JP4596017B2 - Image forming system, server, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system capable of performing charge management of an image forming apparatus and a technology related thereto.

  There is a system for performing accounting management by connecting a printer to a server over a network.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a print service system that performs a print service in response to a user's request using a printer or the like disposed in a print service store. More specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a charging processing technique that can set a subdivided charging system (charge system) according to a service form.

JP 2001-306828 A

  Incidentally, even when an image forming apparatus (printer, copier, multifunction device, etc.) is used in an office, it is conceivable to construct an image forming system including a similar billing system.

  In such an image forming system, the image forming apparatus can be shared by a plurality of departments, and a budget amount can be set for each department for management. In particular, an upper limit value for the number of print outputs corresponding to the budget amount is set for each department, and when the print output number for a specific department for an actual print output job reaches the upper limit value, a print output job for a specific department It is conceivable to prohibit the execution of.

  Further, as a charging system (charge system) employed in such a case, for example, a charging system (a “fixed charging system”) in which the price per sheet (ie, “unit price”) of the same type of printed output is always the same. In addition, there is a billing system (“gradual charge system”) in which the unit price gradually decreases as the total number of print outputs increases.

  Here, assuming the case where the latter “gradual reduction charging system” is adopted and the department management is performed by accumulating the billing amount at the time of printing for each department, the following problems may occur.

  Temporarily, the price per monochrome print output (“unit price”) in an image forming apparatus is “10 yen / sheet” up to the first 10,000 sheets, and “6 yen / sheet” thereafter. Suppose there is. Further, it is assumed that the budgets of the departments D1 and D2 are 100,000 yen per month.

  In this case, first, when the department D1 prints out 10,000 printouts continuously from the beginning of the month, the unit price “10 yen / sheet” is applied, and the printout of 10,000 sheets by the department D1 is 10 Ten thousand yen (= 10 (yen / sheet) × 10000 (sheet)) is charged. That is, the department D1 uses up the budget of 100,000 yen. If an upper limit value is set, subsequent print output related to the department D1 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, if another department D2 subsequently prints out 10,000 prints, the unit price “6 yen / sheet” is applied to the department D2, and the total charge of the department D2 is It will be 60,000 yen. Department D2 still has enough budget. Therefore, even when the upper limit value is set, the subsequent print output relating to the department D2 is not prohibited.

  Thus, although the total number of printed output of the department D1 in the month is the same as the total number of printed output of the department D2 in the month, the total charges are different. That is, inequality due to the print output timing occurs between the departments D1 and D2.

  When the upper limit value is set, the print output is not prohibited after a certain point in time for one department D2 and the other department D1 in spite of the same total number of print outputs. The printing output after a certain point is prohibited.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of resolving inequalities between departments related to the total amount charged for each department and a technology related thereto when adopting a diminishing charge system. And

  It is a second object of the present invention to provide an image forming system capable of eliminating inequality between departments regarding the number of printed sheets for each department and a technology related thereto when adopting a diminishing charge system. And

In order to solve the first and second problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an image forming system capable of performing charge management of an image forming apparatus, wherein the charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus is calculated. A calculation means for calculating a total charge amount for each department by calculating the charge amount for each job by adding a charge amount for each job for each department requested by each job, and calculating the total charge amount for each department for a plurality of departments The total sum is redistributed to the plurality of departments based on the number of print outputs of each of the plurality of departments, thereby correcting the total charge for each of the departments, A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the predetermined upper limit value is reached, and the management means There becomes smaller again than the predetermined upper limit value, and permits the execution of a job relating to the specific sector by the image forming apparatus again.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect of the invention, when it is determined that execution of a job relating to the specific department can be permitted again based on the corrected total amount of charge relating to the specific department. Is further provided with notification means for transmitting a re-permission notification of job execution related to the specific department to a user belonging to the specific department using an e-mail.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect of the invention, when it is determined that execution of a job relating to the specific department can be permitted again based on the corrected total amount of charge relating to the specific department. Further includes a notification unit that transmits a re-permission notice of job execution related to the specific department to the image forming apparatus, and a notification unit that notifies that execution of the job related to the specific department can be permitted again. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the correction means determines the total amount in accordance with a ratio of the number of printed outputs between the plurality of departments. The total charge amount for each department is recalculated by redistributing to the plurality of departments.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the correcting unit is configured to allow the total number of printed output sheets in the image forming apparatus to reach a low-cost unit price setting range. The billing total amount for each department is corrected.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the correction means has the total charge amount of any of the plurality of departments reaching the predetermined upper limit value. Later, the total amount charged for each department is modified.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the correction unit performs the accounting for each department every time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by correcting the total amount.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the step-down charging system is set in units of the image forming apparatus. .

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the step-down charging system includes an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming apparatuses. It is set in units of groups.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server that manages billing information relating to an image forming apparatus, calculates a billing amount for each job in the image forming apparatus according to a decreasing billing system, and calculates a billing amount for each job. Based on the number of print outputs of each of the plurality of departments, the calculation means for calculating the total amount charged for each department by adding each job request department, and the total sum of the total charge amount for each department for a plurality of departments Re-distribution to the plurality of departments to correct the charge total for each department, and when the charge total of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit, the job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus Management means for prohibiting the execution of, when the total billing after correction for the specific department becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit again, the management means Characterized by re-enable the execution of the job regarding the specific sector by the image forming apparatus.

  According to the invention of claim 11, a computer calculates a charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus according to a gradual charge system, and adds the charge amount of each job for each requested department of each job. A procedure for calculating the total charge amount for each, b) a procedure for prohibiting execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the total charge amount for the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit, and c) a procedure for each department A step of correcting the total amount charged for each of the departments by redistributing the total amount of the total charged amounts for the plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed outputs of the plurality of departments; D) When the total charge amount of the specific department corrected by the procedure c) becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit value again, the image forming apparatus executes the job related to the specific department again. It is a program for executing a permitted procedure.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system capable of performing charge management of an image forming apparatus group, wherein the charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus group is set to a decreasing value set for each image forming apparatus group. A calculation means for calculating according to a charging system, and calculating a total amount charged for each department by adding a charging amount for each job for each department requested by each job; and summing the total amount charged for each department for a plurality of departments The total amount is redistributed to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed outputs of each of the plurality of departments, thereby correcting the total charge amount for each department, and the charge amount for the specific department is predetermined. A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group, and the management means includes a revised section related to the specific department. When the total amount is smaller again than the predetermined upper limit value, and permits the execution of a job relating to the specific sector by the image forming apparatus group again.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for managing billing information relating to an image forming apparatus group, wherein a charge amount for each job in the image forming apparatus group is calculated according to a decreasing billing system set for each image forming apparatus group And calculating means for calculating the total amount charged for each department by adding the amount charged for each job for each department requested by each job, and the total amount obtained by summing the total amount charged for each department for a plurality of departments, Redistribution to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed outputs of each of the plurality of departments to correct the total charge for each department, and the total charge for the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit And a management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group, wherein the management means has a corrected total charge amount related to the specific department. It becomes smaller again than the upper limit value of the constant, and permits the execution of a job relating to the specific sector by the image forming apparatus group again.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the computer calculates a charge amount for each job in the image forming apparatus group according to a decreasing charge system set for each image forming apparatus group, and calculates the charge amount for each job. A procedure for calculating the total charge amount for each department by adding for each requested department of each job; and b) execution of the job relating to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit. And c) redistributing the total amount of the total billing amount for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed outputs of each of the plurality of departments, A procedure for correcting the charge total for each department; and d) when the charge total for the specific department corrected by the procedure c) is again smaller than the predetermined upper limit value, the image forming apparatus group And a procedure for re-permissioning execution of a job related to the specific department.

According to the invention described in claims 1 to 1 4, in a case of adopting a decreasing charging system, it is possible to eliminate the inequality between departments related billing total for each sector.

In addition, in the case of adopting a diminishing charge system, it is possible to eliminate inequality between departments regarding the number of printed sheets for each department.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. System configuration overview>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system 100. The image forming system 100 includes a plurality of Multi Function Peripherals (also abbreviated as MFP) 1 (specifically, MFPs 1a, 1b, 1c, etc.) and a server computer (also simply referred to as a server) 90. . This image forming system 100 can perform billing management for each MFP 1 (also referred to as an image forming apparatus).

  Each MFP 1 is connected to a server 90 via a network NW, and data can be transmitted to and received from the server 90. On the other hand, the server 90 stores billing information regarding each MFP 1 in its storage unit 99. The server 90 is also expressed as a charge management server. The network NW includes various networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

<2. MFP>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of each MFP 1. The MFP 1 is a device (also referred to as a multifunction device) that includes a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile communication function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an input / output unit 6, and a controller 9. These functions are realized by operating these units in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 is a processing unit that optically reads a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 1 and generates image data (also referred to as a document image) of the document.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints an image on various media such as paper based on image data related to the target image.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Furthermore, the communication unit 4 can perform network communication via the communication network NW. In this network communication, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 1 can communicate with a desired destination. Various data can be exchanged between them. Note that the MFP 1 can also send and receive e-mails by using this network communication.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 5 stores a document image (image data) generated by the image reading unit 2 or the like.

  The input / output unit 6 includes an operation input unit 61 that receives input to the MFP 1 and a display unit 62 that displays and outputs various types of information. The display unit 62 is also expressed as a notification unit that notifies various types of information. The MFP 1 is provided with an operation panel 63 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The operation panel 63 is configured by embedding a piezoelectric sensor or the like in a liquid crystal display panel, and functions as a part of the display unit 62 and also functions as a part of the operation input unit 61. The user can input an operation instruction to the MFP 1 by pressing a (virtual) button displayed on the screen of the operation panel 63.

  The controller 9 is a control device that controls the MFP 1 in an integrated manner, and includes a CPU and various semiconductor memories (such as a RAM and a ROM). Various functions of the MFP 1 are realized by operating various processing units under the control of the controller 9. For example, by scanning a desired image optically using the image reading unit 2 under the control of the controller 9, an image (scanned image) obtained by scanning a document is acquired, and a scanner function is realized. Further, the copy function is realized by printing out the scanned image using the print output unit 3. The controller 9 also controls various processes as described below.

  The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing predetermined software programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as programs) stored in a ROM (for example, an EEPROM) in the CPU.

  Specifically, the controller 9 implements various processing units including a charging information notification unit 11 and a job control unit 12.

  The billing information notification unit 11 is a processing unit that transmits information related to billing (billing information) to the server 90 via the network NW. For example, the billing information notification unit 11 notifies the server 90 of the print output date and time and the number of print outputs in the print output process (including the copy process) executed by the MFP 1. The number of printouts is preferably notified separately for each paper size and / or for each print color type (color, black and white).

  The job control unit 12 is a processing unit that controls whether the MFP 1 can execute a job. The job control unit 12 manages the job execution by the MFP 1 in cooperation with the management unit 95 of the server 90.

<3. Server>
The server 90 is a so-called computer system and includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. In addition, the server 90 includes a network communication unit and can perform network communication with each MFP 1.

  The server 90 implements various processing units 91 to 96 as shown in FIG. 3 by executing a predetermined program in the CPU of the server 90.

  The calculation unit 91 includes a job charge amount calculation unit 92 and a departmental charge total amount calculation unit 93. The job charge amount calculation unit 92 is a processing unit that calculates the charge amount of each job in the MFP 1. The job charge amount calculation unit 92 calculates the charge amount of each job according to a decreasing charge system (decrease charge system). The departmental charge total calculation unit 93 is a processing unit that calculates the total charge for each department by adding the charge for each job in the MFP 1 for each requested department of each job.

  The correction unit 94 is a processing unit that corrects (corrects) the total charge amount for each department at a predetermined timing. The correction unit 94 redistributes the total amount of charges for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of print outputs of each of the plurality of departments. Is recalculated. By performing this recalculation operation (correction operation), it is possible to level out deviations between departments due to differences in print output time points. This correction operation will be described in detail later.

  The management unit 95 cooperates with the job control unit 12 of each MFP 1 to manage whether the job of each MFP 1 is executed. Specifically, when the total charge amount of a specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit UL, management unit 95 prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by MFP 1. Further, the management unit 95 permits the MFP 1 to execute the job related to the specific department again when the total charge amount (total charge related to the specific department) corrected by the correction unit 94 becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit UL again.

  When the correction unit 94 determines that the execution of the job related to the specific department can be permitted again based on the corrected total amount of charge, the notification unit 96 transmits a re-permission notice of the job execution related to the specific department. To do. In this embodiment, the re-permitted notification is transmitted to a user belonging to the specific department using an e-mail.

<4. Operation>
Next, the operation of the image forming system 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server 90. Each time a print output job (also simply referred to as “job”) is executed in each MFP 1, the operation of FIG. 4 is executed by the server 90. Specifically, when a certain job is completed in MFP 1, billing information related to the job is transmitted from MFP 1 to server 90, and thereafter, the processes after step S 11 are executed. Here, a case where a management operation based on billing information is performed for the MFP 1a is illustrated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a charging system (gradual charging system) related to the MFP 1a. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, a case where a charging system (“decreasing charging system”) in which the unit price decreases with an increase in the number of printed output sheets within a predetermined period (for example, one month) is exemplified. . Note that the “decreasing billing system” may be such that the unit price decreases gradually as the number of printed output sheets within a predetermined period increases, or the unit price decreases gradually as the total number of printed output sheets increases. There may be.

  Specifically, regarding the price per unit of monochrome print output (“unit price”) in an image forming apparatus, the unit price up to the first 10,000 sheets in a predetermined period is “10 yen / sheet” (basic or basic) Unit price). If the number of printed output exceeds 10,000, a unit price that is lower than the basic unit price is applied. Specifically, the unit price from the 10001st sheet to the 20000th sheet is “6 yen / sheet”, and the unit price after the 20001th sheet is “4 yen / sheet”. It should be noted that the area after 10001 sheets regarding the unit price is also expressed as a “low-cost unit price setting area” (or a unit price reduction setting area) in which a unit price lower than the basic unit price is set. In FIG. 5, the low-priced unit price setting range that gradually decreases in two stages (two-stage low-priced unit price setting range), more specifically, the first low-priced unit price setting range (from 10001 to 20000) GD1, and the second low-priced unit A unit price setting area (20001 and subsequent sheets) GD2 is provided.

  Here, it is assumed that an upper limit value UL is provided for the total amount of billing related to print output and department management is performed. Specifically, the budgets (upper limit UL) of the departments D1 and D2 in the MFP 1a are 100,000 yen per month, and when the total charge amount of the departments D1 and D2 reaches the upper limit UL, the MFP 1a It is assumed that printing output in is prohibited.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change with time of the total charge (provisional value) of the department D1, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change with time of the total charge (provisional value) of the department D2. In the following, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, first, the department D1 (specifically, the user UA belonging to the department D1) prints 10,000 sheets, and then the department D2 (specifically, the department D1). Assume that 10,000 users print output by a user UB belonging to D2.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the MFP 1a continuously prints 10,000 sheets of printed output in response to a request from the user UA belonging to the department D1 (for example, a print output instruction using the computer PC1 (FIG. 1)). Is printed out by time T1, billing information regarding this print output job is transmitted to the server 90. Thereafter, the server 90 performs an operation as shown in FIG.

  Reference is again made to FIG. First, in step S11, the server 90 receives billing information from the MFP 1a. Specifically, the server 90 receives information related to “number of printed output sheets”. As described above, it is preferable to notify the number of print output for each “print output type”, for example, “1000 colors and 9000 black and white”. However, here, for simplification, it is assumed that the print output type is “black and white” only, and the “print output number” is notified without the type information. Here, it is assumed that the MFP 1a has notified the server 90 that 10,000 pages of monochrome printing have been performed.

  In step S12, the server 90 calculates the charge amount of each job in the MFP 1a according to the decreasing charge system, and adds the charge amount of each job for each department to calculate the total charge amount for each department. For example, when the department D1 prints out 10,000 printouts continuously from the beginning of the month, the unit price “10 yen / sheet” is applied, and the 10,000 print output by the department D1 is 100,000 yen. (= 10 (yen / sheet) × 10000 (sheet)) is charged.

  In step S13, the server 90 determines whether or not the total number of printed output in the MFP 1a, which is the billing information transmission source, is in the “low-cost unit price setting area” in which a unit price lower than the basic unit price is set. For example, when no print output has been performed yet, the total number of print outputs of the MFP 1a is zero, and it is not yet in the low cost unit price setting area. Therefore, the price per printed output (ie, “unit price”) remains the basic unit price (10 (yen / sheet)). Similarly, even when the print output of 10,000 sheets is completed, the total number of print output sheets is not yet in the low-cost unit price setting area, and the unit price remains the basic unit price. In such a case, the process proceeds to step S14. As will be described later, when the print output for the 10001st and subsequent sheets is completed, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S <b> 14, the calculated charge amount is stored in the storage unit 99 in the server 90. And the process in the server 90 is once complete | finished.

  By executing the above print output job, the department D1 has used up 100,000 yen of the budget. Therefore, the print output related to the department D1 is temporarily prohibited at the time T1. Specifically, even if the user UA belonging to the department D1 next logs in to the MFP 1a and gives a print output instruction, the MFP 1a rejects the print output by the user UA. In other words, the MFP 1a prohibits print output by the user UA. As described above, when the total charge amount of the department D1 reaches a predetermined upper limit value, the execution of the job of the department D1 by the MFP 1a is prohibited.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, between time T1 and time T2, in response to a request from the user UB of the department D2 (for example, a print output instruction using the computer PC2), 10,000 sheets are continuously printed. Assume that the output is printed out. In response to a request from the user UB belonging to the department D2, the MFP 1a continuously prints out 10,000 printed output products by the time T2, and the accounting information corresponding to the print output job is sent to the server 90. Send. Thereafter, the server 90 performs an operation as shown in FIG.

  Reference is again made to FIG. First, in step S11, the server 90 receives billing information from the MFP 1a. Specifically, the server 90 receives from the MFP 1a that 10,000 print output processing based on the request from the department D2 has been executed by the MFP 1a.

  In the next step S12, the server 90 calculates the charge amount of each job in the MFP 1a according to the decreasing charge system, and adds the charge amount of each job for each department to calculate the total charge amount for each department. When the department D2 prints out 10,000 printouts continuously from time T1 to time T2, the unit price “6 yen / sheet” is lower than the basic unit price (10 (yen / sheet)). "(The unit price of the decreasing section GD1) is applied. Therefore, 60,000 yen (= 6 (yen / sheet) × 10000 (sheet)) is charged for the 10,000 print output by the department D2.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the total number of print output sheets in the MFP 1a is in the low-cost unit price setting area (GD1 or GD2). Since the total number of print output sheets in the MFP 1a is 20,000, it is determined that it is in the low-priced unit price setting area GD1, and the process proceeds from step S13 to step S15.

  In step S15, a billing total amount correction process is executed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the total number of printed output in the MFP 1a and the total billing amount (total amount) of all departments. Since the unit price of each printed output from the 10001st sheet to the 20000th sheet is “6” (yen / sheet), the total charge amount at the time T2 is 60000 (10,000 yen) compared to the total charge amount at the time T1. ) = (6 (yen / sheet) × 10000 (sheet)), for a total of 160,000 yen.

  Here, if the total charge amount of the department D2 remains 60,000 yen (see FIG. 7) and the total charge amount of the department D1 remains 100,000 yen (see FIG. 6), as described above, print output Depending on the timing, inequalities regarding the billing amount occur between the departments D1 and D2. In addition, when the output restriction of the MFP 1a is performed based on the upper limit value UL, inequality regarding the number of printed output occurs between departments.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the server 90 distributes the total amount of 160,000 yen to each of the departments D1 and D2 in accordance with the ratio between the number of print output sheets of the department D1 and the number of print output sheets of the department D2. That is, the total amount of 160,000 yen is redistributed to the plurality of departments D1, D2,... According to the ratio of the number of printed output between the plurality of departments D1, D2,. The total charge is recalculated. Here, since the number of print outputs of the department D1 and the number of print outputs of the department D2 are 1: 1, the total amount of 160,000 yen is distributed to the departments D1 and D2 on a one-to-one basis. That is, 80,000 yen (= 160,000 yen × (1/2)) is distributed to the department D1, and 80,000 yen (= 160,000 yen × (1/2)) is distributed to the department D2. According to this, as shown in FIG. 9, the total charge amount for the department D1 is corrected from 100,000 yen to 80,000 yen. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the total amount charged for the department D2 is determined (corrected) to 80,000 yen instead of 60,000 yen.

  As described above, in step S15, the total sum of charges for each department regarding the plurality of departments is redistributed to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed outputs of each of the plurality of departments. The total charge for each department is revised.

  Thereafter, in step S <b> 16, the calculated corrected total charge is stored in the storage unit 99 in the server 90.

  Further, in step S17, it is determined whether or not there is a department in which the corrected total charge is below the upper limit UL again. If the corrected total billing amount of any department is smaller than the upper limit UL again, that department is determined as the processing target department, and the process proceeds to step S18. Here, since the total billed amount after the correction of the department D1 is smaller than the upper limit UL again, the department D1 is determined as the processing target department, and the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, a notification operation for notifying that execution of the job can be permitted again is executed. More specifically, the user belonging to the department D1 is notified by e-mail that the MFP 1a can be permitted to execute the job related to the processing target department D1 again. That is, a “re-permitted notification” is notified using electronic mail.

  Specifically, when the total amount charged for the department D1 is corrected from 100,000 yen to 80,000 yen and falls within the budget (upper limit UL), each user belonging to the target department D1 (each user registered in advance) ), An email indicating that the job execution can be permitted again is transmitted from the server 90 (see FIG. 11).

  As a result, each user belonging to the target department D1 can easily know that the billing information is corrected as the total number of printed output sheets increases due to the print output execution of other departments, and the job execution can be permitted again. Is possible.

  In this embodiment, in step S18, the number of print outputs that can be executed until the total amount of charges after correction of the target department D1 reaches the upper limit UL again (also referred to as “printable number”) is further recalculated. Is done. The recalculated number of printable sheets is described in the e-mail together with the fact that the job execution can be permitted again, and is notified to the user (such as UA) belonging to the department D1. Specifically, the above-mentioned e-mail indicates that job execution can be permitted again, and that 5000 sheets = (2 (10,000 yen) / 4 (yen / sheet)) can be printed in monochrome printing. In this way, an e-mail describing that the job can be re-permitted and the number of printable sheets is transmitted from the server 90. According to this, a user belonging to the department D1 performs job execution Can be easily recognized and the number of printable sheets.

  When the processing in step S18 as described above is completed, the processing in the server 90 is temporarily terminated.

  According to such an operation, since the total billing amount for each department is corrected in step S15, it is possible to equalize the deviation between the departmental billing total amounts due to the difference in print output time. In other words, in the case of adopting a diminishing billing system, it is possible to eliminate inequality between departments regarding the total charge amount for each department.

  Further, when the corrected total charge related to the department D1 becomes smaller than the upper limit UL again, the MFP 1a is again permitted to execute the job related to the department D1. Specifically, when the user UA belonging to the department D1 attempts to log in to the MFP 1a after time T2 (for example, immediately after) and perform print output, the MFP 1a again permits the print output by the user UA. As described above, when the total charge amount of the department D1 becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit value again, the MFP 1a is again permitted to execute the job related to the department D1. Therefore, in the case of adopting a diminishing charge system, it is possible to eliminate inequalities between departments regarding the number of printable sheets for each department.

  In the above description, the MFP 1a has been described. However, the same billing management operation is individually executed in each of the other MFPs 1b and 1c. That is, a decreasing billing system is set for each MFP 1 and the same billing management operation is executed for each MFP 1.

<5. Other>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the user UA is notified by e-mail that the job execution can be permitted again is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the server 90 (notification unit 96) notifies the MFP 1a that the job execution can be permitted again, and the MFP 1a that has received the notification changes the contents of the notification to the operation. What is necessary is just to display and alert | report on the panel 63. More specifically, when a user (such as UA) belonging to the department D1 logs in to the MFP 1a, the operation that the job execution by the department D1 is permitted again (that the job execution state has been restored) is operated. It may be displayed on the panel 63 (see FIG. 13). Further, it is preferable that the operation panel 63 also displays “printable number of prints” included in the notification from the server 90.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the total charge amount for each department is corrected after the total print output number in the MFP 1 reaches the low-cost unit price setting area in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is exemplified (steps S13 and S15). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, after the total charge amount of a specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit value, the total charge amount for each department may be corrected (steps S23 and S15). FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation according to such a modification.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and the like, the case where the operation for correcting the total charge for each department (step S15) is executed according to the result of the determination operation in step S13 (, S23) is not limited to this. For example, without performing the determination operation in step S13 (, S23), every time a print output job is executed (in other words, every time a print job completion notification is notified to the server 90), the accounting for each department is always performed. You may make it perform correction operation | movement (step S15) of total amount.

  Also, in the above-described embodiment and the like, there is a case where charging information is transmitted from the MFP 1 to the server 90 upon completion of job execution, and whether or not to execute the recalculation operation is determined based on the transmitted charging information. Although illustrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the server 90 may determine whether or not to execute the recalculation operation of the billing information at a predetermined cycle interval. Alternatively, the charging information recalculation operation may be executed at predetermined intervals.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where print output is performed in response to a print output instruction using the computers PC1 and PC2 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same idea can be applied to a case where print output (specifically, copy output) is performed in response to a copy instruction using the operation input unit of the MFP main body.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where billing management is executed independently in each of the plurality of MFPs 1a, 1b, and 1c (that is, a case where a diminishing billing system is set for each MFP 1) has been described. Not.

  Specifically, the above concept can be applied even when billing management is executed for each image forming apparatus group composed of a plurality of image forming apparatuses (for example, three MFPs 1a, 1b, and 1c). it can. More specifically, the above-described concept can be applied to a case where a decreasing billing system according to a total print output number (total print output number for three units) that further summarizes the print output numbers in each MFP 1a, 1b, 1c is adopted. Can be applied. In other words, the above-described idea can be applied even when a gradual charging system is set in units of image forming apparatus groups.

  In particular, when the total billing amount of a certain department D1 reaches the upper limit UL, execution of a job related to the department D1 may be prohibited in all MFPs 1a, 1b, 1c included in the image forming apparatus group. Further, when the corrected total charge relating to the department D1 becomes smaller than the upper limit UL again, the execution of the job relating to the department D1 is permitted again in all the MFPs 1a, 1b, and 1c included in the image forming apparatus group. Also good.

  In particular, the operation for correcting the total amount charged for each department (see step S13 and the like) may be performed after the total number of printed output sheets in the entire image forming apparatus group reaches the low-priced unit price setting area.

  Particularly, the operation for correcting the total charge amount for each department is performed each time a job is executed in any one of MFPs (image forming apparatuses) 1a, 1b, and 1c included in the image forming apparatus group. It may be.

  In particular, when the corrected total billing amount related to a certain department D1 becomes smaller than the upper limit UL again, a job execution re-permission permission notification related to the department D1 may be transmitted by e-mail as in the above embodiment. . Alternatively, a job execution re-permitted notification regarding a certain department D1 may be transmitted from the server 90 to all MFPs 1a, 1b, and 1c. After that, when a user (such as UA) belonging to the department D1 logs in to any of the MFPs 1a, 1b, 1c, the fact that the job execution by the department D1 is permitted again (see FIG. 13) May be displayed on the operation panel 63 of the MFP 1 (any one of the MFPs 1a, 1b, and 1c).

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of each MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of a server. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a server. It is a figure which shows an example of a gradual charge system. It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of the charge total of a certain division. It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of the charge total of another department. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the total number of printed output sheets, and the total charge amount (total amount) of all the departments. It is a figure which shows a mode that the charge total about a certain department is corrected. It is a figure which shows a mode that the charge total about another division is corrected. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a mode that the notification of job re-permitted is transmitted by mail. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where a job re-permitted notification is transmitted to the MFP. It is a figure showing the display screen which shows that it is a job re-permitted state. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b, 1c MFP
9 Controller 90 Server 100 Image forming system D1, D2 Department NW Communication network UA, UB User UL Upper limit

Claims (14)

An image forming system capable of performing charge management of an image forming apparatus,
A calculation unit that calculates a charging amount of each job in the image forming apparatus according to a decreasing charging system, and calculates a total charging amount for each department by adding the charging amount of each job for each requested department of each job;
By redistributing the total charge amount for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed output sheets of the plurality of departments, the total charge amount for each department is obtained. Correction means to correct;
A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
With
The management unit re-permits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the corrected total charge amount related to the specific department becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit again. .   The image forming system according to claim 1,
  If it is determined that the job execution related to the specific department can be permitted again based on the corrected billing total amount related to the specific department, the job execution related to the specific department can be re-permitted. A notification means for transmitting to a user belonging to the e-mail,
An image forming system, further comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 1,
  If it is determined that the execution of the job related to the specific department can be re-permitted based on the corrected billing total amount related to the specific department, the image forming apparatus notifies the image forming apparatus that the job execution related to the specific department is allowed again A notification means to send to
  An informing means for informing that execution of a job related to the specific department may be permitted again;
An image forming system, further comprising:   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
  The correcting means recalculates the total amount charged for each of the departments by redistributing the total amount to the plurality of departments according to a ratio of the number of printed output among the plurality of departments. Image forming system.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
  The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the total charge amount for each of the departments after the total number of printed output sheets in the image forming apparatus reaches a low unit price setting area.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
  The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the total charge amount for each of the departments after the total charge amount of any of the plurality of departments reaches the predetermined upper limit value.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
  The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the total amount charged for each department each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
  2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the gradual charging system is set in units of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
  2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the gradual charging system is set in units of an image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the image forming apparatus.   A server that manages billing information related to an image forming apparatus,
  A calculation unit that calculates a charging amount of each job in the image forming apparatus according to a decreasing charging system, and calculates a total charging amount for each department by adding the charging amount of each job for each requested department of each job;
  By redistributing the total charge amount for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed output sheets of the plurality of departments, the total charge amount for each department is obtained. Correction means to correct;
  A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
With
  The server is characterized in that the management unit again permits the image forming apparatus to execute a job related to the specific department when the corrected total charge amount related to the specific department becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit value again.   On the computer,
  a) calculating the charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus according to a gradual charge system, and adding the charge amount of each job for each requested department of each job to calculate the charge amount for each department;
  b) a procedure for prohibiting execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
  c) Recharging the plurality of departments by redistributing the total sum of the charges for each department for a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of print outputs of each of the plurality of departments. A procedure to correct the total amount;
  d) a procedure for permitting again execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus when the total charge amount of the specific department corrected by the procedure c) is smaller than the predetermined upper limit value;
A program for running   An image forming system capable of performing charge management of a group of image forming apparatuses,
  The charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus group is calculated according to a decreasing charge system set in units of the image forming apparatus group, and the charge amount of each job is added for each department requested by each job. A calculation means for calculating the total charge amount of
  By redistributing the total charge amount for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed output sheets of the plurality of departments, the total charge amount for each department is obtained. Correction means to correct;
  A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
With
  The management unit re-permits execution of a job related to the specific department by the group of image forming apparatuses when the corrected total charge amount related to the specific department becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit again. system.   A server that manages billing information related to an image forming apparatus group,
  The charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus group is calculated according to a decreasing charge system set in units of the image forming apparatus group, and the charge amount of each job is added for each department requested by each job. A calculation means for calculating the total charge amount of
  By redistributing the total charge amount for each department with respect to a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of printed output sheets of the plurality of departments, the total charge amount for each department is obtained. Correction means to correct;
  A management unit that prohibits execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
With
  The server is characterized in that the management unit again permits the image forming apparatus group to execute a job related to the specific department when the corrected total charge amount related to the specific department becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit value again.   On the computer,
  a) The charge amount of each job in the image forming apparatus group is calculated according to a decreasing charge system set for each image forming apparatus group unit, and the charge amount of each job is added for each requested department of each job. A procedure to calculate the total billing for each department,
  b) a procedure for prohibiting execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group when the total charge amount of the specific department reaches a predetermined upper limit;
  c) Recharging the plurality of departments by redistributing the total sum of the charges for each department for a plurality of departments to the plurality of departments based on the number of print outputs of each of the plurality of departments. A procedure to correct the total amount;
  d) a procedure for permitting again execution of a job related to the specific department by the image forming apparatus group when the total charge amount of the specific department corrected by the procedure c) becomes smaller than the predetermined upper limit value;
A program for running

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