JP7035866B2 - Information processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for managing information on whether or not each function of a service can be provided and information on billing for the service for each organization-specific information to which the user belongs. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the authentication service provided to the authenticated user is subject to billing.

JP-A-2017-102814

On the other hand, there are non-authenticated services provided to unauthenticated users. Then, there is a case where the authentication service is provided by using an apparatus that provides the non-authentication service (for example, an image forming apparatus that is installed in a convenience store and provides a print service). In that case, if a billing method to the user of the non-authentication service (for example, payment at the cash register) is used, the business operator acting for the billing (the business operator providing the non-authentication service) to the business operator providing the authentication service It takes time and effort to pay.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the trouble of charging when the authentication service is provided by the device for providing the non-authentication service.

The information processing device according to claim 1 of the present invention is not a first storage unit referred to by a system that provides an authentication service to an authenticated user when performing a billing process, and a non-authenticated user. When the second storage unit referred to when the system providing the authentication service performs the billing process and the billing information indicating the billing amount are transmitted in association with the first identification information for identifying the certification service, the billing information is transmitted. Is stored in the first storage unit, and when the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the second identification information that identifies the device that provides the non-authentication service, the billing information is stored in the second storage unit. When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with both the first identification information and the second identification information, the billing information is stored in the first storage unit and the billing information is stored. It is characterized by including a storage control unit for storing in the second storage unit in association with the information indicating that the billing amount indicated by the above is unnecessary.

The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 1, the first identification information is authentication information used for authentication of a user who uses the authentication service. ..

The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention has the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system providing the authentication service refers to the billing destination information for identifying a plurality of billing destinations. The billing process is performed for each of a plurality of billing destinations, and when the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the first identification information and the billing destination information, the storage control unit charges the billing information. When the billing information indicating the billing amount is stored in the first storage unit together with the destination information and transmitted in association with the first identification information, the second identification information, and the billing destination information, the billing information is transmitted. It is characterized in that it is stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit together with the billing destination information.

In the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention refers to the billing destination information for identifying a plurality of billing destinations in the system providing the non-authentication service. The billing process is performed for each of the plurality of billing destinations, and when the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the second identification information and the billing destination information, the storage control unit sends the billing information. When the billing information indicating the billing amount is stored in the second storage unit together with the billing destination information and transmitted in association with the first identification information, the second identification information, and the billing destination information, the billing information is transmitted. It is characterized in that it is stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit together with the billing destination information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor of billing when the authentication service is provided by the device for providing the non-authentication service, as compared with the case where the billing information of the present invention is not distributed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the administrator to manage the information as compared with the case where the authentication information and the first identification information are separate information.
According to the invention of claim 3, the billing of the authentication service can be divided into a plurality of billing destinations.
According to the invention of claim 4, the billing of the non-authenticated service can be divided into a plurality of billing destinations.

Diagram showing the overall configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment Diagram showing the hardware configuration of the in-house image forming device Diagram showing the hardware configuration of the store image forming device Diagram showing the hardware configuration of each cloud device Diagram showing the functional configuration realized by the information processing system Diagram showing an example of the displayed UI screen Diagram showing an example of the displayed UI screen Diagram showing an example of a tenant table Diagram showing an example of stored billing information A diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of each device in the billing process. A diagram showing an example of the operation procedure in the output processing of the non-authentication service. A diagram showing another example of the operation procedure in the output processing of the authentication service. The figure which shows an example of the operation procedure of each apparatus in a distribution process. The figure which shows an example of the operation procedure of the non-authentication service apparatus in billing processing.

[1] Example FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the embodiment. The information processing system 1 is a system for providing various services to users. In this embodiment, the information processing system 1 supports the provision of an authentication service, which is a service provided to an authenticated user, and a non-authentication service, which is a service provided to an unauthenticated user. do.

Since the authentication service can be used only by specific users, it is likely that the authentication service will be provided to those users by a device installed in a place where only specific users are present, such as a company office. In this embodiment, as an example of such an authentication service, the business operator A provides an authentication service for its employees (in-house information printing service, etc.).

On the other hand, since the non-authentication service can be used by anyone, it tends to be provided to an unspecified number of users by a device installed in a place that can be visited by anyone, such as a convenience store. In this embodiment, as an example of such a non-authentication service, the business operator B provides a non-authentication service for an unspecified number of users (such as an image printing service registered on the Web) using a device installed in a store. offer.

The information processing system 1 includes a network 2, an in-house image forming device 10, a store image forming device 20, a tenant management system 30, an aggregation relay system 40, an authentication service device 50, and a non-authentication service device 60 realized by the cloud 3. And prepare. The network 2 is a communication system including a mobile communication network, the Internet, and the like, and relays data exchange between devices and the like (devices, terminals, and systems) that access the own system.

Devices and the like provided in the information processing system 1 access the network 2 by wire communication. The access to the network 2 may be either wired communication or wireless communication. The cloud 3 is a computer resource provided in the form of a service via the network 2, and is managed and operated by a cloud service provider. In the figure, the cloud 3 is connected to the network 2, but all the devices and the like realized by the cloud 3 are connected to the network 2.

The in-house image forming apparatus 10 has a reading function for reading information for authentication from an IC (Integrated Circuit) card or the like and an image forming function for forming an image on a sheet, and provides an authentication service by using these functions. The in-house image forming apparatus 10 is installed in the office of the above-mentioned business operator A, and provides an authentication service by the business operator A.

The store image forming apparatus 20 has an image forming function, and uses the image forming function to provide a non-authentication service. The store image forming apparatus 20 is installed in the store of the business operator B described above, and provides the non-authentication service provided by the business operator B. The store image forming apparatus 20 does not have a reading function, but has a UI (User Interface) function for manually inputting authentication information, and therefore provides an authentication service provided by the business operator A. It is also possible.

Since the reading function is not an indispensable configuration for using the authentication service (it may be a UI function), the in-house image forming apparatus 10 does not have to have the reading function. On the other hand, since the user's labor is reduced if there is a reading function, the store image forming apparatus 20 may have a reading function. In either case, at least the authentication service is provided in the in-house image forming apparatus 10 (non-authentication service may also be provided), and both the authentication service and the non-authentication service can be provided in the store image forming apparatus 20. Just do it.

The tenant management system 30 manages computer resources (hereinafter referred to as “tenants”) allocated to users of cloud services in cloud 3. This tenant functions as an information processing device that performs various types of information processing. When the tenant is registered by the business operator, the tenant management system 30 allocates computer resources to the registered tenant.

In this embodiment, the authentication service device 50 is registered as a tenant by the business operator A, and the non-authentication service device 60 is registered as a tenant by the business operator B. The authentication service device 50 is an information processing device that performs a provision process for providing the authentication service of the business operator A, and plays a central role in a system (authentication service system) that provides the authentication service. The authentication service system referred to here usually includes an in-house image forming apparatus 10 in addition to the authentication service apparatus 50, but may include a store image forming apparatus 20 as described above.

The non-authentication service device 60 is an information processing device that performs provision processing for providing the non-authentication service of the business operator B, and plays a central role in the system (non-authentication service system) that provides the non-authentication service. .. The non-authentication service system referred to here usually includes a store image forming device 20 in addition to the non-authentication service device 60 (may include an in-house image forming device 10).

The total relay system 40 relays information related to billing (hereinafter referred to as "billing information") aggregated by a business operator that provides a service using the cloud 3. The billing information is, for example, in the case of a service including image formation (printing) such as the above-mentioned in-house information printing service and image printing service registered on the web, the number, size, and color of the sheet on which the image is formed. Information that affects service charges such as presence / absence.

These billing information is transmitted from the in-house image forming apparatus 10 and the store image forming apparatus 20 to the cloud 3, and reaches the aggregation relay system 40 via the tenant management system 30. The aggregate relay system 40 supplies (that is, relays) the received billing information to at least one tenant of the authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device 60. The authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device 60 perform billing-related processing such as billing processing using the billing information supplied from the aggregation relay system 40.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware configuration of the in-house image forming apparatus 10. The in-house image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, a communication unit 14, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 15, and a UI unit. A computer including 16, an image reading unit 17, an image forming unit 18, and an authentication reading unit 19.

The CPU 11 controls the operation of each part by executing a program stored in the ROM 13 or the HDD 15 using the RAM 12 as a work area. The communication unit 14 has an antenna, a communication circuit, and the like, and communicates via the network 2. The HDD 15 stores data and programs used by the CPU 11 for control. The UI unit 16 includes a touch screen having a display as a display means and a touch panel provided on the surface of the display, displays an image, and receives an operation from a user.

Further, the UI unit 16 includes operators such as a keyboard in addition to the touch screen, and accepts operations on those operators. The image reading unit 17 is a scanner that reads an image from a document. The image forming unit 18 is a printer that forms an image on a sheet. The authentication reading unit 19 reads the authentication. The authentication reading unit 19 reads, for example, authentication information stored in a communication medium such as an IC card or a smartphone by performing NFC (Near Field Communication) wireless communication with the communication medium.

FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the store image forming apparatus 20. The store image forming apparatus 20 is a computer including a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a communication unit 24, an HDD 25, a UI unit 26, an image reading unit 27, an image forming unit 28, and a billing device 29. Is. These devices are of the same type as the devices of the same name shown in FIG. 2, although there are differences in performance or specifications.

The billing device 29 is a device that charges when the service is used by the store image forming device 20. The billing device 29 has a slot for inserting money (coins or banknotes) and a function of calculating the total amount of the inserted money, and notifies the CPU 21 of the amount inserted by the user. The CPU 21 determines whether or not the input amount has reached the service charge, and if it determines that the amount has been reached, starts printing printed matter provided by, for example, an authentication service or a non-authentication service.

FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of each device of the cloud 3. Each device of the cloud 3 (tenant management system 30, total relay system 40, authentication service device 50, and non-authentication service device 60) is a computer including a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, a communication unit 34, and an HDD 35. Is. These devices are of the same type as the devices of the same name shown in FIG. 2, although there are differences in performance or specifications.

Each device included in the information processing system 1 stores a program provided by this system, and the CPU of each device executes the program to control each part, thereby realizing the function group described below.
FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration realized by the information processing system 1. The in-house image forming apparatus 10 includes a service UI display unit 101, a service processing unit 102, a charge processing unit 103, and a charge information output unit 104.

The store image forming apparatus 20 includes a service UI display unit 201, a service processing unit 202, a charge processing unit 203, and a charge information output unit 204. The tenant management system 30 includes a tenant processing unit 301 and a table storage unit 302. The aggregation relay system 40 includes a billing information distribution unit 401. The authentication service device 50 includes an authentication processing unit 501, an authentication service processing unit 502, a billing information storage unit 503, and a billing processing unit 504. The non-authentication service device 60 includes a non-authentication service processing unit 601, a billing information storage unit 602, and a billing processing unit 603.

First, the functions related to the authentication service will be described. The authentication processing unit 501 of the authentication service device 50 authenticates a user who uses the authentication service provided by the own device. In this embodiment, the authentication processing unit 501 stores the "organization ID" and the "password" in association with each other as the authentication information. The organization ID (Identification) is, for example, information that identifies an organization to which an administrator who manages a tenant belongs in a business operator.

The organization ID may be the one using the identification information used by the business operator as it is, or may be the ID assigned in the information processing system 1. The input of the organization ID and the password is accepted, for example, by the service UI display unit 101 of the in-house image forming apparatus 10. The service UI display unit 101 displays a screen (UI screen) that serves as a user interface when using the authentication service.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the displayed UI screen. In FIG. 6A, the service UI display unit 101 displays a screen for inputting an organization ID and a password as authentication information as one of the screens of the service for employees, which is the authentication service of this embodiment. .. The organization ID and password may be input by the user with a keyboard, or may be input by holding an IC card or the like storing them over the authentication reading unit 19. When the user inputs the organization ID and the password and presses the authentication button, the service UI display unit 101 transmits the information for authentication to the authentication service device 50.

The authentication processing unit 501 authenticates the user when the transmitted authentication information is stored, and notifies the authentication service processing unit 502 that the user has been authenticated. The authentication service processing unit 502 performs a provision process for providing an authentication service to a user authenticated by the authentication processing unit 501. For example, when the above-mentioned in-house information printing service is provided as an authentication service, the authentication service processing unit 502 provides the service UI display unit 101 with an operation screen for allowing the user to select, for example, the in-house information to be printed.

FIG. 6B shows an example of the provided operation screen. When the user selects in-house information and presses the select button, the service UI display unit 101 then determines print settings (paper, color, image quality, number of copies, etc.) as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Display the operation screen. When the user decides the print setting and presses the enter button, the service UI display unit 101 transmits the request data requesting the printing of the selected in-house information to the authentication service device 50.

The authentication service processing unit 502 reads the in-house information indicated by the received request data from an in-house system (not shown), generates print data for printing the in-house information, and transmits the print data to the in-house image forming apparatus 10. This print data is data indicating print settings and the like in addition to the image to be printed, and is a so-called job. When the service UI display unit 101 receives the print data transmitted in response to the request, the service UI display unit 101 supplies the print data to the service processing unit 102.

The service processing unit 102 performs processing (service processing) related to the service provided to the user. In this embodiment, the service processing unit 102 performs a process of printing the supplied print data, that is, in-house information selected by the user, as a service process. The service processing unit 102 supplies the print data used in the service processing to the charge processing unit 103. The billing processing unit 103 performs processing (billing processing) related to billing of the service provided to the user.

In the case of the authentication service, the charge to the user is aggregated for each predetermined period (for example, monthly). The billing processing unit 103 performs a process of generating information (aggregation information) used for this aggregation as a billing process. The aggregation information is, for example, information such as the number of printed sheets, the presence / absence of color, and the size, in addition to the printed date. In the authentication service, the amount of money obtained by multiplying the unit price according to the presence or absence of color, the size, etc. by the number of sheets of paper shall be charged.

Therefore, this aggregation information is also information indicating the billing amount (hereinafter referred to as "billing information"). The billing processing unit 103 generates the information represented by the supplied print data and the aggregation information indicating the print date as billing information, and supplies the information to the billing information output unit 104. The billing information output unit 104 outputs the billing information supplied in this way, that is, billing information indicating the billing amount of the service used by the user.

In this embodiment, the billing information output unit 104 uses the supplied aggregation information as billing information, and uses the billing information as a device ID for identifying its own device and an organization ID used for authentication of the billed authentication service. It is associated and output to the tenant management system 30. This device ID is predetermined in the information processing system 1 as information for identifying the in-house image forming apparatus 10, and is stored in the in-house image forming apparatus 10.

Here, before the explanation of the tenant management system 30, the function related to the non-authentication service will be described. The service UI display unit 201 of the store image forming apparatus 20 displays a screen (UI screen) that serves as a user interface when using the non-authentication service.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the displayed UI screen. In FIG. 7A, the service UI display unit 201 displays a web print (printing service for images registered on the web) screen as one of the screens of the non-authentication service provided in this embodiment.

When this printing service is used, for example, when an image to be printed is registered (uploaded) on a website, a print number is issued. This registration is performed using, for example, a smartphone or a personal computer at home instead of using a store. After that, when the user visits the store and performs an operation of inputting the print number to the store image forming apparatus 20 on the screen of FIG. 7A, the service UI display unit 201 inputs the input print number to the service processing unit. Supply to 202.

The service processing unit 202 performs processing (service processing) related to the service provided to the user. The service processing unit 202 transmits request data requesting processing for printing the image associated with the supplied print number to the non-authentication service processing unit 601. The non-authentication service processing unit 601 performs a provision process for providing a non-authentication service to an unauthenticated user. When providing a web print, the non-authentication service processing unit 601 provides, for example, a website for registering an image described above, and associates image data indicating an image registered on the website with a print number. Remember.

When the non-authentication service processing unit 601 receives the request data from the store image forming apparatus 20, the non-authentication service processing unit 601 reads out the image data stored in association with the print number indicated by the request data and causes the requesting store image forming apparatus 20 to read the image data. Send. When the service processing unit 202 acquires the transmitted image data, the service processing unit 202 supplies the image data to the service UI display unit 201. The service UI display unit 201 displays the image indicated by the supplied image data as a preview.

When the user who confirms that the preview-displayed image is correct presses the enter button, the service UI display unit 201 displays the screen for determining the print setting shown in FIG. 7 (b). When the print setting is determined on this screen, the service UI display unit 201 supplies the setting information indicating the determined setting to the charge processing unit 203. The billing processing unit 203 performs processing (billing processing) related to billing of the service provided to the user.

In this embodiment, the billing in the non-authentication service is first made from the store to the user. That is, the store will temporarily charge the charge that the business operator B should make. The business operator B charges the non-authenticated service by charging the store. Of these, the charges from the business operator B to the store are aggregated for each specified period such as the authentication service. On the other hand, the charge from the store to the user is not aggregated for each predetermined period, but is performed every time the service is used. The billing processing unit 203 performs processing related to billing from this store to the user as billing processing.

The charge processing unit 203 calculates a charge (print charge) to be charged based on the supplied setting information (paper type, presence / absence of color, number of sheets, etc.). The charge processing unit 203 notifies the service UI display unit 201 of the calculated print charge, and the service UI display unit 201 displays a screen showing the notified print charge as shown in FIG. 7 (c). If the displayed charges are acceptable, the user decides how to charge.

Billing methods include checkout and cash payment. The cash register clearing is a billing method in which the store image forming apparatus 20 is made to print an invoice and settled at the cash register. Cash payment is a method of paying a print fee by inserting cash into a billing device 29 included in the store image forming device 20. The service UI display unit 201 notifies the charge processing unit 203 of the charge method and the print charge selected by the user.

When cash payment is selected, the charge processing unit 203 notifies the service processing unit 202 that the charge has been completed when the money for the print charge is input to the charge device 29. Upon receiving this notification, the service processing unit 202 generates print data (job) for printing the registered image based on the acquired image data and the determined setting, and prints the image. Perform as a service process.

Further, when the checkout is selected, the billing processing unit 203 instructs the service processing unit 202 to start image printing and print the invoice. Upon receiving this instruction, the service processing unit 202 performs a process of printing an image and an invoice according to the instruction as a service process. Regardless of which billing method is used, the service processing unit 202 supplies the print data used in the service processing to the billing processing unit 203.

Up to this point, the charge from the store to the user has been described, but after that, the charge (transfer) from the business operator B to the store is also performed. Therefore, the billing processing unit 203 generates aggregation information in the non-authentication service as billing information based on the supplied print data. Similar to the charge processing unit 103, the charge processing unit 203 generates aggregation information such as the print date, the number of sheets of paper indicated by the print data, the presence / absence of color, and the size as charge information. The billing processing unit 203 supplies the generated billing information to the billing information output unit 204.

The billing information output unit 204 outputs billing information indicating the billing amount of the service used by the user. In this embodiment, the billing information output unit 204 manages the billing information supplied from the billing processing unit 203 in association with the device ID for identifying the own device and the organization ID defined for the charged non-authentication service. Output to system 30. This device ID is predetermined in the information processing system 1 as information for identifying the store image forming device 20, and is stored in the store image forming device 20.

Further, this organization ID is predetermined in the information processing system 1 as information for identifying the business operator B that provides the non-authentication service. This organization ID is not input by the user in the case of the non-authentication service, but is stored in advance in the store image forming apparatus 20. As described above, both the billing information output unit 104 of the in-house image forming apparatus 10 that provided the authentication service and the billing information output unit 204 of the store image forming apparatus 20 that provided the non-authentication service generate the billing information, the device ID, and the organization ID. Output to the tenant management system 30.

Further, the store image forming apparatus 20 may provide an authentication service as described above, in which case, the store image forming apparatus 20 performs the same operation as the in-house image forming apparatus 10 (done when the non-authentication service is provided). There is no charge from the store to the user). As a result, the billing information output unit 204 of the store image forming apparatus 20 outputs the aggregation information as billing information, and also outputs the organization ID input by the user for authentication and the device ID of the own device. Further, in the present embodiment, the billing information output unit 204 also outputs the organization ID (information that identifies the business operator B) stored in the own device.

The tenant management system 30 supplies the billing information, the device ID, and the organization ID output to the own system as described above to the tenant processing unit 301. The tenant processing unit 301 performs processing related to the tenant (computer resource allocated to the user of the cloud service). The tenant processing unit 301 performs, for example, a process of specifying the tenant of the storage destination (storage destination) of the billing information. The tenant processing unit 301 identifies the tenant with reference to the table storage unit 302.

The table storage unit 302 stores a tenant table in which a tenant ID that identifies a tenant is associated with various types of information.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a tenant table. In FIG. 8, the organization ID, the device ID, and the tenant ID are associated with each other.

In the figure, "T050" is a tenant ID that identifies the authentication service device 50, and "T060" is a tenant ID that identifies the non-authentication service device 60. Further, "M010" is an in-house image forming apparatus 10, and "M020" is an apparatus ID for identifying a store image forming apparatus 20. Further, "D001" identifies the organization of the business operator A that provides the authentication service, and "D002" identifies the organization of the business operator B that provides the non-certification service.

In the example of FIG. 8, for example, the tenant ID "T050" is associated with the organization ID "D001" and the device ID "M010". Further, the tenant ID "T060" is associated with the organization ID "D002" and the device ID "M020". Further, the set of the organization IDs "D001 and D002" and the device ID "M020" are associated with the set of the two tenant IDs "T050 and T060".

The tenant processing unit 301 specifies the tenant ID associated with the device ID and the organization ID output together with the supplied billing information in the tenant table as the tenant for storing the billing information. For example, when the in-house image forming apparatus 10 provides the authentication service, the organization ID "D001" and the apparatus ID "M010" are output, so that the tenant processing unit 301 is referred to as "T050" associated with these. Specify the tenant ID.

Further, when the store image forming apparatus 20 provides the non-authentication service, the organization ID "D002" and the apparatus ID "M020" are output, and the tenant processing unit 301 is associated with these "T060". The tenant ID is specified. Further, when the store image forming apparatus 20 provides the authentication service, the organization ID set "D001, D002" and the device ID "M020" are output, so that the tenant processing unit 301 is associated with these. The tenant ID "T050, T060" is specified.

The tenant processing unit 301 supplies the billing information together with the specified tenant ID to the billing information distribution unit 401 of the aggregation relay system 40. The billing information distribution unit 401 distributes the supplied billing information to the tenants. The billing information distribution unit 401 distributes the billing information by storing the supplied billing information in one or both of the billing information storage unit 503 of the authentication service device 50 and the billing information storage unit 602 of the non-authentication service device 60. conduct.

The billing information storage unit 503 is a means for storing billing information, and the above-mentioned authentication service system (in this embodiment, a system that provides an authentication service for employees of business operator A) charges an authenticated user. Refer to this billing information storage unit 503 when performing the above. The billing information storage unit 503 is an example of the "first storage unit" of the present invention.

The billing information storage unit 602 is a means for storing billing information, and provides the above-mentioned non-authentication service system for unauthenticated users (in this embodiment, a non-authentication service for an unspecified number of users of the business operator B). The providing system) refers to the billing information storage unit 602 when performing the billing process. The billing information storage unit 602 is an example of the "second storage unit" of the present invention. The billing process referred to here is not the billing from the store to the user, which is performed every time the non-authentication service is provided, but the processing related to the billing from the business operator B to the store, which is performed at regular intervals.

When the billing information is transmitted from the above-mentioned authentication service system in association with the identification information for identifying the authentication service (hereinafter referred to as "authentication identification information"), the billing information distribution unit 401 stores the billing information in the billing information storage. Store in unit 503. In this embodiment, the billing information distribution unit 401 uses the organization ID, which is the authentication information used in the authentication of the authentication service, as the authentication identification information, and charges the billing information transmitted in association with the organization ID. It is stored in the information storage unit 503. The authentication identification information is an example of the "first identification information" of the present invention.

Further, in the billing information distribution unit 401, the billing information is transmitted from the above-mentioned non-authentication service system in association with the identification information (hereinafter referred to as “non-authentication device identification information”) that identifies the device that provides the non-authentication service. When it arrives, the billing information is stored in the billing information storage unit 602. In this embodiment, the billing information distribution unit 401 uses the device ID of the store image forming device 20 that provides the non-authentication service as the non-authentication device identification information, and the billing information transmitted in association with the device ID. Is stored in the billing information storage unit 602. The non-authenticated device identification information is an example of the "second identification information" of the present invention.

Further, the billing information distribution unit 401 is associated with both the authentication identification information and the non-authentication device identification information, and the billing information is transmitted from the authentication service system (only the authentication service system associates both with the billing information). And the billing information is stored in the billing information storage unit 503 and stored in the billing information storage unit 602. At that time, the billing information distribution unit 401 stores the billing information in the billing information storage unit 602 in association with the information indicating that the billing amount indicated by the billing information does not need to be charged. The billing information distribution unit 401 is an example of the "memory control unit" of the present invention.

The information indicating that the billing information is not billable is, for example, a flag indicating that billing is unnecessary (billing-free flag).
FIG. 9 shows an example of stored billing information. In FIG. 9A, "printing date", "number of sheets", "color", and "paper size" are represented as the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 503.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, as the billing information stored in the billing information storage unit 602, a “billing-free flag” is shown in addition to the four pieces of information shown in FIG. 9A. If the "billing-free flag" is "○", it means that the billing-free flag is associated, and if it is "-", it means that the billing-free flag is not associated. In the example of FIG. 9B, since the billing information in the second line is associated with the billing-free flag, it is the billing information transmitted in association with both the authentication identification information and the non-authentication device identification information. It represents that.

That is, it indicates that the authentication service is provided by the store image forming apparatus 20 that normally provides the non-authentication service, and the business operator B charges the store for the charge amount indicated by the charge information (requests payment). ) Means no need. The billing processing unit 504 of the authentication service device 50 refers to the billing information storage unit 503 and performs billing processing for the authentication service using the stored billing information.

The billing processing unit 504 calculates the billing amount as the sum of the billing information for which the printing date is the target period for billing (for example, the past one month), which is the sum of the unit price determined by the presence or absence of color and the paper size multiplied by the number of paper sheets. do. The billing processing unit 504 performs a processing of withdrawing the calculated billing amount from, for example, a registered account as a billing process. The content of the billing process is not limited to this, and for example, a process of issuing an invoice or a process of notifying the department system in charge of billing of the billing amount may be performed as the billing process.

The billing processing unit 603 of the non-authentication service device 60 refers to the billing information storage unit 602 and performs billing processing for the non-authentication service using the stored billing information. The billing processing unit 603 determines the number of sheets of paper in the unit price determined by the presence or absence of color and the paper size for the billing information whose printing date is the target period of billing (for example, the past one month) and which is not associated with the billing unnecessary flag. The sum of the values multiplied by is calculated as the billing amount. After that, the billing processing unit 603 performs billing processing in the same manner as the billing processing unit 504.

Each device included in the information processing system 1 performs a billing process for charging the authentication service or the non-authentication service based on the above configuration. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the billing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. First, FIG. 10 describes an operation procedure of each device in an output process in which an authentication service is provided and billing information is output by the in-house image forming device 10.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an operation procedure in the output processing of the authentication service. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 10 is started when the information for authentication (organization ID and password in this embodiment) is input to the in-house image forming apparatus 10. First, the in-house image forming apparatus 10 (service UI display unit 101) accepts the input of the authentication information (step S11), and transmits the input authentication information to the authentication service apparatus 50 (step S12).

The authentication service device 50 (authentication processing unit 501) performs authentication processing using the transmitted authentication information (step S13). Next, the authentication service device 50 (authentication service processing unit 502) performs a provision process for providing the authentication service to the authenticated user (step S14). Subsequently, the authentication service device 50 (authentication service processing unit 502) transmits the print data generated by the provision process to the in-house image forming device 10 (step S15).

The in-house image forming apparatus 10 (service processing unit 102) performs a process of printing an image using the transmitted print data as a service process (step S16). Next, the in-house image forming apparatus 10 (billing processing unit 103) generates aggregation information represented by the print data used in the service processing as billing information (step S17). Subsequently, the in-house image forming apparatus 10 (billing information output unit 104) outputs the generated billing information to the tenant management system 30 together with the above-mentioned organization ID and device ID (step S18).

FIG. 11 describes an operation procedure of each device in the output process in which the store image forming device 20 provides the non-authentication service and outputs the billing information.
FIG. 11 shows an example of an operation procedure in the output processing of the non-authentication service. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 11 is started when an operation of using the non-authentication service is performed on the store image forming apparatus 20. First, the store image forming apparatus 20 (service UI display unit 201) accepts a usage operation (in this embodiment, a print number input operation, etc.) for using the non-authentication service (step S21).

Next, the store image forming apparatus 20 (service UI display unit 201) provides a non-authentication service for request data requesting service provision (processing for printing a registered image in this embodiment) based on the received usage operation. It is transmitted to the device 60 (step S22). The non-authentication service device 60 (non-authentication service processing unit 601) performs a provision process (reading and transmission of image data in this embodiment) for providing the non-authentication service based on the transmitted request data (step). S23, S24).

The store image forming apparatus 20 (service UI display unit 201) displays a registered image indicated by the transmitted image data (step S25), and a user operation (in this embodiment, confirmation of the registered image and print setting). The operation) is accepted (step S26). Next, the store image forming apparatus 20 (charge processing unit 203) performs a charge process (instruction to print an invoice or acceptance of cash payment) to charge the user for the amount determined by the setting determined by the user (step S27). ..

Subsequently, the store image forming apparatus 20 (service processing unit 202) performs a process of generating print data for printing the transmitted image data and printing the image as a service process (step S28). Next, the store image forming apparatus 20 (billing processing unit 203) generates aggregation information represented by the print data used in the service processing as billing information (step S29). Then, the store image forming apparatus 20 (billing information output unit 204) outputs the generated billing information to the tenant management system 30 together with the above-mentioned organization ID and device ID (step S30).

In FIG. 12, unlike FIG. 10, the operation procedure of each device in the output process in which the authentication service is provided and the billing information is output by the store image forming device 20 will be described.
FIG. 12 shows another example of the operation procedure in the output processing of the authentication service. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 12 is started when the information for authentication is input to the store image forming apparatus 20. First, the store image forming device 20 (service UI display unit 201) accepts the input of the authentication information (step S31), and transmits the input authentication information to the authentication service device 50 (step S32).

The authentication service device 50 (authentication processing unit 501) performs authentication processing using the transmitted authentication information (step S33). Next, the authentication service device 50 (authentication service processing unit 502) performs a provision process for providing the authentication service to the authenticated user (step S34). Subsequently, the authentication service device 50 (authentication service processing unit 502) transmits the print data generated by the provision process to the store image forming device 20 (step S35).

The store image forming apparatus 20 (service processing unit 202) performs a process of printing an image using the transmitted print data as a service process (step S36). Next, the store image forming apparatus 20 (billing processing unit 203) generates aggregation information represented by the print data used in the service processing as billing information (step S37). Subsequently, the store image forming apparatus 20 (billing information output unit 204) outputs the generated billing information to the tenant management system 30 together with the above-mentioned organization ID and device ID (step S38).

FIG. 13 describes an operation procedure of each device in the distribution process for distributing the output billing information.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the operation procedure of each device in the distribution process. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 13 is started when the operation procedure of FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 is performed and the billing information is output.

First, the tenant management system 30 (tenant processing unit 301, table storage unit 302) identifies the corresponding tenant based on the organization ID and the device ID output together with the billing information (step S41). In this embodiment, only the authentication service device 50 (tenant ID is "D001"), only the non-authentication service device 60 (tenant ID is "D002"), or both the authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device 60. That tenant is identified.

Next, the tenant management system 30 (tenant processing unit 301) supplies the tenant ID and billing information of the specified tenant to the aggregation relay system 40 (step S42). The aggregation relay system 40 (billing information distribution unit 401) distributes billing information based on the supplied tenant ID (step S50). If the supplied tenant ID is "D001", the total relay system 40 (billing information distribution unit 401) supplies the billing information to the authentication service device 50 (step S51).

The authentication service device 50 (billing information storage unit 503) stores the supplied billing information (step S52). If the supplied tenant ID is "D002", the total relay system 40 (billing information distribution unit 401) supplies the billing information to the non-authentication service device 60 (step S53). The non-authentication service device 60 (billing information storage unit 602) stores the supplied billing information (step S54). Further, if the supplied tenant ID is "D001, D002", the total relay system 40 (billing information distribution unit 401) supplies the billing information to both the authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device 60 (the billing information distribution unit 401). Steps S55, S57).

However, the aggregation relay system 40 (billing information distribution unit 401) instructs the non-authentication service device 60 to store the billing information in association with the billing-free flag. Therefore, the authentication service device 50 (billing information storage unit 503) simply stores the supplied billing information (step S56), while the non-authentication service device 60 (billing information storage unit 602) stores the supplied billing information. It is stored in association with the billing-free flag (step S58).

FIG. 14 describes an operation procedure of the non-authentication service device 60 in the billing process performed based on the stored billing information.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the operation procedure of the non-authentication service device 60 in the billing process. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 14 is started when the time for billing from the business operator B to the store comes.

The non-authentication service device 60 (billing processing unit 603) excludes the billing information associated with the billing-free flag from the billing information stored in its own device (billing information storage unit 602) (step S61). The billing amount is calculated from the billing information other than (step S62). As a result, the non-authentication service device 60 (billing processing unit 603) executes a billing process (account debit, etc.) with the calculated billing amount (step S63).

In this embodiment, the billing information is distributed as described above. When this distribution is not performed, for example, when the billing information is stored only in the non-authentication service device 60 as in the case where the store image forming apparatus 20 provides the authentication service but the non-authentication service is provided, the business operator B tells the company B. Similar to the non-certified service in which the store is charged, the business operator A charges the store.

In this embodiment, when the store image forming apparatus 20 provides the authentication service, the billing information is stored in both the authentication service apparatus 50 and the non-authentication service apparatus 60. Similarly, the billing process is performed by the authentication service device 50. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the time and effort for charging when the authentication service is provided by the non-authentication service providing device (non-authentication service device 60) is reduced as compared with the case where the above distribution is not performed.

[2] Modifications The above-mentioned examples are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and may be modified as follows. Further, the examples and the modified examples may be combined and carried out as necessary.

[2-1] Authentication information The authentication information (information used for authentication of the authentication service) is an organization ID and a password in the embodiment, but is not limited to this. Other identification information such as a user ID may be used instead of the organization ID. Further, instead of the password, user-specific information such as biometric information may be used. In short, the authentication information may be any information that can be used for user authentication.

[2-2] Authentication identification information The authentication identification information (identification information that identifies the authentication service) is the authentication information used in the authentication of the authentication service in the embodiment, that is, the information input by the user. Not exclusively. The authentication identification information may be, for example, a specific character string or symbol stored in advance by the provision measures of the authentication service.

However, in that case, the information processing system must manage the authentication identification information (setting and changing the information, etc.) in addition to the authentication information. On the other hand, in the embodiment, since the authentication information that has already been managed is used as the authentication identification information, the administrator of the information processing system is compared with the case where the authentication information and the authentication identification information are separate information. The trouble of managing information is reduced.

[2-3] Billing Destination In the embodiment, the billing destination for the use of the authentication service is not particularly divided, but billing processing may be performed for each of a plurality of billing destinations. The plurality of billing destinations are, for example, each department and each project in the company if it is an authentication service for employees provided by the business operator A as in the embodiment (treated as expenses for each department and each project). ).

In that case, the billing processing unit 504 of the authentication service device 50 performs billing processing with reference to the billing destination information for identifying a plurality of billing destinations. As the billing destination information, for example, a department code, a project code, or the like defined for recording expenses in a department, a project, or the like is used. In this modification, when the user inputs the authentication information, the user also inputs the billing destination information.

For example, when the billing destination code and the user ID are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis, the user ID may be input as the billing destination information instead of those codes. The billing information output unit 104 of the in-house image forming apparatus 10 and the billing information output unit 204 of the store image forming apparatus 20 output billing destination information in association with the billing information in addition to the device ID and the organization ID. Further, the plurality of billing destinations are, for example, each store or a branch office that controls a plurality of stores, in the case of a non-authentication service in which billing is performed on behalf of the store provided by the business operator B as in the embodiment.

In that case, the billing processing unit 603 of the non-authentication service device 60 performs billing processing with reference to the billing destination information for identifying a plurality of billing destinations. As the billing destination information, for example, a store code and a branch code defined for the store and the branch are used. In this modification, the store image forming apparatus 20 stores the billing destination information. The billing information output unit 204 of the store image forming apparatus 20 outputs the billing destination information in association with the billing information in addition to the device ID and the organization ID.

When the billing information is transmitted from the authentication service system described in the embodiment in association with the authentication identification information and the billing destination information, the tenant processing unit 301 identifies the authentication service device 50 as a tenant as in the embodiment. The billing information and the billing destination information are supplied to the billing information distribution unit 401 together with the specified tenant ID. The billing information distribution unit 401 stores the supplied billing information in the billing information storage unit 503 of the specified authentication service device 50 together with the similarly supplied billing destination information.

When the billing information is transmitted from the non-authentication service system described in the embodiment in association with the non-authentication device identification information and the billing destination information, the tenant processing unit 301 uses the non-authentication service device 60 as a tenant as in the embodiment. The billing information and the billing destination information are supplied to the billing information distribution unit 401 together with the specified tenant ID. The billing information distribution unit 401 stores the supplied billing information in the billing information storage unit 602 of the non-authentication service device 60 specified together with the similarly supplied billing destination information.

Further, when the billing information is transmitted from the authentication service system in association with both the authentication identification information and the non-authentication device identification information, the tenant processing unit 301 performs the authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device as in the embodiment. 60 is specified as a tenant, and billing information and billing destination information are supplied to the billing information distribution unit 401 together with the tenant IDs of both specified tenants. The billing information distribution unit 401 stores the supplied billing information together with the similarly supplied billing destination information in the billing information storage unit 503 of the authentication service device 50 and the billing information storage unit 602 of the non-authentication service device 60. ..

The billing processing unit 504 refers to the billing information storage unit 503, and performs billing processing for the authentication service using the stored billing information and billing destination information. The billing processing unit 504 calculates, for example, the billing amount to the billing destination indicated by the billing destination information based on the billing information associated with the common billing destination information. Then, the billing processing unit 504 performs a process of deducting the billing amount from the account registered for the billing destination as a billing process. As described above, in this modification, the authentication service is billed separately for a plurality of billing destinations.

The billing processing unit 603 refers to the billing information storage unit 602 and performs billing processing for the non-authentication service using the stored billing information and billing destination information. The billing processing unit 603 calculates, for example, the billing amount to the billing destination indicated by the billing destination information based on the billing information associated with the common billing destination information. Then, the billing processing unit 603 performs a process of deducting the billing amount from the account registered for the billing destination as a billing process. As described above, in this modification, billing for the non-authentication service is also performed separately for a plurality of billing destinations.

[2-4] Communication Path in Service Processing In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the service UI display unit of each image forming apparatus and the authentication service device 50 and the non-authentication service device 60 directly exchange data. However, as with the billing information, data may be exchanged via the tenant management system 30 (the aggregate relay system 40 may or may not relay).

[2-5] Equipment for Realizing Each Part The equipment for realizing each function shown in FIG. 5 is not limited to the equipment shown in the figure. For example, the tenant management system 30 may realize the billing information distribution unit 401 included in the total relay system 40 (in that case, the total relay system 40 becomes unnecessary). Further, each function provided by one device may be shared and realized by two or more devices. Further, in the embodiment, each device realized in the cloud 3 (computer resources are secured) may be realized in a form other than cloud computing (on-premises or the like). In short, as long as these functions are realized in the information processing system as a whole, the information processing system may be equipped with any number of devices and may be realized in any form.

[2-6] Service The authentication service provided by the authentication service system and the non-authentication service provided by the non-authentication service system are not limited to those described above. For example, services for customers and members may be provided as authentication services, and services such as content printing and ticket printing may be provided as non-authentication services.

In the embodiment, both the authentication service system and the non-authentication service system are provided with an image forming device, but depending on the content of the provided service (for example, if the service does not require image formation such as a videophone conference service). ) It is not necessary to have an image forming apparatus. In short, any service that causes billing may be provided as an authentication service and a non-authentication service. Moreover, any system may be constructed as long as it is possible to provide those services.

[2-7] Billing information The billing information is not limited to the information described in the examples (number of sheets on which an image is formed, size, presence / absence of color, etc.). For example, if the service provided is a content printing service, the ID of the printed content is used as billing information (charges differ depending on the content). Further, for example, when a videophone conference service is provided, the conference time (the longer the charge is), the resolution of the video (the higher the charge is), and the like are used as billing information. In short, any information may be used as billing information as long as it is information indicating a service charge, that is, a billing amount.

[2-8] Category of Invention The present invention includes other information processing devices such as an in-house image forming device, a store image forming device, a tenant management system 30, a total relay system 40, an authentication service device 50, and a non-authentication service device 60. , It can be regarded as an information processing system equipped with these devices. Further, the present invention can be regarded as an information processing method for realizing the processing performed by each device, and also as a program for operating a computer that controls each device. This program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as an optical disk that stores it, or may be provided in the form of being downloaded to a computer via a network such as the Internet and installed and made available. May be done.

1 ... Information information system, 3 ... Cloud, 10 ... In-house image forming device, 20 ... Store image forming device, 30 ... Tenant management system, 40 ... Aggregation relay system, 50 ... Authentication service device, 60 ... Non-authentication service device, 101 ... service UI display unit, 102 ... service processing unit, 103 ... billing processing unit, 104 ... billing information output unit, 201 ... service UI display unit, 202 ... service processing unit, 203 ... billing processing unit, 204 ... billing information output unit , 301 ... tenant processing unit, 302 ... table storage unit, 401 ... billing information distribution unit, 501 ... authentication processing unit, 502 ... authentication service processing unit, 503 ... billing information storage unit, 504 ... billing processing unit, 601 ... non Authentication service processing unit, 602 ... Billing information storage unit, 603 ... Billing processing unit.

Claims (4)

The first storage unit that the system that provides the authentication service to the authenticated user refers to when performing billing processing,
A second storage unit that is referenced when a system that provides a non-authentication service to an unauthenticated user performs billing processing.
When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the first identification information that identifies the authentication service, the billing information is stored in the first storage unit, and the billing information indicating the billing amount is the non-authentication service. When the information is transmitted in association with the second identification information that identifies the device that provides the device, the billing information is stored in the second storage unit, and the billing information indicating the billing amount is the first identification information and the second identification. When the information is transmitted in association with both of the information, the charging information is stored in the first storage unit, and the second information is associated with the information indicating that the charging amount indicated by the charging information does not need to be charged. An information processing device equipped with a storage control unit that stores information in the storage unit. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information is authentication information used for authentication of a user who uses the authentication service. The system that provides the authentication service refers to the billing destination information for identifying the plurality of billing destinations, performs the billing process for each of the plurality of billing destinations, and performs the billing process.
When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the first identification information and the billing destination information, the storage control unit stores the billing information together with the billing destination information in the first storage unit. When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the first identification information, the second identification information, and the billing destination information, the billing information is transmitted together with the billing destination information in the first storage unit and the first storage unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is stored in a storage unit. The system that provides the non-authentication service refers to the billing destination information for identifying the plurality of billing destinations, performs the billing process for each of the plurality of billing destinations, and performs the billing process.
When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the second identification information and the billing destination information, the storage control unit stores the billing information together with the billing destination information in the second storage unit. When the billing information indicating the billing amount is transmitted in association with the first identification information, the second identification information, and the billing destination information, the billing information is transmitted together with the billing destination information in the first storage unit and the first storage unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is stored in a storage unit.

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