JPH0884212A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain an operating environment effective for the facsimile equipment by placing a limit to each function section of the facsimile equipment. CONSTITUTION: A limit information storage section 1 stores at least on kind of limit information, time information, document number information and page number information for each operator. A use function extract section 3 extracts a function section used by a job received from a job input section 2. A function enable/disable discrimination section 4 discriminates whether or not the extracted function section is available of use based on the limit information stored in the limit information storage section 1. When the discrimination indicates an enable state, a job execution section 5 executes a job and when the discrimination indicates a disable state, a disable use display section 6 displays it that the job execution is disable. Through such a constitution, the facsimile equipment is used efficiently by limiting the use of each function properly.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a function of processing jobs in parallel at the same time, and particularly to a facsimile apparatus capable of providing an effective use environment by restricting the use of its function parts. Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional device, the following technique has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-28553. A facsimile device disclosed in this publication has a reading unit for reading a document, a recording unit for printing data received from a communication partner, and a storage unit provided in the reading unit for storing the read document data as transmission data. A, and a storage unit B provided in the recording unit for storing received data
And a control unit for storing and controlling the transmission data in the storage unit A and the reception data in the storage unit B.

According to the above facsimile apparatus, the reading section and the recording section can be operated simultaneously. For example, while the reading unit is reading an original and transmitting the original as transmission data via the communication unit, the storage unit A
The transmission data from the storage unit B or the reception data from the storage unit B may be printed in the recording unit, or the communication unit may store the data in the storage unit A.
While transmitting the transmission data stored in the storage unit, new transmission data read by the reading unit may be stored in the storage unit A, or the reception data stored in the storage unit B may be printed by the recording unit. can do. When storing the received data in the storage unit B while receiving the received data, the document read by the reading unit is stored in the storage unit A as the transmission data, or the transmission data is printed in the recording unit. be able to. Furthermore, even if the received data is received while the transmission data from the storage unit A is being printed by the recording unit, by storing the received data in the storage unit B, it is not necessary to stop the printing operation. .

[0004]

In the conventional facsimile machine described in the above-mentioned publication, the functional units such as the reading section, the recording section and the storage section of the facsimile machine are
At the time of its use, it is not possible to add restrictions on the function used, the time used, the number of sheets used, and the like. For this reason,
There is a problem that the user can freely use each functional unit of the facsimile apparatus and cannot efficiently use the facsimile apparatus.

For example, when one user is printing or copying a huge amount of low-needed originals and another user wants to print or copy high-needed originals, the former There is a problem that the latter work cannot be performed until after the work is completed, which is inefficient. In addition, the copy job by the facsimile machine,
There are no restrictions on the use of copy paper, and users are not limited to copying only documents that they need for their work. They also have the problem of copying documents that are not related to their work (for example, private documents) or misusing the copy function. is there.

Further, since there is no restriction on the use of each functional unit of the facsimile machine, the user can transmit or copy confidential information. Therefore, there is a problem that confidential information is leaked to the outside and the confidentiality of the information cannot be maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, to limit the use of each functional unit of a facsimile machine, and to provide an effective environment for the facsimile machine.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is such that restriction information (ID information, password information) corresponding to each operator, function part restriction information, time restriction information, document A limit information storage unit that stores at least one of number limit information and page number limit information, a job input unit to which a job is input, and one or more used by the job input to the job input unit. Using the function extracting unit for extracting the function unit and the function information for determining whether or not the function unit extracted from the function extracting unit is usable based on the restriction information stored in the restriction information storage unit. When the enable / disable determination unit and the function enable / disable determination unit are enabled, the job execution unit that executes the job and the function enable / disable determination unit are disabled , It is characterized in that and a disabled display unit for displaying that the job is not executable. Claim 2
The invention of (1) is characterized in that it is provided with a clock unit that supplies time information to the function enable / disable determining unit.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the operator is instructed to perform the function restriction, or the restriction information (ID information, password information) for each operator stored in the restriction information storage section, the function section restriction information, and the temporal restriction. Job execution can be restricted by at least one restriction information such as restriction information, document number restriction information, and page number restriction information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a time restriction for each operator or each functional unit by a time zone unit such as from what time to what time, or a time unit such as how many hours. become.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functions of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a restriction information storage unit in which at least one of restriction information (eg, ID information, password information), time information, document number information, and page number information corresponding to each operator is stored,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a job input unit for inputting jobs such as a communication job for transmitting / receiving a document, a copy job for copying a document, and a print job for printing document data. Reference numeral 3 denotes a used function extraction unit for extracting a functional unit used by the job input to the job input unit 2, and 4 denotes the used function extraction unit 3 according to the restriction information stored in the restriction information storage unit 1. It is a function enable / disable determining unit that determines whether or not the functional unit extracted from is available. Reference numeral 5 indicates a job execution unit that executes the job when the function enable / disable determination unit 4 determines that the job is available, and reference numeral 6 indicates that the job cannot be executed when the determination is unavailable. An unusable display unit 7, which has a timer function, is a clock unit that supplies temporal information to the function availability / unusability determination unit 4.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is each functional unit (12-
19), which is a facsimile apparatus that appropriately combines the respective functional units (12 to 19) and executes a plurality of jobs simultaneously in parallel. Reference numeral 12 is a system control unit for controlling the entire facsimile device 11, 13 is a scanner unit for reading a document or the like into the facsimile device 11, 14 is a printer unit for printing a document or data on paper, and 15 is the facsimile device 11. A communication unit 16 for connecting to other facsimile machines or the like via a line 19
Is a memory unit capable of reading and writing in parallel for a plurality of independent accesses and storing various data such as image information, 17 is a document read by the scanner unit 13, a method of using the facsimile device 11, The display unit 18 for displaying the status of the facsimile device 11 and various information relating to the manuscript, and 18 for various instructions by the operator and for restricting the use of each functional unit (12 to 19) of the facsimile device 11. An input unit for setting or changing conditions.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of FIG. In the figure, 21 is a CPU for controlling the system control unit 12, 22 is a ROM storing a control program of the CPU 12, 23 is a RAM for storing control information and various data, and 24 is a clock function. The input section 18
It is a timer that counts the time set by. The system control unit 12 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22 and an R
It is composed of an AM 23, a timer 24 and the like. 25
Is a line control device to which the line 19 is connected and controls the line 19, 26 is a modulator / demodulator for matching the data signal transmitted on the line 19 with the data in the facsimile device 11, and 27 is an encoder / decoder. It is a RAM that stores image information encoded by the encoding device 28. The communication unit 15
Is a line controller 25, a modulator / demodulator 26, a RAM 27,
And an encoding / decoding device 28 and the like.

Reference numeral 29 is a card reader for reading an ID card and the like, and 30 is a password and each of the functional units (12 to 1).
This is a keyboard for inputting set values or changed values for limiting the use of 9) and for inputting an instruction for operating the facsimile apparatus 11. The input section 1
Reference numeral 8 is composed of a card reader 29, a keyboard 30 and the like. The original read by the scanner unit 13 is stored in the RAM 16, printed by the printing unit 14, sent to the communication unit 15 as indicated by an arrow a indicating the flow of data, and sent via the line control unit 25 to the line control unit 25. 1
It is output to 9. The data input from the line 19 is temporarily stored in the RAM 16 via the communication section 15 as shown by the arrow b, and then sent to the printer section 14 for printing.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. FIG. 2 shows an example of a table that stores the use restriction information input by the operator. The table 20 is stored in the RAM 23, for example. When an operator temporarily inputs a restriction from the keyboard 30 or the like, this restriction is registered in the table 20. For example, when "reception prohibited" is input, "reception prohibited" is written in the column indicating the status of the communication unit of the table 20.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, a job requested by an instruction from the keyboard 30 or the like by an operator or an access from another terminal device is accepted. In step S2, the functional units required to execute the job are extracted. For example, in the case of a copy job, the scanner unit 13, the memory unit 16, and the printer unit 14 are extracted, and in the case of a transmission job, the scanner unit 13, the memory unit 16, and the communication unit 15 are extracted.

In step S3, the functional unit that operates first in the job is selected. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the selected functional unit is in use. This determination is made based on the contents of the column indicating the status of the functional unit of the functional unit-specific data storage unit 35. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S5, while if the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S8 to wait for the execution of the job until the functional unit becomes available. In step S5, the table 2
Based on the registered items of 0, it is determined whether the use of the functional unit selected in step S3 is restricted. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, in the affirmative case, the process proceeds to step S9, the execution of the job is interrupted, the fact is displayed on the display unit 17, and the operator is informed.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the investigation has been completed for all the functional units extracted in step S3. If this determination is negative, step S3
Returning to, the functional unit that operates next to the functional unit is selected and the same investigation as above is performed. On the other hand, if affirmative, step S
7, the job is executed, and the process ends. As described above, the facsimile apparatus 11 can restrict the execution of the job by restricting the use of the functional unit. For example, if the restriction of "transmission prohibited" is registered, the transmission job cannot be executed from the facsimile apparatus 11, and the confidential information can be prevented from leaking to the outside. Further, for example, if the use of the communication unit 15 is restricted to "reception prohibited" as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to avoid receiving unnecessary direct mail and the like.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table in which various conditions for restricting the use of each functional unit (12 to 19) of the present invention are stored. In the figure, 31 is a condition storage table in which various conditions for restricting the use of each functional unit (12 to 19) are stored.
It is appropriately stored in the AM 23 or the like. The various conditions storage table 31 is prepared corresponding to the ID card or password for each operator. Reference numeral 32 is a user identification information storage unit that stores the ID card number or password, 33 is a document number storage unit that stores the number of documents that can be used by the operator, and 34 is used by the operator. This is a page number storage unit that stores the number of pages that can be processed. 35 is each functional unit (1
2 to 19) is a functional unit-specific data storage unit that stores the number of pages that can be used and the functional status. In the column showing the status of each functional unit of the functional unit-specific data storage unit 35, the content that the function is prohibited, that is, the functional unit is restricted and prohibited, or the current operating status of the functional unit (for example, job Whether it is executing or waiting for a job) is stored.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation for executing a job in accordance with the restriction information. First, in step S11, the ID card number or password for each operator is input from the input unit 18. In step S12, the condition storage table 31 corresponding to the ID card or the password is read out, and based on the content of the column indicating the status of the functional unit of the functional unit-specific data storage unit 35 therein, the use is prohibited. The functional part is extracted.
In step S13, the job requested by the operator's instruction from the keyboard 30 or the like or access from another terminal device is accepted. In step S14, the functional unit used by the job is compared with the extracted prohibited functional unit to determine whether or not the job is executable. If this determination is affirmative, step S1
Go to 5 to execute the job. On the other hand, if this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S17, and a message indicating that the job cannot be executed is displayed on the display unit 17 to indicate to the operator. In step S16, it is determined whether or not to end the process, and if another job is to be executed, the process returns to step S13. As described above, the execution of the job of each of the functional units (12 to 19) can be restricted for each operator based on the content that the function use is prohibited in the column indicating the status of the functional unit. Further, at this time, if the use of the communication unit 15 is restricted to a person other than a specific operator, a person other than the specific operator cannot execute the communication job, and the confidential information is prevented from leaking to the outside. be able to.

In addition to the above embodiment, by setting a predetermined limit value in the document number storage section 33 or the page number storage section 34 as shown in FIG. The execution of the job may be restricted for each page number. For example, when the number of documents or the number of pages available to the operator is limited to "up to 10 documents" in the document number storage unit 33 or "up to 100 pages" in the page number storage unit 34 shown in FIG. The operator can execute the job within the range of 10 documents or 100 pages. When a job with a limit value exceeding this is requested, the operator is informed of the fact via the display unit 17 and interrupted. Also, if you do not know the size of the job before starting the job, when the limit value is exceeded,
The subsequent jobs may be suspended. Also,
Instead of setting a limit value in the page number storage unit 34,
Each functional unit (12 to 1) of the functional unit-specific data storage unit 35
9) When the limit value is set for each function unit, the use of the function unit can be restricted for each of the function units (12 to 19) in units of the number of pages of the document. It is possible to make finer restrictions than in the case where is set. By doing so, the execution of the job of each of the functional units (12 to 19) can be restricted for each operator based on the number of documents and the number of pages of the original. Further, one operator cannot process a large amount of originals at one time, and the exclusive use of the facsimile apparatus can be restricted. When the capacity of the memory unit 16 is limited, the memory unit 16 can be effectively used within the range without exceeding the capacity.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A temporal condition storage table 36 as shown in FIG. 8 is appropriately stored in, for example, the RAM 23 or the like like the various condition storage table 31, and the functional units (12 to 19) are included in the temporal condition storage table 36. The time limit of use and the functional status of the functional unit are stored for each. Here, the time limit is, for example, in advance by the operator from the input unit 18 in a time zone unit such as “8:15 to 21:00” or “13:00 to 19:30”. When set, the use of each function unit (12 to 19) can be restricted only in a certain specific time zone.

For example, when a communication job is executed, the use of the communication unit 15 is restricted during the time when the normal charge is charged, the communication job cannot be executed, and a call charge such as a night discount or a late night discount is applied. The communication cost can be reduced by executing the communication job in a discounted time period. Further, instead of storing the time limit in the time condition storage table 36 in a time zone unit such as “from what time to what time”, the time condition is referred to as “45 minutes” or “1 hour 30 minutes”. By storing the time condition in the time condition storage table 36, it is possible to give a time restriction to the functional units other than the functional units necessary for the job to be performed by the operator, and the operator can perform the necessary restriction. At times, the facsimile machine 11 can be used exclusively for a fixed time.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention of claim 1, the restriction information (ID information) for each operator stored by the operator in the function restriction instruction or stored in the restriction information storage section. , Password information), functional unit restriction information, time restriction information, document number restriction information, page number restriction information, and the like, execution of a job can be restricted.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent reception of unnecessary direct mail and the like. In addition, it is possible to prevent one operator from using the facsimile device exclusively, to prevent a large amount of one-time transmission of originals, printing, or copying, or to prevent abuse of the copy function. It is possible to improve the usage environment of the facsimile apparatus. Further, since confidential information can be prevented from leaking to the outside, confidential information can be held. According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a time restriction for each operator or each functional unit by a time zone unit such as what time to what time, or a time unit such as how many hours. Therefore, for example, the communication job can be permitted to be executed only during a time period when the line usage amount is low, and the communication cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table that stores usage restriction information input by an operator.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation for executing a job in a facsimile device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table storing various conditions for restricting the use of each functional unit of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of executing a job according to restriction information.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a temporal condition storage table that stores conditions for temporally limiting the use of each functional unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Restriction information storage unit, 2 ... Job input unit, 3 ... Used function extraction unit, 4 ... Function enable / disable determination unit, 5 ... Job execution unit, 6 ... Impossible display unit, 7 ... Clock unit, 11 ... Facsimile Device, 12 ... System control unit, 13 ... Scanner unit, 14
... printer section, 15 ... communication section, 16 ... memory section, 17 ...
Display unit, 18 ... Input unit, 19 ... Line, 29 ... Card reader, 30 ... Keyboard, 31 ... Condition storage table, 3
2 ... User identification information storage unit, 33 ... Document number storage unit, 34
... page number storage unit, 35 ... functional unit data storage unit, 36
... Temporal condition storage table.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of simultaneously processing a plurality of jobs in parallel by appropriately combining a plurality of functional units divided into a plurality of units, with restriction information (ID information, Password information), functional unit restriction information, time restriction information, document number restriction information, and page number restriction information, and at least one (hereinafter abbreviated as restriction information) storage unit, and a job A job input unit for inputting, a used function extraction unit for extracting one or more functional units used by the job input to the job input unit, and restriction information stored in the restriction information storage unit Due to
When a function enable / disable determining unit that determines whether the function unit extracted from the use function extracting unit is available, and when the determination of the function enable / disable determining unit is available,
A job execution unit that executes the job, and an impossibility display unit that displays that the job cannot be executed when the determination of the function availability / impossible determination unit is unavailable are provided. , A facsimile machine characterized by limiting the execution of jobs. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a clock unit that supplies time information to the function enable / disable determining unit.