Method of and device for charging for copies made on a copying machine

Abstract: A method of and device for charging for copies made on a copying machine (12), by means of one of a number of accounting devices (3, 5, 7) being connectable to the copying machine (12) at the same time separately of one another. Charging is effected on the last accounting device (3; 5; 7) to be connected. To this end, the device is provided with a priority value counter (30, 31, 32) at each connection point (2, 4, 6). A priority value counter (30; 31; 32) is set to a highest priority value ("3") whenever an accounting device (3, 5 or 7 respectively) is connected to the associated connection point (2, 4 or 6 respectively) and is then set to a lower priority value ("2" or "1") when an accounting device (5; 7; 3) is connected to one of the other connection points (4; 6; 2).

Description: This invention relates to a method of charging for copies made on a copying machine, by means of different accounting devices being connectable to the copying machine separately of one another. A method of this kind is known from US-A-4 519 088 in which a method is described in which different types of accounting devices can be connected and, when connected, are each adapted to be used for rendering the connected copying machine activatable. In the known method, when it is required to change over from a first type of accounting device to a second type of accounting device in order to charge for the copies, it is a disadvantage that the connection to the first accounting device has to be broken in order to prevent the charges from being made both against the first and the second accounting device. The object of this invention is to provide a method according to the preamble without this objection, together with a device for performing said method. According to the invention, this object is attained in that in a method according to the preamble, when two or more accounting devices are connected at the same time only a predetermined accounting device of the connected accounting devices is rendered activatable, and the other connected devices are rendered inactivatable. Consequently, no charge is made against accounting devices other than the predetermined one, even if the accounting devices remain connected. In one attractive embodiment of a method according to the invention, only that accounting device which is the last one connected out of the connected accounting devices is rendered activatable as a predetermined accounting device. Consequently, only one of the connected accounting devices is debited even if the other accounting devices remain connected. In a device for performing the method according to the invention, which device is adapted to be coupled to a copying machine and is provided with a number of connection points to each of which an accounting device is connectable, control means are provided for rendering activatable the specific accounting device of the connected accounting devices, the control means comprising a number of priority value counters each corresponding to a different connection point, and counter setting means which set a priority value counter to a highest priority value when a connection is made between the connection point corresponding to said priority value counter and an accounting device, which counter setting means set the priority value counter to a lower priority value whenever, on connection of an accounting device to a connection point corresponding to said priority value counter, a connection is made between another connection point and an accounting device and set said priority value counter to a priority value 0 when the connection between the connection point corresponding to said priority value counter and an accounting device is broken, said device also comprising switching means for rendering activatable, during copying, that accounting device which is connected to that connection point whose associated priority value counter has the highest priority value. Consequently, simple means ensure that it is possible to determine which of the connected accounting devices is to be debited, i.e., whichever was the last one connected out of the connected accounting devices. US-A-4 669 596 discloses a method of charging for items to be vended by means of a coin-operated device and a coded card device connectable to a vending machine at the same time. When both devices are connected and operated, by inserting a coin in the coin-operated device and a card in the coded card device, both devices are actived in combination in that the amount of the inserted coin is added to the amount of the recorded credit on the card and, subsequently, the amount to be charged is subtracted from the totalized credit on the card. The invention will be explained in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a device according to the invention having three connection points for different types of accounting devices, Figures 2A and 2B are flow diagrams on respective make and break of a connection at the first connection point. Figures 3A and 3B are flow diagrams on respective make and break of a connection at the second connection point. Figures 4A and 4B are flow diagrams on respective make and break of a connection at the third connection point. The device 1 represented in Fig. 1 is provided with a connector 2 as the connection point for connecting a key counter 3 to the device 1, a connector 4 as the connection point for connecting a coin-operated mechanism 5 to the device 1, and a connector 6 as the connection point for connecting a magnetic card reader 7 to the device 1. When coupled to connector 2, key counter 3 produces a connection by means of input level signal 8. In a manner to be described hereinafter, this input level signal 8 can be converted, by control means 9 in the device 1 by means of a setting switch 10, to an output level signal 11 which is fed to a copying machine 12 coupled to the device 1. Copying machine 12 is adapted to start making a copy only when it receives an output level signal 11. Whenever the copying machine 12 has made a copy it delivers an output pulse signal 13. When key counter 3 is activated, which activation will be explained in detail hereinafter, control means 9 convert the output pulse signal 13 via a setting switch 14 to an output pulse signal 15 which is fed to the key counter 3. In response to a received output pulse signal 15, the instantaneous count of a counter 16 in the key counter 3 is increased by one. When coupled to connector 4, coin-operated mechanism 5 produces a connection by means of input level signal 18 only if at least one coin 19 has been inserted into the mechanism 5. Under the conditions to be described hereinafter the output level signal 18 can be converted, by the control device 9 by means of setting switch 10, to an output level signal 11 which is fed to the copying machine 12 coupled to the device 1. When the copying machine 12 has produced a copy in response, it delivers an output pulse signal 13. One or more copies can be made depending upon the value of the coin or coins 19 inserted. If the coin-operated mechanism 5 is adapted to make one copy per coin, then mechanism 5 delivers an output level signal 18 only during a period sufficient for starting the making of a copy. When the copying machine 12 has made the relevant copy, it delivers an output pulse signal 13. In a manner which will be explained hereinafter, the control means 9 can convert said output signal 13, via setting switch 14, to an output pulse signal 20 which is delivered to the coin-operated mechanism 5. In response to the reception of an output pulse signal 20 the inserted coin 19 is processed (drops) and the coin-operated mechanism 5 is released for the insertion of a subsequent coin. If the coin-operated mechanism 5 is adapted to make a specific number of copies per inserted coin 19, then the output level signal 18 remains present for a period sufficient for starting the making of said number of copies and coin 19 does not drop until the number of pulse signals delivered agrees with that specific number of copies. Coin-operated mechanism 5 can also be adapted to return inserted coins which have not been processed after the required number of copies have been made. Coin-operated mechanism 5 can also be constructed as an automatic change machine which returns a quantity of coins to a value equivalent to the difference between the value of the inserted coins and the relevant charge for the copies made. In all the embodiments of the coin-operated mechanism 5 described above, the coin-operated mechanism 5 connected to connector 4 generates an output level signal 18, however, when there is at least one unprocessed coin 19 in the mechanism 5. When magnetic card reader 7 is coupled to connector 6 it does not produce a connection by means of input level signal 22 until a magnetic card 23 on which a specific copying credit is recorded is located in the magnetic card reader 7. Under the conditions to be described hereinafter, the input level signal 22 is converted, by the control means 9 by means of setting switch 10, to an output level signal 11 which is fed to the copying machine 12 coupled to the device. Each time the copying machine in response thereto has made a copy it delivers an output pulse signal 13. When the magnetic card reader 7 is activated, in the manner to be explained hereinafter, the control means 9 convert said output pulse signal 13, via the setting switch 14, to an output pulse signal 24 which is fed to the magnetic card reader 7. In response to the reception of an output pulse signal the magnetic card reader 7 reduces the recorded copying credit. When the recorded credit runs out, the input level signal 22 disappears. Since subsequent copies may be undergoing processing already at the time when the recorded credit runs out, in which case such copies cannot be debited, the input level signal 22 disappears already at a time the recorded credit has still a value corresponding to the number of copies which can be undergoing processing in the copying machine 12 simultaneously. This number can be fed in the form of a signal 25 to the magnetic card reader 7. The circuit for determining which of the input level signals 8, 18 and 22 is to be transmitted as an input level signal 11 and for determining which of the output pulse signals 15, 20 and 24 is to be transmitted as an output pulse signal 13, will now be explained. To this end, the control means 9 comprise a priority value counter 30 corresponding to connector 2, a priority value counter 31 corresponding to connector 4, and a priority value counter 32 corresponding to connector 6. Counter setting means 33 can set each counter 30, 31 and 32 to a value 0, a value 1, a value 2, or a value 3. If no accounting device is connected to a connector 2, 4 or 6, the counter setting means 33 set the counter associated with that connector to 0. The counter setting means 33 receive signals 35, 36 and 37 corresponding to the input level signals 8, 18 and 22. At the time when an accounting device, 3, 5 or 7, is connected to a connector 2, 4 or 6 respectively, and an associated signal 35, 36 or 37 is present, the counter setting means 33 set the counter associated with the appropriate connector to a value 3 and the counter setting means 33 lower the value of the counters associated with the other two connectors by 1, at least in so far as a signal 35, 36 or 37 is emitted by the other connectors. If this is not the case, the counters associated with the other two connectors remain at a value 0. Control means 9 also comprise a comparator circuit 40, to which signals 41, 42 and 43 are fed, which represent the counts of the counters 30, 31 and 32. Comparator circuit 40 compares the signals 41, 42 and 43 and on the basis of the result thereof can deliver a signal 44 to setting switch 10 in order to transmit as the output level signal 11 that output level signal of the possibly present input level signals 8, 18 and 22 whose associated counter (30, 31 or 32) has the value 3. Also on the basis of the result of comparison of the signals 41, 42 and 43, comparator circuit 40 can deliver a signal 45 to the setting switch 14 for transmitting output pulse signal 13 as output pulse signal 15, 20 or 24 to that connector (2, 4 or 6) whose associated counter (30, 31 or 32) has the value 3. In this way an output pulse signal will always enter at the same connector as that from which the transmitted input level signal originated. A blocking signal 46 originating from the copying machine 12 coupled to the device 1, is also fed to the comparator circuit 40. In response to the reception of that signal 46 the circuit 40 blocks any change in the delivered signals 44 and 45. Blocking signal 46 is generated in the copying machine 12 directly after the copying machine has been started by operation of a copying button intended for the purpose. The blocking signal remains present until the next operation of the copying button. Thus it is only on each operation of the copying button that the blocking for the change of the signals 44 and 45 is briefly eliminated. The effect of this is that if a credit on the activated accounting device runs out during the execution of a copying run comprising a number of copies (such run being automatically executed after operation of the copying button), the remaining copies are not unintentionally charged to another connected accounting device. An intermediate copying run executed during an interruption of a current copying run can be charged to another accounting device connected only during the interruption, because the execution of such an intermediate copying run starts by operation of the copying button. The operation of the device represented in Fig. 1 and described hereinabove is explained in further detail by means of the flow diagrams in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The flow diagram respresented in Fig. 2A describes the changes of the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon the connection of the accounting device 3. When accounting device 3 is connected (step 100) the associated counter 30 is set to a value 3 (step 101). After this the current priority value of the counter 31 is determined. If the priority value of this counter is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 102-105). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) or 0 (accounting device not present) no decrement is necessary. In steps 106 and 107 the current priority value of counter 3 is determined. If the priority value of this counter is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 108-109). The flow diagram represented in Fig. 2B describes the changes in the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon disconnection of accounting device 3. When this accounting device is disconnected the associated counter 30 is set to a priority value 0 (steps 151-156). The other counters 31 and 32 are then adjusted if necessary (steps 157-164). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) the other counters 31 and 32 are not adjusted (step 165). If counter 31 has a priority value 1 (step 157) or 2 (step 158) the value is incremented by 1 to 2 (step 159) or 3 (step 160) respectively. When the counter 31 has a priority value of 0,1 or 3 the counter is not adjusted. Then the other counter 32 is adjusted if necessary. If counter 32 has a priority value of 1 (step 161) or 2 (step 162) the value of counter 32 is incremented by 1 (step 163 and step 164). If the priority value is 0 or 3 then the value is not adjusted. The flow diagram represented in Fig. 3A describes the changes of the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon the connection of the accounting device 5. When accounting device 5 is connected (step 200) the associated counter 31 is set to a value 3 (step 201). After this the current priority value of the counter 30 is determined. If the priority value of this counter is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 202-205). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) or 0 (accounting device not present) no decrement is necessary. In steps 206 and 207 the current priority value of counter 32 is determined. If the priority value of this counter is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 208-209). The flow diagram represented in Fig. 3B describes the changes in the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon disconnection of accounting device 5. When this accounting device is disconnected the associated counter 31 is set to a priority value 0 (steps 251-256). The other counters 30 and 32 and then adjusted if necessary (steps 257-264). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) the other counters 30 and 32 are not adjusted (step 265). If counter 30 has a priority value 1 (step 257) or 2 (step 258) the value is incremented by 1 to 2 (step 259) or 3 (step 260) respectively. When the counter 30 has a priority value of 0, 1 or 3 the counter is not adjusted. Then the other counter 32 is adjusted if necessary. If counter 32 has a priority value of 1 (step 261) or 2 (step 262) the value of counter 32 is incremented by 1 (step 263 and step 264). If the priority value is 0 or 3 then the value is not adjusted. The flow diagram represented in Fig. 4A describes the changes in the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon the connection of accounting device 7. When accounting device 7 is connected (step 300) the associated counter 3 is set to a value 3 (step 301). After this the current priority value of the counter 30 is determined. If the priority value of this counter 30 is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 302-305). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) or 0 (accounting device not present) no decrement is necessary. In steps 306 and 307 the current priority value of counter 31 is determined. If the priority value of this counter is 2 or 3 the priority value is decremented by 1 (steps 308-309). The flow diagram represented in Fig. 4B describes the changes in the priority counter values of the counters 30, 31 and 32 of the device of Fig. 1 upon disconnection of accounting device 7. When this accounting device is disconnected the associated counter 32 is set to a priority value 0 (steps 351-356). The other counters 30 and 31 are then adjusted if necessary (steps 357-364). If the priority value is 1 (lowest priority) the other counters 30 and 31 are not adjusted (step 365). If counter 30 has a priority value 1 (step 357) or 2 (step 358) the value is incremented by 1 to 2 (step 359) or 3 (step 360) respectively. When the counter 30 has a priority value of 0, 1 or 3 the counter is not adjusted. Then the other counter 31 is adjusted if necessary. If counter 31 has a priority value of 1 (step 361) or 2 (step 362) the value of counter 31 is incremented by 1 (step 363 and step 364). If the priority value is 0 or 3 then the value is not adjusted.

Claims: A method of charging for copies made on a copying machine (12), by means of different accounting devices (3, 5, 7) connectable to the copying machine (12) separately of one another, characterised in that when two or more accounting devices (3, 5 and/or 7) are connected at the same time, a predetermined accounting device (3;5;7) of the connected accounting devices (3, 5 and/or 7) is rendered activatable and the other connected devices are rendered inactivatable. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that only that accounting device (3; 5; 7) which is the last one connected out of the connected accounting devices (3, 5 and/or 7) is rendered activatable as a predetermined accounting device. A device for performing the method according to claim 1 or 2, which device (1) is adapted to be coupled to a copying machine (12) and is provided with a number of connection points (2, 4, 6) to each of which an accounting device (3; 5; 7) is connectable, characterised in that control means (9) are present for rendering activatable the specific accounting device (3; 5; 7) of the connected accounting devices (3, 5 and/or 7) and the other connected devices are rendered inactivatable. A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the control means (9) comprise a number of priority value counters (30, 31, 32) each corresponding to a different connection point (2, 4 or 6 respectively), and counter setting means (33) which set a priority value counter to a highest priority value ("3") when a connection is made between the connection point (2, 4 or 6 respectively) corresponding to said priority value counter (30, 31, 32) and an accounting device (3, 5 or 7 respectively), which counter setting means set said priority value counter to a lower priority value ("2" or "1") whenever, on connection of an accounting device (3, 5 or 7) to a connection point (2, 4 or 6) corresponding to said priority value counter (30, 31 or 32), a connection is made between another connection point (2, 4 or 6) and an accounting device (3, 5 or 7) and set said priority value counter (30, 31 or 32) to a priority value 0 when the connection between the connection point (2, 4 or 6) corresponding to said priority value counter (30, 31 or 32) and an accounting device (3, 5 or 7) is broken, said device (1) also comprising switching means (40) for rendering activatable, during copying, that accounting device which is connected to that connection point (2, 4 or 6) whose associated priority value counter (30, 31 or 32) has the highest priority value ("3"). A device according to claim 3 or 4, in which at least one (3; 5; 7) of the connectable accounting devices is of the type by means of which a debitable credit can be recorded, characterised in that the control means (9) are adapted to receive a blocking signal (46) originating from a copying machine (12) coupled to the device, and in that the control means (9) in response to reception of said blocking signal (46) prevent switching over to another connected accounting device (5; 7; 3).

Inventors: SIMONS PETER JOHANNES JOSEPHUS, SIMONS, PETER JOHANNES JOSEPHUS MARIE
Applicants: OCE NEDERLAND BV, OCE-NEDERLAND B.V.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G07F17
IPC codes: G07F17, G03G21, G07F7