JP2006167966A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus giving priority in processing to a printing job of a person requiring urgent processing over a printing job of a person requiring less urgent processing. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus which receives image data inputted from an external device and outputs an image onto a paper on the basis of the image data, the image data is stored and managed correspondingly to a specific ID number when the image data is inputted from the external device. Personal identification information of a user who comes to take a printed matter outputted from the image forming apparatus is acquired. When a certain ID number is confirmed by a personal identification information acquiring means, and the image data corresponding to the ID number is stored in a storage management means, an output order of the image data is controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is connected to an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a personal computer) via a network communication device, accepts a print job instructed from the external device, and receives an image for the print job from an image output unit. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs output processing.

  As is well known, an image forming apparatus such as a printer installed in a company or office is often connected to a personal computer of each user via a network so that a plurality of users can share the plurality of Each job instructed by each user via each personal computer is received, temporarily stored in a storage means, and job processing can be executed in the order of reception.

Conventionally, as such an image forming apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like store image information such as a document and job information such as the number of copies, and the job progress status during job execution or waiting for processing is stored in the operation unit. In addition to displaying on a display unit, a technology that enables a job to be deleted from a storage unit, and a technology that enables execution order to be changed are disclosed.
JP 2000-29644 A

  By the way, when a user issues a print instruction from his / her own computer or the like and then picks up the printed matter discharged on the paper discharge tray of the printer, if a plurality of print jobs are waiting for print processing on the apparatus side, There is a problem that even if the user needs to output particularly quickly than other jobs, printing is delayed. In particular, when a large number of copies have been printed first, even if the printed matter is taken up to the front of the apparatus, it is kept waiting until it is output.

  However, the conventional ones including the above-mentioned known examples are to display on the display unit by a predetermined display means in the operation unit and search for a print job, and when a plurality of users are waiting for a print job, It took time to find it. Further, when a plurality of users are waiting for a print job, it is necessary to determine the priority order of outputting the jobs among the users, and a cumbersome operation is requested when rushing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a plurality of print jobs are waiting for print processing, the person who sent the print job to the apparatus and further determined that the person near the apparatus is a hurry. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that preferentially outputs the job of the person. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that stores the order of approach when a plurality of users come to pick up a printed matter and performs print processing in the order of approach.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
In an image forming apparatus that accepts image data input from an external device and outputs an image on paper based on the image data,
Storage management means for storing and managing the image data in association with a specific ID number when the image data is input from the external device;
Personal identification information obtaining means for obtaining personal identification information of a user who came to obtain a printed matter output from the image forming apparatus;
An output order control means for controlling the output order of the image data when an ID number is confirmed by the personal identification information obtaining means and image data corresponding to the ID number is stored in the storage management means; It is characterized by.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The personal identification information acquisition means is disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is capable of wireless communication with a personal identification terminal that stores the personal identification information of the user within a management area of the image forming apparatus. Features.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,
When there are two or more ID numbers confirmed by the mobile object identification means and image data corresponding to each ID number is stored in the storage management means, the order in which the ID numbers are confirmed is An output order changing means for storing and rearranging the image data in the confirmed order is provided.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
At least one or more pieces of image data corresponding to the ID number confirmed by the moving body identification unit are stored in the storage management unit, and information regarding all the image data stored in the storage management unit is stored in the display unit. The image processing apparatus is characterized by comprising selection means for selecting and inputting arbitrary image data from the image data displayed on the display means when displayed.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a plurality of print jobs are in a print waiting state, a person having a high print priority is automatically recognized and the output order of the print jobs is rearranged. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system includes a mobile terminal 102 owned by a user 101 and an image forming apparatus 200.

  The portable terminal 102 holds personal identification (ID) information of the user 101 who is the owner of the portable terminal, and when the I information is requested from the image forming apparatus 200, the held ID Information is transmitted by a non-contact method such as a wireless communication method or an infrared communication method. Examples of such a portable terminal 102 include an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), a non-contact IC card, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

  Examples of the image forming apparatus 200 include a copying machine, a facsimile (FAX), a printer, a scanner, and the like. Here, an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) that integrates the functions of the copying machine, the FAX, a printer, a scanner, and the like. As an example.

  The image forming apparatus 200 can receive the signal of the ID information of the user 101 transmitted from the user-owned mobile terminal 102 in a certain communication area 104 by the short-range wireless communication method as the non-contact communication 20 method. is there.

  A terminal 103 such as a computer or workstation owned by the user 106 is connected to the image forming apparatus 200 via a network line 105 such as a LAN. The user 106 can obtain a desired printed matter from the image forming apparatus 200 by giving a print instruction from 103. When the user 101 issues a print instruction, the same ID information that is stored in the portable terminal 102 together with the print job representing the image data from 103 is stored in the image forming apparatus 200 in association with the print job.

  In the image forming apparatus 200, when the ID information of the user 101 is obtained, it is possible to control whether or not a print job associated with the ID information is preferentially output with respect to other print jobs. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the inside of the image forming apparatus 200.

  The image forming apparatus 200 in FIG. 2 is broadly divided into an image reader unit 201 that reads an original image and a printer unit 202 that reproduces image data read by the image reader unit 201. The image reader unit 201 reads a document with a resolution of 400 dpi (dots / inch) and performs digital signal processing. The printer unit 202 is a part that outputs an image corresponding to the original image read by the image reader unit 201 on a designated sheet at a resolution of 1200 dpi on a full color. In the image reader unit 201, a document 204 on a platen glass (hereinafter referred to as a platen) 203 is irradiated with a lamp 205, guided to mirrors 206, 207, and 208, and light collected by a lens 209 is converted into an electrical signal. An image is formed on a three-line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 210 to be converted, and sent to the signal processing unit 211 as a full color information red (R), green (G), and blue (B) component. The carriages 205 and 206 are fixed at a speed of v, and 207 and 208 are at a speed of 1/2 v by mechanically moving in a direction perpendicular to the electric scanning (main scanning) direction of the line sensor. Then, the entire surface of the document is scanned (sub-scanning). The read image is stored in a memory (not shown). Next, the image data is read again from the inside of the memory, and the signal processing unit 211 electrically processes the read image signal to obtain magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), black (Bk). ) And sent to the printer unit 202. In addition, one component of M, C, Y, and Bk is sent to the printer unit 202 for one document scan in the image reader unit 201, and one printout is completed by a total of four document scans. . M, C, Y, and Bk image signals sent from the image reader unit 201 are sent to the laser driver 212. The laser driver 212 modulates and drives the semiconductor laser 213 in accordance with the transmitted image signal. The laser beam scans on the photosensitive drum 217 via the polygon mirror 214, the f-θ lens 215, and the mirror 216. Reference numeral 218 denotes a rotary developing unit, which includes a magenta developing unit 219, a cyan developing unit 220, a yellow developing unit 221, and a black developing unit 222. The four developing units are alternately in contact with the photosensitive drum 217 and formed on the photosensitive drum. The latent image development is developed with toner. A transfer drum 223 winds a sheet supplied from the sheet cassette 224 or 225 around the transfer drum 223, and transfers an image developed on the photosensitive drum onto the sheet. In this way, after the four colors M, C, Y, and Bk are sequentially transferred, the sheet passes through the fixing unit 226, and after the toner is fixed on the sheet, the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 227. The

  FIG. 3 shows in detail the configuration of the part of the MFP that processes the electrical signal of the printer unit that prints on a recording medium such as paper. Reference numeral 310 denotes a CPU for controlling each part of the printer. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM for temporarily storing results calculated by the CPU and image data handled by the printer. Specifically, in addition to performing image processing on image data read from the image reader unit 201 or image data transmitted from a personal computer or workstation based on a mode specified by the user 101, an image A processed print job is stored / registered in association with user ID information input or transmitted together with the job, and image data of an executed print job is stored / saved. Further, various data such as user ID information obtained by an RFID reader / writer unit 317 described later is stored.

  A ROM 303 stores a program for operating the CPU, font data for generating image data, and the like. Reference numeral 304 denotes a local bus to which the CPU, RAM, and ROM are connected. Reference numeral 305 denotes an I / O bus, which is an internal bus for function expansion. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bridge circuit for connecting the local bus and the I / O bus.

  A printer unit 307 is a part for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper. There are various types of printer units such as an electrophotographic system and a bubble jet (registered trademark) system. Reference numeral 308 denotes a printer interface unit for connecting the printer unit to the I / O bus. Image data stored in the RAM 302 can be transferred to the printer unit 307 in accordance with instructions from the CPU. It is.

Reference numeral 309 denotes a hard disk drive for spooling image data and storing programs for the CPU 301 to perform various processes. A network interface controller 311 is used to connect to the local area network 105 shown in FIG. 1, and receives image data or code data transmitted from a personal computer or workstation (not shown) assigned to each user. To receive.
An image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as IPU) 312 is for performing image processing such as resolution conversion. Reference numeral 313 denotes a raster image processor. The image data in the page description language transferred from the outside via the network interface circuit 311 is developed into a bitmap image according to the instruction of the CPU 301, and the bit developed in the RAM 302 Used to store map data.

  Reference numeral 314 denotes a video RAM into which display data displayed on an external CRT or LCD panel is written by the CPU. Reference numeral 315 denotes a video interface, which is an interface for displaying display data stored in the VRAM on an external CRT or LCD panel.

  Reference numeral 317 denotes an RFID reader / writer unit for reading / writing data from / to an RFID described later by wireless communication. Specifically, for transmitting and receiving data and signals to and from the mobile terminal 102 in the communication area 3, and for the mobile terminal 102 of the user 101 existing in the communication area 3, It transmits an ID information acquisition request signal of the user 101 and receives the ID information signal transmitted from the portable terminal 102.

  In addition to managing the job reception order and processing order according to instructions from the CPU 301, user ID information from the portable terminal 102 owned by the user in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit 29, that is, in the predetermined communication area 3, is Obtained via the RFID reader / writer unit 317 and having the function of identifying the ID information of the user 101.

  In FIG. 5, the reader / writer unit 500 for reading or writing a non-contact IC attached to the document reading unit will be described in detail. The reader / writer unit 500 includes a transmission antenna unit 501 for transmitting radio waves to a 600 non-contact IC unit, a modulation circuit 502 for modulating radio waves transmitted from the transmission antenna, and a 600 non-contact IC unit. Demodulating circuit 504 for demodulating signals received from the receiving antenna units of receiving antenna units 503 and 503 for receiving radio waves transmitted from 501, a transmitting antenna unit of 501, a modulating circuit of 502, and receiving of 503 A control unit 505 for controlling the demodulation circuit of the antenna unit and 504, an I / F unit 506 that communicates with a host device, and a transmission antenna unit 501, are connected to 600 non-contact ICs to supply power Consists of a power supply 507.

  The control unit 505 modulates a radio wave for supplying power and data to be transmitted using a modulation circuit 502 in accordance with an instruction from the outside, and transmits the radio wave from the transmission antenna unit 501 to the outside. Further, a radio signal received from the outside can be received by the receiving antenna unit 503, demodulated by the demodulation circuit 504, and then converted so that it can be handled as a data signal.

  6, the non-contact IC unit 600 will be described in detail. The non-contact IC unit 600 includes a non-volatile memory 601, an antenna unit for transmitting and receiving 602 radio waves, a resonance capacitor unit 603, a power forming unit for rectifying and smoothing a power source 604, and a radio wave 605 Are composed of a post-modulation unit for performing modulation and demodulation, and a control unit for 606.

  The antenna portion 602 is combined with a resonance capacitor 603 so that a resonance circuit can be configured. When a radio wave signal for supplying power is sent from the outside, it is received by a resonance circuit and supplied to the power forming unit shown in 604. The power generation unit of 604 operates 600 non-contact ICs Therefore, it becomes possible to supply electric power. The power is supplied to a non-volatile memory 601 and a post-modulation circuit 605. The control unit 606 is for controlling the 600 non-contact IC unit.

  Along with radio waves for supplying power from the outside, data for reading or writing from the non-contact IC unit is also transmitted and received at the same time, and the signal sent to the 600 non-contact IC unit is 605 demodulated. The signal is demodulated by the circuit and stored in the nonvolatile memory 601 via the control unit 606. The data read from the non-volatile memory 601 by the control unit 606 is modulated by the post-modulation circuit 605 and can be transmitted as a radio wave signal from the antenna unit 602.

  In a network system to which the image forming apparatus 200 equipped with the above-described mobile object identification device is connected, when image data (document data or the like) created by a user on a personal computer is printed out, the user can operate the image data by operating the personal computer. Is instructed to print.

  This network system is managed by a network server (print server), and when a user issues an image data print instruction, the image data and information about printing are added from the personal computer to the user ID number. Is sent to the network server.

  It is assumed that the ID number added at this time is set in advance as identification management information of the user in, for example, a personal computer under the personal management of each user. As another method, when a mobile object identification device is mounted on a personal computer, a user who uses the personal computer is automatically identified, and the user gives an instruction to transfer (output) image data. Also, a method of automatically transferring the identified ID number together with image data and print information is possible.

  Next, if the network server confirms the state of the image forming apparatus 200 and determines that image data can be recorded (printed), the network server temporarily stores image data from the personal computer, information about printing, The ID number is transferred to the image forming apparatus 200 as a print job. The image forming apparatus 200 receives the print job via the printer board 601 and stores and manages the received print job in the hard disk device (storage management unit) 503.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a print job management table stored and managed in the hard disk drive 309 of the image forming apparatus 200. In the present description, the print job is stored and managed in the hard disk drive 309 of the image forming apparatus 200. However, the print job may be stored and managed on the network server side.

  When the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment detects an ID card in a state where a plurality of print jobs are stored and managed in the hard disk drive 309 as described above, the ID number stored in the ID card is displayed. The output order of the print job corresponding to the ID number is checked. As a result, when the user approaches the image forming apparatus, even if a plurality of print jobs are stored in advance, the user can preferentially output the print job instructed by the user, thereby improving user convenience. Can be made. The operation in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 200 constantly monitors the presence of an ID card in a predetermined area by the mobile object identification device. At this time, if the moving body identification device detects that an ID card is present in the management area of the image forming apparatus 200 (YES in S401), the ID number of the ID card is identified and confirmed (S402). Then, it is confirmed whether or not a print job corresponding to the determined ID number exists in the hard disk drive 309 (S403).

  If the presence of the print job can be confirmed (YES in S403), it is further confirmed whether or not there is a print job output in advance in the hard disk drive 309 (S404). If there are two or more print jobs to be output in advance (YES in S404), the output order of the print jobs is changed to the next order (S405).

  Further, after the above-described print job is changed, when an ID card of another user is newly recognized by the image forming apparatus 200, the ID number stored in the ID card is confirmed and the ID number is set. The order is changed so that the corresponding print jobs are output in the next order of the above-described print jobs. The operation in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 200 constantly monitors the presence of an ID card in a predetermined area by the mobile object identification device. At this time, if the moving body identification device detects that an ID card is present in the management area of the image forming apparatus 200 (YES in S701), the ID number of the ID card is identified and confirmed (S702). Then, it is confirmed whether or not a print job corresponding to the determined ID number exists in the hard disk drive 309 (S703).

  If the presence of the print job can be confirmed (YES in S703), it is further confirmed whether or not there is a print job output in advance in the hard disk drive 309 (S704). If there are two or more print jobs to be output in advance (YES in S704), the output order of the print jobs is switched to the next order (S705).

  If there are a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the detected ID number, they may be output in advance in the registered order, or a print job list corresponding to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200 is displayed. The user may select a print job to be output in advance.

  The acquisition of the user ID information is not limited to using the mobile terminal 1 as in the above-described embodiment, and the user himself / herself may input from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus 200.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the inside of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing details of the inside of the printer controller. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the image forming system. Block diagram showing the details of the contactless IC reader / writer. The block diagram which expressed the inside of non-contact IC in detail. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

200 Image forming apparatus 101 User 102 Mobile terminal 103 User-owned computer terminal 104 Communication area 105 Network line

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus that accepts image data input from an external device and outputs an image on paper based on the image data,
Storage management means for storing and managing the image data in association with a specific ID number when the image data is input from the external device;
Personal identification information obtaining means for obtaining personal identification information of a user who came to obtain a printed matter output from the image forming apparatus;
An output order control means for controlling the output order of the image data when an ID number is confirmed by the personal identification information obtaining means and image data corresponding to the ID number is stored in the storage management means; An image forming apparatus.   The personal identification information acquisition means is disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus, and is capable of wireless communication with a personal identification terminal that stores the personal identification information of the user within a management area of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized.   When there are two or more ID numbers confirmed by the mobile object identification means and image data corresponding to each ID number is stored in the storage management means, the order in which the ID numbers are confirmed is The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an output order changing unit that stores and rearranges the image data in the confirmed order.   At least one or more pieces of image data corresponding to the ID number confirmed by the moving body identification unit are stored in the storage management unit, and information regarding all the image data stored in the storage management unit is stored in the display unit. 2. The image according to claim 1, further comprising selection means for allowing arbitrary image data to be selectively input from among the image data displayed on the display means when being displayed. Forming equipment.

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