JP2007043365A - Image output management system and its control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output management system capable of alleviating manager's work burden, and efficiently reducing the cost for the system as a whole. <P>SOLUTION: In the system, a plurality of compound units 1 and 2 are divided into groups, and are registered into a management server 3. Using of compound units 1 and 2 by an output job according to a user instruction from the compound units 1 and 2 or a user terminal 4 is regulated, based on a regulation value established for each of unit groups to which the compound units 1 and 2 belong. In particular, when the output job is executed based on the user instruction, the amount of accumulated usage by execution of the output job is compared with the regulation value, and it is determined whether output should be regulated or not. When it is determined that output should be regulated, a predetermined output regulation operation is performed, for example, reject of execution of the output job and/or notification of warning to a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output management system that manages the amount of use of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine, and a control program therefor.

  When sharing image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and multi-function machines with multiple users, manage the usage for each user. If there are multiple image forming apparatuses, use each image forming apparatus. By managing the usage amount of the image forming apparatus and restricting the use of the image forming apparatus as necessary, it is possible to prevent useless use of the image forming apparatus and reduce the cost.

Conventionally, as a management restriction on the use of such an image forming apparatus, for example, printing is performed when the number of users used is managed by a server device and the number of users used reaches a regulation value set for each user. There is known an image forming apparatus that rejects (see Patent Document 1). Further, a server device is known in which a user is notified before the number of used sheets exceeds a regulation value set for each user or device (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-3004 A JP 2003-266892 A

  However, in such a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are shared by a plurality of users, the system management is effective only when the overall cost is reduced in restricting the use of the image forming apparatus. However, in the method of setting and managing the restriction value for each user or image forming apparatus as in the conventional technique, each restriction value is set so that the optimum use restriction can be performed in order to reduce the overall cost. There is a problem that the setting work is complicated and the workload of the administrator is heavy.

  The present invention has been devised based on such inventor's knowledge, and its main purpose is to efficiently reduce the cost of the entire system while reducing the workload of the administrator. An image output management system configured as described above and a control program therefor are provided.

  In order to solve such a problem, in an image output management system according to the present invention, as shown in claim 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a network connection to the plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatuses. A plurality of the image forming apparatuses that are grouped and registered in the management apparatus, and the output of the image forming apparatus based on a user instruction in the image forming apparatus. Usage is restricted based on a restriction value set for each device group to which the image forming apparatus belongs.

  In the image output management system according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, a plurality of image forming apparatuses and a management apparatus that is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses over a network and manages the usage amount of the image forming apparatuses. And a user terminal that is network-connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses and issues a print request to the image forming apparatus, and the plurality of image forming apparatuses are grouped and registered in the management apparatus, The use of the image forming apparatus by an output job based on a user instruction at the user terminal is regulated based on a regulation value set for each apparatus group to which the image forming apparatus belongs.

  According to this, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are grouped according to the level of output cost, etc., and the usage amount of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the same apparatus group is collectively regulated. Can efficiently reduce the cost of the whole system.

  In this case, the usage amount of the image forming apparatus can be easily managed by the number of recording sheets that are actually output, but the amount that directly affects the output cost, such as the consumption amount of the developer, for example, is output. A configuration in which the black rate of the image (ratio occupied by the image line portion to which the toner adheres) is also possible. At this time, it is preferable to manage with a converted number of sheets based on a standard black rate.

  In the configuration of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus has a copying function for copying a document image read by the reading unit onto a recording sheet, a facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data by the communication unit, and the like. Executes an output job (copy job) for copying an original image on a recording paper or an output job for forming an image of facsimile data received in a memory on a recording paper based on a user instruction using an operation unit provided in the apparatus. To do.

  Further, in the configuration according to claim 2, the image forming apparatus has a network printer function for performing image formation in response to a print request from the user terminal, and instructs the user terminal to print out a required document. Based on this, an output job (print job) for forming an image on the recording paper from the print data received from the user terminal is executed.

  In the image output management system, a plurality of the image forming apparatuses may be grouped into a device group that performs color image output and a device group that performs monochrome image output. it can. According to this, it is possible to efficiently reduce the cost of the entire system by setting different regulation values for the costly color image output device group and the low cost monochrome image output device group.

  In addition, when grouping according to the type and function of the image forming apparatus, for example, it is possible to perform grouping according to a high speed and high output cost and a low speed and low output cost. At this time, in the high-speed / high-cost group, the upper limit value (regulation value) of the number of sheets used is set low to strengthen the regulation, thereby reducing the cost of the entire system. Further, it is possible to perform grouping based on the usage form of the image forming apparatus. For example, it is possible to perform grouping by using a new recording paper and using a back paper. It is also possible to group by recording paper size, for example, by A4 dedicated machine and A3 compatible machine. At this time, the upper limit value of the group using the new recording paper with high cost is set low to strengthen the regulation, and the upper limit value of the A3 compatible machine group with high cost is set low to strengthen the regulation, so that the whole system The cost can be reduced.

  In the image output management system, as shown in claim 4, when an output job is executed based on a user instruction, user authentication for specifying a user who instructs the output job is performed. it can. According to this, it is possible to accurately specify the user who instructs the output job.

  In this case, the user authentication process may be configured to identify and verify the user by biometrics (biometric authentication) such as a fingerprint, thereby obtaining high authentication accuracy.

  In this user authentication process, an instruction source user who performs an output operation is identified by comparing and comparing authentication data acquired from a user using a required sensor and authentication data for each user registered in advance. The user authentication process can be performed by the management apparatus in addition to the image forming apparatus and user terminal operated by the user. In particular, authentication data for each user required for user authentication is registered and managed by the management apparatus. It is good to make it.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 5, when an output job is executed based on a user instruction, whether the output should be restricted by comparing the accumulated usage amount of the output job with a restriction value If it is determined whether or not the output is to be restricted, a predetermined output restriction operation can be performed. According to this, the usage amount of the image forming apparatus can be reliably regulated based on the regulation value.

  In this case, the necessity of output restriction may be determined by a control unit in the image forming apparatus that has received the output job. Further, in determining whether or not output regulation is necessary, the usage amount related to the output job is added to the cumulative usage amount up to now and compared with the regulation value. The cumulative usage amount and the regulation value up to now are stored in the storage unit of the management apparatus. And stored in the image forming apparatus as needed.

  In addition, the output restriction operation performed when it is determined that the output should be restricted in the output restriction necessity determination, the rejection of the execution of the output job, or the cumulative usage amount due to the execution of the output job exceeds the restriction value The user or the administrator selects in advance whether or not to execute the output job, such as whether to permit the execution of the output job or to reject the execution of the output job. It is good to do so.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 6, when it is determined that the output should be restricted by the determination, a warning message is notified to the user as the output restriction operation, and the execution of the output job is performed. It can be set as the structure which made the user select whether it was possible. According to this, since the execution of the output job that violates the regulation value is permitted as required by the user after warning, the user-friendliness is improved.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 7, when it is determined that the output should be restricted in the determination, the output job is rejected as the output restriction operation, and the output job is executed. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the user is notified of a confirmation message indicating that it is impossible. According to this, the user can understand the reason why the output job is not normally executed, and the user-friendliness is improved.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 8, when it is determined that the output should be restricted by the determination, a warning message is notified to the user as the output restriction operation, and a range that does not conflict with the restriction value The user can select whether or not to execute the output job. According to this, since the execution of the output job is permitted with a condition within a range that does not exceed the regulation value after warning, the convenience of the user is improved.

  In the image output management system, as shown in claim 9, when executing an output job based on a user instruction at the user terminal, the cumulative use amount due to the execution of the output job is compared with a regulation value, When it is determined whether or not the output should be regulated, and it is determined that the output should be regulated, the output job is rejected as an output regulation operation and the output job cannot be executed. An electronic mail in which a confirmation message and an address of a site for guiding a countermeasure are described can be sent to the user terminal. According to this, the user can understand the reason why the output job is not normally executed, and further, the user can access the site for guiding the coping method and acquire necessary information, so that the user convenience is improved.

  Note that the notification of the predetermined message to the user and the predetermined selection operation by the user are performed using an operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus in the configuration in which the user instructs the output by the image forming apparatus as described in claim 1. Just do it. Further, in the configuration in which the user instructs the output at the user terminal as described in claim 2, a predetermined message is used by using an appropriate communication protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) in addition to e-mail as described above. And a screen on which a button group for accepting a user's selection operation is provided can be displayed on the display of the user terminal. In this case, it is necessary to install in the user terminal a program for receiving notification data sent from the management apparatus via the network.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 10, the restriction value can be set for each device group and each user. According to this, since the usage amount of the image forming apparatus can be regulated for each user in addition to the apparatus group, appropriate usage regulation can be performed according to the user's business, and convenience is improved.

  In the image output management system, as described in claim 11, the restriction value may be set for each device group and user group. According to this, since the usage amount of the image forming apparatus can be regulated for each user group in addition to the apparatus group, appropriate usage regulation can be performed according to the business of the user group to which the user belongs. Will improve.

  Further, in the control program according to the present invention, as described in claim 12, the use amount of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is restricted, and the use of the image forming apparatus by an output job based on a user instruction is The restriction is made based on the restriction value set for each apparatus group to which the image forming apparatus belongs.

  According to this, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are grouped according to the level of output cost, etc., and the usage amount of the image forming apparatuses belonging to the same apparatus group is collectively regulated. Can efficiently reduce the cost of the whole system.

  In this case, the control program regulates the cumulative usage amount by the process of collecting and managing the cumulative usage amount for each device group from the usage amount of each output job collected from each image forming apparatus, and the execution of the output job based on the user's instruction. The process of determining whether the output should be restricted by comparing with the value, and a predetermined output restriction operation according to the judgment result in the necessity judgment of the output restriction, that is, rejection of execution of the output job, to the user The process of controlling each operation of the warning notification is performed, and the process of collecting and managing the accumulated usage amount for each apparatus group is preferably performed by a management apparatus connected to each image forming apparatus via a network. The process of determining whether output regulation is necessary is preferably performed by the image forming apparatus, but can also be performed by the management apparatus. The process of controlling the output restriction operation may be performed by either the image forming apparatus or the management apparatus according to the type of the output restriction operation. These control programs are stored in advance in a storage unit such as a memory, and are introduced using an appropriate storage medium such as a CD-ROM or an appropriate communication medium such as an IP network.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of image forming apparatuses are grouped according to the level of output cost, etc., a restriction value is set for each apparatus group, and image forming apparatuses belonging to the same apparatus group are used collectively. Since the amount is regulated, it is possible to efficiently reduce the cost of the entire system while reducing the workload of the administrator.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image output management system according to the present invention. This system includes a plurality of color multifunction peripherals (image forming apparatuses) 1, a plurality of monochrome multifunction peripherals (image forming apparatuses) 2, and a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1 and 2 connected to a network (LAN) so that the multifunction peripherals 1. 2 and a management server (management device) 3 that restricts the amount of usage. Further, this system includes a user terminal 4 that is connected to a plurality of MFPs 1 and 2 via a network (LAN) and issues a print request to the MFPs 1 and 2.

  The color multifunction device 1 and the monochrome multifunction device 2 are grouped according to the device type and registered in the management server 3. Here, the color multifunction device 1 is grouped as a color multifunction device group (device group) 5 and is monochrome. The multifunction devices 2 are grouped as a monochrome multifunction device group (device group) 6.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing the configurations of the multifunction peripheral, the management server, and the user terminal shown in FIG. The multifunction machines 1 and 2 include a control unit 11, a network interface 12, a facsimile communication unit 13, a scanner unit 14, an image forming unit 15, and an operation panel 16. In the color MFP 1, the image forming unit 15 has a function of forming a color image by electrophotography using toner for each primary color. In the monochrome MFP 2, the image forming unit 15 uses a single color toner. It has a function of forming a monochrome image by electrophotography.

  In the MFPs 1 and 2, a copying function is realized by forming an image on a recording sheet by the image forming unit 15 based on document image data obtained by reading the document by the scanner unit 14. Further, facsimile data obtained by reading the original with the scanner unit 14 is transmitted from the facsimile communication unit 13, and an image is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 15 based on the facsimile data received by the facsimile communication unit 13. By forming, a facsimile function is realized. Further, the network printer function is realized by forming the print data received from the user terminal 4 on the network interface 12 on the recording paper by the image forming unit 15.

  Further, the multi-function machines 1 and 2 have a card reader 18 and a fingerprint sensor 19. The card reader 18 reads an IC card possessed by the user, and the fingerprint sensor 19 reads the user's fingerprint. When executing an output job based on the user's instruction, the user operates the operation panel 16. The password entered by the user, the card ID obtained from the IC card by the card reader 18, and the fingerprint data obtained from the user by the fingerprint sensor 19 are compared with data registered for each user in advance, and an instruction to perform an output operation A user authentication process for specifying the original user is performed by the control unit 11.

  The user terminal 4 includes a control unit 41, a network interface 42, a display 43, an input unit 44 including a keyboard and a mouse, an application 45, and a printer driver 46. The user terminal 4 operates the input unit 44. When the application 45 opens a required document and instructs printing, print data in a printer language that can be processed by the multifunction device 1 or 2 is generated by the printer driver 46, and the print data is sent from the network interface 42 to the multifunction device 1 or 1. Sent to 2.

  Further, the user terminal 4 includes a card reader 47 and a fingerprint sensor 48 as in the case of the multi-function machines 1 and 2, and includes a keyboard or the like when making a print request to the multi-function machines 1 and 2. The password input by the user at the input unit 44, the card ID acquired from the IC card by the card reader 47, and the fingerprint data acquired from the user by the fingerprint sensor 48 are sent to the MFPs 1 and 2, and the MFP 1 -In the control part 11 of 2, the user authentication which specifies the user of the instruction | indication which performs comparison operation with the data for every user registered previously and performs output operation is performed.

  The management server 3 includes a control unit 31, a network interface 32, a database 33, and a web server unit 34. The database 33 includes user information such as authentication data required for user authentication, upper limit value information regarding use restrictions of the multifunction devices 1 and 2, device group information regarding grouping of the multifunction devices 1 and 2, and multifunction devices 1 and 2. Actual value information relating to the amount of use up to now is registered in advance.

  In this example, the user authentication process for specifying the user who performs the operation is performed by the multi-function machines 1 and 2, but the user authentication process may be performed by the management server 3. In this case, the management server 3 acquires the authentication data acquired from the user who performs the output operation, that is, the password, the card ID, and the fingerprint data from the MFPs 1 and 2 and performs user authentication processing.・ Send to 2.

  FIG. 3 shows the contents of user information held in the management server shown in FIG. The user information includes information on a user name, a user ID, a password, a card ID, fingerprint data, and a mail address. The password is entered by the user at the time of user authentication, the card ID is registered in the IC card possessed by the user, the fingerprint data is obtained from the user in advance, and the e-mail address is the user This is a destination for sending an e-mail to the terminal 4.

  The password, card ID, and fingerprint data are sent from the management server 3 to the MFPs 1 and 2 in advance and held in the required storage means, and used for user authentication performed by the control unit 11 of the MFPs 1 and 2.

  FIG. 4 shows the contents of the device group information held in the management server shown in FIG. The device group information includes information on device IDs, MAC addresses, IP addresses, device names, and models of the multifunction devices 1 and 2 belonging to the device groups of the color multifunction device group 5 and the monochrome multifunction device group 6. Based on these pieces of information, the MFPs 1 and 2 on the network are identified, and the device group (color MFP group 5 and monochrome MFP group 6) to which the MFPs 1 and 2 belong is determined.

  In addition, when grouping according to the types and functions of the MFPs 1 and 2, for example, it is possible to perform grouping according to a high speed and high output cost and a low speed and low output cost. Further, it is possible to perform grouping based on the usage mode of the multifunction peripherals 1 and 2. For example, it is possible to perform grouping by using a new recording sheet and using a backing sheet. It is also possible to group by recording paper size, for example, by A4 dedicated machine and A3 compatible machine.

  FIG. 5 shows the contents of the performance value information held in the management server shown in FIG. The actual value (cumulative usage) is the cumulative value of the number of used sheets (usage) during a unit period such as month or year. From the number of used sheets collected from the MFPs 1 and 2 for each output job, The actual values are aggregated for each MFP 1 and 2, and the actual values for each user are aggregated for each device group (color MFP group 5 and monochrome MFP group 6).

  FIG. 6 shows the contents of the upper limit information held in the management server shown in FIG. Here, an upper limit value (regulation value) for the number of used sheets for each user is set for each device group (color multifunction device group 5 and monochrome multifunction device group 6).

  In the MFPs 1 and 2, the use of the own device by the output job based on the user's instruction at the own device or the user terminal 4 is restricted based on the upper limit value (restriction value) set for each device group to which the own device belongs. It is supposed to be. That is, when executing the output job based on the user's instruction, the MFPs 1 and 2 compare the accumulated usage amount due to the execution of the output job with the upper limit value and determine whether or not the output should be restricted. Here, when it is determined that the cumulative number of sheets used by the execution of the output job exceeds the upper limit value and the output should be restricted, a predetermined output restriction operation is performed.

  In determining the necessity of regulation based on the upper limit value, processing is performed to request the management server 3 to send the upper limit value and the actual value from the multifunction devices 1 and 2, and the management server 3 The upper limit value and the actual value corresponding to the device group to which 1 and 2 belong and the instruction source user are acquired from the database 33, and the upper limit value and the actual value are transmitted to the requesting MFPs 1 and 2. . In the MFPs 1 and 2, the control unit 11 determines whether output restriction is necessary based on the upper limit value and the actual value acquired from the management server 3.

  In particular, here, the upper limit value of the color multifunction device group 5 that performs costly color image output is set lower than the upper limit value of the monochrome multifunction device group 6 that performs monochrome image output at a lower cost. Regulations have been strengthened, which can reduce the cost of the entire system.

  In addition, since an upper limit value (regulation value) for each device group (color MFP group 5 and monochrome MFP group 6) is set for each user, the number of sheets used for each device group can be managed in units of users. Appropriate use regulation can be performed according to the user's business.

  Note that the usage amount of the MFPs 1 and 2 can be easily managed by the number of recording sheets actually output, but the amount that directly affects the output cost such as the consumption amount of the developer, for example, the output It is also possible to manage the image by the black ratio of the image (the proportion of the image line portion where the toner adheres). At this time, the number of conversions based on the standard black rate is managed.

  7, 8, and 9 show warning screens displayed on the display unit on the operation panel of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. These warning screens are displayed when it is determined that the output should be regulated by the necessity judgment of the output regulation performed by the control unit 11 when the user instructs the copying in the multifunction machine 1 or 2, that is, the user's A touch panel on the operation panel 16 depending on whether to permit or reject execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit when the cumulative number of sheets used by execution of the output job based on the instruction exceeds the upper limit. It is displayed on a display unit consisting of a display. Whether to execute an output job exceeding the upper limit is set in advance by a user or an administrator.

  The warning screen shown in FIG. 7 is a case in which execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit value is permitted. The warning message is notified to the user as an output restriction operation, and the user is allowed to select whether to execute the output job. It is. In this case, execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit value is permitted as required by the user after warning.

  In the warning screen shown in FIG. 7, a message display unit 71 displays a warning message that the cumulative number of used sheets exceeds the upper limit when an output job is executed according to the user's instruction, and a message for inquiring whether or not to cancel printing. In addition, print and cancel buttons 72 and 73 are provided, and the user can select whether or not to execute an output job by operating these buttons 72 and 73.

  The warning screen shown in FIG. 8 is a setting in which execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit value is not permitted, and execution of the output job is rejected as an output restriction operation, so that the output job cannot be executed. A confirmation message is notified to the user.

  When rejecting the execution of an output job, as will be described later, if all of the output sheets related to the output job are impossible, that is, if one sheet cannot be output, the output job is rejected. When a part of the output number is not possible, it is possible to reject all the output numbers related to the output job.

  In the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 8, if the output job is executed according to the user's instruction, the cumulative use number exceeds the upper limit value, and a confirmation message indicating that the output job cannot be executed is displayed on the message display unit 81. In addition, an OK button 82 is provided. When the user sees the confirmation message and understands that the output job cannot be executed and operates the OK button 82, an initial screen for accepting a new instruction is received. Return to.

  The warning screen shown in FIG. 9 is a case in which execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit value is not permitted, and a warning message is notified to the user as an output restriction operation, and the output job within a range not exceeding the upper limit value is displayed. This allows the user to select whether or not to execute the above. In this case, when a part of the number of output sheets related to the output job according to the user's instruction is possible, the execution of the output job is permitted with a condition within a range not exceeding the upper limit value after warning. .

  In the warning screen shown in FIG. 9, a warning message in which the number of usable sheets that can be output within the range not exceeding the upper limit value and an inquiry message as to whether or not to cancel printing are displayed on the message display unit 91, and the upper limit value is displayed. Each of the print and cancel buttons 92 and 93 is provided up to the value, and the user can select whether or not to execute the output job by operating these buttons 92 and 93.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure when a copy operation is performed in the multifunction machine shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 10 is a setting that permits output exceeding the upper limit value, and the example shown in FIG. 11 is a setting that rejects output exceeding the upper limit value.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the case of setting to permit output exceeding the upper limit value, first, in the multi-function machines 1 and 2, user authentication, that is, the user inputs a password on the operation panel 16, and the card reader 18 The user authentication process that reads the IC card held by the user, reads the user's fingerprint with the fingerprint sensor 19, and collates the password, card ID, and fingerprint data obtained by these operations with the pre-registered data is controlled. When the user authentication is successful here, the management server 3 displays the device group (color multifunction device group or monochrome multifunction device group) to which the device belongs and the upper limit value and actual value corresponding to the user. (Step 102).

  Next, in the MFPs 1 and 2, when the user makes a copy request, that is, when an original is set in the scanner unit 14, a required designation operation such as the number of copies and a copy start operation are performed on the operation panel 17 ( In step 103), the control unit 11 performs a process of comparing the remaining number obtained by subtracting the actual value from the upper limit value acquired from the management server 3 and the copy request number (step 104).

  Here, when all of the requested number of copies are possible, the copy processing, that is, the document is read by the scanner unit 14, and a copy image of the document is recorded by the image forming unit 15 based on the image data obtained thereby. An output process to be formed on the paper is executed (step 105). When the required number of copies is completed, a process for notifying the management server 3 of the number of output sheets is performed (step 106). At this time, the management server 3 performs processing for adding the received output number to the actual value and updating the actual value registered in the database 33.

  On the other hand, when a part of the requested number of copies is possible and when all of the requested number of copies is not possible, the warning screen shown in FIG. Whether or not to execute is selected by the user (step 107). When execution is selected here, copy processing is executed (step 105), and then processing for notifying the management server 3 of the number of output sheets is performed. (Step 106). If cancel is selected, the copy process is terminated without being executed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the case of setting that does not permit output exceeding the upper limit value, first, in the multi-function devices 1 and 2, the user who verifies the user authentication, that is, the password, card ID, and fingerprint data with previously registered data. Authentication processing is performed by the control unit 11 (step 201). When user authentication is successful, the device group (color multifunction device group or monochrome multifunction device group) to which the own device belongs and the upper limit value and actual value corresponding to the user. Is acquired from the management server 3 (step 202).

  Next, in the MFPs 1 and 2, when the user makes a copy request, that is, when an original is set in the scanner unit 14, a required designation operation such as the number of copies and a copy start operation are performed on the operation panel 16 ( In step 203, the control unit 11 compares the remaining number obtained by subtracting the actual value from the upper limit value acquired from the management server 3 and the copy request number (step 204).

  Here, when all of the requested number of copies are possible, the copy processing, that is, the document is read by the scanner unit 14, and a copy image of the document is recorded by the image forming unit 15 based on the image data obtained thereby. An output process for forming on the paper is executed (step 205). When the required number of copies is completed, a process for notifying the management server 3 of the number of output sheets is performed (step 206).

  On the other hand, when a part of the requested number of copies is possible, the warning screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit on the operation panel 16 to allow the user to select whether or not to execute the copy job. When copying up to the upper limit is selected (step 207), copy processing for only the remaining number of sheets up to the upper limit is executed (step 208), and then processing for notifying the management server 3 of the number of output sheets Is performed (step 206). If cancel is selected, the copy process is terminated without being executed.

  On the other hand, if all the requested copy numbers are impossible, an error message indicating that the copy job cannot be executed, that is, a confirmation screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit on the operation panel 16 (step 209). finish.

  In the above description, an example of a copy job for copying a document image onto a recording sheet is shown as an example of instructing output using the operation panel 16 provided in the multifunction machine 1 or 2. In addition to this, there is also an output job for forming an image of facsimile data received in the memory on a recording sheet, which is the same as the example of the copying job.

  FIG. 12 shows the contents of a warning mail sent from the management server shown in FIG. 2 to the user terminal. This warning mail is output when it is determined that the output should be regulated by the necessity judgment of the output regulation performed by the control unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 or 2 when the user terminal 4 issues a print instruction, that is, the user Is transmitted from the management server 3 to the user terminal 4 when the cumulative number of sheets used due to the execution of the output job based on the above instruction exceeds the upper limit.

  The warning mail shown in FIG. 12 is sent to the user terminal 4 when the execution of the output job is rejected as an output restriction operation with a setting that does not allow execution of an output job exceeding the upper limit value. When the output job is executed as instructed by the user, a confirmation message indicating that the output job cannot be executed because the cumulative number of used sheets exceeds the upper limit value, and a Web that guides the coping method (print restart procedure) The site address (URL) is described.

  The Web site described in the warning mail is made public by the Web server unit 34 of the management server 3. When this Web site is accessed on the user terminal 4, the current state, that is, the actual value information shown in FIG. Based on the upper limit value information shown in FIG. 6, a Web page on which a list of current actual values and upper limit values is listed is displayed. With reference to this, the user can select an appropriate multifunction device 1 or 2, for example, the upper limit value. In consideration of this margin, the MFPs 1 and 2 of another device group are selected, and the user issues a print instruction to the MFPs 1 and 2 again.

  In addition, on the Web page displayed when this Web site is accessed on the user terminal 4, candidates for the MFPs 1 and 2 that can execute the print job instructed by the user are displayed, and the print job is selected from the candidates. It is also possible to select the multifunction machines 1 and 2 that execute the above. In this case, the management server 3 is configured to transfer the print job to the MFPs 1 and 2 designated by the user on the Web page with respect to the MFPs 1 and 2 that have received the print job from the user terminal 4 according to the user's print instruction. May be executed by the MFPs 1 and 2 to which the print job has been transferred, and this eliminates the trouble of the user re-executing the print instruction.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a printing operation is performed on the user terminal shown in FIG. Here, the setting regarding whether or not to execute the output job exceeding the upper limit value is performed in advance by the user or the administrator.

  First, in the user terminal 4, the user inputs a password at an input unit 44 including a keyboard and a mouse, reads an IC card possessed by the user with a card reader 47, and further detects the user's user with a fingerprint sensor 48. The fingerprint is read, and the password, card ID, and fingerprint data acquired by these operations are registered in the printer driver 46 in advance. This operation may be performed every time a print instruction is issued.

  Then, when the user opens a required document with the application 45 and designates the number of copies to be printed on the user terminal 4 and issues a print request to the multifunction machine 1 or 2 via the printer driver 46 ( In step 301), the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 1 or 2 performs user authentication, that is, a process of collating the password, card ID, and fingerprint data acquired from the user terminal 4 with previously registered data (step 301). 302).

  If this user authentication is successful, the MFPs 1 and 2 obtain from the management server 3 the device group to which the own device belongs (color MFP group or monochrome MFP group) and the upper limit value and the actual value corresponding to the user (step 303) Next, the control unit 11 performs a process of comparing the remaining number of prints obtained by subtracting the actual value from the upper limit value acquired from the management server 3 (step 304).

  Here, when all of the requested number of prints are possible, a print process, that is, an output process for forming an image of the document on the recording paper by the image forming unit 15 based on the print data received from the user terminal 4 is executed. (Step 305).

  On the other hand, when a part of the print request number is possible and when all the print request number is not possible, it is determined whether or not the setting is to allow printing exceeding the upper limit (step 306). If the setting is to allow printing exceeding the value, printing processing is executed (step 307).

  When the required number of print processes is completed, the management server 3 is notified of the number of prints output in the print job (step 308), and the print job is set to the upper limit with a setting that does not allow execution of print jobs exceeding the upper limit. If it exceeds the value (step 309), the management server 3 sends a warning notification to the user terminal 4, that is, a warning mail shown in FIG. 12 (step 310). At this time, whether or not the warning mail needs to be transmitted is determined by the management server 3 or may be notified to the management server 3 after the determination by the MFPs 1 and 2.

  On the other hand, when the user authentication (step 302) fails, the management server 3 sends an error notification to the user terminal 4, that is, an e-mail containing a notification message indicating that the user authentication has failed (step 311).

  When a predetermined message is notified to the user who operates the user terminal 4, a predetermined message is used by using an appropriate communication protocol such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) in addition to the above-described e-mail. Can be displayed on the display 43 of the user terminal 4. In this case, it is necessary to install in the user terminal 4 a program for receiving notification data sent from the management server 3 via the network.

  Further, by using an appropriate communication protocol such as SNMP, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, a screen in which a predetermined message is described and a button group for accepting a user's selection operation is provided. Can be displayed on the display 43 of the user terminal 4 to notify the user of a required notification and to perform a required selection operation.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the upper limit information held in the management server illustrated in FIG. Here, an upper limit value (regulation value) for the number of sheets used is set for each device group (color MFP group 5 and monochrome MFP group 6) and user group.

  In this case, since the usage amount for each device group can be managed in units of user groups, appropriate usage regulation can be performed according to the business of the user group to which the user belongs.

  It should be noted that the control of each operation of determining the necessity of output restriction performed by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 1 or 2 and the predetermined output restriction operation, that is, rejecting the output job, displaying the notification message to the user is performed by a ROM or the like. The control program stored in the required storage means is executed by the CPU constituting the control unit 11.

  In addition, the processing for totalizing and managing the cumulative usage amount performed by the control unit 31 of the management server 3 for each device group and the predetermined output restriction operation, that is, the transmission of the warning mail, are stored in a required storage means such as a ROM. This is realized by causing the CPU constituting the control unit 31 to execute the control program.

  The image output management system and the control program thereof according to the present invention have the effect of effectively reducing the cost of the entire system while reducing the work burden on the administrator. It is useful as an image output management system for managing the amount of use of an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral and its control program.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the image output management system by this invention 1 is a block diagram functionally showing the configuration of the MFP, management server, and user terminal shown in FIG. The figure which shows the content of the user information hold | maintained at the management server shown in FIG. The figure which shows the content of the device group information hold | maintained at the management server shown in FIG. The figure which shows the content of the performance value information hold | maintained at the management server shown in FIG. The figure which shows the content of the upper limit information hold | maintained at the management server shown in FIG. The figure which shows the warning screen displayed on the display part on the operation panel of the multifunctional device shown in FIG. The figure which shows the warning screen displayed on the display part on the operation panel of the multifunctional device shown in FIG. The figure which shows the warning screen displayed on the display part on the operation panel of the multifunctional device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a copy operation is performed on the multifunction device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a copy operation is performed on the multifunction device shown in FIG. The figure which shows the content of the warning mail sent to the user terminal from the management server shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of performing printing operation with the user terminal shown in FIG. The figure which shows another example of the upper limit information hold | maintained at the management server shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Color compound machine (image forming device)
2 Monochrome MFP (image forming device)
3 management server (management device)
4 User terminal 5 Color MFP group 6 Monochrome MFP group

Claims (12)

An image output management system comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses; and a management apparatus that is connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses over a network and that limits the amount of use of the image forming apparatus.
A plurality of the image forming apparatuses are registered as a group in the management apparatus, and the use of the image forming apparatus by an output job based on a user instruction in the image forming apparatus is determined for each apparatus group to which the image forming apparatus belongs. An image output management system characterized in that regulation is performed based on a set regulation value. A plurality of image forming apparatuses, a management apparatus connected to the plurality of image forming apparatuses through a network to limit the amount of use of the image forming apparatus, and a network connection to the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus An image output management system having a user terminal that issues a print request,
A plurality of the image forming apparatuses are registered as a group in the management apparatus, and the use of the image forming apparatus by an output job based on a user instruction at the user terminal is set for each apparatus group to which the image forming apparatus belongs. An image output management system characterized in that regulation is performed based on the regulated value.   3. The image output management system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image forming apparatuses are grouped into a device group that performs color image output and a device group that performs monochrome image output.   3. The image output management system according to claim 1, wherein when executing an output job based on a user instruction, user authentication is performed to identify a user who instructs the output job.   When executing an output job based on a user's instruction, it is determined whether or not the output should be regulated by comparing the accumulated usage amount due to the execution of the output job with the regulation value, and the output should be regulated here. 3. The image output management system according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined output restriction operation is performed when the determination is made.   When it is determined in the determination that output should be restricted, a warning message is notified to the user as the output restriction operation, and the user is allowed to select whether to execute the output job. Item 6. The image output management system according to Item 5.   When it is determined in the determination that the output should be restricted, the execution of the output job is rejected as the output restriction operation, and a confirmation message that the execution of the output job is impossible is notified to the user. The image output management system according to claim 5, wherein:   When it is determined in the determination that the output should be restricted, a warning message is notified to the user as the output restriction operation, and the user is allowed to select whether or not to execute the output job within a range that does not conflict with the restriction value. The image output management system according to claim 5, which is configured as described above.   When executing an output job based on a user's instruction at the user terminal, the cumulative use amount due to the execution of the output job is compared with a regulation value to determine whether the output should be regulated, and output here When it is determined that the output job should be restricted, the output job is rejected as an output restriction operation, a confirmation message that the output job cannot be executed, and the address of the site that guides the coping method are described. 3. The image output management system according to claim 2, wherein the received e-mail is sent to the user terminal.   The image output management system according to claim 1, wherein the restriction value is set for each device group and each user.   The image output management system according to claim 1, wherein the restriction value is set for each device group and each user group. A control program for managing and restricting usage of a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
A control program for restricting use of the image forming apparatus by an output job based on a user instruction based on a restriction value set for each apparatus group to which the image forming apparatus belongs.

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