Patent ID: 7936471
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. An image formation apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus, the server apparatus transmitting image data to the image formation apparatus, and executing a charging procedure to determine an amount of money to be charged in accordance with an amount of images to be formed and output, the image formation apparatus comprising: an image data receiving unit configured to receive a predetermined amount of image data transmitted from the server apparatus each time the image data is transmitted; an image output unit configured to output images; a display unit configured to display a total amount of money required to output the received predetermined amount of image data with the image output unit and an amount of money allowed to be charged, an amount of money to be charged being variable through a user operation, when the image data receiving unit receives the predetermined amount of image data, wherein the display unit is configured to display the total amount of money as the total amount of money to be charged prior to receiving a user operation to change the amount of money to be charged, and the image output unit outputs images in accordance with the display unit displaying the amount of money to be charged if the image output unit outputs the images based on the received image data; a display updating unit configured to update the total amount of money and the amount of money to be charged displayed on the display unit with a total amount of money required to output the received predetermined amount of image data and next received predetermined amount of image data with the image output unit, when the image data receiving unit receives the next predetermined amount of image data, prior to receiving a user operation to change the amount of money to be charged; an input unit configured to receive an input command, which corresponds to a user input, and charge-allowed information, input by a user through the input unit, representing the amount of money which is allowed to be charged; a charge-allowed information storage configured to store the charge-allowed information; and an output control unit configured to control the image output unit in accordance with the input command, the output control unit causing the image output unit to output images corresponding to the amount of money indicated by the charge-allowed information stored in the charge-allowed information storage in response to the input command, wherein the input unit is configured to receive the charge-allowed information when the amount of money allowed to be charged, displayed on the display unit, is changed by a user operation, wherein, when the image data receiving unit receives a new predetermined amount of image data, the display updating unit updates the total amount of money with a total amount of money including an amount of money required to output the new predetermined amount of image data, while the amount of money allowed to be charged, which has been changed through the input unit, is left unchanged, and wherein, when the image output unit has output the images corresponding to the amount of money indicated by the charge-allowed information, the output control unit causes the image output unit to stop outputting the images.