JP4618147B2 - Print accounting system, server and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print billing system, a server, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a print charging system, server, and program for charging for printing on a medium.

An advertisement management server that transmits an advertisement image to a printing system of the user based on a request from the user and prints the image on a medium is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to the advertisement management server described in Patent Literature 1, predetermined money is given as a privilege to the user who printed the advertisement image. The advertisement management server described in Patent Document 1 can also be used to transmit an image valuable to the user to the printing system based on a request from the user and print it on a medium. In this case, a predetermined fee is charged instead of giving a predetermined privilege to the user who printed the image.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-62281

  However, depending on the characteristics of the user's printing system, the type of medium to be printed, etc., there is a difference in color between the image displayed on the printing system and the image printed on the medium. It is difficult for a user to determine whether an image is printed without actually printing on a medium. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is applied to charging for image printing, the user is hesitant to print for a trial because the user is charged each time printing is performed. Therefore, according to the advertisement management server described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the user is hesitant to print the image when he / she is wondering whether the printing of the image is appropriate for the predetermined fee.

  In order to solve the above problems, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print billing system that charges for printing on a medium, an image distribution unit that distributes an image to be printed on a medium, and an image distribution unit A printing unit that prints the image distributed on the medium, and a period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing unit until the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed. And a charging unit that charges the fee accordingly. As a result, when the user is not sure that the printing of the image is appropriate for the predetermined fee, the user can make the image print for a trial at a low fee. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to actively perform pay image printing.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a printing billing system including a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium, and a server that charges for printing on the medium. An image storage unit that stores an image and an image distribution unit that distributes the image, and the printing apparatus prints the image distributed by the image distribution unit on a medium, and the printing unit performs printing. A reading unit that reads information on the medium, and the printing unit performs superimposing printing that visually disables printing of the image on the medium, and the server further performs image printing by the printing unit. Is printed on the medium, and it is determined based on the information read by the reading unit at the time of the superimposing printing that the superimposing printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed. After the image is printed on the medium Printing of images to visually superimposed printing disabling is made with a charging unit to charge the fee according to the duration of. As a result, when the user is not sure that the printing of the image is appropriate for the predetermined fee, the user can make the image print for a trial at a low fee. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to actively perform pay image printing.

  The image distribution unit may distribute the identification information together with the image, the printing unit may print the identification information together with the image, and the charging unit may make a determination based on the identification information read by the reading unit. As a result, when the user is not sure that the printing of the image is appropriate for the predetermined fee, the user can make the image print for a trial at a low fee. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to actively perform pay image printing.

  The printing apparatus notifies the server when an image is printed or superimposed on the medium, and the charging unit receives the notification that the image has been printed, A fee may be charged according to the period until a notification that printing has been performed is received. This makes it possible to charge accurately.

  The billing unit of the server determines that the longer the period from when the image is printed on the medium until when the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium is performed, The fee charged for image printing may be increased. As a result, if the medium on which the image is printed is possessed while retaining the value of the printed image, it is possible to charge for the period for which the medium is possessed.

  The printing apparatus further includes a print date and time acquisition unit that acquires the date and time when the image is printed on the medium or the date and time when the superimposed print that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium is performed. The printing unit of the printing apparatus may transmit the date and time acquired by the printing date and time acquisition unit to the server in association with the image. As a result, it is possible to more accurately measure the period during which the medium on which the image is printed is retained while retaining the value of the printed image.

  The server further indicates that the date and time when information indicating that the image has been printed on the medium is received from the printing apparatus, or that the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium has been performed. A reception date and time acquisition unit that acquires the date and time when the information is received from the printing apparatus. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal measurement of the period during which the medium on which the image is printed is retained while retaining the value of the printed image.

  The image storage unit of the server stores an image and an image that visually disables printing of the image in association with the image identification information, and the image distribution unit of the server prints on the medium when requested. An image that visually invalidates the printing of the image corresponding to the current image may be distributed. Therefore, it is possible to visually invalidate the image printed on the medium while suppressing ink consumption.

  In order to solve the above problem, in a third embodiment of the present invention, an image distribution unit that distributes an image to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium, and printing the image after the image is printed on the medium When it is determined based on the information from the printing device that superimposing printing that visually invalidates is performed, the image is printed on the medium by the printing device, and then the image is printed. And a charging unit that charges a fee according to the period until the overprinting that visually invalidates is performed. Thereby, the effect similar to 2nd Embodiment can be acquired.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a program for controlling a server that communicates with a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium, and a procedure for delivering an image to the printing apparatus to the server; And, after the image is printed on the medium, when it is determined based on the information from the printing apparatus at the time of the superposition printing that the superposition printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image has been performed, A procedure for charging a fee according to a period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing apparatus until when the printing is performed so as to visually invalidate the printing of the image is executed. Thereby, the effect similar to 2nd Embodiment can be acquired.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a print billing system 10. The print billing system 10 includes a printing apparatus 30 that prints an image on a medium, and a server 20 that charges for printing on the medium. The printing apparatus 30 includes a personal computer 34 and a printer 32. The printing apparatus 30 communicates with the server 20 via the network 40. The server 20 communicates with the management terminal 24 in addition to the printing device 30.

  The personal computer 34 has input means such as a mouse and a keyboard, and output means such as a display. The printer 32 has an optical sensor that reads a medium. Here, the printer 32 includes a print mode for printing an image or code on a medium, and a reading mode for optically or magnetically reading the image or code printed on the medium.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the server 20 in a block diagram. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the printing apparatus 30. FIG. 4 schematically shows images stored in the image storage unit 220. FIG. 5 schematically shows distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 214.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the server 20 includes an image distribution unit 200, a billing unit 210, and an image storage unit 220. The charging unit 210 includes a medium identification information generation unit 212, a distribution information storage unit 214, a charge information storage unit 216, and a charging information calculation unit 218. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 300, a reading unit 310, a printing date acquisition unit 320, and a screen input / output unit 330. For example, the personal computer 34 of the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing date acquisition unit 320 and a screen input / output unit 330, and the printer 32 of the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 300 and a reading unit 310.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image storage unit 220 of the server 20 visually invalidates an image and image printing in association with image identification information (hereinafter referred to as “image ID”) for identifying the image. Images to be stored (hereinafter referred to as “invalid images”).

  The medium identification information generation unit 212 of the accounting unit 210 of the server 20 generates medium identification information (hereinafter referred to as “medium ID”) for identifying a medium from the image ID received from the image distribution unit 200. The medium identification information generation unit 212 preferably generates the medium ID by adding information to the image ID. For example, the medium identification information generation unit 212 generates the medium ID “G001_N001” illustrated in FIG. 5 by adding the serial number “N001” to the image ID “G1001” illustrated in FIG. Thereby, the medium ID and the image ID can be associated with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution information storage unit 214 of the accounting unit 210 of the server 20 associates the user ID for identifying the user and the medium ID with the date and time when the image was printed on the medium (hereinafter referred to as “printing date and time”). Is stored as distribution information. The distribution information storage unit 214 of the accounting unit 210 of the server 20 further visually prints the image on the medium identified by the medium ID in association with the user ID and the medium ID, as shown in FIG. The date and time when the superimposing printing to be invalidated was performed, that is, the date and time when the invalid image was printed superimposed on the medium on which the image was printed (hereinafter referred to as “invalid date and time”) as distribution information. Store. Hereinafter, the period from when an image is printed on the medium until the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium identified by the medium ID is performed, that is, from the printing date to the invalid date and time. The period until is called the trial print period.

  The screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30 prints an image distribution request screen for receiving a request to print an image stored in the image storage unit 220 and an invalid image stored in the image storage unit 220. An invalid image distribution request screen for accepting the request is displayed.

  The printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 operates in the printing mode of the printer 32. The reading unit 310 of the printing apparatus 30 operates in the reading mode or the printing mode of the printer 32. The printer 32 switches between these modes according to instructions from the personal computer 34.

  The storage medium 50 stores a program that causes the image distribution unit 200 and the accounting unit 210 to operate. The server 20 may cause the image distribution unit 200 or the like to operate by installing the program stored in the storage medium 50. Furthermore, as another method, the server 20 may acquire such a program via the network 40.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to image printing. Hereinafter, the operations of the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30 relating to image distribution will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 starts when the user inputs a request to print the image stored in the image storage unit 220 from the image distribution request screen displayed by the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30. The left side of the flowchart shows the operation of the printing apparatus 30 and the right side shows the operation of the server 20. In addition, the user inputs a user ID and an image ID of an image to be printed on the image distribution request screen. Further, it is assumed that the printer 32 stands by in the print mode.

  When the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30 receives a request to print the image stored in the image storage unit 220, the information indicating that the image should be distributed, the input user ID, and the image ID Then, an image distribution request including an address for identifying the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30 is transmitted to the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 identified by the address (S110).

  When receiving an image distribution request from the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 reads an image identified by the received image ID from the image storage unit 220 (S200). Subsequently, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 passes the received image ID to the medium identification information generation unit 212 of the accounting unit 210, and acquires the medium ID from the medium identification information generation unit 212 (S210). Subsequently, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 receives the image distribution response including the user ID received in step S200, the read image, and the medium ID acquired in step S210, from the printing apparatus 30 identified by the address. Distribution to the printing unit 300 (S220).

  When receiving the image distribution response from the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 prints the received image and medium ID on a medium and discharges them (S120). Subsequently, when the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 normally prints the image and the medium ID on the medium, the printing unit 300 acquires the current date and time from the printing date and time acquisition unit 320 (S130). As a result, it is possible to more accurately measure the period during which the medium on which the image is printed is retained while retaining the value of the printed image. Subsequently, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 receives the image print completion information including the user ID received in step S120, the medium ID, the date and time acquired in step S130, and the addresses of the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30. It transmits to the image delivery part 200 (S140).

  When receiving the image printing completion information from the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 correlates with the user ID and the medium ID included in the received image printing completion information, The date and time are stored in the distribution information storage unit 214 of the charging unit 210 as the printing date and time (S230). Then, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 ends.

  In step S120, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 may print the medium ID on the medium in a portion where the image on the medium is not printed. The medium ID may be a barcode.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation related to the distribution of invalid images. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts when the user inputs a request to print the invalid image stored in the image storage unit 220 from the invalid image distribution request screen displayed by the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30. . The left side of the flowchart shows the operation of the printing apparatus 30 and the right side shows the operation of the server 20. Further, it is assumed that the user has the image print medium 60 output in step S120 of FIG.

  When the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30 receives a request for printing an invalid image stored in the image storage unit 220, the image print medium 60 should be set at a predetermined position of the printer 32. And the printer 32 is switched from the print mode to the reading mode. The reading unit 310 reads the medium ID from the image print medium 60 set by the user (S300). When the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30 receives the medium ID from the reading unit 310, the screen input / output unit 330 switches the printer 32 from the reading mode to the printing mode.

  The screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30 includes information indicating that the invalid image should be distributed, the input user ID, the medium ID read in step S300, and the invalid image including the addresses of the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30. The distribution request is transmitted to the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 (S310).

  When receiving the invalid image distribution request from the screen input / output unit 330 of the printing apparatus 30, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 displays the invalid image identified by the image ID corresponding to the received medium ID as the image storage unit 220. (S400). Thereby, an invalid image can be distributed according to the image printed on the medium. Therefore, it is possible to visually invalidate the image printed on the medium while suppressing ink consumption. Subsequently, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 prints the invalid image distribution response including the user ID, the medium ID, the read invalid image, and the addresses of the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30 received in step S400. Distribution to the unit 300 (S420).

  When receiving the invalid image distribution response from the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 prints the received invalid image on the set image print medium 60 (S320). That is, in this case, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 outputs the invalid image print medium 62 in which the invalid image is printed in a superimposed manner on the image print medium 60 (same step). Subsequently, when the invalid image is normally printed on the image print medium 60, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 acquires the current date and time from the printing date and time acquisition unit 320 (S330). Thereby, it is possible to more accurately measure the period in which the medium on which the image is printed is retained while retaining the value of the printed image. Subsequently, the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 receives the invalid image printing completion information including the user ID received in step S320, the medium ID, the date and time acquired in step S330, and the addresses of the server 20 and the printing apparatus 30. To the image distribution unit 200 (S340).

  When receiving the invalid image printing completion information from the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 associates the invalid image printing completion information with the user ID and the medium ID included in the received invalid image printing completion information. The current date and time are stored in the distribution information storage unit 214 of the billing unit 210 as invalid dates and times (S430). Then, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 ends.

  Note that the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 outputs the image read by the reading unit 310 in step S300 before outputting the invalid image printing medium 62 on which the invalid image is printed in a superimposed manner on the image printing medium 60 in step S320. It may be determined whether or not the print medium 60 is set in the printer 32. Specifically, when the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 receives an invalid image distribution response from the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20, the medium ID of the medium set in the printer 32 is sent to the reading unit 310. Acquired by reading. The printing unit 300 may determine whether the medium ID included in the invalid image distribution response received in step S320 matches the medium ID acquired from the reading unit 310 after receiving the invalid image distribution response. If the printing unit 300 determines that the two medium IDs match, the printing unit 300 outputs the invalid image printing medium 62 in which the invalid image is printed in a superimposed manner on the image printing medium 60 (S320), and the two medium IDs do not match. If it is determined that the invalid image print medium 62 is not output, this flowchart is terminated. Alternatively, the printing unit 300 may compare the medium ID acquired from the medium in step 300 with the medium ID acquired from the medium in step S320. The medium ID is preferably embedded in the image in a format that the user cannot recognize. As another example, the medium ID is magnetic information stored in a magnetic medium attached to the medium, and the information may be read by an electromagnetic reading unit.

  FIG. 8 schematically shows fee information stored in the fee information storage unit 216. As shown in FIG. 8, the fee information storage unit 216 of the charging unit 210 of the server 20 sets a normal fee that is normally charged for printing by the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 as fee information in association with the image ID. Store. According to FIG. 8, when the user prints an image identified by the image ID “G1001” on a medium, the user is charged 100 yen as a normal fee. The fee information storage unit 216 of the charging unit 210 of the server 20 stores the fee for the trial print period as the fee information in association with the image ID and the trial print period. The charge information storage unit 216 stores a charge below the normal charge as a charge for the trial print period, and stores a higher charge as the test print period is longer. According to FIG. 8, when the user prints an invalid image superimposed on the medium on which the image is printed within 8 hours after printing the image identified by the image ID “G1001” on the medium. Will be charged only 20 yen for the trial print period. As a result, when the user holds the medium on which the image is printed while retaining the value of the printed image, the user can be charged for the period for which the medium is held. Further, the fee information may be periodically updated by the storage medium 50 or the like.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of charging information 70 output from the charging information calculation unit 218. When the charging information calculation unit 218 of the charging unit 210 of the server 20 receives information indicating that the charging information 70 should be output from the management terminal 24, the distribution information storage is performed in step S230 of FIG. 6 or step S430 of FIG. Based on the distribution information stored in the unit 214 and the fee information stored in the fee information storage unit 216 in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 9, the charging information 70 is associated with the user ID and the medium ID. Print the printing fee and trial printing period. According to FIG. 9, the billing information calculation unit 218 outputs that the printing fee “60 yen” for the medium identified by the medium ID “G001_N001” and the trial printing period “within 3 days”. In addition, the billing information calculation unit 218 outputs that the printing fee for the medium identified by the medium ID “G002_N001” is “1150 yen” and the trial printing period is “over 1 week”. As a result, when the user is not sure that the printing of the image is appropriate for the predetermined fee, the user can make the image print for a trial at a low fee. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to actively perform pay image printing. The amount charged to the user who printed the image on the medium is calculated based on the billing information 70.

  The billing information calculation unit 218 does not perform superimposing printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image after the printing of the image on the medium, and When the elapsed period after printing exceeds the trial printing period stored in the fee information storage unit 216, the printing fee for the medium is output at a normal fee. Further, the billing information calculation unit 218 may display the billing information 70 on the display screen of the management terminal 24.

  Further, the billing information calculation unit 218 is a case where the image has been printed on the medium and has not been overprinted so as to visually invalidate the image. If the elapsed period after printing is shorter than the trial print period stored in the charge information storage unit 216, a normal charge is output as the print charge for the medium. That is, a normal fee is charged when an image is printed. In this case, the charged fee is settled once when the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing is performed. According to FIG. 9, the billing information calculation unit 218 outputs that the printing fee “100 yen” for the medium identified by the medium ID “G003_N001” and the trial printing period “unconfirmed”. However, the printing fee for a medium whose trial print period is “indeterminate” is not recorded in the billed amount until the elapsed period since the image was printed on the medium becomes the trial printing period associated with the normal fee. It is preferable.

  Further, the billing information calculation unit 218 is a case where the image has been printed on the medium and has not been overprinted so as to visually invalidate the image. If the elapsed period after printing is shorter than the trial print period corresponding to the normal fee, the printing fee for the medium need not be output instead (including the printing fee “0 yen”). . That is, there is no charge when an image is printed, and after that, a normal charge is charged when the trial print period stored in the charge information storage unit 216 has passed, and the printing is visually invalidated before that. When superimposing printing is performed, a trial print fee may be charged.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, this makes it possible for the user to print the image as a trial at an inexpensive fee when, for example, the user is not convinced that the printing of the image meets the predetermined fee. . Accordingly, it is possible to cause the user to actively perform pay image printing.

  Instead of the printing date and time acquisition unit 320 of the printing apparatus 30, the server 20 acquires the date and time when the image printing completion information is received from the printing apparatus 30 or the date and time when the invalid image printing completion information is received from the printing apparatus 30. You may have a reception date acquisition part. As a result, it is possible to prevent an illegal measurement of the period during which the medium on which the image is printed is retained while retaining the value of the printed image.

  Note that the printing apparatus 30 may not include the personal computer 34. In the case of this aspect, the printer 32 of the printing apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 300, a reading unit 310, a printing date acquisition unit 320, and a screen input / output unit 330.

  In the above embodiment, the invalid image is stored in the server 20 and is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30 every time printing is invalidated. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. As another form, when an image to be printed is transmitted from the server 20 to the printing apparatus 30, an invalid image is also transmitted in advance to the printing apparatus 30 in association with the image, and the printing apparatus 30 stores the invalid image. It may be. As another form, an invalid image, for example, printing “x” in black may be set in the printing apparatus 30 in advance.

  In the above embodiment, when the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 receives the image print completion information from the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30, the image distribution unit 200 stores the printing date and time in the distribution information storage unit 214 of the accounting unit 210. However, instead of this, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 stores the print date and time in the distribution information storage unit 214 of the accounting unit 210 when the image distribution response is distributed to the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30. Also good. When the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 does not receive the image printing completion information from the printing unit 300 of the printing apparatus 30 or when the notification that the image printing has not been completed normally is received, The printing date and time stored in the distribution information storage unit 214 of the accounting unit 210 is deleted. The same applies to invalid dates and times.

  In the above embodiment, the image distribution unit 200 of the server 20 may identify each image by image data instead of the image ID.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, 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 embodiment. 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.

1 shows an example of a print billing system 10. An example of the server 20 is shown in a block diagram. An example of the printing apparatus 30 is shown in a block diagram. An image etc. stored in image storage part 220 are shown typically. The delivery information stored in the delivery information storage unit 214 is schematically shown. An example of an operation related to image distribution is shown in a flowchart. An example of an operation related to distribution of invalid images is shown in a flowchart. The charge information stored in the charge information storage unit 216 is schematically shown. An example of the billing information 70 output by the billing information calculation unit 218 is schematically shown.

Explanation of symbols

  10 printing accounting system, 20 server, 24 management terminal, 30 printing device, 32 printer, 34 personal computer, 40 network, 50 storage medium, 60 image printing medium, 62 invalid image printing medium, 70 charging information, 200 image distribution unit, 210 charging unit, 212 medium identification information generating unit, 214 delivery information storage unit, 216 fee information storage unit, 218 charging information calculation unit, 220 image storage unit, 300 printing unit, 310 reading unit, 320 printing date acquisition unit, 330 screen Input / output section

Claims (10)

A print billing system that charges for printing on a medium,
An image delivery unit for delivering an image to be printed on the medium;
A printing unit for printing the image distributed by the image distribution unit on the medium;
And a charging unit that charges a fee according to a period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing unit until the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed. Print billing system. A print billing system comprising a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium, and a server that charges for printing on the medium,
The server includes an image storage unit that stores the image;
An image delivery unit for delivering the image;
Have
The printing apparatus includes: a printing unit that prints the image distributed by the image distribution unit on the medium;
A reading unit that reads information on the medium when printing is performed by the printing unit;
The printing unit performs superimposing printing that visually invalidates printing of the image on the medium;
Further, the server may be configured such that after the image is printed on the medium by the printing unit, when the superimposing printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed, the reading unit The period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing unit to when the overlapping printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed when the determination is based on the information read by A print billing system having a billing unit that charges a fee in accordance with the fee. The image distribution unit distributes identification information together with the image,
The printing unit prints the identification information together with the image,
The printing accounting system according to claim 2, wherein the accounting unit makes a determination based on the identification information read by the reading unit. The printing apparatus notifies the server to that effect when printing of the image or the superimposed printing is performed on the medium,
3. The charge unit according to claim 2, wherein the charge unit charges a fee according to a period from reception of the notification that the image has been printed to reception of the notification that the superimposed printing has been performed. The print billing system described.   The billing unit of the server increases the longer the period from when the image is printed on the medium until the superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium is performed, The print charging system according to claim 2, wherein a charge for charging the image on the medium is increased. The printing apparatus further acquires a date and time when the image was printed on the medium, or a date and time when superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium was performed. Have an acquisition department,
The printing accounting system according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit of the printing apparatus transmits the date and time acquired by the printing date and time acquisition unit to the server in association with the image.   The server further receives the date and time when information indicating that the image has been printed on the medium from the printing apparatus, or superimposed printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image on the medium. The print billing system according to claim 2, further comprising a reception date and time acquisition unit that acquires the date and time when information indicating that the information has been received is received from the printing apparatus. The image storage unit of the server stores the image and an image that visually disables printing of the image in association with image identification information,
The image distribution unit of the server distributes an image that visually disables printing of the image corresponding to the image printed on the medium when requested. Print billing system. An image distribution unit that distributes the image to a printing apparatus that prints the image on a medium;
When it is determined based on information from the printing apparatus at the time of the superimposing printing that the image is printed on the medium and the superimposing printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed. A billing unit that charges a fee according to a period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing apparatus until when the image is printed to be overlapped to visually invalidate the printing. Server to provide. A program for controlling a server that communicates with a printing apparatus that prints an image on a medium,
Delivering the image to the printing device; and
When it is determined based on information from the printing apparatus at the time of the superimposing printing that the image is printed on the medium and the superimposing printing that visually invalidates the printing of the image is performed. And executing a procedure of charging a fee according to a period from when the image is printed on the medium by the printing apparatus until when the printing is performed to visually invalidate the printing of the image. program.

Images