JP2016114964A - Service provision equipment and service provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easier to utilize plural services, and upgrade convenience in using a privilege to be given by utilizing a service.SOLUTION: When a user utilizes plural services, service provision equipment 100 displays on an operating panel a button with which one service can be directly shifted to another service without a depression on an End button for the service. A selective receipt issuance unit 105 is included to decide that a service utilized by employing the button with which one service is shifted to another service is utilized by the same user, and issue receipts all together. A service center server 200 records privilege information for each receipt according to a service utilized by a user. The service provision equipment 100 further includes a receipt reading unit 106 that reads an issued receipt, displays privilege information recorded in the receipt, and enables use of the privilege information as a privilege use ticket for a service to be utilized next.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus and a service providing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an apparatus that is installed in a store such as a convenience store or a DPE (Development Printing Enlargement) shop and provides users with various services such as copying, various printing, and scanning is known. Since such an apparatus is used by an unspecified number of users, many techniques for improving the operability and preventing an erroneous operation have been proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that can execute a frequently used service or another service with few operations by a user.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a storage medium processing device and an image forming system for suppressing erroneous insertion of various storage media (such as an SD card) possessed by the user when the user selects printing. Yes.

JP 2006-270713 A JP 2012-135881 A

  As described above, the service providing apparatus centered on the image forming apparatus installed in the store and having a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a fax provides an increasingly diverse service as a service station in the city. It is thought that it will become. Further, in order to further promote the use of the service, it is considered that more various privileges are given. Therefore, in such a service providing apparatus, it is necessary to improve operability and convenience when using the granted privilege.

  An object of this invention is to provide the service provision apparatus and service provision system which make it easy to use a some service, and improve the convenience at the time of utilizing the privilege provided by utilizing a service.

  The first aspect of the present invention provides a means for displaying a service selection menu that allows the user to select a first service to be used by the user, a means for detecting that the processing of the first service has been completed, and the first And a means for moving to a second service different from the first service without returning to the service selection menu when the completion of processing of one service is detected.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for moving to the second service is displayed before the user ends the first service.

  The invention according to claim 3 determines a service that is likely to move from the first service when there are a plurality of the second services that can be moved when the processing of the first service is completed. The service providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the service that is highly likely to move is preferentially displayed on the means for moving to the second service.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the service having a high possibility of moving calculates a probability that the service has moved from the service to a service different from the service from operation histories of a plurality of users using the service. It is a service provision apparatus of Claim 3 determined by these.

  The invention according to claim 5 is a means for charging a usage fee according to a service used by a user, a means for issuing a receipt when the charging settlement is completed, and a first service used by the user. When the completion of the process is detected, the means for moving to the second service different from the first service and the means for moving to the second service without returning to the service selection menu, A service providing system comprising: means for collectively issuing a receipt of the first service and a receipt of the second service when a user moves to the second service.

  In the invention described in claim 6, receipt issuance information is recorded for each issued receipt, and the receipt issuance information includes privilege information given according to the used service. It is a service provision system.

  The invention according to claim 7 further comprises means for reading the issued receipt, and means for causing the service to be used next to use the privilege information of the read receipt. This is a provision system.

  8. The service according to claim 7, further comprising means for collectively reissuing the plurality of receipts into one receipt when there are a plurality of receipts read by the means for reading the receipts. This is a provision system.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user continuously uses a plurality of services provided by the service providing apparatus, it is possible to reduce the trouble of selecting the service.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine that the service selected before the user explicitly instructs the service to be terminated is used by the same user.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of services that can be moved after one service is completed, the “service that is likely to move” becomes easier for the user to select.
According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to numerically determine “services that are highly likely to move” from usage histories of a plurality of users.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of services used by the user, receipts (receipts) of the usage charges can be issued together.
According to the invention described in claim 6, the user can use the issued receipt as a privilege use ticket.
According to invention of Claim 7, the user can utilize the privilege of a receipt for the next service.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of receipts with benefits are collected, the user can combine them into one receipt.

It is a figure which shows the outline (image) of the service provision system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the service provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the service provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a service center server. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure stored in a service utilization log | history database. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow which issues the receipt of a usage charge collectively when using multiple services. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow between the service provision apparatus and service center server in the case of privilege utilization. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a service menu screen and the screen of a copy service. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of a fax service, and a receipt selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a collective receipt. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen of a receipt reading service.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Outline of service provision system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline (image) of a service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A user who uses a service uses a service providing apparatus installed in a store in a store such as a convenience store. Service providing apparatuses include terminal apparatuses (kiosk terminals or service stations) that provide various network services, including image forming apparatuses (sometimes called multi-copy machines) having functions such as copying, printers, scanners, and fax machines. And ATM (Automated Teller Machine) that can handle various financial services. These service providing apparatuses are connected via a network to a service center server that centrally manages services provided by the apparatuses. The service center is further connected to various external business operator systems, such as a delivery company system, a ticket issuer system, and the like.

  At the store, the user selects a desired service on the operation panel (monitor) of the service providing apparatus. At this time, if it is a paid service, the service is provided on the condition of charging. For example, when receiving a copy service, the user is charged according to the type and number of copies. For this reason, a billing device that can be settled with cash or electronic money is connected to the service providing device, and at the end of the service, a receipt (receipt) is issued after the settlement of the billing determined according to the service is completed. The

  The service center server is notified of the service used by the user from the service providing device, and the service center server records the service information in a database for presentation to the user and / or printing on a receipt. Therefore, the service information of the used service is transmitted. The service information here includes, for each receipt, the date and time of use, the type of service used, the amount of money used, as well as the member No. Or the like, individual identification information, earned points given by using the service, point valid information indicating whether or not the points of the receipt are valid, and receipt information described later are included.

  In the receipt, a receipt number (receipt identifier) is recorded in a barcode or the like, and when the receipt is read by the service providing apparatus by the user, service information used at the time of issuing the receipt is obtained. Since the service information records points (privilege information) for each receipt, the user reads a receipt including the privilege information, that is, a “receipt with privilege” into a service providing apparatus, for example, a scanner of the image forming apparatus. As will be described later, there is provided means for use like a privilege use ticket (for example, a discount ticket) for services used thereafter. In addition, based on the issued receipts, the bonus information is sequentially added to newly issued receipts so that anyone can easily collect the benefits such as points and repeatedly use the service providing apparatus. Of course, the receipt points once used are invalid. Further, since it is troublesome to read receipts one by one, a means for collecting a plurality of receipts into one receipt is provided as will be described later. The privilege information that can be received includes a benefit based on the number of receipts, a benefit based on the usage amount of the service, a benefit based on the type of service used, a benefit based on the period, a privilege based on accumulation points, a privilege based on a store campaign, a privilege based on a specific individual / corporate, etc .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the service providing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a service providing system centered on the image forming apparatus 10 will be described as a typical example of the service providing apparatus 100.

  In the service providing system of the present embodiment (hereinafter also referred to as the present system), as shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 main body, the interface unit 20, the charging apparatus 30, and the receipt issuing apparatus 40 are connected. It has a configuration. The image forming apparatus 10 mainly controls the entire apparatus, analyzes input print data to form an image, and prints the formed image on a paper medium by an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method. The image printing unit 16 (sometimes referred to as a printer engine), and the image reading unit 17 (sometimes referred to as a scanner) that reads an image such as a paper medium placed on a document table. In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 may optionally include an ADF (automatic paper feeding mechanism) and a paper discharge mechanism (such as a sorter), but illustration thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 10A (also referred to as a controller) mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an external I / F 14, and is connected to each other via a bus 15. Here, the CPU 11 reads a program stored in the ROM 12 and executes processing while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 13 according to the program. A program is recorded in the ROM 12, and font data for printing and display may be recorded. The ROM 12 may be a rewritable flash memory or the like. In addition, the interface unit 20 is connected to the bus 15 via a first I / F (Interface), and the charging device 30 and the receipt issuing device 40 are connected via a second I / F. . The bus 15 is connected to a third I / F for connecting to the image printing unit 16 and a fourth I / F for connecting to the image reading unit 17. For the I / F, a serial interface or parallel interface such as RS422 or USB is used. In the present embodiment, the program is stored in the ROM 12 in advance, but the program may be separately provided and updated by communication means via the external I / F 14. Further, this program may be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  In the system of this embodiment, an interface is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 and the service center server 200, acquires data from various storage media possessed by the user, and further controls the interface between the image forming apparatus 10 and the service center server 200. The unit 20 is provided separately from the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, in consideration of the flexibility and operability of installation in a store, a touch panel type monitor 21 is provided on the interface unit 20 side as a UI (User Interface) device that receives user operations. However, the monitor 21 may be provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 10.

  In addition, the interface unit 20 is provided with a storage medium insertion unit 22 from various storage media possessed by the user such as a CD, DVD, SD card (micro SD card, mini SD card, etc.), USB memory, memory stick, and the like. Image data such as document data and photographs can be read out. Further, the interface unit 20 may include a short-range wireless communication unit 23 that exchanges data from mobile devices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal using short-range wireless communication means.

  The billing device 30 is a device for billing and paying a usage fee when a service is received using this system. There are several types of billing devices 30, including a type that can handle only coins, a type that can handle both coins and banknotes, a type that can be settled with electronic money or a credit card, and a type that combines them.

  The receipt issuing device 40 is a device that issues a receipt as a receipt after the service usage fee has been settled. In FIG. 2, the receipt issuing device 40 is an independent device, but may be configured to be included in the charging device 30 or the interface unit 20. Further, the interface unit 20 itself may be integrated with the control unit 10 </ b> A and built in the image forming apparatus 10.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the image forming apparatus 10 may include a storage device (also referred to as a spooler) that temporarily stores print data. The storage device has a storage device such as a hard disk or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

(Functional configuration of service providing apparatus and service center server)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the service providing apparatus 100 and the service center server 200 described above. This figure shows the functions realized by the program of each device in cooperation with the aforementioned hardware as function blocks. Note that functional blocks not related to the present invention are omitted.

  The service providing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101 and a processing unit controlled by the control unit 101 as an operation unit 102, a card reading unit 103, a cash settlement unit 104, a receipt issuing unit 105, a receipt reading unit 106, and service information reception. Unit 107 and service screen receiving unit 108. In addition, the service providing apparatus 100 includes a plurality of service execution units 110 that execute various services selected by the user. These services include processing for completing processing inside the service providing apparatus 100 and processing for requesting the service center server 200 and an external business operator system.

  The service center server 200 includes a user information DB 201, a service privilege DB 202, a service use history DB 203, and a receipt management DB 208 as databases (DB). The user information DB 201 is a database in which member user information is registered. The service privilege DB 202 is a database for registering privilege information determined for each service, and is updated as needed. The service usage history DB 203 is a database that records usage information of a used service as a usage history each time the user uses the service and pays the usage fee. The receipt management DB 208 is a database for managing information on receipts issued by the service providing apparatus 100, particularly receipt numbers (receipt numbers). The receipt number is associated with the benefit information of the service used when the receipt is issued, together with information indicating validity / invalidity of the benefit information included in the receipt. In addition, the service center server 200 includes a card settlement unit 204, a service information transmission unit 205, a use service management unit 206, and a receipt determination unit 207 as processing units that execute processing.

  Hereinafter, each functional block of the service providing apparatus 100 will be described together with related functional blocks of the service center server 200.

  The control unit 101 of the service providing apparatus 100 has a function of controlling the entire processing unit described below and notifying the service used by the user to the service management unit 206 of the service center server 200. Based on the notified information, the use service management unit 206 reads out the benefit information of the service from the service privilege DB 202, confirms that the service usage fee has been settled, and obtains information on the used service. Recorded in the service usage history DB 203 as a usage history. Data stored in the service usage history DB 203 will be described later.

  As described above, the operation unit 102 of the service providing apparatus 100 accepts an instruction from the user, selects a desired service, and displays a variety of information on the monitor 21 (see FIG. 2) and each device. It controls the entire UI device including the LEDs, physical buttons, switches, etc. provided.

  In addition, the operation unit 102, when detecting the completion of processing of the service used by the user (referred to as “first service”) under the control of the control unit 10A, another service (“second” Means for directly moving without returning to the service selection menu (main menu). That is, a button functioning as a means for moving to another service (referred to as a “move to another service” button) is displayed on the monitor 21. The service providing apparatus 100 determines that the service used after pressing the “move to another service” button before the user presses the end button of the service is used by the same user.

  Various service screens for the user to use the service are received by the service screen receiving unit 108 from the service center server 200 and updated as needed.

  The card reading unit 103 of the service providing apparatus 100 reads the card information when the user pays the usage fee with an electronic money card or a credit card, and transmits the card information to the card payment unit 204 of the service center server 200 for card payment. Let it be processed. The card information acquired here is also used as user specifying information for specifying a user. For a user who makes a payment with cash, the user specifying information may be obtained by inputting a member number and a password from the operation unit 102 in the case of a member of the service providing system.

  The cash settlement unit 104 of the service providing apparatus 100 exchanges data with the above-described billing apparatus 30 and allows a user who settles with cash to insert coins and banknotes to settle the usage fee for the used service.

  The receipt issuing unit 105 of the service providing apparatus 100 is activated when the service selected by the user is finished, and issues a receipt (receipt). On the receipt issued here, a barcode for individually identifying the receipt is printed. When the user uses a plurality of services, the user has means for selecting whether to issue a receipt (individual receipt) for each service or to issue a receipt (collective receipt) that summarizes the used services.

  The receipt number (receipt identification information) issued here is transmitted to the service center server 200 and stored in the service usage history DB 203 by the receipt determination unit 207 that manages the receipt issue information for each receipt number. The The receipt issuance information includes privilege information such as points acquired by using the service. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the service use history DB 203 records the service use store, use date and time, use service content, use amount, earned points, receipt number, and privilege use status described later. . If the user is a member, these pieces of information are collected and recorded for each member number.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the receipt reading unit 106 of the service providing apparatus 100 has a function of reading the issued receipt, identifies the receipt number from the barcode printed on the receipt, and receives the receipt determination unit of the service center server 200. And a function for inquiring of information recorded for each receipt. In particular, the receipt determination unit 207 determines whether the privilege information included in the receipt is valid / invalid with reference to the receipt management DB 208. This is to prevent the privilege information once used from being used again. The receipt may be read using the image reading unit 17 (scanner) of the image forming apparatus 10. When the service center server 200 receives the receipt information inquiry, the service information transmission unit 205 extracts information corresponding to the receipt number from the service usage history DB 203 and transmits the information to the service information reception unit 107 of the service providing apparatus 100. To do.

  As already mentioned, a receipt in which privilege information such as points is recorded, the receipt itself functions like a discount ticket for the service, but it is necessary to invalidate the privilege information of the receipt that used the privilege once. . Therefore, in the service usage history DB 203 shown in FIG. 4, a privilege usage status 203A indicating whether or not the privilege has been used for each receipt is recorded.

  In addition, after the receipt is read, the service may be used using the benefits of the receipt. For example, the usage fee is discounted for the benefit. Also, in order to prevent other people who have received the receipt from using the benefits of the receipt in order to use the benefits of the received receipt, the member card must be read, It is desirable to enter. When the entered member number does not match the member number recorded on the receipt, the privilege “invalid” is displayed.

  In addition, as a countermeasure against a service center failure, the service providing device has a means for issuing a unique receipt number (receipt number), and the center only manages to determine whether the receipt number is valid or invalid. The privilege information may be held in the bar coat of the receipt. Even if the database managing the receipt number on the center side breaks down and the record disappears, it can be restored if the privilege information is held in the barcode in the receipt. In order to determine the validity / invalidity of the receipt, the receipt receipt may be provided with an expiration date, and the privilege of the receipt after the expiration date may be invalidated. In addition, the receipt that holds the privilege right is issued with a serial number each time the privilege is taken over, and if the user uses the privilege, the previous receipt number is invalidated. Good.

  The configuration of the functional blocks described above is merely an example, and one functional block (processing unit, database) may be divided, or a plurality of functional blocks may be combined into one functional block. Each processing unit is realized by the CPU of the apparatus reading a program stored in a ROM (program memory) or a program provided from a storage medium or a network and executing the program by a computer in the apparatus. .

(Processing flow)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow of the service providing apparatus 100 when using a service. In the following processing flow, the processing order of the steps may be changed as long as the relationship between the input and output of each step is not impaired. In the description of the processing flow, the service providing apparatus 100 may be referred to as “apparatus side”, and the service center server 200 may be referred to as “server side”.

  The service providing apparatus 100 displays a service selection menu (main menu) as a default screen (step S10). When the user selects a desired service from this service selection menu by pressing a button corresponding to the service selection (step S11: Y), the apparatus side program corresponding to the selected service is called to execute the service (step S11). S12). Some services cannot be processed only on the device side. In this case, the server side (not shown) cooperates. In step S13, when it is detected inside the apparatus that the processing of the selected service has been completed (for example, copying or printing has been completed, or fax transmission or scanning has been completed), the message “Change to another service”. The “Move” button is displayed (step S14).

  The “move to another service” button is a button for simplifying the operation of moving a service when the user wants to continue using another service after completing one service. This is displayed for the first time when completion is detected, and is different from the service selection menu (main menu) in step S10. Conventionally, when moving to another service, the user returns to the main menu and selects another service, but there is no need to return to the main menu. For example, when a user uses a plurality of services in succession, for example, when a document stored in a USB memory is printed and then the document is sent by fax, or after the original document is enlarged or reduced and copied. The copy may be scanned and stored in a USB memory, or the copy may be sent by fax.

  In such a case, printing, faxing, copying, and faxing are different services (charges are also set separately). For example, if you want to send a fax after printing, it is usually a print service. You must press the exit button to return to the main menu and then reselect the fax service from the main menu. However, by using the “move to another service” button, it is possible to move directly from the print service to the fax service with a single touch. In addition, the service selected by the “move to another service” button is determined as a series of operations by the same user, and the settlement of the usage fee is processed together to combine the receipts into one sheet. A specific example of the “move to another service” button will be described later.

  If it is detected in step S15 in FIG. 5 that the “move to another service” button has been pressed, the service selected by the “move to another service” button is executed without returning to the main menu (step S16). . And it waits for the process of the other service to be completed (step S17: Y), and returns to step S13 after completion. Further, when the “move to another service” button is not pressed and the end button is pressed (step S18: Y), the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, it is assumed that all the services desired by the user have been terminated, the charge for the used service is calculated, and a receipt selection screen is displayed. However, it is assumed that the deposit of cash for deposit or the reading of the card has been made in advance.

  On the other hand, the server side constantly monitors whether there is a processing request from the device. When the processing request is received, the content is confirmed. If the processing request is a service completion notification, the service privilege DB 202 is referred to. The privilege information of the service used by the user is included in the service information and transmitted to the apparatus. On the device side, the service information is received in step S19.

  When all the service information of the used service is received on the apparatus side, a receipt selection screen is displayed and the user selects the form of the receipt to be issued (step S20). Specifically, “not issue receipt” (step S21), “issue a receipt for each service” (step S22), “describe usage information for each service on one receipt” (step S23), “ The user is allowed to select one of “list the collective amounts for all services used for one receipt” (step S24). Then, receipt issue information indicating in which form the receipt is issued is transmitted to the server side (step S25). The server issues the receipt issue information. Then, the receipt number and privilege information are embedded in the barcode (step S26), and the barcode is printed on the receipt (step S27).

  Here, even if a receipt is not issued, a message that a rate is not issued is transmitted to the server side (step S21). On the server side, privilege information of services for which a receipt has not been issued is accumulated and recorded. The apparatus side may receive the accumulated privilege information from the server side and issue it as a new receipt when the same user later uses another service. As described above, a service (receipt) in which a plurality of receipts issued once is read by the scanner of the image forming apparatus 10 to check the information of the receipts or to be reissued as a single receipt. Also called a read service). Specific examples of the receipt selection screen and the receipt reading service will be described later.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow between a service providing apparatus and a service center server when using a receipt benefit.

  Steps S10 and S11 on the apparatus side are the same as in FIG. When the receipt reading service is selected on the apparatus side (step S30: Y), the receipt barcode is read by the scanner and transmitted to the server as a “receipt information inquiry” request including the receipt number (step S32).

  When the server receives a receipt information inquiry request (step S50: Y), it confirms that the received receipt number exists with reference to the service usage history DB 203 (step S61), and receives the receipt number information. Is extracted (step S63). Then, it is checked whether or not the receipt privilege has already been used (step S64). If the privilege has been used, “privilege invalid” is transmitted to the device side (step S65), and then the process returns to step S50. If the privilege has not been used, “privilege valid” is transmitted to the device side (step S66).

  On the apparatus side, receipt privilege determination information is received (step S33), and when "privilege valid" is received (step S34: Y), the receipt privilege information is displayed (step S36) and the privilege is used. Whether to continue the service is confirmed with the user (step S37). When the privilege is used (step S37: Y), the privilege information to be used is transmitted to the server side (step S38). For example, if the privilege information is a point, the point used this time is input. And the service using a privilege is selected and the service is performed (step S39). At this time, it is assumed that the user selects a service using the privilege by pressing the “move to another service” button from the receipt reading service screen. When the completion of the service processing is detected (step S40: Y), a service completion notification is transmitted to the server side (step S41).

  On the server side, information on the used privilege is received (step S67), the privilege information is updated (step S68), and the process returns to step S50. This completes the processing when the receipt benefit is used.

(Example of screen display)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a service menu screen and a copy service screen. The illustrated service menu screen 300 is a screen that displays a main menu of a service provided by the service providing apparatus 100. In this main menu, copying, document printing, digital camera printing (service for printing images taken with a digital camera), scanning, faxing, and net printing (printing documents and images registered on the Internet) using the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 Services), issuance of various tickets, payment of air ticket prices, sports promotion lottery (plot purchase and refund service), prepaid service (pre-payment electronic money purchase), insurance (insurance for bicycle motorcycles) And other services such as administrative services (services for obtaining various certificates such as resident card and seal certificate).

  When the user selects a desired service from the service menu, a transition is made to a screen for executing the service. For example, when the user presses the copy button 301, a copy setting screen is displayed, and finally a screen 400 for executing a copy service as illustrated is displayed. The user confirms the setting on this screen or redoes the setting if there is a change, and if OK, presses the copy start button 403 to start copying.

  When the service processing completion is detected, the “move to another service” button is displayed on the execution screen of each service as described above. In the case of a copy service, this button is displayed when the completion of copy processing is detected. A series of buttons indicated by reference numeral 402 of the screen 400 shown in the figure is a specific example of a “move to another service” button. When the user presses the button of the service to be moved from among the buttons of the “move to another service” area, the screen transitions to the service screen without returning to the main menu. A series of buttons indicated by reference numeral 402 shown in the figure is invalid even if the button of the service currently used is displayed with a slanted line and is pressed, but the other buttons are valid and move to the pressed service.

  Although the buttons displayed in the “move to another service” area may be uniform, the buttons of the service “probable to move” from the current service are preferentially displayed (for example, at the top of the screen). The button may be displayed, the button may be displayed larger, the button color may be changed, etc.). Here, the “highly moving possibility” service may be determined in advance by the installer of the device and set in the device. However, the service history data that records the actual user operation can be used between services. The probability of moving may be calculated, and the service buttons may be preferentially displayed in descending order of the probability of moving from the current service. Also, if there is a combination of services that are unlikely to be used continuously, the buttons for services that are unlikely to be used continuously will not be displayed on the current service screen in order to make the operation screen easier to see. It may be.

  When the user does not use another service, the user presses an end button 401 at the top of the screen 400 to move to a receipt selection screen 420, which will be described later, and returns to the service menu screen 300 after the receipt issuance is completed. The screen 400 of FIG. 7 shows an example in which the fax button 402A is pressed to move to the fax service without ending the copy service. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the moved fax service screen 410. Similarly, on the fax service screen 410, when it is detected that the fax transmission processing is completed, a “move to other service” button 412 is displayed. In the example of the figure, an example in which the end button 411 is pressed without moving to another service is shown.

  The receipt selection screen 420 of FIG. 8 is a screen for issuing a receipt that is displayed after pressing the end button on the screen of each service. As described above, the receipt selection screen 420 is for the user to select the form of the receipt. Buttons 422, 423, 424, 425 are displayed. Receipts may be issued for each service used, or receipts of services used may be issued together (collectively). A specific example of the receipt issued here is shown in FIG. The collective receipt shown in FIG. 9 describes all the information on the service used for one receipt. However, if multiple services are used and it takes time to print a receipt, The user may be allowed to select so that only the total amount and the total earned points are described in a lump.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a receipt reading service screen. The receipt reading service provides services such as confirmation of privilege information of issued receipts and collecting a plurality of receipts into one sheet. When the receipt reading service is selected from the service menu, a screen 500 as shown is displayed. After the user displays this screen and a receipt is generated on the document table of the image forming apparatus 10 and the scan start button 502 is pressed, the scanned receipt image is displayed in the area of the receipt scan image 503. Any number of receipts can be scanned as long as they are placed on the platen. When the user confirms this image and presses the send button 504, the receipt number read from the scanned image is transmitted to the server, and the information recorded for the receipt is returned as a receipt information inquiry result from the server side. Is done.

A lower screen 510 in FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displaying the receipt information inquiry result.
The inquiry result from the server is displayed in an area denoted by reference numeral 512. Information not printed on the receipt, such as the use status of the privilege, is also displayed. Further, in the case where the receipt benefit is already used, the “invalid” display as shown is displayed for the receipt in order to prevent duplicate use.

  The user presses a “receipt summary” button 514 to combine receipts read from this screen into one sheet. The receipt read here does not have to be issued from the same store. When unused (valid) privilege information remains in a part or all of the read receipt, the privilege information is added and combined into one receipt. The number of the original receipt combined into one sheet is invalidated so that the privilege information cannot be used again. On the server side, the newly issued receipt number is recorded as valid. Also, when using the service using the receipt privilege read by the user, after pressing the “use privilege” button 515, the service button to be used is selected from the “move to another service” button 516. Press. By doing in this way, the privilege of the receipt read with respect to the service is utilized.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. Further, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 10A Control part (controller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 Image printing part 17 Image reading part 20 Interface unit 30 Billing apparatus 40 Receipt issuing apparatus 100 Service provision apparatus 200 Service center server

Claims (8)

Means for displaying a service selection menu that allows the user to select a first service to be used by the user;
Means for detecting completion of processing of the first service;
A service providing apparatus comprising: means for moving to a second service different from the first service without returning to the service selection menu when detecting completion of processing of the first service.   The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for moving to the second service is displayed before the user ends the first service.   When there are a plurality of the second services that can be moved when the processing of the first service is completed, a service that has a high possibility of moving from the first service is determined, and the possibility of moving is high. The service providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a service is preferentially displayed on the means for moving to the second service.   The service with a high possibility of moving is determined by calculating a probability of moving from the service to a service different from the service from operation histories of a plurality of users using the service. Service providing device. Means for charging a usage fee according to the service used by the user;
Means for issuing a receipt upon completion of the billing settlement;
Means for moving to a second service different from the first service without returning to the service selection menu upon detecting completion of processing of the first service used by the user;
Means for collectively issuing a receipt of the first service and a receipt of the second service when the user moves to the second service by means of moving to the second service;
A service providing system comprising:   6. The service providing system according to claim 5, wherein receipt issuance information is recorded for each issued receipt, and the receipt issuance information includes privilege information given according to the used service.   The service providing system according to claim 6, further comprising: means for reading the issued receipt; and means for causing the service to be used next to use the privilege information of the read receipt.   8. The service providing system according to claim 7, further comprising means for reissuing the plurality of receipts into one receipt when there are a plurality of receipts read by the means for reading the receipts.

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