Patent Publication Number: US-8543026-B2

Title: Terminal device, printing charging system, and method for charging printing costs

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 2008-25310, filed Mar. 19, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a terminal device, a printing charging system, and a method of charging printing costs, and more particularly, to a terminal device that charges users individually for printing costs when printing is performed, a printing charging system, and a method of charging printing costs. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, when a person wishes to print a document using a public image forming apparatus (such as in a public office or a computer laboratory in a university), the person pays printing costs. In this case, the person may print several copies of a single document, for example, for several friends if the document is a handout for study. Accordingly, the person pays printing costs for the friends as well as his or her own costs. Thus, the person may have to approach his or her friends and receive the money from them. 
     In particular, since printing costs are proportional to the number of printed sheets and printing costs for a single sheet are relatively small, the person who performs printing has to frequently receive coins. Therefore, an inconvenience arises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention provide a terminal device that improves user convenience by charging users for printing costs when printing is performed, a printing charging system, and a method of charging printing costs. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging printing costs using a printing charging system that is connected to an image forming apparatus, the method including: setting printing costs for each of a plurality of people for a single print job; generating print data for each person, of the plurality of people, based on the set printing costs; and transmitting the generated print data to the image forming apparatus. 
     The method may further include notifying each person of the set printing costs, and receiving user confirmation of the printing costs. 
     The transmitting of the print data may include, if user confirmation of the printing costs is completed, the printing data for each person for whom confirmation is completed is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. 
     The user confirmation may include authenticating whether a person, of the plurality of people, is entitled to print material, and receiving approval from the authenticated person regarding the set printing costs. 
     The method may further include discarding print data of a person if the person does not confirm the printing costs within a predetermined period of time. 
     The transmitting of the print data may include transmitting the generated print data to a charging server, and transmitting the printing data from the charging server to the image forming apparatus if user confirmation is completed. 
     The method may further include displaying a charging state of the printing costs for each person. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device that is connected to an image forming apparatus, the terminal device including: a user interface to receive settings of printing costs for each of a plurality of people; a controller to generate print data for each person, of the plurality of people, based on the printing costs set by the user interface; and an interface to transmit the generated print data to the image forming apparatus. 
     The controller may notify each person of the set printing costs. 
     The controller may transmit the generated print data to the image forming apparatus if the person confirms the set printing costs. 
     The user interface may generate a user interface window to display a charging state of the printing costs for each person. 
     The user interface may generate a user interface window including a first area to input information on the plurality of people who share the printing costs, and a second area to input a ratio for sharing the printing costs for each person. 
     The user interface may generate a user interface window including an area to input a number of copies, a printing range, and/or a printing method for each person. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing charging system for an image forming apparatus, the printing charging system including: a terminal device to set printing costs for each person, and to generate print data for each person based on the set printing costs, and a charging server to receive the set printing costs and the generated print data, and to transmit the generated print data to the image forming apparatus if the person confirms the set printing costs. 
     The terminal device may transmit the generated print data to the charging server if the person confirms the set printing costs. 
     The terminal device may transmit the print data for each person to the image forming apparatus. 
     The terminal device may display a charging state of the printing costs for each person. 
     The charging server may notify each person of the set printing costs. 
     The charging server may store the received printing data, and may discard the stored printing data after a predetermined period of time. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of charging printing costs for an image forming apparatus, the method including: setting printing costs for each of a plurality of people in a terminal device that generates print data for the plurality of people. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device that is connected to an image forming apparatus, the terminal device including: a controller to set printing costs for each of a plurality of people, and to generate print data for the plurality of people. 
     Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a printing charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart of a method of charging printing costs using the terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method of charging printing costs using the printing charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5 to 9  illustrate a configuration of a user interface window that is displayed on the terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a printing charging system  1000  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the printing charging system  1000  includes a terminal device  100  and a charging server  200 . If a print command is input, the terminal device  100  receives settings to charge printing costs for each person, and generates printing data for each person based on the settings. Detailed configuration and operation of the terminal device  100  is described herein with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of the terminal device  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the terminal device  100  includes an interface  110 , a user interface (UI)  120 , a driver  130 , and a controller  140 . The UI  120  includes a plurality of operation keys so that the user can set or select diverse operations of the terminal device  100 . Furthermore, the UI  120  displays diverse information provided by the terminal device  100 . The UI  120  may be implemented as a device, such as a touch pad, that simultaneously implements input and output operations. Conversely or additionally, the UI may include numerous devices for input and output (such as a mouse and a monitor). Accordingly, the user can set printing costs for each person using a UI window provided by the UI  120 . A detailed description of the UI window is given below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the configuration of a UI window to set whether to perform printing charging according to each person according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the UI window  500  includes a first area  510  to select a driver of an image forming apparatus, and a second area  520  to display information on the selected image forming apparatus. The second area  520  displays the state, location, IP address, and type of the selected image forming apparatus, though it is understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, according to other aspects, the second area  520  displays only the state and/or location or additionally displays other characteristic information of the selected image forming apparatus. The first area  510  displays a list of image forming apparatuses that are connected to the terminal device  100 . More specifically, if printing charging according to each person is not to be applied, the user selects a general driver  511  so that printing costs are charged to the user without printing charging according to each person. If printing charging according to each person is to be applied, the user selects a driver  512  to divide printing costs according to each person in the first area  510  so that setting printing costs for each person can be performed. 
     In the UI window  500  of  FIG. 5 , the general driver  511  is set as a default driver, though it is understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the driver  512  to divide printing costs may be set as the default driver. In addition, it is understood that the UI window  500  may decide whether to perform printing charging according to each person using different forms and/or different manners than the selecting of a driver. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a configuration of a UI window for setting a ratio of dividing printing costs according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 6 , a UI  600  includes items to select a “charge ratio,” a “copy,” a “printing range,” and a “printing method.” Furthermore, each item includes a first area to input information on a plurality of people that share printing costs, and a second area to input a ratio, copies, a page range, and/or a printing method according to each item. 
     According to aspects of the present invention, are a variety of methods to set printing costs for the plurality of people are provided. Here, a method to set printing costs using a “charge ratio” is described with reference to  FIG. 6 . In a method to set printing costs using the “charge ratio,” printing costs are charged in a ratio for charging for each person. In more detail, if the user selects the “charge ratio” option  610 , selects people with which to share printing costs in the first area, and inputs a charge ratio for each person in the second area, the UI  120  calculates and sets printing costs for each selected person using the total printing costs and the input charge ratio. In  FIG. 6 , the charge ratio is expressed as a percentage, though it is understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the charge ratio may be expressed as a fraction or a proportional expression. 
     A method to set printing costs using the “copy” option allows printing costs to be charged differently according to the number of copies for each person. In more detail, if the user selects the “copy” option  620 , selects people with which to share printing costs in the first area, and inputs the number of copies according to each person in the second area, the UI  120  calculates and sets printing costs for each person using the total number of pages and the input number of copies for each person. 
     A method to set printing costs using the “printing range” option allows printing costs to be charged differently according to the printing range for each person. In more detail, if the user selects the “printing range” option  630 , selects people with which to share printing costs in the first area, and inputs the printing range for each person in the second area, the UI  120  calculates and sets printing costs for each person using the input printing range for each person. 
     A method to set printing costs using the “printing method” option allows printing costs to be charged differently according to the printing methods of each person. In more detail, if the user selects the “printing method” option  640 , selects people with which to share printing costs in the first area, and inputs a printing method (such as color printing, a size of paper (for example, A4, A3, B5, B4, etc.), and a type of print medium (for example, ordinary paper, color-dedicated paper, overhead projector (OHP) paper, etc.) for each person in the second area, the UI  120  calculates and sets printing costs for each person using the input printing method for each person. Moreover, it is understood that one or more of the above described methods (i.e., charge ratio, copy, printing range, and printing method) can be concurrently selected, so printing costs for each person can be calculated using the charge ratio, copies, printing range, and/or printing method input in the second areas. Furthermore, it is understood that other and/or additional options to set printing charges can be provided according to other aspects. For example, printing charges can be set according to a printing order in other aspects. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the UI  120  calculates printing costs for each person using information input by the user, and displays the information on the UI window  600 . Furthermore, the UI  120  may generate a UI window that displays a charging state of printing costs. Such a UI window will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 9 . 
     The driver  130  converts a print document into print data in a printable format in order to print the print document generated, for example, using an application program. In this case, the user can set printing conditions using an operation provided by the driver  130  and/or the application program. Such a driver  130  may be included in the controller  140 . 
     The controller  140  generates print data for each person based on printing costs set via the UI  120 . The printing costs may include information on a person, the number of copies according to the person, the printing range, and/or the printing method, which are set by the user using the UI window  600 . In more detail, the controller  140  controls the driver  130  to generate print data for each person based on corresponding option inputs that are included in the information on printing costs. For example, if the user selects the “printing range” in the UI window  600  and sets pages  1 - 25  for user  1  and pages  26 - 50  for user  2 , the controller  140  generates print data  1  by converting pages  1 - 25 , and generates print data  2  by converting pages  26 - 50 . In addition, the controller  140  generates print data for each person by applying different printing options according to each person. For example, if the user selects the “printing method” in the UI window  600 , and sets color printing and paper of A4 size for user  1  and mono printing and paper of B5 size for user  2 , the controller  140  generates print data  1  by converting a printing document in color printing and paper of A4 size, and generates print data  2  by converting the printing document in mono printing and paper of B5 size. 
     The interface  110  is connected to the charging server  200  and provides the charging server  200  with the set printing costs and the generated print data. More specifically, the interface  110  connects the terminal device  100  to an external device, and may be implemented as a parallel port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a wireless module, etc. Also, the interface  110  may be connected locally to the image forming apparatus  300  and, thus, can directly provide the image forming apparatus  300  with print data. 
     If the set printing costs are confirmed, the interface  110  receives information indicating that user confirmation is performed from the charging server  200 , and transmits the generated print data to the charging server  200 . In this case, the interface  110  may transmit print data for each person to the charging server  200  as each corresponding person confirms the printing costs. Alternatively, the interface  110  may collectively transmit all of the print data to the charging server  200  after all of the people confirm the printing costs. It is understood that according to other aspects, the confirmation is omitted from the method of setting printing costs. 
     The charging server  200  receives the printing costs and print data set for each person from the terminal device  100 , and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus  300  so as to print the print data. In greater detail, if the confirmation has already been performed, the charging server  200  transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus  300  so that the print data can be directly printed. When confirmation is performed by the terminal device  100 , the charging server  200  provides the terminal device  100  with information used for user authentication. Conversely, if confirmation is not yet performed by the terminal device  100 , the charging server  200  transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus  300  after the person confirms the printing costs. It is understood that, according to other aspects, the terminal device  100  or a different server may transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus, for example, after receiving a confirmation from the charging server. 
     In order to perform authentication of the selected people, the charging server  200  notifies all of the selected people of the set printing costs and requests that each person confirms the printing costs. Such a notification may be performed using a display, an external transmission, electronic mail, and/or a short messaging service (SMS). Furthermore, such a notification can be performed when printing is completed or when authentication of the persons is performed. More specifically, while performing authentication, the charging server  200  confirms whether a person who is currently performing authentication is an appropriate person to whom printing costs are distributed, using pre-stored information and information on the printing costs for each person that the terminal device  200  receives. Such a user authentication is similar to a user authentication generally performed in a network. 
     Subsequently, the charging server  200  requests that the authenticated person approve the charged printing costs. In greater detail, if printing is to be interrupted because printing costs of a person are incorrectly set or a printing range is incorrectly set, the person can deny the request of the charging server  200  so that the set printing costs are not charged. In this case, the charging server  200  cancels the printing operation for the person in response to the denial by the person. 
     In addition, the charging server  200  stores print data for each person and information on printing costs for each person. More specifically, if a person does not confirm a request to approve printing costs within a predetermined time period (such as two or three days) after the request to approve printing costs is made, the printing operation for the person is cancelled and stored print data is deleted. In this case, however, printing operations of other people can be maintained, so as not to be delayed. Furthermore, since print data is stored during the predetermined time period (for example, two or three days), user convenience is increased (for example, when the user desires in cancelling the operation or wishing to directly receive a printed document). 
     The image forming apparatus  300  receives and prints the print data. Examples of the image forming apparatus  300  include copiers, printers, facsimile machines, and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) incorporating operations of such abovementioned devices into a single device. 
     As described above, the printing charging system  1000  can set printing costs for each person, so a primary user does not personally charge each person the corresponding printing costs. In addition, settings of printing costs and other operations can be performed through the network, so user convenience can be improved. Furthermore, since the printing charging system  1000  generates and outputs print data for each person, and performs authentication and confirmation of each person, secure printing is guaranteed. 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the printing charging system includes the terminal device  100  and the charging server  200 . However, it is understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, the charging server  200  may include the operations of the terminal device  100  and perform all of the above-described operations of the printing charging system  1000 , and vice versa. In addition, all of the operations of the printing charging system  1000  can be provided as a printer driver or a separate application. Moreover, in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  300  is connected locally to the charging server  200 . According to other aspects, the image forming apparatus  300  may be connected to the terminal device  100  locally or via a network. In addition, the image forming apparatus  300  may be connected to the terminal device  100  or the charging server  200  through a wired and/or wireless connection. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart of a method of charging printing costs using the terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , if a printing command is input in operation S 310 , printing costs for each person are set in operation S 320 . In greater detail, if a command to print a print document is input, information on a plurality of people that share printing costs, and a ratio of printing costs, copies, a page range, and/or a printing method for each person (as described above) are input in order to set printing costs for each person. Accordingly, printing costs for each person can be set using a “charge ratio,” a “copy,” a “printing range,” and/or a “printing method.” Detailed operations using such methods have been described above with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     A person share printing costs may be selected when receiving authentication of the person. The process of selecting people that share printing costs is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 9 .  FIGS. 7 to 9  illustrate a configuration of a user interface window describing user authentication according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the UI window  700  includes a first area  710  to select people that share printing costs and a second area  720  to display selected persons. In greater detail, if the user inputs or selects a name of a person in the first area  710 , information on the person pre-stored in a database corresponding to the name is displayed in a certain area of the UI window  700 . Accordingly, the user can select a printing user that shares printing costs using the displayed information. A person can be selected using a unique identification of the person (such as a corporate identification (ID) number or a school ID number other than the name). In this case, information on the person may be implemented to be directly selected instead of being displayed in the UI window. 
     If the user selects a person, a UI window  740  through which the selected person authenticates whether to share printing costs is displayed. The selected person may be authenticated by inputting an ID and a password that are preset by the selected person or by requesting authentication and approval of the selected person through the network. In order to request authentication and approval of the selected person through the network, a timeout is set, so authentication and approval can be performed during a certain period of time. However, it is understood that aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, alternatively, authentication and approval of the selected person can be performed by reading information of the ID card of the selected person using a radio frequency (RF) terminal. If there is an additional person to be selected, the above process is repeated. 
     The second area  720  to display selected persons displays a charging state of printing costs. With reference to  FIG. 9 , a charging state of printing costs is expressed as “approved,” “authenticated,” “requested,” “request timeout,” or “disapproved” in the second area  720 . “Approved” indicates that a person has authenticated printing operation and approved the set printing costs. “Authenticated” indicates that a person has only authenticated a printing operation. “Requested” indicates that authentication and approval of a person are requested but the person has not authenticated the printing operation yet. “Request timeout” indicates that a person has not authenticated the printing operation within the preset time. “Disapproved” indicates that a person has authenticated printing operation but has denied the set printing costs. 
     The user can request re-authentication of a person who has not authenticated printing operation by selecting a re-request area  750  based on the displayed charging state of printing costs. If authentication of all of the people is completed or if authentication of a currently selected person is completed, printing costs of the people or the person can be set as described in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , based on the set printing costs, print data for each person is generated in operation S 330 . The printing costs may include information on a person, the number of copies according to the person, the printing range, and/or the printing method, which are set by the user using the UI window  600 . Print data for each person is generated based, for example, on the number of copies and the printing range included in the printing costs information. In this case, print data can be generated by applying different printing options for each person. 
     Next, converted print data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus  300  in operation S 340  and printed in operation S 350 . As a result, printing costs are charged differently according to each person. A person may be notified of printing costs via a display, an external transmission, mail, and/or SMS. Therefore, in such a method of charging printing costs, since the printing costs are set when performing printing, a primary user does not personally receive the printing costs from other persons after printing is completed, resulting in improved user convenience. In addition, setting of printing costs and other operations are performed through the network, so the user convenience is increased. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a flowchart of a method of charging printing costs using a printing charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , if a printing command is input in operation S 410 , printing costs for each person are set in operation S 420 . In greater detail, if a command to print a printing document is input, information on a plurality of people that share printing costs, and a ratio of printing costs, copies, a page range, and/or a printing method for each person (as described above) are input in order to set printing costs for each person. Accordingly, printing costs for each person can be set using a “charge ratio,” a “copy,” a “printing range,” and/or a “printing method.” Detailed operations using such methods have been described above with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Subsequently, based on the set printing costs, print data for each person is generated in operation S 430 . The printing costs may include information on a person, the number of copies according to the person, the printing range, and/or the printing method, which are set by the user using the UI window  600 . Print data for each person is generated based, for example, on the number of copies and the printing range included in the printing costs information. In this case, print data can be generated by applying different printing options for each person. 
     The generated print data and the printing costs for each person are transmitted to the charging server  200  in operation S 440 . Alternatively, only the printing costs for each person are transmitted to the charging server  200 , and then print data is transmitted to the charging server  200  after user authentication is performed or transmitted to a separate server or directly to the image forming apparatus  300 . 
     Next, each person is notified of the set printing costs in operation S 450 . In detail, the set printing costs can be transmitted to the persons to request user confirmation using a display, an external transmission, electronic mail, and/or SMS. 
     Accordingly, each person confirms the charged printing costs in operation S 460 . Specifically, in the confirmation, the charging server  200  confirms whether a person who is currently performing confirmation is an appropriate person to whom printing costs are distributed. If the person is an appropriate person, the charged printing costs are confirmed by requesting approval of the charged printing costs. If the printing costs of the person are incorrectly set or a printing range is incorrectly set, the person can deny the request so that the set printing costs are not charged to the person. In contrast, if the set printing costs are appropriate, the request to approve the printing costs is confirmed and, thus, printing is performed. 
     The confirmation is performed within a preset time in operation S 470 . If a person does not confirm a request to approve printing costs in the preset time (for example, two or three days) after the request to approve printing costs is made, the printing operation for the person is cancelled and stored printing data is deleted. In this case, however, printing operations of other persons can be maintained, so that printing operations of other persons is not delayed. Furthermore, since print data is stored during the predetermined time period (for example, two or three days), user convenience, for example, in not confirming the operation or when wanting to directly receive a printed document can be guaranteed. 
     Even though operations S 410  to S 470  are described above using the terminal device  100  and the charging server  200 , it is understood that according to other aspects, the operations of the charging server  200  can be incorporated into the terminal device  100  such that the terminal device  100  perform operations S 410  to S 470 , and vice versa. As described above, since printing costs are distributed according to each person, user convenience can be improved. 
     Aspects of the present invention can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. Also, codes and code segments to accomplish the present invention can be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system or computer code processing apparatus. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Aspects of the present invention may also be realized as a data signal embodied in a carrier wave and comprising a program readable by a computer and transmittable over the Internet. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.