JP2003005587A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform charging and setting of a copying machine. SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus is equipped with an image forming means 1, an image forming condition setting means 7 for setting various conditions for image formation, a service charge calculation means 2 for calculating the service charge of the image forming means 1 and a service charge collecting means 3 for collecting the service charge of the image forming means 1 from a user. The device is equipped with an image forming condition reading means 8 for reading the data of various conditions related to image formation recorded on an image forming condition recording medium 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, which is installed in a convenience store, a bookstore, a copy service specialty store or the like, and which a user pays and uses, and in particular, a prepaid card. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can be paid using an IC card, an IC card, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The digitization and colorization of copying machines have advanced,
The functions are remarkably increased as compared with the conventional monochrome / analog copying machine, and the setting for mastering the functions is becoming complicated. Conventionally, when copying is performed by making full use of the functions provided in the copying machine, the setting of the copying machine is changed one by one so that the desired function can be used from the setting panel of the copying machine during copying. Work was needed. In this work, the setting panel of the copying machine is difficult to use, and it is not easy to properly set the functions of the copying machine having many functions.
This is especially true when using a pay copying machine installed in a convenience store or the like, because he is not accustomed to the operation. In this way, the functions of the copying machine cannot be fully used, and even if the copying fee can be saved, unnecessary expenses are often incurred.

Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-326894 proposes a compound device for facilitating the operation of the compound device using a storage medium such as an IC card.

On the other hand, in the fee system of paying copying machines installed in bookstores, convenience stores, etc., a simple fee setting is made depending on the size of paper. But,
Due to the progress of colorization, high image quality and high functionality of copiers,
There is a demand to use paper with a high unit price, or conversely, to use paper with a low unit price even though the image quality is low. In order to meet such demands, it is necessary to establish a fee system that considers the price difference of paper.

Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-105011 proposes a recording output service charging device for setting a charging charge corresponding to the recording raw material required for recording output, the type of recording paper, and the like.

Further, according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-15903, in an image forming system in which a user pays a fee to use a copying machine installed in a copy service store,
A system that allows customers to charge consumption tax of usage charges by tax exemption. Specifically, it forms an image by recording the usage charges with a bar code printer and charging consumption taxes based on the usage charges. A system has been proposed.

[0007]

However, JP-A-9-3
The compound device of Japanese Patent No. 26894 has a problem that the collection of the usage fee is not taken into consideration.

On the other hand, in the case of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-105011, it is possible to set the charge in consideration of not only the difference of the paper but also the amount of toner consumed for image formation, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-15903. Although it is possible to charge a consumption tax for the usage fee, the usage fee system tends to be complicated as described above, so it is necessary to separately output the usage statement.
Therefore, a sheet for outputting details is required, and the cost is reflected in the usage fee of the copying machine, which increases the burden on the user. In addition, there is a problem that the amount of paper consumption increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can solve the above problems and can easily collect charges and set a copying machine.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an image forming apparatus capable of notifying a user of usage details without using extra paper.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the invention described in claim 1, an image forming means,
An image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, a usage charge calculating means for calculating the usage charge of the image forming means, and a usage charge collecting means for collecting the usage charge of the image forming means from the user. In the provided image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus is characterized by an image forming condition reading unit that reads data of various conditions related to image formation recorded on the image forming condition recording medium.

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the image forming condition recorded on the image forming condition recording medium is read, and the image forming condition of the image forming means is set according to the read data. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to make settings each time the image forming apparatus is used, and the functions of the image forming apparatus can be fully utilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming means, the image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, the use charge calculating means for calculating the use charge of the image forming means, In an image forming apparatus provided with a usage charge collection unit that collects a usage charge of an image forming unit from a user, an image formation condition data storage unit that temporarily stores various conditions for set image formation, and its The image forming apparatus includes an image forming condition recording unit that records data on an image forming condition recording medium.

According to the second aspect of the present invention configured as described above, since the image forming condition recording means for recording the setting conditions used for the image formation on the image forming condition recording medium is provided, the setting is performed once. It is easy to reuse the conditions that have been used. This is especially effective when complicated settings are made.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the image forming means, the image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, the use charge calculating means for calculating the use charge of the image forming means, In an image forming apparatus provided with a usage charge collecting unit that collects a usage charge of an image forming unit from a user, image forming condition data storage for temporarily storing various conditions for image formation set at the time of image formation. And an image forming condition recording unit for recording the data on an image forming condition recording medium, and an image forming condition reading unit for reading the image forming condition data recorded on the image forming condition recording medium. I am trying.

According to the third aspect of the present invention thus configured, the setting conditions used for image formation are recorded in the image forming condition recording means and the image forming condition recording medium for recording the setting conditions in the image forming condition recording medium. Since the image forming condition reading means for reading the image forming condition data is provided, it becomes easy to reuse the condition once set and used. This is especially effective when complicated settings are made.

In the invention described in claim 4, the image forming condition recording medium is a prepaid card, and the usage fee collecting means is capable of collecting the fee by the prepaid card. It features an image forming apparatus.

According to the invention of claim 4 configured as described above, since the prepaid card used for payment of the fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium, the usage fee collecting means can be simplified and By carrying the prepaid card, the image forming condition recording medium can be carried at the same time, and further, the image forming condition data can be easily set.

In the invention described in claim 5, the image forming condition recording medium is an IC card, and the usage fee collecting means can collect a fee by the IC card. It features an image forming apparatus.

According to the invention according to claim 5 having such a configuration, since the IC card used for payment of the fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium, the usage fee collecting means can be simplified and By carrying the IC card, it is possible to carry the image forming condition recording medium at the same time, and further, it is possible to easily set the image forming condition data.

In the invention described in claim 6, the image forming means, the usage fee calculating means for calculating the usage fee for the image formation, and the usage fee collecting means for collecting the usage fee of the image forming means from the user. In the provided image forming apparatus, the usage fee collecting unit is characterized by being able to collect a fee by using a prepaid card, and further comprising a printing unit for printing a usage statement on a rewritable display portion of the prepaid card.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention having the above-described structure, since the usage statement relating to image formation is printed on the rewritable display portion provided on the prepaid card, a sheet or the like for fee printing is required. Without this, it is possible to notify the user of the complicated contents of the charge by introducing the consumption tax and meeting the needs of the user.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided print data storage means for storing arbitrary print data, and editing means for editing the stored print data. 7. The print data can be read, and the print data can be printed in a margin portion of the rewritable display portion of the prepaid card on which the usage statement is printed.
The image forming apparatus described above is featured.

According to the invention according to claim 7 having such a configuration, arbitrary printing can be performed in the margin portion of the rewritable display portion provided on the prepaid card on which the usage statement relating to image formation is printed. For example, a bookstore in which the image forming apparatus is installed can notify the user of the best-seller information of the book, and a convenience store can notify the user of discount information or the like, which can be used for sales promotion of the store.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <First Embodiment of the Invention> Hereinafter, a specific first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

First, the structure will be described. In FIG.
1 is an image forming means such as a copying machine or a printer, 2 is a usage fee calculating means for calculating the usage fee of the image forming means 1,
Reference numeral 3 is a usage fee collecting means for collecting a usage fee of the image forming means 1 from the user.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided with an insertion opening 4 (insertion / ejection opening) of a coin or a prepaid card for payment of a charge, and a magnetic recording medium for recording image forming condition data of the image forming means 1. An insertion port 5 (insertion / ejection port) for the image forming condition recording medium 6 such as the card 6a is also provided.

Inside the utilization charge collecting means 3, there is provided an image forming condition data reading means 8 (image forming condition reading means) as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the image forming condition data reading means 8 provided inside the usage fee collecting means 3, in which the data recorded on the magnetic tape 15 arranged on the magnetic card 6a is transferred to the magnetic head 16 and the magnetic head 16. The magnetic head control means 17 reads the data.

An image forming condition setting means 7 for receiving image forming condition data from the reading means 8 and setting various conditions for image formation by the image forming means 1 is provided.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

When the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer is used, the image forming condition recording medium 6 is inserted into the insertion port 5.
When is inserted, the image forming condition data recorded on the magnetic tape 15 arranged on the image forming condition recording medium 6 becomes
Magnetic head 16 and magnetic head control means 17 of data reading means 8 provided inside utilization fee collecting means 3
Is read out and transmitted to the image forming condition setting means 7. The image forming condition setting means 7 receives the image forming condition data and sets the condition of the image forming means 1 based on the data.

The charge for the user to use the image forming means 1 is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the amount of money corresponding to the calculation result is collected by the use charge collecting means 3 from coins or prepaid cards. .

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer.

As described above, the desired setting conditions of the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer are recorded in the image forming condition recording medium 6 in advance, and the data is read out to automatically generate the image forming means 1. Is set.
As a result, even a user who is unfamiliar with the setting of the image forming unit 1 does not need to set it each time the user uses it, and does not take time to set the image forming unit 1. You can easily use the existing functions, and in some cases, you can save the usage fee.

<Modification> FIG. 3 is a first modification of the first embodiment, in which a prepaid card 6b for paying a usage fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided only with an insertion slot 4b for a prepaid card 6b for fee payment. Inside the usage fee collecting means 3, the prepaid card 6b for fee payment is recorded. An image forming condition data reading unit 8 is provided, and the image forming condition setting unit 7 sets the condition of the image forming unit 1 according to the image forming condition data read from the prepaid card 6b.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge corresponding to the calculated charge is collected from the prepaid card 6b by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

As described above, by using the prepaid card 6b for paying the charge as the image forming condition recording medium 6, it is not necessary to provide the use charge collecting means 3 with the insertion port 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6. In addition to simplification, the user certainly carries the image forming condition recording medium 6 when using the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a second modification of the first embodiment, in which an IC card for paying a usage fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided only with the insertion port 4c of the IC card 6c for fee payment. Inside the usage fee collecting means 3, the IC card 6c for fee payment is recorded. An image forming condition data reading unit 8 is provided, and the image forming condition setting unit 7 sets the condition of the image forming unit 1 according to the image forming condition data read from the IC card 6c.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge corresponding to the calculated charge is collected from the IC card 6c by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

In this way, the IC card 6 for payment of charges
By using c as the image forming condition recording medium 6,
Not only is it unnecessary to provide the usage charge collecting means 3 with the insertion opening 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6, but the apparatus can be simplified, and when the user uses the image forming apparatus,
It means that the image forming condition recording medium 6 is surely carried.

<Second Embodiment of the Invention> FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

First, the structure will be described. In FIG.
1 is an image forming means such as a copying machine or a printer, 2 is a usage fee calculating means for calculating the usage fee of the image forming means 1,
Reference numeral 3 is a usage fee collecting means for collecting a usage fee of the image forming means 1 from the user.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided with an insertion slot 4 for coins or prepaid cards for payment of fees, and image formation such as a magnetic card 6a for recording image forming condition data of the image forming means 1 An insertion port 5 for the condition recording medium 6 is also provided.

Further, image forming condition setting means 7 for setting various conditions for image formation by the image forming means 1 is provided, and the image forming condition data set by the image forming condition setting means 7 is temporarily stored. A memory 9 (image forming condition data storage means) is provided.

Inside the usage fee collection means 3,
Image forming condition data writing means 10 as shown in FIG.
Is provided.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the image forming condition setting data writing means 10 provided inside the usage fee collecting means 3. The image forming condition setting means 7 is provided on the magnetic tape 15 disposed on the magnetic card 6a. The image forming condition setting data which is input (set) by the user and temporarily stored in the memory 9 is recorded by the magnetic head control means 17 and the magnetic head 16.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

When the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer is used, the user sets the image forming condition setting means 7
Is used to set image forming condition setting data.

The charge for using the image forming means 1 is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the use charge collecting means 3 collects the amount of money corresponding to the calculation result from coins or prepaid cards.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

When the image forming means 1 is used, the insertion port 5
When the image forming condition recording medium 6 is inserted into the memory, the condition set by the image forming condition setting means 7 is stored in the memory 9 for temporarily storing the data, and the stored data is stored in the usage fee collecting means 3. Magnetic head control means 17 and magnetic head 1 of the provided data writing means 10
6, the image forming condition recording medium 6 such as the magnetic card 6a.
The data is recorded on the magnetic tape 15 arranged at. In this way, the image forming condition set by the user can be recorded in the image forming condition recording medium 6.

In this way, the setting conditions once set in the image forming means 1 are recorded in the image forming condition recording medium 6 so that the image forming means 1 can be easily reused at the same setting on another occasion. Image forming condition recording medium 6
As described above, by using the magnetic card 6a for payment or the like, the system can be made convenient for the user.

The parts other than the above have the same structure as in the first embodiment, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.

<Modification> FIG. 7 is a first modification of the second embodiment, in which a prepaid card 6b for paying a usage charge is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6.

The usage fee collection means 3 is provided with only the insertion slot 4b of the prepaid card 6b for fee payment.

When the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer is used, the user forms the image forming condition setting means 7
Is used to set image forming condition setting data.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge corresponding to the charge is collected from the prepaid card 6b by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

When the user sets conditions by the image forming condition setting means 7, the setting condition data is temporarily stored in the memory 9. The stored data is recorded on the prepaid card 6b which is the image forming condition recording medium 6 by the data writing unit 10 (image forming condition recording unit) provided in the usage fee collecting unit 3.

As described above, by using the prepaid card 6b for paying the charge as the image forming condition recording medium 6, it is not necessary to provide the use charge collecting means 3 with the insertion opening 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6. In addition to simplification, the user certainly carries the image forming condition recording medium 6 when using the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a second modification of the second embodiment, in which an IC card 6c for paying a usage fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6. The usage fee collection means 3 is provided with only the insertion port 4c of the fee payment IC card 6c.

When the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer is used, the user sets the image forming condition setting means 7
Is used to set image forming condition setting data.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge corresponding to the charge is collected from the IC card 6c by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

When the user sets conditions by the image forming condition setting means 7, the setting condition data is temporarily stored in the memory 9. The stored data is stored in the usage charge collecting unit 3 by the data writing unit 10 (image forming condition recording unit), which is the IC card 6 as the image forming condition recording medium 6.
It is recorded in c.

Thus, the IC card 6c for paying the fee
By using the image forming condition recording medium 6 as described above, it is not necessary to provide the usage charge collecting means 3 with the insertion opening 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6 and the apparatus can be simplified, and the user can form an image. When using the apparatus, it means that the image forming condition recording medium 6 is surely carried.

<Third Embodiment of the Invention> FIG. 9 to FIG.
It shows Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

First, the structure will be described. In FIG.
1 is an image forming means such as a copying machine or a printer, 2 is a usage fee calculating means for calculating the usage fee of the image forming means 1,
Reference numeral 3 is a usage fee collecting means for collecting a usage fee of the image forming means 1 from the user.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided with an insertion slot 4 for a coin or a prepaid card for payment of a fee, and also a magnetic card for recording or recording the image forming condition data of the image forming means 1. An insertion port 5 for the image forming condition recording medium 6 such as 6a is also provided.

Inside the utilization charge collecting means 3, there is provided an image forming condition data reading means 8 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the image forming condition data reading means 8 provided inside the utilization charge collecting means 3, in which the data recorded on the magnetic tape 15 arranged on the magnetic card 6a is transferred to the magnetic head 16 and the magnetic head 16. The head controller 17 reads the data.

Image forming condition setting means 7 is provided for receiving the image forming condition data from the reading means 8 and setting various conditions for image formation by the image forming means 1.

A memory 9 for temporarily storing the image forming condition data set by the image forming condition setting means 7.
Is provided.

Inside the usage fee collection means 3,
Image forming condition data writing means 1 as shown in FIG.
0 is provided.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the image forming condition setting data writing means 10 provided inside the usage fee collecting means 3, which is a magnetic tape 15 arranged on the magnetic card 6a.
Image forming condition setting data, which is input (set) by the user using the image forming condition setting means 7 and temporarily stored in the memory 9, is recorded by the magnetic head control means 17 and the magnetic head 16. .

The reading means 8 and the writing means 10 have the same structure.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

When the image forming means 1 such as a copying machine or a printer is used, the image forming condition recording medium 6 is inserted into the insertion port 5.
Insert. Then, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, the image forming condition data recorded on the magnetic tape 15 arranged on the surface of the magnetic card 6a as the image forming condition recording medium 6 is provided in the usage fee collecting means 3. The read is performed by the magnetic head 16 and the magnetic head control means 17 of the reading means 8. The reading unit 8 reads the image forming condition data, and if there is data recorded on the image forming condition recording medium 6, the data is transmitted to the image forming condition setting unit 7. The user can perform image formation under conditions existing in the image forming condition recording medium 6 (image forming condition automatic setting) or manually set image forming conditions (image forming condition manual setting). it can.

Next, the fee for the user to use the image forming means 1 is calculated by the use fee calculating means 2, and the amount corresponding to the calculation result is used by the use fee collecting means 3 as a coin or a prepaid card. Etc. If the balance is less than the charge, an instruction to add the charge is issued.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

In this way, by setting the setting conditions once set in the image forming means 1 so that they can be recorded in the image forming condition recording medium 6 and read out, the image forming means 1 can be easily set at the same setting on another occasion. The image forming condition recording medium 6 can be reused as a magnetic card 6a for payment.
It is possible to provide a user-friendly system by using such as.

After the image formation, if there is no data on the image forming condition recording medium 6 or if the user manually sets the image forming condition, the set image forming condition data is temporarily stored in the memory 9. The image forming condition recording medium 6 such as the magnetic card 6a is controlled by the magnetic head 16 and the magnetic head control unit 17 of the image forming condition data writing unit 10 (image forming condition recording unit) provided in the usage fee collecting unit 3. Memory 9 on the magnetic tape 15 placed on the surface of
The image forming condition data stored in is recorded.

The parts other than the above have the same constructions as those of the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and the same actions and effects can be obtained.

<Modification> FIG. 12 shows the first embodiment of the third embodiment.
This is a modified example, in which a prepaid card 6b for paying a usage fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided only with an insertion slot 4b for a prepaid card 6b for payment of fees. Inside the usage fee collecting means 3, the prepaid card 6b for fee payment is recorded. The image forming condition data reading unit 8 is provided, and the image forming condition setting unit 7 sets the condition of the image forming unit 1 according to the read image forming condition data.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2 and the charge corresponding to the calculated charge is collected by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

When the user sets the conditions by the image forming condition setting means 7, the setting condition data is temporarily stored in the memory 9.
Stored in. The stored data is the image forming condition data writing means 10 provided in the usage fee collecting means 3.
It is recorded on the prepaid card 6b which is the image forming condition recording medium 6 by the (image forming condition recording means).

As described above, by using the prepaid card 6b for paying the charge as the image forming condition recording medium 6, it is not necessary to provide the use charge collecting means 3 with the insertion opening 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6. In addition to simplification, the user certainly carries the image forming condition recording medium 6 when using the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 shows a second modification of the third embodiment, in which an IC card 6c for paying a usage fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium 6. The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided with only the insertion port 4 of the IC card 6c for fee payment, and the image forming condition data recorded in the IC card 6c for fee payment is provided inside the usage fee collecting means 3. The image forming condition setting unit 7 sets the condition of the image forming unit 1 according to the read image forming condition data.

The charge generated when the image forming means 1 is used is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge corresponding to the calculated charge is collected by the use charge collecting means 3.

After that, image formation is carried out by the image forming means 1.

When the user sets the conditions by the image forming condition setting means 7, the setting condition data is temporarily stored in the memory 9
Stored in. The stored data is recorded in the IC card 6c which is the image forming condition recording medium 6 by the image forming condition recording means provided in the usage fee collecting means 3.

Thus, the IC card 6c for paying the fee
By using as the image forming condition recording medium 6, it is not necessary to provide the use charge collecting means 3 with the insertion opening 5 dedicated to the image forming condition recording medium 6, and not only the apparatus can be simplified but also the user can form an image. When using the apparatus, it means that the image forming condition recording medium 6 is surely carried.

<Fourth Embodiment of the Invention> FIGS. 14 to 16
Shows Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In addition,
Regarding the same or equivalent parts as in the first embodiment,
The same reference numerals are given to the description.

First, referring to FIG. 14, reference numeral 1 is an image forming means such as a copying machine or a printer, and 2 is an image forming means.
Is a usage fee calculation means for the image forming means 1, and 3 is a usage fee collection means 3.

The usage fee collecting means 3 is provided with an insertion slot 4b for the prepaid card 6b so that the prepaid card 6b can be used for payment, and the prepaid card 6b is provided with a rewritable display section 11. There is.

Further, inside the usage fee collecting means 3,
A printing means 21 as shown in FIG. 15 for printing on the rewritable display portion 11 of the prepaid card 6b is provided.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the printing means 21 provided inside the usage charge collecting means 3, and the usage charge information calculated by the usage charge calculating means 2 and the detailed information thereof are stored directly or in a usage statement not shown. Is sent to the print head control means 22 via the means, and the print head control means 22 prints
The erasing head 23 is controlled to erase the past print information on the rewritable display section 11 provided on the prepaid card 6b, and at the same time, the usage statement 24 as shown in FIG. 16 is printed.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

The charge when the user uses the image forming means 1 is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2 and the charge is collected by the use charge collecting means 3.

The usage charge information calculated by the usage charge calculation means 2 and the detailed information thereof are sent to the print head control means 22 directly or via the usage detail storage means (not shown), and the print head control means 22 prints / erases. While controlling the head 23 to erase the past print information on the rewritable display section 11 provided on the prepaid card 6b, as shown in FIG.
The usage statement 24 as shown in 6 is printed.

As described above, the usage statement 2 relating to the image formation
4 is printed on the rewritable display section 11 provided on the prepaid card 6b, so that it is not necessary to use a sheet for fee printing, and it is possible to introduce a consumption tax and meet the needs of users to make a complicated fee. The contents can be notified to the user.

The contents and format of the usage statement 24 printed on the rewritable display section 11 are shown in FIG.
It is not limited to the example of.

The parts other than the above have the same constructions as in the above-mentioned respective embodiments, and the same actions and effects can be obtained.

<Modification> FIGS. 17 to 19 are modifications of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 17, 1 is an image forming means such as a copying machine or a printer, and 2 is a usage fee of the image forming means 1. The usage fee calculation means 3 for calculating is a usage fee collection means.

The usage fee collection means 3 is provided with an insertion slot 4b for the prepaid card 6b so that the prepaid card 6b can be used for payment, and the prepaid card 6b is provided with a rewritable display section 11. There is.

Furthermore, inside the usage fee collecting means 3,
A printing means 21 for printing on the rewritable display portion 11 of the prepaid card 6b as shown in FIG. 18 is provided.

A print data storing means 25 storing arbitrary character data and a print data editing means 26 such as a personal computer capable of editing the print data 27 stored in the print data storing means 25 are connectably provided. There is.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the printing means 21 provided inside the usage charge collection means 3, and the usage charge information calculated by the usage charge calculation means 2 and the detailed information thereof are sent to the print head control means 22. Then, the print head control means 22 controls the print / erase head 23 to make the prepaid card 6
While the past print information is erased on the rewritable display section 11 provided on b, the usage statement 24 as shown in FIG. 19 is printed. Further, the print data 27 stored in the print data storage means 25 is sent to the print head control means 22, and the print head control means 22 controls the print / erase head 23 to print the usage statement 24 on the rewritable display section 11. The print data 27 stored in the print data storage means 25 is printed in the margin portion of.

Next, the operation of the modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.

The charge when the user uses the image forming means 1 is calculated by the use charge calculating means 2, and the charge is collected by the use charge collecting means 3.

The usage charge information calculated by the usage charge calculation means 2 and the detailed information thereof are sent to the print head control means 22, and the print head control means 22 causes the print / erase head 2 to operate.
3 is controlled to erase past print information on the rewritable display section 11 provided on the prepaid card 6b,
The usage statement 24 as shown in FIG. 19 is printed. In addition, the print data 2 stored in the print data storage means 25 in the margin of the rewritable display unit 11 on which the usage statement 24 is printed.
Print 7.

The print data 27 stored in the print data storage means 25 can be appropriately edited by the print data editing means 26 such as a personal computer.

The print data 27 to be printed in the margin includes
Information is printed according to the character of each store. For example, if the installation location is a bookstore, the best-selling ranking information for the month may be printed, and if it is a convenience store, bargain information or the like may be printed.

As described above, the usage statement 2 relating to image formation
4 can be printed on the blank portion of the rewritable display unit 11 provided on the prepaid card 6b. For example, at a bookstore in which an image forming apparatus is installed, the best-selling information of a book or convenience store is displayed. In this case, by notifying the user of discount information and the like, it can be used for sales promotion of the store.

The contents and format of the usage statement 24 and print data 27 to be printed on the rewritable display section 11 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0124]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the image forming condition recorded on the image forming condition recording medium is read, and the image forming condition of the image forming means is set according to the read data. Since the setting is made, the user does not need to make the setting each time the image forming apparatus is used, and the functions of the image forming apparatus can be fully utilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the image forming condition recording means for recording the setting condition used for the image formation on the image forming condition recording medium is provided, the condition once set and reused can be reused. Will be easier. This is especially effective when complicated settings are made.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image forming condition recording means for recording the setting conditions used for image forming on the image forming condition recording medium and the image forming condition data recorded on the image forming condition recording medium are read. Since the image forming condition reading means for outputting is provided, it becomes easy to reuse the condition once set and used. This is especially effective when complicated settings are made.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the prepaid card used for payment of the fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium, the usage fee collecting means can be simplified and the prepaid card can be carried. At the same time, the image forming condition recording medium can be carried, and furthermore, the image forming condition data can be easily set.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the IC card used for payment of the fee is used as the image forming condition recording medium, the usage fee collecting means can be simplified and the IC card can be carried. At the same time, the image forming condition recording medium can be carried, and furthermore, the image forming condition data can be easily set.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the usage statement relating to the image formation is printed on the rewritable display portion provided on the prepaid card, so that the consumption tax is introduced without the need for paper for fee printing. It is possible to notify the user of the details of the fee that has become complicated by meeting the user's needs.

According to the invention of claim 7, any printing can be performed in the margin portion of the rewritable display portion provided on the prepaid card on which the usage statement concerning the image formation is printed. Therefore, for example, the image forming apparatus is installed. Some bookstores offer the best-selling information of books, and convenience stores can notify users of discount information, which can be used for sales promotion of stores. Can be demonstrated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a reading unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a first modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a second modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a writing unit of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a second modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a configuration diagram of a reading unit and a writing unit of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a first modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a second modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a configuration diagram of a printing unit of FIG.

16 is an example of printing by the printing unit of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a modified example of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of the printing unit in FIG.

FIG. 19 is an example of printing by the printing unit in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming means 2 Usage fee calculation means 3 usage fee collection means 6 Image forming condition recording medium 6b prepaid card 6c IC card 7 Image forming condition setting means 8 reading means (image forming condition reading means) 9 memory (image forming condition data storage means) 10 Writing means (image forming condition recording means) 11 Rewritable display section 21 printing means 24 Usage details 25 Print data storage means 26 Print data editing means (editing means) 27 print data

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06K 17/00 G03G 21/00 392 19/00 G06K 19/00 UF term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AP07 AR01 HX10 2C087 AA09 AA14 BA14 BB09 BB13 BC12 CB11 2H027 DE07 EJ06 EJ08 FD08 5B035 BB02 BB09 BC02 5B058 CA01 CA31 YA06

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming means, an image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, a usage charge calculating means for calculating a usage charge of the image forming means, and a usage charge for the image forming means. An image forming apparatus having a usage fee collecting means for collecting from a person, the image forming condition reading means for reading data of various conditions related to image formation recorded in an image forming condition recording medium. Forming equipment. 2. An image forming means, an image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, a usage charge calculating means for calculating a usage charge of the image forming means, and a usage charge for the image forming means. In an image forming apparatus provided with a usage fee collecting means for collecting from an operator, an image forming condition data storage means for temporarily storing various conditions for set image formation, and the data in an image forming condition recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming condition recording unit for recording. 3. An image forming means, an image forming condition setting means for setting various conditions for image formation, a usage charge calculating means for calculating a usage charge of the image forming means, and a usage charge for the image forming means. In an image forming apparatus provided with a usage fee collecting means for collecting from an operator, an image forming condition data storing means for temporarily storing various conditions for image forming set at the time of image forming, and the data for image forming. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming condition recording unit for recording on a condition recording medium; and an image forming condition reading unit for reading image forming condition data recorded on an image forming condition recording medium. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming condition recording medium is a prepaid card, and the usage fee collecting means is capable of collecting a fee by the prepaid card. . 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming condition recording medium is an IC card, and the charge collection means is capable of collecting charges by the IC card. . 6. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means; a usage fee calculating means for calculating a usage fee for image formation; and a usage fee collecting means for collecting a usage fee of the image forming means from a user, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the usage charge collecting means is capable of collecting charges by a prepaid card, and is provided with a printing means for printing a usage statement on a rewritable display portion of the prepaid card. 7. A print data storage means for storing arbitrary print data, and an editing means for editing the stored print data, wherein the printing means reads the print data from the print data storage means, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the print data can be printed on a blank portion of the rewritable display portion of the printed prepaid card.