JP2015016594A - Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image reading apparatus and decoloring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet processing apparatus which prevents a situation that the apparatus becomes unusable in accordance with consumption of the remaining number of sheets in the paper processing apparatus in which the remaining number of processable sheets is set.SOLUTION: A sheet processing apparatus has: a processing part 5 which performs processing of images to sheets; a processing prohibition part 11 which prohibits processing operation to the processing part 5 based on the set remaining number of processable sheets; a transfer output part 12 which outputs license information having the additional number of sheets making the remaining number of processable sheets an upper limit in order to transfer the remaining number of processable sheets to an object apparatus; and a license information input part 2 in which the license information output from the transfer output part 12 and for increasing the remaining number of processable sheets by the additional number of sheets is input.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and an erasing apparatus that can handle license information.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, there is a fee system in which a toner cartridge or the like is provided to a user free of charge or at a low cost, and a fee corresponding to the number of printed sheets is charged. Such an image forming apparatus includes a counter that measures the number of sheets printed by the user. The printer store charges the user according to the number of prints recorded in the counter.

  In the image forming apparatus employing such a fee system, there is a risk that the user may not respond to payment when charging a fee on the selling point side.

  Therefore, it is considered to adopt a prepaid fee system in the image forming apparatus. That is, the user pays the license fee for the desired number of printed sheets to the sales store in advance and receives license information from the sales store. The user inputs the purchased license information to the image forming apparatus by an appropriate means. The image forming apparatus adds the number of printable sheets according to the input license information. Then, when the number of licenses is printed, the image forming apparatus cannot perform subsequent printing. The user can add the number of printable sheets by purchasing additional license information from a store as necessary. By adopting such a prepaid fee system, the dealer can avoid the risk that the fee cannot be collected.

  In the prepaid fee system as described above, determination of the validity of the license information becomes a problem. As an effective means for appropriately determining the validity of license information, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plurality of items under the management of a management server based on a ticket (including usage restriction information) corresponding to an ID. A technique for managing the number of printed sheets of an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The use of the ticket is an exclusive configuration limited to one image forming apparatus in the first to fourth embodiments. In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of image forming apparatuses can be used simultaneously by dividing the ticket.

  In the configuration in which the license is managed using such a management server, the image forming apparatus and the server need to be connected via a network and cannot be applied to an image forming apparatus that does not have a communication function. The system configuration becomes complicated.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, information necessary for determining the validity of the license information is embedded in the license information itself so that the image forming apparatus itself can determine the validity of the license information standalone. A configuration is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4419631 Japanese Patent No. 4420446

  However, the following problems arise even with the above-mentioned stand-alone type. In other words, if print management is strictly performed for each image forming apparatus, for example, in an apparatus environment that uses a plurality of image forming apparatuses in the same premises, there is an image forming apparatus that has a margin up to the maximum number of prints, but can be used. It is assumed that an image forming apparatus that consumes all the printed sheets is generated. Then, for example, when the additional number of printed sheets is not added to the apparatus, the apparatus is discarded / returned, or when the additional number of printed sheets is added to the apparatus, a procedure for purchasing the additional amount is taken. Therefore, in any case, the device cannot be used at least for a certain period.

  This problem occurs not only in an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a sheet, but also in a sheet processing apparatus such as an image reading apparatus that reads an image formed on a sheet and an erasing apparatus that erases an image formed on a sheet. Conceivable.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to prevent a situation in which the apparatus becomes unusable as the remaining number of sheets is consumed in a sheet processing apparatus in which the remaining number of sheets that can be processed is set. It is to provide a sheet processing device, an image forming device, an image reading device, and a color erasing device that are suppressed.

  In order to achieve the object, the present invention takes the following means.

  That is, the sheet processing apparatus of the present invention includes a processing unit that processes an image on a sheet, a processing prohibiting unit that prohibits the processing unit from performing processing based on the set remaining processable number of sheets, A transfer output unit that outputs license information having an additional number up to the remaining processable number of sheets in order to transfer the remaining processable number to the target device; and license information output from the transfer output unit. A license information input unit for inputting license information for increasing the remaining processable number by the additional number.

  As described above, since the license information can be output by the transfer output unit and the license information can be input by the license information input unit, the remaining processable number of sheets can be supplemented from one device to another device. Therefore, even if there is a paper processing device that has a small or no remaining number of sheets that can be processed, the license information output by another device can be input, so that the use can be resumed and the situation in which the device cannot be used can be suppressed. It becomes.

  In order to facilitate installation work and maintenance, the system includes a validity determination unit that determines the validity of the license information input to the license information input unit, and the validity determination unit determines that the license information is valid. It is preferable to increase the remaining processable number by the additional number of the license information only when the license information has been added.

  In order to reduce or prevent unauthorized use of license information, an identification information storage unit is provided for storing own apparatus identification information allocated to a sheet processing apparatus, and the license information is issued to identify an apparatus to be issued The validity determination unit includes the license information by comparing the issuance target identification information of the input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit. It is preferable to determine the effectiveness of.

  In order to improve convenience, the license information includes issuer identification information for identifying a device as an issuer, and the validity determination unit includes the issuer identification information of the input license information, It is preferable to determine the validity of the license information by comparing with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit.

  In order to reduce or prevent unauthorized use of license information, a past license storage unit that stores at least the most recent license information among license information input in the past is provided, and the license information is issued by the license information. The validity determination unit includes the issue timing information of the past license information stored and the issue timing information of the newly entered license information based on the context of the issue information. Preferably, the validity of the newly input license information is determined.

  As a preferred application example of the present invention, there is an image forming apparatus in which the processing unit is an image forming unit that prints an image on a sheet.

  As another preferred application example of the present invention, there is an image reading apparatus in which the processing unit is an image reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet.

  As another preferable application example of the present invention, a erasing apparatus in which the processing unit is an erasing unit that erases an image formed on a sheet.

  Since the present invention has the configuration described above, even if there is a paper processing apparatus that has a small or no remaining processable sheet, the use can be resumed by inputting the license information output by another apparatus, and the apparatus can be used. It becomes possible to suppress the situation that becomes impossible.

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a multifunction machine. The figure which shows the content of license information typically. The figure which shows typically the content of the license information in other embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows typically the content of the license information in embodiment other than the above of this invention. The flowchart which shows a license issue process. Flow chart showing license acceptance process

  Hereinafter, a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of a sheet processing apparatus. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to an image reading apparatus that reads an image formed on a sheet, a decoloring apparatus that erases an image formed on a sheet, and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a so-called copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 1, and can display an operation unit 2 having various buttons for a user to operate and various messages. Display unit 7. The multifunction machine 1 also includes an image reading unit 3, a facsimile receiving unit 4, and an image forming unit 5.

  The image reading unit 3 can read the image on the surface of the set paper (recording paper). The facsimile receiving unit 4 can receive a facsimile via a telephone line. The image forming unit 5 prints the image read by the image reading unit 3 or the facsimile received by the facsimile receiving unit 4 on a sheet. The image forming unit 5 is also a processing unit. Since the configurations of the image reading unit 3, the facsimile receiving unit 4, the image forming unit 5, and the like are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the MFP 1 is assigned with its own device identification information. This own device identification information is, for example, the serial number of the multifunction device 1 and is unique information different from the own device identification information of other multifunction devices. The multifunction device 1 includes an identification information storage unit 6 that stores its own device identification information as data. The device identification information of the multifunction device 1 is configured so that the user can easily confirm it. For example, the user can display the apparatus identification information of the multifunction device 1 on the display unit 7 by appropriately operating the operation unit 2. Further, for example, a sticker on which the device identification information is printed is affixed to the main body of the multifunction device 1, and the user can know the device identification information of the multifunction device 1 by checking the seal.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a current date acquisition unit 14 that acquires the current date. Note that the current date and time acquisition unit 14 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to acquire the current date and time in a time stamp format.

  The multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment is configured in a prepaid type, and is limited in the number of sheets that can be processed (printable). Specifically, the multifunction device 1 includes a processing restriction unit 23 that restricts the number of sheets that can be processed (printed), and an validity determination unit 16 that determines the validity of the license information.

  The processing restriction unit 23 includes a processable remaining number management unit 8, a processing prohibition unit 11, and a number increase / decrease unit 17. The processed number management unit 8 includes a total processed number counter 9 and a processing upper limit storage unit 10. The total processing number counter 9 is configured as a counter that is incremented every time printing (processing) is performed in the image forming unit 5. Hereinafter, the value stored in the total processing number counter 9 is referred to as a counter number. The processing upper limit storage unit 10 stores a processing upper limit number of sheets that is an upper limit value of the number of sheets that can be printed (processed) by the multifunction device 1.

  The difference between the processing upper limit number stored in the processing upper limit storage unit 10 and the counter processing number stored in the total processing number counter 9 is referred to as “remaining processable number”. The number of remaining processable sheets decreases each time printing is performed by the image forming unit 5.

  The processing prohibition unit 11 determines whether or not the counter number stored in the total processing number counter 9 has reached the upper limit number of processing (whether or not the remaining number of processable sheets has become zero or less). The processing prohibition unit 11 prohibits the printing operation (processing operation) by the image forming unit 5 when the remaining processable number of sheets becomes zero or less. As described above, the processing restriction unit 23 restricts the range of the number of sheets that can be processed (printed) by the image forming unit 5.

  The user can receive the issuance of license information by paying a predetermined fee to a store or an agent (hereinafter simply referred to as “sales store”) of the multifunction machine 1. The user inputs the issued license information to the multifunction device 1 via the operation unit 2 (license information input unit 2).

  The validity determination unit 16 determines the validity of the input license information. When it is determined that the license information is valid, the number increase / decrease unit 17 increases the processing upper limit number by the number corresponding to the license information (number of licenses). Thereby, the number of licenses can be added to the remaining processable number.

  As described above, the processing restriction unit 23 is configured to permit printing by the image forming unit 5 within the range of the number of sheets (number of licenses) according to the license information purchased by the user. With the above-described configuration, the prepaid multi-function device 1 is realized in which the user pays in advance a charge corresponding to the desired number of printed sheets.

  In addition, the multifunction device 1 includes a transfer output unit 12 that outputs license information having an additional number up to the upper limit of the processable remaining number in order to transfer the remaining processable number of sheets to the target apparatus. License information (such as a character string) is displayed on the display unit 7 or printed on the image forming unit 5 by the transfer output unit 12. When the license information is output by the transfer output unit 12, the number increase / decrease unit 17 decreases the processing upper limit number by the number corresponding to the output license information.

  The multi-function device 1 also includes a license information input unit 2 for inputting license information that is output from the dealer or the transfer output unit 12 and that increases the remaining processable number by the additional number. .

  The license information according to the present embodiment is a character string, and is input by appropriately operating the alphanumeric input button or the like of the operation unit 2. Of course, it may be an image such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) or electronic data.

  An example of license information issued by a store or a transfer output unit is schematically shown in FIG. 3A. The license information of the present embodiment includes issuer identification information 30, issue target identification information 31, additional number information 32, and issue date information 33.

  The issuer identification information 30 is identification information of a device that is the issuer that issued the license information. When issued by the multifunction device 1, issuer identification information 30 having identification information of the multifunction device 1 is included in the license information. On the other hand, when issued at a store, the issuer identification information 30 is not included in the license information. The issuer identification information 30 is used to return the license information issued by the multifunction device 1 to the same multifunction device 1.

  The issue target identification information 31 represents the own device identification information of the MFP 1 that is the issue target (transfer destination) of the license information. When the user orders license information from the store, the user notifies the store of the self-device identification information of the multifunction machine 1. When outputting the license information via the transfer output unit, the self-device identification information of the multifunction device 1 that is the transfer destination is input to the multifunction device 1 that is the transfer source.

  The additional number information 32 is information on the number of sheets that the number increasing / decreasing unit 17 adds to the upper limit number of sheets to be processed (the number of remaining processable sheets is increased) when the license information is effectively input to the multifunction device 1. When issuing at a store, a user notifies a store. On the other hand, when the license information is output via the transfer output unit 12, the number of sheets to be transferred is input to the transfer source multifunction machine 1.

  The issue date / time information 33 (issue timing information) is information indicating the timing at which the license information is issued. In the present embodiment, the issue date information is a time stamp.

  In order to prevent forgery or alteration of the license information, the license information is encrypted by an appropriate encryption unit. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 includes a decryption unit 15 and an encryption unit 13. The encryption unit 13 encrypts the license information to be output using a secret key. The decryption unit decrypts the input license information using the secret key.

  Next, the license issuing operation of the MFP 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In order to transfer the license to another apparatus, first, the user inputs the identification information and the additional number of the multifunction peripheral 1 to be issued as the transfer destination to the operation unit 2. The transfer output unit 12 is input only when the identification information of the multifunction machine 1 to be transferred is input and the additional number is equal to or less than the remaining processable number (step S101: YES, step S102: YES). The process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S <b> 103, the transfer output unit 12 acquires identification information and current date / time information via the identification information storage unit 6 and the current date / time acquisition unit 14. In the next step S104, the transfer output unit 12 determines the license information. In this license information, as shown in FIG. 3A, the issuer identification information 30 has its own device identification information in the identification information storage unit 6. The issue target identification information 31 includes identification information input by the user. The additional number information 32 includes the number input by the user. The issue date information 33 includes date information acquired by the current date acquisition unit 14. In the next step S105, the determined license information is encrypted by the encryption unit 13 and becomes a passcode. In the next step S106, the encrypted license information (passcode) is printed by the image forming unit 5. In the next step S107, the remaining processable number is subtracted according to the issuance of the license information. In the next step S108, the processing content is stored in the log information.

Next, the license acceptance operation of the MFP 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
When license information is newly input by the user to the multifunction peripheral 1 as a transfer destination (step S201), the validity determination unit 16 determines the validity of the newly input license information (steps S202 to S202). S206). In the following description, license information newly input by the user is referred to as new input license information.

  In step S <b> 202, the duplication determination unit 19 compares the newly input license information with all past license information stored in the past license storage unit 18. If the newly entered license information is the same as any one of the past license information stored in the past license storage unit 18 (when the license information is duplicated), the duplication determination unit 19 The new input license information is determined to be invalid, an error message is displayed on the display unit 7 (step S210), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the newly input license information is not the same as any of the past license information, the process proceeds to the next step S203.

  By the processing in step S202, the number of times the same license information is used in one multifunction device 1 can be limited to one, so that the same license information can be prevented from being repeatedly used.

  In step S203, the decryption unit 15 decrypts the new input license information. As a result, information included in the newly input license information (issuer identification information 30, issue target identification information 31, additional number information 32, issue date information 33) is extracted (see FIG. 3A).

  In the next step S204, the validity determination unit 16 compares the issuer identification information 30 of the new input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 6, and the new input license information. Issuance target identification information 31 is compared with its own apparatus identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 6. If they do not match, the validity determination unit 16 determines that the new input license information is invalid, displays an error message on the display unit 7 (step S210), and ends. On the other hand, if either one matches, the process proceeds to the next step S205.

  As a result of the processing in step S204, the license information is valid only when the license information is input to the transfer destination apparatus and the license information is input to the transfer source device. Thus, the same license information can be prevented from being repeatedly used. The reason why the license information is also valid when the license information is input to the transfer source device is to allow the license information to be restored when the circumstances change after the license information is output.

  In step S205, first, the current date acquisition unit 14 acquires current date information. Subsequently, the validity determination unit 16 determines the context between the current date and time information acquired by the current date and time acquisition unit 14 and the issue date and time information 33 of new input license information. The validity determination unit 16 determines that the new input license information is invalid when the issue date information 33 of the new input license information is later than the current date information, and displays an error message on the display unit 7. Then (step S210) is completed. On the other hand, if the issuance date / time information 33 of the new input license information is older than the current date / time information, the process proceeds to the next step S206.

  That is, since the new input license information is issued before the new input license information is input to the multifunction device 1, the issue date information 33 of the new input license information is older than the current date information. Should show date and time. Therefore, if the issuance date / time information 33 of the new input license information indicates a future date / time rather than the current date / time information, it is highly likely that the license information is illegally used. Therefore, in such a case, it is determined that the new input license information is invalid.

  In step S206, the validity determination unit 16 acquires the latest license information from the past license information stored in the past license storage unit 18, and extracts the issue date information included in the latest license information. The validity determination unit 16 determines the context between the issuance date / time information of the newly input license information and the issuance date / time information of the latest license information. If the issuance date / time information of the new input license information is earlier than the issuance date / time information of the latest license information, the validity determination unit 16 determines that the new input license information is invalid and displays an error message on the display. Then (step S210) is completed. On the other hand, if the issuance date / time information of the new input license information is the same as or the future of the issuance date / time information of the latest license information, the process proceeds to the next step S207.

  In other words, the new input license information should be issued at the same time as or later than the license information input in the past. Therefore, if the issuance date / time information of the newly input license information is earlier than the issuance date / time information of the latest license information input in the past, the issue date / time information is inconsistent. Therefore, in such a case, it is determined that the new input license information is invalid.

  The validity determination unit 16 determines that the new input license information is valid when the new input license information is not determined to be invalid in any of the determinations of steps S202, S204, S205, and S206.

  When it is determined that the new input license information is valid, the number increase / decrease unit 17 acquires the additional number information 32 of the new input license information. Then, the number increasing / decreasing unit 17 adds the additional number of sheets specified in the acquired additional number of sheets information to the printing upper limit number stored in the printing upper limit storage unit (step S208). As a result, the remaining processable number increases by the additional number (number of licenses) specified in the additional number information of the newly input license information.

  Then, the newly input license information is stored in the past license storage unit 18 (step S209), and the flow ends.

  Since the numerical values that can be stored in the processing upper limit storage unit 10 are limited, an overflow may occur when the additional number is added in step S208. In addition, there may be a limit on the upper limit number of processes that can be stored in the process upper limit storage unit 10 for reasons other than overflow. Therefore, if the additional number of licenses is added to the processing upper limit number stored in the processing upper limit storage unit 10 before executing step S208, the number increase / decrease unit 17 determines whether or not the limit such as overflow is exceeded. Is determined (step S207). If the number increase / decrease unit 17 determines that the above limit is exceeded, an error message is displayed on the display without actually adding the additional number (step S210), and the process ends.

  As described above, the sheet processing apparatus (multifunction device 1) of the present embodiment performs processing on the processing unit 5 that performs image processing on the sheet and the processing unit 5 based on the set remaining processable number of sheets. A processing prohibition unit for prohibiting a processing operation, a transfer output unit 12 for outputting license information having an additional number up to the processable remaining number, in order to transfer the remaining processable number to the target device; License information input unit 2 for inputting license information that is output from the transfer output unit or the transfer output unit of another apparatus and increases the remaining processable number by the additional number.

  In this way, the license information can be output by the transfer output unit 12, and the license information can be input by the license information input unit 2, so that the remaining processable number can be supplemented from one device to another. Therefore, even if there is a paper processing device that has a small or no remaining number of sheets that can be processed, the license information output by another device can be input, so that the use can be resumed and the situation in which the device cannot be used can be suppressed. It becomes.

  In the present embodiment, a validity determination unit 16 that determines the validity of the license information input to the license information input unit 2 is provided. Only when the validity determination unit 16 determines that the license information is valid, the remaining processable number is increased by the additional number of license information.

  According to this configuration, since the validity of the license information can be determined on a stand-alone basis, for example, a network for accessing the license management server is not required, and installation work and maintenance are facilitated.

  In the present embodiment, an identification information storage unit 6 that stores the apparatus identification information assigned to the sheet processing apparatus is provided. The license information includes issue target identification information 31 for identifying a device to be issued. The validity determination unit 16 determines the validity of the license information by comparing the issue target identification information 31 of the input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 6. . According to this configuration, the license can be appropriately transferred to the transfer destination, and unauthorized use can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the license information includes issuer identification information 30 for identifying a device that is an issuer. The validity determination unit 16 determines the validity of the license information by comparing the issuer identification information 30 of the input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 6. . According to this configuration, even if the circumstances change after the license information is output, the license can be returned to the original apparatus, and convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, a past license storage unit 18 that stores at least the latest license information among the license information input in the past is provided. The license information includes issue timing information 33 relating to the timing at which the license information is issued. The validity determination unit 16 determines whether the license information is newly input based on the context between the issuance timing information 33 of the past license information stored and the issuance timing information 33 of the newly input license information. Judge the effectiveness of.

  According to this configuration, unauthorized use of license information can be reduced or prevented.

  In this embodiment, the invention is applied to the image forming apparatus, with the processing unit of the sheet processing apparatus serving as the image forming unit 5 that prints an image on a sheet.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, it should be thought that a specific structure is not limited to these embodiment. The scope of the present invention is shown not only by the above description of the embodiments but also by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in this embodiment, the license information includes the issuer identification information 30 so that the output license can be returned to the original device, but this function is optional. In that case, the license information may not have the issuer identification information 30.

  In this embodiment, only the number of processed sheets is a transfer target, but the processable time limit may be used as the license content. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the license information includes processing time limit information 91, and the multifunction device 1 is provided with a processing time limit management unit. The operation of the processing time limit management unit conforms to the operation of the processing number management unit 8. Further, the number of processed sheets and the processable time limit may be set as transfer targets. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the license information includes both the additional number information 32 and the processing time limit information 91.

  In this embodiment, the remaining processable number is managed by the addition method, but of course, a subtraction method can also be adopted. In the addition method, the total number of processed sheets counter 9 increments the number of printed sheets, and if the number of printed sheets reaches the set upper limit number of processes, the process is prohibited. In the subtraction method, the counter decrements the remaining processable number, and if the value reaches 0, the process is prohibited.

  In this embodiment, the paper processing apparatus is applied to the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. As another application example, for example, there is an image reading apparatus in which the processing unit 5 is an image reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet. Further, there is a decoloring apparatus in which the processing unit 5 is an erasing unit that erases an image formed on a sheet. Since the image reading unit and the erasing unit are well known, detailed description thereof is omitted. The image reading device (image reading unit) includes a light source that irradiates light to the paper and a light receiving sensor that receives reflected light from the paper, and processes the signal from the light receiving sensor to generate image data. To do. The erasing device (erasing unit) erases the image on the sheet by applying heat treatment to the sheet being conveyed by the heating unit. The image to be erased is printed with an erasable printing agent that can be erased.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the present invention is not limited to the multifunction device, but other image forming apparatuses such as a printer or a facsimile. It is also applicable to. The specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 License information input part 5 Processing part 6 Identification information memory | storage part 11 Process prohibition part 12 Transfer output part 16 Effectiveness determination part 30 Issuer identification information 31 Issuance object identification information 33 Issuance timing information

Claims (8)

A processing unit for processing images on paper;
A processing prohibition unit that prohibits the processing operation from being performed on the processing unit based on the set remaining processable number of sheets;
A transfer output unit that outputs license information having an additional number up to the upper limit of the processable remaining number in order to transfer the remaining number of processable to the target device;
License information output from the transfer output unit, to which license information for increasing the remaining processable number by the additional number is input;
A paper processing apparatus comprising:   A validity determination unit that determines the validity of the license information input to the license information input unit, and only when the license information is determined to be valid by the validity determination unit, The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining number of sheets that can be processed is increased. An identification information storage unit for storing own apparatus identification information assigned to the sheet processing apparatus;
The license information includes issue target identification information for identifying a device to be issued,
The validity determination unit determines the validity of the license information by comparing the issuance target identification information of the input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2. The license information includes issuer identification information for identifying a device as an issuer,
The validity determination unit determines the validity of the license information by comparing the issuer identification information of the input license information with the own device identification information stored in the identification information storage unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3. A past license storage unit for storing at least the latest license information among the license information input in the past;
The license information includes issue timing information related to the timing at which the license information is issued,
The validity determination unit determines whether the license information that has been newly input is based on the context of the issuance timing information of the stored past license information and the issuance timing information of the newly input license information. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein validity is determined.   The image forming apparatus as an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is an image forming unit that prints an image on a sheet.   The image reading apparatus as an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is an image reading unit that reads an image formed on a sheet.   The erasing apparatus as an apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is an erasing unit that erases an image formed on a sheet.

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