of controlling power transmission from the power transmission unit to the external device;
A generating step for generating charging information for power transmission in the control step to the external device according to a processing time for processing the job and a charging amount corresponding to a predetermined unit time;
A transmission step of transmitting the billing information via the communication unit,
When the processing time is more than the predetermined unit time, in the generation step, a time shorter than the processing time corresponding to the predetermined unit time or a time corresponding to the predetermined unit time A control method comprising: generating a billing amount corresponding to a long time, and performing the power transmission for a time corresponding to the generated billing amount and the predetermined unit time in the control step.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the control apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.

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