JP3619236B2 - Printing control apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a fax machine connected to a charging apparatus, and more particularly to a print control apparatus and method for determining whether or not data can be printed from a host apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus that prints data from a host apparatus, the host apparatus and the image forming apparatus are often connected on a one-to-one basis in conventional image forming apparatuses. Recently, however, the number of image forming apparatuses is increased. As a result, a plurality of host devices are connected to one image forming apparatus. A system in which a plurality of host devices are connected even in an image forming apparatus with a charging device provided with means for collecting a required usage fee from a user by inserting a coin, a prepaid card or an ID card during image processing Began to be built. In addition, in a conventional image forming apparatus with a billing device connected to a plurality of host devices by multi-use or networking, a coin rack, a key card, or the like is used to manage the correspondence between the amount of printed coins, the card frequency, etc. Things existed, but there was no means for identifying the person who uses coins, cards, etc., so there was a hassle such that it was necessary to decide who to use between the users. Furthermore, in the conventional image forming apparatus with a billing device, when the coin amount or the card frequency is insufficient during use, it waits for an unlimited number of coins and cards to be re-inserted. There is a problem that the image forming apparatus is monopolized until another coin or card is inserted, and other users wait for a long time.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus with a charging device as described above, it is not possible to specify the person who inserted the coin or the card. For example, in order to perform printing processing in the image forming apparatus, When print data is transmitted from another host device while accessing the host device and requesting transmission of the required image data, the print data received earlier is processed by the image forming device. However, there has been a problem in that other users are charged for printing contrary to the intention of the person who performed the charging process with the above coin amount or card. In order to solve this problem, even if an identifier such as an ID is set for each user, it is possible to exclude a user who does not have an ID. It was impossible to identify them, and the above problems could not be solved. In addition, when the amount of coins inserted, the card frequency, etc. are insufficient, the conventional image forming apparatus will continue to re-insert coins and cards without processing the remaining print data without unlimited printing, Data from other users cannot be received while being connected to a specific host device, resulting in a problem that the utilization efficiency of the image forming apparatus is lowered.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems as described above, and assigns an identifier only to a user who has inserted a coin or a card into a charging device, and uses the coin or card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing control apparatus and method capable of printing processing only for a person.
In addition, the present invention stops the connection with the host device and monopolizes for a long time by a specific host if coins and cards are not reinserted for a certain period of time when the amount of coins inserted and the card frequency are insufficient. by preventing is to provide a print control apparatus and method to improve the utilization efficiency.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a print control apparatus connected to a charging apparatus for limiting users, an identifier allocating means for allocating an identifier for charging by the charging apparatus, and an identifier allocated by the identifier allocating means The identifiers are assigned to the user, the identifiers assigned by the identifier assigning means match the identifiers given by the host device, and the identifiers are matched by the identifier judging means. When it is confirmed that the print data is to be printed, a print control unit is provided that enables print processing of data from the host device.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing setting means for setting the print processing time or the number of print processed sheets by charging by the charging device, and the print processing of data from the host device When the print processing time set by the process setting means or the number of print processes is exceeded, the process stop means for temporarily stopping the remaining print processing, and the process stop release for resuming the print processing by recharging by the charging device And a processing discarding unit for discarding the remaining print processing when the processing stop time by the processing stop unit exceeds a predetermined time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the second aspect, the variable setting means for freely changing the set time from the temporary stop by the processing stop means until the remaining print processing is discarded by the processing discarding means. It is characterized by comprising.

  The invention of claim 4 is a printing control method in a printing control apparatus connected to a charging apparatus for limiting users, the step of assigning an identifier for charging by the charging apparatus, and the allocated identifier To the user, to determine whether the allocated identifier and the identifier given from the host device match, and when it is confirmed that the identifier matches, from the host device And a step of enabling the print processing of the data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the first aspect, the step of setting the print processing time or the number of print processed sheets by charging by the charging device and the print processing of data from the host device are set as described above. If the print processing time or the number of print processing sheets is exceeded, a step of temporarily stopping the remaining print processing, a step of restarting the print processing by re-charging by the charging device, and the print processing stop time are set in advance. And a step of discarding the remaining print processing when the predetermined time is exceeded.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the second aspect, the set time from the time stop until the remaining print processing is discarded can be freely changed.

  According to the present invention, an identifier that can be known only to a user who has inserted a coin or a card into the charging device is transmitted from the host device, so that the user who has inserted the coin or card is definitely identified, and Print processing can be performed as intended.

  Alternatively, according to the present invention, when the amount of money is insufficient during the data printing process, the remaining printing process is discarded if the lack of charging due to the re-insertion of coins or the like is not resolved within a predetermined time. As a result, a specific host device does not monopolize the image forming device without any additional amount of money, and can be used by other host devices or other users, making effective use of the printer. Is planned.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the amount of money is insufficient during the data printing process, the time until the remaining print data is erased can be freely changed, so that it is connected to the image forming apparatus. An optimal time can be set according to the number of host devices, the installation distance between the image forming device and the host device, or the frequency of use of the image forming device, and the image forming device connected to the accounting device is efficient. A system can be constructed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a principal block diagram showing a first embodiment of a printer to which a printing control apparatus according to the present invention is applied . The apparatus shown in this example shows a case where the apparatus is constituted by a charging apparatus 1 for inserting coins and cards, a printer 20 and a host apparatus 21. The print control apparatus 20 includes an identifier assignment unit 2, an identifier determination unit 3, a print control unit 4, a CPU 10, an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a printing unit 13, a RAM 15, and a reception unit 16. The printing unit 13 is a so-called printer engine, and performs a printing operation under the control of the printing control unit 4.
When a coin or card is inserted into the billing apparatus 1, the identifier assigning unit 2 assigns an identifier such as an ID in order to identify the coin or card inserter, and displays this identifier on the display unit 12 to notify the user. At the same time, it is stored in the RAM 14. The coin or card inserter stores the displayed identifier, and adds the assigned identifier to the data when transmitting print data from the host device 21. After the user confirms the display of the identifier on the display unit 12, it is erased by a key operation from the operation unit 11 or the like.

The print data transmitted from the host device 21 is received by the receiving unit 16 and stored in the RAM 14 via the bus line of the CPU 10. From the stored print data, the identifier data attached thereto is read and sent to the identifier determination unit 3. If the identifier does not match the one attached at the time of billing, it is determined that the received print data is different from the one sent by the biller, and the printing process is not performed. On the other hand, if the identifier attached to the print data received by the identifier discriminating unit 3 matches the one at the time of charging, the print control unit 4 assumes that the received print data is sent by a coin or card inserter. Printing permission is designated and printing is performed by the printing unit 13.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a second embodiment of the printer to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention is applied . The difference from the first configuration of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is that a process setting unit 5, a process stop unit 6, a process stop release unit 7, and a process discard unit 8 are added. Here, the description will focus on the operation of the above four blocks different from FIG.
First, print data for which printing permission is given by the print control unit 4 is sent to the printing unit 13 and printed for each page. At this time, the amount of print processing or the number of print processing sheets is limited depending on the amount of coins or cards. Given. This limit is set by the process setting unit 5 according to the remaining frequency of the inserted coin or card, and the print processing time set by the process setting unit 5 during printing of the received data or the print process When the allowable number of sheets is reached, it is determined that the amount of coins or cards is insufficient, and the processing stop unit 6 instructs to stop printing. In this state, when coins or cards are reinserted and the insufficient amount state is resolved, the processing stop canceling unit 7 instructs the cancellation of the print cancel command, and the printing of the remaining print data is resumed. However, if a coin or a card is not inserted again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the instruction to cancel printing, the processing discarding unit 8 controls to discard the remaining print data. That is, if the shortage of money is not resolved by re-inserting coins or cards within a certain time without continuing the printing suspension period indefinitely, the printing process itself is canceled and the remaining unprinted data is discarded. Thus, according to this process, the printer 20 is not unnecessarily occupied by a specific user, and can be used by another host device 21 or another user. improves.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the principal part of a third embodiment of the printer to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention is applied . A difference from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that a variable setting unit 9 is added. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 described above, when turned on again the absence of the command after a coin or card print cancel a certain time has elapsed, but discards the rest of the print data by the processing discarding unit 8, the printer Those who can change the time from the print stop command to discarding the print data according to the number of host devices 21 connected to the printer 20, the installation distance between the printer 20 and the host device 21, the usage frequency of the printer 20, etc. May be convenient. For example, when the frequency of use of the printer 20 is very high, if the time from the print stop command to discarding the print data is lengthened, a specific user will occupy the printer 20 for a long time, and other users Dissatisfaction occurs. Further, when the printer 20 and the host device 21 are separated from each other, when the coin or card amount is insufficient, the printer 20 moves from the host device 21 side to the printer 20 side to reinsert coins or cards. If the predetermined time is short, there is a possibility that the remaining print data may be discarded due to time out during the movement.
Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the variable setting unit 9 is provided so that the predetermined time can be changed according to installation conditions, environmental conditions, and the like. I can do it.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a general configuration example of the print control apparatus according to the present invention. Here, the controller unit 22 constitutes a main part of the printing control apparatus according to the present invention, and the charging unit 1 and the printer engine 13 are connected. The billing unit (billing device) 1 is provided with a coin rack 1a and a card reader 1b so that both a currency and a dedicated card can be used. Accordingly, when the user inserts a currency or a dedicated card into the charging unit 1 and inputs a usage amount from the operation unit 11 as necessary in the case of a high-value bill or a dedicated card, an identifier is assigned and a printing process is performed according to the amount. Limits on time or number of prints are given. The user is notified of the assigned identifier by the display unit 12, and the user who has confirmed this presses the confirmed key of the operation unit 12 to erase the identifier display on the display unit 12. The display is erased in this way in order to inform the user of the identifier only. The user who has confirmed this identifier sends the assigned identifier together with the print data sent from the host computer 21. The print control apparatus side and the host computer 21 may be in a local connection connected in a serial and parallel one-to-one relationship, or may be connected in a plurality via a network. Print data from the host computer 21 is received by the printer interface 16 and temporarily stored in the RAM 14 of the controller unit 22. The controller unit 22 includes a CPU 10, a RAM 14, and a ROM 15. In addition to the functions corresponding to the CPU 10, the RAM 14, and the ROM 15 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the identifier assigning unit 2, the identifier determining unit 3, and the printing It plays the role of the control part 4, the process setting part 5, the process stop part 6, the process stop cancellation part 7, the process discard part 8, and the variable setting part 9. Note that the print data is printed by the printer engine 13.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main operations in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. First, when a coin or a card is inserted into the charging apparatus 1 (S1), the identifier assigning unit 2 assigns an identifier such as an ID (S2), and at the same time stores the identifier in the RAM 14 (S3). The identifier is displayed and notified to the coin or card inserter (S4). After confirming the identifier displayed on the display unit 12 (S5), the user who has inserted the coin or card presses the operation key such as the operation unit 11 to delete the display (S6).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main operations in the second and third embodiments of the present invention described above, and shows processing following the flow shown in FIG. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 5, when a coin or card inserter to which an identifier is assigned adds the identifier to the print data from the host device 21 and transmits it, the print data is printed by the receiving unit 16 on the print control device side. Is received (S11) and stored in the RAM. The identifier discriminating unit 3 discriminates whether or not the received identifier is the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 2 (S12). If the received identifier does not match the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 2 ( (S12, No), the received series of print data is discarded without printing (S20). On the other hand, if the received identifier matches the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 2 (S12, Yes), the print control unit 4 sends the print data to the printing unit 13 to execute printing for each page ( S13).

  When printing for one page is finished, it is determined whether or not printing is finished (S14). If printing is finished (S14, Yes), this routine is finished. If printing is not finished (S14, No) In step S15, it is determined whether or not the amount of money for printing the next page is insufficient (denoted as coin shortage in the figure). As a result of this determination, if the amount is not insufficient (S15, No), printing is performed by repeatedly executing steps S13 to S15. If the result of the determination in step S15 is that the amount is insufficient (S15, Yes), the variable setting unit 9 sets a specific time in the timer, operates the timer (S16), and then sets the timer setting time. It is determined whether or not elapses (S17). If the result of this determination is that the time has expired (S17, Yes), the process discard unit 8 discards the remaining print data (S19), and then this routine is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is within the set time in the above step S17 (S17, No), it is determined whether or not coins or cards have been reinserted in order to eliminate the shortage of money (S18), and coins or cards have been inserted. If not (S18, No), the process returns to step S17 to determine the presence or absence of time-out, and the above-described steps S17 to S18 are repeated. If coins or cards have been reinserted in step S18 (S18, Yes), the process returns to step S13 to print the remaining print data again, and similarly, steps S13 to S18 are repeated.
Although the case where the timer time is changed and set in step 16 has been described, in order to employ the first embodiment of the present invention, the setting time is not changed and is made constant.
In the above description, an example of a printer has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to an image forming apparatus with a charging device connected to a host device, for example, a copying machine with a charging device, a facsimile device with a charging device, and the like. Needless to say, it is possible. Furthermore, an identifier such as an ID added together when sending print data from the host device is sent in a command format that can be decoded on the printer side, but the sending method can be edited by embedding the print data with an editor, or A method is conceivable in which an identifier such as an ID is input to the printer driver of the host device 21 and the printer driver automatically transmits it to the printer side.
1, 2, 3, or 4, the host device 21 and the printer 20 are illustrated as being connected on a one-to-one basis, but are connected to a plurality of host devices 21 through a network connection or a local connection. Needless to say, the present invention can be implemented by the same operation in this case.

1 is a block diagram of a main part showing a first embodiment of a printer to which a printing control apparatus of the present invention is applied . FIG. It is a block diagram of the principal part which shows the 2nd Embodiment of the printer to which the printing control apparatus of this invention is applied . It is a block diagram of the principal part which shows the 3rd Embodiment which applied the printing control apparatus of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a general configuration example of a print control apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement in the 2nd and 3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Billing device (billing unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Identifier allocation part 3 ... Identifier discrimination | determination part 4 ... Print control part 5 ... Process setting part 6 ... Process stop part 7 ... Process stop cancellation part 8 ... Process discard part 9 ... Variable setting part 10 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Operation part 12 ... Display part 13 ... Printing part (printer engine)
14 ... RAM
15 ... ROM
16: Receiver (printer interface)
20 ... Printer 21 ... Host device (host computer)
22 ... Controller part

Claims (6)

  In a print control apparatus connected to a charging apparatus for limiting users, an identifier allocating means for assigning an identifier for charging by the charging apparatus, and a notification for notifying a user of an identifier assigned by the identifier allocating means And the identifier discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit and the identifier given from the host device match, and the identifier discriminating unit confirms that the identifiers match. A print control apparatus comprising: a print control unit that enables print processing of data from a host device.   2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing setting means for setting a print processing time or the number of print processing sheets by charging by the charging apparatus, and the print processing for data from the host device set by the processing setting means. Processing stop means for temporarily stopping the remaining print processing when the processing time or the number of print processing sheets is exceeded, processing stop canceling means for restarting print processing by re-charging by the charging device, and the processing stopping means A print control apparatus, further comprising: a process discarding unit that discards the remaining print process when a process stop time due to exceeds a predetermined time.   3. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising variable setting means for freely changing a set time from the temporary stop by the process stop means until the remaining print processing is discarded by the process discarding means. The printing control device.   A printing control method in a printing control apparatus connected to a charging apparatus for limiting users, the steps of assigning an identifier for charging by the charging apparatus, and notifying the user of the assigned identifier Determining whether the assigned identifier and the identifier given from the host device match, and if it is confirmed that the identifiers match, it is possible to print data from the host device And a printing control method.   2. The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the step of setting the print processing time or the number of print processing sheets by charging by the charging device and the print processing time of data set by the print processing of data from the host device are set as described above. When the number of processed sheets has been exceeded, the step of temporarily stopping the remaining printing process, the step of resuming the printing process by re-charging by the charging device, and the printing process stop time has exceeded a preset fixed time A print control method, further comprising: discarding the remaining print processing.   6. The print control method according to claim 5, wherein a set time from the temporary stop until the remaining print processing is discarded is freely changed.

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