Patent ID: 7600187
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus for communicating with a management apparatus for storing a plurality of electronic prepaid information, including at least balance information, and authentication information related to the plurality of electronic prepaid information respectively, and replaying to inquiry request for electronic prepaid information based on authentication information through a portable communication terminal storing authentication information, the image forming apparatus comprising: a connector to which the portable communication terminal is connected; a communication section for controlling the portable communication terminal connected to the connector, and controlling communication with the portable communication terminal and the management apparatus; a reading section for reading authentication information out of the portable communication terminal; an inquiry request section for sending the authentication information read by the reading section to the management apparatus through the communication section, and requesting the management apparatus to inquire the electronic prepaid information based on the authentication information; a receiving section for receiving the electronic prepaid information replied by the management apparatus requested to inquire by the inquiry request section through the communication section; an image forming control section for controlling whether to perform printing processing on a sheet or not on the basis of the electronic prepaid information received by the receiving section; an operation input section for inputting desired performance number of the image forming processing; an accounting section for accounting in a predetermined system according to an excess number of the desired performance number over a performable number, when the desired performance number inputted by the operation input section exceeds the performable number determined based on the balance information by the image forming control section; and a display for displaying at least one of an instruction to pay a shortfall accounted in the predetermined system according to the excess number by the accounting section, and an instruction to input the desired performance number of the image forming processing by the operation input section so as to prevent the shortfall from occurring, when the desired performance number inputted by the operation input section exceeds the performable number determined based on the balance information by the image forming control section; wherein the image forming control section determines the performable number of the image forming processing on the basis of the balance information and controls the image forming processing.