Billing system capable of being connected to an output apparatus having printing function and copy function via a network server apparatus capable of being connected to an output apparatus having printing function and copy function via a network and method of billing by system capable of being connected to an output apparatus having printing function and copy function via a network

Abstract

A disclosed billing system includes a client apparatus, a multi-functional peripheral, a server apparatus and a billing apparatus. A communication unit of the billing apparatus sequentially transmits first account balance information read from a storage medium to the server apparatus; receives from the server apparatus a copy permission signal which is then transmitted to the multi-functional peripheral; receives from the multi-functional peripheral a copy-output signal regarding a copy output having been performed on the multi-functional peripheral, the copy-output signal being then transmitted to the server apparatus; and receives copy billing information transmitted from the server apparatus according to the transmitted copy-output signal.