JP2000059555A - Use ratio management device for multifunctional type image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allocate costs to be charged in accordance with a use frequency by correctly managing its use ratio for every user or user department when a multifunctional image forming device is shared. SOLUTION: This device is equipped with a copy memory 8 for storing a copy password and the number of photocopies executed, a FAX memory 9 for storing a FAX password, a transmission time and the number of received sheets, a printer memory 10 for storing a printer password and the number of printouts, and a corresponding table 11 where a correlation between discrimination data for indicating a person or a department and each password is set. When data are tabulated, the copy password, the FAX password and the printer password are read with the discrimination data in the corresponding tale as an index, and the processed number executed by each function, a time and the like are read from the copy memory 8, the FAX memory 9 and the printer memory 10. Then, in a control part 1, read contents are put in a list and the list is prepared at an image forming part 2 and outputted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunctional image forming apparatus having an image forming function and being versatile as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and the like, and more particularly to a management apparatus for controlling the use ratio thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electrophotographic copying machine has long been used as a special purpose machine in offices and other workplaces. Similarly, facsimile machines and printers having a function of forming an image by an electrophotographic method are also widely used in offices and other workplaces. Recently, various types of multifunctional image forming apparatuses that can be used for a plurality of applications such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and printers have been proposed.

[0003]

Since the multifunctional image forming apparatus can be used for various purposes, it can be used by a plurality of users or by a plurality of departments sharing it. In this case, there has been a demand that the use ratio of each user and each department be properly managed, and that the cost burden be assigned to the user or the department in accordance with the frequency of use.

[0004] Conventionally, a copy machine as a dedicated machine having a department management function is known, and a copy machine can be copied if a password set for each department is input and the password is correct. was there. Also, the facsimile machine as a dedicated machine has a function of transmission management and reception management, but this is a function that can merely grasp a list of where data was transmitted and from where communication was received. Was.

However, in the case of a multifunctional image forming apparatus,
If you try to manage the usage ratio correctly for each user or department, you can accurately grasp who used what ratio and for each use as a copier, as a facsimile machine, and as a printer. Need to be managed. For such management, it is conceivable to first input a password or the like in order to make the apparatus operable, but when setting the password, for example, a password was separately set in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, respectively. In such a case, the management is complicated, and a device capable of collectively managing the use state of the multifunctional image forming apparatus has not been realized.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a use ratio management device for a multifunctional image forming apparatus.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aggregation signal input means for inputting a signal indicating that data should be aggregated, a password for copying, and a password for copying. A copy memory for storing the number of copies executed in association with the password, a FAX password, and a FAX memory for storing the time of transmission and the number of copies received in association with the FAX password. A printer memory for storing the number of sheets printed out in association with a printer password, a correspondence table in which a relationship between a copy password, a fax password, a printer password, and identification data representing a person or a department is set;
Using the identification data as an index, a copy password corresponding to the identification data from the correspondence table,
Password reading means for reading the facsimile password and the printer password, and the passwords read by the password reading means are used as indices from the copy memory, the facsimile memory and the printer memory, respectively.
Reading means for reading the number of copies, facsimile transmission time, facsimile reception number, and number of printed sheets associated with the password; and a copying machine, facsimile A usage ratio management device for a multi-function image forming apparatus, characterized by including a data totaling and outputting unit that divides the data into transmission and reception of the device and a printer and outputs the data as a list.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the invention described in (1), the tally signal input means inputs a signal for specifying a person or a department for which data should be tallyed. According to the above-described configuration, when a signal indicating that data is to be totaled or a person or department to be totaled is input, a copier,
The usage status of the facsimile machine and the printer can be output as a list.

Therefore, it is possible to collectively output information on how many functions of the copier, the facsimile machine and the printer have been used for each person or department using the multifunctional image forming apparatus. Therefore, the use ratio management and the cost management of the multifunctional image forming apparatus can be favorably performed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunctional image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
The multifunctional image forming apparatus includes a control unit 1 as a control center.
Is provided. The control unit 1 includes an image forming unit 2 for forming an image by an electrophotographic method, a sorter 3 for separating and discharging a sheet on which an image is formed, a document reading unit 4 for reading a document, and a document reading unit 4 for forming an image. Input panel 5 for inputting data for facsimile transmission and data for
A data receiving unit 6 for receiving data from a personal computer or the like and a transmission / reception modem 7 for facsimile transmission and reception are connected.

This embodiment is characterized in that the control unit 1 further includes a copy memory 8, a facsimile memory 9, a printer memory 10, and a password / identification data correspondence table 1.
1 is connected. The copy memory 8 is a memory for storing a copy password and the number of executed copies in association with the copy password.

The facsimile memory 9 is a memory for storing a facsimile password, a facsimile transmission time (or number of transmissions), and a facsimile reception number (or reception time) in association with the facsimile password. The printer memory 10 is a memory for storing the number of printed sheets in association with the printer password and the printer password.

The password / identification data correspondence table is
The storage device stores which identification data corresponds to the copy password, the fax password, and the printer password. As illustrated in FIG. 2, this correspondence table includes, for example, a department name “Sales 1 Section” and its member names “Takashi Takayama” as identification data.
"Akiko Takakawa" is registered, and "ABXY", "1234", and "CQ88" are used as passwords for copy, fax, and printer of Takao Takayama, respectively, for copiers, facsimile machines, and printers. "321K", "6789", and "321K"
Registered as passwords for Kawako's copy, fax, and printer.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the password of "△ kawa〇ko" is common for the copy and the printer. As described above, as the password in the multi-function image forming apparatus, a different password can be set for each function, or a common password may be set for any function. Of course, a common password can be used for all functions.

Next, the control operation performed by the control unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described for each function. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation (copy control) performed by control unit 1 when operating as a copying machine. Describing according to the flow of FIG. 3, before starting copying, the input panel 5
(See FIG. 1), a display such as "Please enter a password" is displayed on the display section (step C1). In accordance with this, when the user inputs the copy password from the input panel 5, the control section 1 determines that the password has been input (step C2).

Next, the control section 1 determines whether or not the input copy password is correct (step C3).
Usually, in inputting a password, the name and password of the password owner are input. In this embodiment as well, the name of the password owner, for example, "@Yasuo" is input, and then the copy password "ABXY" is input. The control unit 1 applies the input name and password to the relationship between the name and password registered in the password / identification data correspondence table 11, and determines whether the input copy password is correct.

Instead of such a method, for example, the user may insert his / her ID card or the like into the image forming apparatus and input a password. In such a case, input of the name is omitted. If the entered password is incorrect, an error message and a prompt for inputting the correct password are displayed on the display unit (step C).
4).

If the input copy password is correct, the copy enable flag provided in the control section 1 is turned on (step C5), and for example, "can be copied" is displayed on the display section (step C6). ). Next, it waits for a copy instruction, for example, the number of copies, the number of copies, a copy start signal, etc., to be input from the input panel 5 (step C7), and if there is a copy instruction input, a copy process is performed (step C8). The copy process is executed by controlling the document reading unit 4, the image forming unit 2, the sorter 3 and the like by the control unit 1.

When the copy process is completed, the input copy password and the number of copies are registered in the copy memory 8 (step C9). FIG. 4 shows an example of the copy memory 8. The copy memory 8 is provided with a password storage unit and a copy number storage unit, and stores the number of copies made this time, for example, 51 copies, in association with a copy password (in this specific example, “ABXY”).

Returning to FIG. 3, in the next step C10, it is determined whether or not the all clear key provided on the input panel 5 (see FIG. 1) has been pressed twice in succession. If it is not determined that the all clear key has been pressed twice in a row,
Even after the first copy is completed, the next copy can be made without entering a copy password (step C).
6) In response to a next copy instruction input, copy processing is executed (steps C7 and C8).

The reason for this is to avoid the trouble of having to enter a copy password every time one copy is completed. On the other hand, when the copy instruction is not input for a predetermined time after the correct password is input (steps C7 and C11), or when the all clear key is pressed twice consecutively after the copy processing is completed (step C10). , The copy enable flag is turned off (step C12). As a result, when copying is performed again, copying cannot be performed unless a copy password is input.

In this way, once a correct copy password is entered, various copies can be made continuously, but on the other hand, when the copy is completed and no copy instruction input is given for a predetermined time or when the copy is completed. If you want to press the clear key twice, you will not be able to copy unless you enter a copy password. Therefore, without the need for someone in another department or another person to enter a copy password,
There is no situation where a copy can be made following the previous user's copy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation when the multifunctional image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 operates as a facsimile apparatus and performs transmission. In the facsimile transmission control, for example, "Please set original" is displayed on input panel 5 (see FIG. 1) (step F).
1) When a document is set on the document reading section 4 (see FIG. 1), it is determined (step F2), and a display such as "Please enter a password" is displayed on the display section (step F3). .

In response to this display, the input panel 5
When the AX password is input (step F4), if the input FAX password is correct (step F5), reading of the document set in document reading unit 4 and facsimile transmission processing are performed (step F4). F
6). This document reading / sending process may be a process in which the documents are read one by one and transmitted each time, or the documents are read continuously and the contents are temporarily stored in the memory, and then stored in the memory. Transmission processing of the stored content may be performed.

When the transmission process is completed, the control section 1 stores the FAX password input in step F4 and the transmission time performed in step F6 in the FAX memory 9 (step F7). FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the facsimile reception control. When facsimile reception is performed (step F11), the control unit 1 determines whether or not the communication is confidential communication (step F12).

Whether or not the communication is confidential communication is determined based on whether or not a subaddress is provided in the received number (facsimile number) and the subaddress includes, for example, a 4-digit confidential number. Recent facsimile machines include F
A code specification has been proposed, in which a sub-address is provided after a facsimile number so that a four-digit number (F code) can be added thereto, for example. In this embodiment, this subaddress (F code) is used as a confidential code. as a result,
If the confidential code is included, the sorter 3 outputs the sheet on which the received content is recorded to the sorter bin corresponding to the confidential code (step F13).

Then, the confidential code and the number of received
The data is stored in the AX memory 9 (step F14). here,
If the confidential code is the same as the FAX password,
Transmission and reception management of the facsimile machine can be performed based on the confidential code (FAX password).

If it is not confidential communication in step F12, a sheet on which the received content is recorded is output to the general sorter bin of the sorter 3 (step F15). The number of sheets output to the general sorter bin is preferably stored in the FAX memory 9 as, for example, a password “0000 (others)” (F16). FIG. 7 shows an example of the FAX memory 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the FAX memory 9 includes a password storage area, a transmission time storage area, and a reception number storage area. Then, as described in step F7 of FIG. 5, every time the transmission is performed, the FAX password and the transmission time are stored in the memory. Also, as described in steps F14 and F16 in FIG. 6, each time there is a reception, the FAX password (confidential code) and the number of received faxes are stored. Note that the number of transmitted images may be stored instead of or together with the transmission time. Further, the reception time may be stored in place of the reception number or together with the reception number.

In this embodiment, for simplicity, FAX
Although the example in which the password for use and the confidential code are the same has been described, these may be different. If they are different, the confidential code corresponding to the member name may be registered in the password / identification data correspondence table 11 described above. Next, control when the multifunctional image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 operates as a printer will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the printer control. In the printer control, a printer password and necessary data are given from a personal computer or the like via the data receiving unit 6 (see FIG. 1) (step P1). The control unit 1 determines whether or not the given printer password is correct (step P).
2). To determine whether the printer password is correct,
The determination is performed in the same manner as the determination as to whether the copy password is correct as described above. If the printer password is not correct, error processing is performed (step P3).

If the password for the printer is correct,
The sorter bin corresponding to the printer password of the sorter 3 is designated (step P4), and the paper printed on the sorter bin is discharged (step P4).
5). As a result, when the user of the personal computer later goes to retrieve the printed out paper, his or her own printed out paper is distinguished from another's paper by the sorter bin, so that the user can quickly handle the paper. Can be put in.

After the printout, the control section 1 stores the printer password and the number of printouts in the printer memory 10 (step P6). FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the printer memory 10. The printer memory 10 is provided with a printer password storage area and a number storage area.
For example, the number of printed out sheets, for example, 30 sheets, is stored in association with “CQ88”.

The above is the control contents when the multi-function image forming apparatus according to this embodiment performs a copy operation, a facsimile operation, and a print operation. Next, a description will be given of a method of summing up the usage ratio of each user or department in the multifunctional image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the management totaling control. In the management tallying control, first, an input to the effect that tallying should be performed is input. This input is
Normally, it is performed from the input panel 5 (see FIG. 1), but may be performed from a personal computer or the like via the data receiving unit 6.

In this input, only items to be totaled may be input, or items to be totaled, for example, department names, member names, etc. may be input. When an item to be totaled or an item is input, in step S2, the (input) item and the corresponding copy password, fax password, and printer password are read from the password / identification data correspondence table 11 (step S2). Step S2). Next, in step S3, the copy memory 8, the FAX memory 9 and the printer memory 10 are searched based on the read three types of passwords, and the stored contents (number of copies, facsimile transmission) corresponding to the password are retrieved from each memory. Time, the number of prints received, the number of printouts, etc.).

Next, in step 4, the read contents are totaled, and in step S5, the result is output as a list. Figures 11, 12 and 13
Shows an example of output contents output as a list. FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a list for each department. For example, in the “Sales Section 1”, as a whole, how many copies are taken, facsimile transmission is performed for a few minutes, facsimile reception is performed, and how many copies are received by the printer. A list of whether the paper was printed out is output.

FIG. 12 shows an example of tallying of member names, that is, individual units. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the use ratio of the copying machine, facsimile machine and printer for each individual can be output as a list. FIG. 13 is an example of a list in which both departments and members are known. From this list, in addition to the usage ratio for each department, the usage ratio for each member belonging to that department can be grasped at a glance. Note that the list automatically includes
Displaying the aggregation period (displaying from what date to what date)
Is preferably recorded. Also, it is preferable that the tally period can be set to any period.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in the multi-function type image forming apparatus, the usage ratio when different functions are executed is displayed in a list by division and / or by member, so that the image forming apparatus It is possible to easily manage the use state of the device and the cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunctional image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a password / identification data correspondence table.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating copy control.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating facsimile transmission control.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating facsimile reception control.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a FAX memory.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating printer control.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a printer memory.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating management aggregation control.

FIG. 11 is an output example of a list for each department.

FIG. 12 is an example of a tally list on an individual basis.

FIG. 13 is an example of a list in which totals for both departments and members are understood.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Image formation part 3 Sorter 4 Document reading part 5 Input panel 6 Data receiving part 7 Transmission / reception modem 8 Copy memory 9 FAX memory 10 Printer memory 11 Password / identification data correspondence table

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichiro Iwase 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Mita Industries Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H027 EE08 EJ04 EJ06 EJ08 ZA07 2H028 AA01 AC04 5C062 AA01 AA02 AA05 AB02 AB08 AB23 AB42 AC03 AC04 AC05 AC60 AE07 AF06 AF07 AF08 AF12 AF14 BA02 BC03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An aggregation signal input means for inputting a signal indicating that data should be aggregated, a copy password, a copy memory for storing the number of executed copies in association with the copy password, a facsimile password, FAX memory for storing the transmission time and the number of sheets received in association with the FAX password, a printer password and the printer memory for storing the number of printed sheets in association with the printer password, A correspondence table in which a relationship between a password, a FAX password, a printer password, and identification data representing a person or a department is set; a copy password corresponding to the identification data from the correspondence table using the identification data as an index;
Password reading means for reading the FAX password and the printer password, and using the respective passwords read by the password reading means as indexes, from the copy memory, the FAX memory and the printer memory, the number of copies and the facsimile transmission corresponding to the password. Time, reading means for reading the number of received facsimile sheets and the number of printed sheets, and the contents read by the reading means, as identification data as an index, a copying machine, transmission and reception of the facsimile machine, and a printer, A use ratio management device for a multi-function image forming apparatus, comprising: a data tabulation output unit that outputs a list. 2. The use ratio management apparatus for a multi-function image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tally signal input means inputs a signal specifying a person or a department for which data is to be tapped. Use rate management device.