JPH07129270A - Copyright information copy system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] When copying copyrighted information, inform the user that the information is copyrighted and the information acquisition fee. Further, the copyright holder can easily collect the copyright fee. [Structure] Detects control information relating to the copyright given to the original, transmits the control information to a remote host computer, the host computer searches a database based on the control information, and sends the result to the copier side. Send. Then, the information acquisition fee or the like is displayed based on the search result received by the copying machine, and when the fee is paid, the document image is printed out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copying system for copying copyrighted works such as books.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to use a desired database, after contracting with an information supply company and receiving a communication authorization identification code (password, etc.) and completing center registration, the communication line is The Duke search process is performed via the.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, it is difficult for ordinary people to use the database, such as paying the usage fee of the database to the information providing company. When it is desired to copy a copyrighted work according to the regulations, it is virtually impossible to search the database regarding the rights and copy according to the regulations.

Therefore, the copyright of valuable information whose copyright has been established is protected and managed, and furthermore, it is impossible for any person to easily receive information provision at any place. And the copy of the copyrighted material is effectively an illegal copy. Also, there is a problem that the administrator cannot reliably collect the information service fee. At the same time, when the information you want to copy is missing, normal copying cannot repair it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and when copying a copyrighted work, the user can easily obtain the copyright information from the database without paying attention to the copyright. At the same time, the purpose is to obtain a copying system in which the system automatically calculates the copy fee including the necessary copyright consideration.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention detects a reading means for reading an image of an original document, and detects control information relating to a copyright given to the original document based on a signal from the reading means. Detecting means, communication means for transmitting the control information detected by the detecting means to a remote host computer, and receiving copyright information according to the control information from the host computer, and receiving by the communication means. Display means for displaying the copyright information, input means for instructing whether or not to continue copying the original document after the copyright information is displayed on the display means, and instruction for continuing copying by the input means. Then, an image forming unit for copying the original document is provided.

[0007]

With the above arrangement, the present invention makes it possible to easily know the information acquisition fee even when the user recognizes that the information is copyright information when copying the copyright information. .

[0008] The copyright holder can easily collect the copyright fee.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the construction of a copying system showing an embodiment of the present invention.
It is roughly divided into a printer and a scanner section 1b. In the scanner unit 1b, numeral 5 is a document pressure plate, and an LCD display 6 serving as an image editing instruction panel is provided on the surface thereof.
The instruction member 14 and the operation keys 23 are used to instruct desired image editing, for example, various image editing contents such as trimming and masking processing.

The printer 1a is composed of, for example, a laser beam printer capable of executing an electrophotographic process,
Output tray 1 for the output paper that has completed the print sequence
Output to 6. Reference numeral 12 is a charge collector, which is provided with a card insertion slot 21 for enabling card payment, a charge slot 18 for cash payment, a display 22 and the like. Also, 19 personal computers are connected to 25 database machines through 24 communication lines. It goes without saying that the printer 1a may be constituted by a so-called bubble jet type plink, which ejects ink droplets by bubble pressure due to heat generation. Further, it is needless to say that the printer 1a and the scanner unit 1b have a function as an ordinary copying apparatus alone, and copying processing can be performed separately from other devices, and the system described above is connected to a digital copying apparatus via an external interface. Can also be configured.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the copying system shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2 is a controller, which is configured to control copying processing of a copying machine, detection of control information such as symbols, character recognition, and communication control. The controller 2 is connectable to the host computer 19 through the communication line 20, and the host computer 19 receives the copyright information retrieved from the database machine 25 transferred through the communication line 24 and 20. It is configured to be able to receive charge calculation method types and the like in 25 databases. An editing unit 2a analyzes coordinate information input from the LCD display 6 serving as an image edit instruction panel, and performs various image processes according to a designated edit mode. 2b is a charge calculation means, 25
Fee calculation method type (a to be described later) selected and registered by the registrant at the time of registration of the copyright information, which was searched and transferred in the database of
Based on the charge calculation method of e), the total service charge including the copyright information providing charge and the information use charge is calculated, and the received amount is set in the charge collector 12. At this time, the charge is displayed to the image information user via the display 22. Also,
Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage device, which has a function of temporarily storing charge conversion data and information transferred from the database machine 25, which is necessary for calculating the charge of patent information.

Next, the operation will be described. A procedure for copying an arbitrary document in the copying system configured as above will be described. Figure 3 of the series of procedures
Will be explained.

First, after the original is set on the original table, the pressure plate is closed, the editing process is set by the operation unit of the copying machine, and the copy start key 23 is pressed to start the copy operation (3-
1, 3-2). After that, the scanner of the copying machine starts operation and reads the original image (3-3). It should be noted that control information, for example, a bar code is added in advance to all pages of a manuscript which is a copyrighted work. For example, if a bar code is added to each of the four edges of the manuscript, the work can be judged quickly, and the majority information control can improve the detection accuracy of the work information. Then, the bar code is read by the scanner, and thereby the controller 2 of the copying machine determines the next copying operation. Therefore, the copying machine may be configured to perform a pre-scan for detecting the bar code, or all the image information is read by one scan, stored in the memory 4, and then expanded into a bitmap. A barcode recognition process may be performed on the image information to be displayed. If the original has no control information, that is, if the original has no copyright, the read information may be transferred to the printer and printed out (3-7).

When the control information on the manuscript is recognized and it is detected that the manuscript is copyrighted (it can be limited to only the database managed), the copier reads the scanner. Then, the copying operation is stopped. Then, the fact that there is the copyright information is displayed on the LCD (3-7), and it is displayed that the database search is to be executed, and the wait state is set. The controller 2 uses the signal line 2
An interrupt signal or a communication permission request signal is generated to the host personal computer 19 through 0 (3-8). 1 that received the signal
When the host computer 9 is capable of multi-job operation by the OS (operating system), this signal activates the database management application program. And the host computer 1
9, the data transfer request is sent to the copying machine from the signal line 20.
(3-9), and as a result, the controller 2 transfers the control information temporarily stored in the storage device 4,
It is sent to the host computer 19 via the signal line 20 (3-10). When the transmission is completed, the controller 32 sends an end command to the host computer 19, and the host computer 19 analyzes the control information and determines the subsequent processing (3-12).

The bar code information contains the minimum necessary information such as the name of the work, the name of the database it handles, and the name of the copyright holder. Based on this information, the host computer 19 determines the database to be searched, accesses the database (machine) 28 storing the copyright information through, for example, 24 communication lines (telephone line, etc.), The necessary information is retrieved and the information is transferred to the memory of the host computer 19. still,
The search method is a publicly known method used in general database searches, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If the database is not connected to the host computer 19 or if the host computer determines that it is not subject to management, the host computer transfers information to that effect to the controller 2 of the copying machine 1. Then, the normal copy is continued (3-5).

When the database search is completed, the host computer 19 sends a data acceptance request signal to the controller 2 through the communication line 20 (3-1).
1). The controller 2 receives the signal and secures a necessary memory area, and then sends a data reception preparation completion signal to the host computer 19 (3-12). On top of that,
The host computer transfers the search information and the like to the controller 2.

The controller 2 displays the information necessary for the operator thereafter, such as control information in the transferred information, on the LCD on the pressure plate, and at the same time stores other search information in the memory means 4 (3). -13, 3-14). When the communication ends normally, the host computer 19 ends the job related to the database, and the OS of the host computer 19 releases the processing capacity used in the database processing to the processing of other jobs.

The user selects the next process based on the information on the LCD (3-15). The information displayed on the LCD includes, for example, the price of the original image information, related books, and the like. If it is determined that the price of the information is too high, the copy is not made at that time. The operation can be terminated. If information on related books is required, it can be pointed by the pointing member (3-1).
6).

On the contrary, when the user determines that the database information is necessary, the database information can be edited according to the instruction information on the LCD. That is, when an editing instruction is issued from the operation unit 23, the editing unit 2
The information a retrieved is read from the memory means 4, expanded in a RAM (not shown) in the controller, and the desired image is edited.

When an image output request is made, the fee calculation means 2b calculates an image information providing fee and an information use fee for the information retrieved from the memory means 4 (3-1).
7) When the collection means (charge collector 12) confirms that the calculated sum of the image information providing fee and the information fee has been collected (3-18), the image output means (printer) The information edited by the editing means 2a is output (3-1).
9). The copyright holder does not need to convert the usage fee by simply determining the desired fee calculation method for the registered copyright information, and the converted copyright information provision fee and information usage fee (equipment fee) It is possible to collect from the user surely.

However, the important part of the information being displayed is protected, the really necessary items are indicated by the indicating member 14 on the LCD display 6, and the charge for the retrieval or the like is stored in the fee collector 12. Controller 2 that it was input
After detection, or after the fee is counted on the display 22 of the fee collector 12, the protection is released and the important part of the information is displayed for the first time. The user can select the information with the pointing member 14 and move from the access window to the scan reading window. The access window is a window that is opened only after being accessed (see FIG. 7). Then, regarding the movement of data between those windows, only writing can be performed from the scan reading window. The data written and edited on this window is printed out by the printer of the copying apparatus unit 1 by pressing the edit key of the operation unit 23 on the copying apparatus unit 1 again.

Normally, the scan reading window has the size of the standard recording paper selected (for example, A3, A4, B).
(4, B5, etc.) is displayed, and editing is possible on the display screen. The charge collector 12 includes a display 22, a charge insertion slot 18, a card insertion slot 21 and the like.
After the amount shown in 2 is paid with cash or a credit card, a prepaid card, a cash card or the like, the data in the database can be printed by the printer 1a for the first time. When using a credit card or cash card, the card usage information is 20,
Card database 2 through 19, 27 (telephone line)
If 6 is accessed and approved as a valid card, that card can be used. Also in this case, the processing application program is automatically loaded into the host computer by the controller 2 and activated, and the processing of the card is executed. In addition, 13, 15
Is a signal line.

The information usage fee collection processing retrieved from the database in the copying system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an information usage fee collection processing procedure registered in the database in the copying system according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (20) indicate each step.

Although it is possible to automatically recognize the image information read by the scanner, here, as a more accurate method, the information read by the scanner is once displayed on the LCD, and the information to be searched is selected from the information. In particular, consider the case of extracting and searching the database.

First, of the information displayed on the LCD display 6, for example, the periphery of the portion of the title is designated and extracted by the pointing member 14 or the like. It waits for the search information to be selected. (1) That is, when the instruction member 14 selects and instructs the work name of the desired registered image, the controller 2 causes the host computer 19 to read the registration information of the selection candidate from the database 25, and transfers it to the memory 4. At the same time, it is displayed on the LCD display 6 (2). Here, when the copy key in the operation unit 23 is pressed (3),
The frequency of use of the selected image information (a value obtained by dividing the number of times of use by the time from copyright registration to search instruction) is calculated based on the control information transferred from the database (4), and the calculated value is calculated in the controller. It is set in a memory (not shown) (5). Then, it is judged from the above control information whether the charge calculation method set in the database 25 at the time of copyright registration is any one of method a to method e (6) to (1).
0) If YES in any of the steps, the process proceeds to step 11 and the subsequent steps, and if the number of all NO stands is not yet collected, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the charge calculation method is determined in any of steps (6) to (10), the calculation parameter of any of the charge calculation methods a to e set corresponding to the registration information is set. It waits until it is done (11), and calculates the usage fee in consideration of the calculation parameter of any of the charge calculation methods a to e and the paper service charge (12). Then, when the calculation of the usage fee is completed (13), the usage fee as the information providing fee is displayed on the display 22 (14), and the payment of the fee by the user is waited (15) to confirm that the fee is paid. After that, the print processing of the selected information is started, and the memory 4
The image data read from the database is printed, and the process ends (16). When payment is made with the card, the card database is searched (17) to confirm the validity of the card.

It should be noted that the collection history (charge and output status) of the collected charge is changed from 3-9 to 3-1 in FIG. 3 each time the processing is completed.
The data is transmitted from the controller 2 to the database in the interrupt processing procedure of No. 3, and the data 25 in the database is rewritten (18, 19).

Note that the charge calculation method a is a method in which the usage fee is "O" for a certain fixed period and a uniform usage fee is added to the paper fee or the like during the other periods. The charge calculation method b is a method in which the usage charge is added with a fixed ratio over time, and a paper fee or the like is added to the added value. The charge calculation method c is a method of adding a charge according to the number of times of use and adding a paper fee or the like to the added value. The charge calculation method d is a method in which the charge is increased / decreased in proportion to the frequency of use and a paper fee or the like is added to the increase / decrease value. The charge calculation method e is a method of adding a paper fee or the like to an appropriately set value or a price change value determined by an annual contract. Further, the calculation method is not limited to that of this embodiment, and may be set as appropriate according to the contract between the information provider and the device owner or the database administrator, and other methods can be freely combined.

By the above-mentioned processing, for example, when the name of the copyrighted work selected on the LCD display 6 is selected by the pointing member 14, the corresponding copyrighted work information is stored in the memory device 4 from the database 25, and at the same time the control information and the like are displayed. It is displayed on the LCD display 6. Here, a user who wants to purchase information by looking at the displayed contents presses the copy key in the operation unit 23, and if it is unnecessary, the user can use the pointing member 14 to start another work search process. good.

Then, for example, a value in which control information is set from a database in various memories of an operation mechanism as shown in FIG. 6 to be described later is automatically selected, and a usage fee (usage fee to be paid to copyright holder and device usage The charge (total amount including the paper fee) is calculated and displayed on the display 22. Here, if it is confirmed that the user paid the displayed fee, the printing process of the image information read out to the printer 1 is permitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the fee calculation means 2b shown in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 51 is a charge calculation method setting unit, in which the calculation method desired by the copyright holder registered in the database 25 is set. 53 is a calculation unit, which is a memory M
1 to M4 and adders AN1 to AN3, etc., a paper charge and a service charge are set in the memory M4, and the contents of this memory M4 are forcibly input to one terminal of each adder AN1 to AN3. There is. The determiner 52 can refer to the contents from the memory M5 serving as a frequency memory and the memory M6 serving as a use frequency memory. The memories M1 to M
The contents of the memories M1 to M3 relating to the methods a, c, and d are set in 3, and the contents of M1 to M3 are input to the other terminals of the adders AN1 to AN3. afterwards,
The addition result is displayed on the display 22 of the fee collector 12.
The hardware configuration of FIG. 6 can be processed by software. In addition, a part of the contents of the memory is previously set by the system builder from the host computer 19.
Those registered in the memory 4 and the others are transferred to the memory 4 as search information from the database machine 25.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, the control information such as the bar code attached to the manuscript is read, the information regarding the copyright is searched, and the information acquisition fee is notified to the user. Even if a person tries to make a copy without paying attention to copyright, the person can easily know the information acquisition fee, and can decide whether or not to make a copy according to the amount.

The copyright holder can easily collect the copyright fee only by setting the fee collecting method in the database in advance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a copying system showing an example of a real table of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the copying system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the copying system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a usage fee collection processing procedure of information registered in the database in the copying system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the charge calculation means shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the LCD display shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Copying device section 1a Printer 1b Scanner section 2 Controller 2a Editing means 2b Charge calculation means 4 Memory means 6 LCD display 25, 26 Database (machine) 19 Host computer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G06F 17/30

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit for reading an original image, a detecting unit for detecting control information relating to a copyright given to the original on the basis of a signal from the reading unit, and a control information detected by the detecting unit. Communication means for transmitting to a remote host computer and receiving copyright information according to the control information from the host computer, display means for displaying the copyright information received by the communication means, and the display means. Input means for instructing whether or not to continue copying the original document after the copyright information is displayed; and image forming means for copying the original document when instructed to continue copying by the input means, A copyright information copying system characterized by having.