JP2000321939A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute a setting for personal use for an image forming device. SOLUTION: An ID code is read by an RF telecommunication device 8 from an RF-ID element 10 of an ID card 9 coming close to an image forming instruction device outputting an image forming order to an image forming device 1. When such the reading of the ID code is executed, a setting mode set in the image forming device 1 learned by a learning means is memorized in a personal setting file. Consequently, when executing image formation by the image forming device 1, the personal setting is executed in the image forming device 1 by just calling the personal mode from the personal setting file and its setting operation becomes easy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system capable of making personal settings for an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine, various settings can be made when forming an image. The various settings include, for example, image formation size, double-sided copy, sort, stapling, and the like. In recent years, image forming apparatuses that can easily perform various setting operations by displaying instructions for various settings on a display panel, a touch panel, or the like have become widespread.

[0003] Here, FIG.
An operation for setting a binding margin for double-sided copying will be described. First, touch “double-sided” to select it (see FIG. 11).
(A)). Next, the user selects and selects the "binding margin" (FIG. 11B), and sets the binding margin on the front side using the "→" key and the "←" key (FIG. 11C). in this case,
The front side is the default. Then, “Back” is touched and selected (FIG. 11D), and the binding margin on the back side is set using the “→” key and “←” key (FIG. 11D).
(E)). In this way, the setting operation in the case where a binding margin is set for double-sided copying is completed. Therefore, image formation is performed in which a binding margin is provided by double-sided copying by pressing the start key.

[0004]

When an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printing machine is used, it is common for a specific individual to form an image with the same settings every time. For example, a certain employee of a certain company may almost always perform image formation with a setting such that a binding margin is set by double-sided copying. However, in such a case, the employee is required to use the method shown in FIGS.
As a result, the user is forced to perform the operation as illustrated in (e),
The operation for forming an image becomes extremely complicated.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily perform personal settings on an image forming apparatus.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system for executing an image forming operation in response to an image forming command from an image forming instruction device, and a vicinity of the image forming instruction device. Of an ID card having an RF-ID element for storing at least an ID code,
An RF communication device that reads an ID code from an F-ID element, a personal setting file that stores a setting mode for each ID code, a learning unit that learns the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus, and an image forming instruction device. ID
When the ID code is read from the RF-ID element of the card by the RF communication device, a mode storage unit that stores the setting mode learned by the learning unit in a personal setting file. Here, the RF-ID element “RF-I
"D" stands for "Radio Frequency Identification"
Is an abbreviation for Such an RF-ID is a system that uses a combination of a small recording medium (data carrier) and a reader / writer to identify an individual and transmit and receive data using radio waves. The "setting mode" means various settings for image formation, such as image formation size, double-sided copy, sort, stapling, and the like. The learning by the learning means may be, for example, a configuration in which the setting mode set once in the image forming apparatus is learned, or a configuration in which the setting mode set multiple times in the image forming apparatus is learned. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may be configured to learn a setting mode set a plurality of times within a certain period. That is, there is no particular limitation on how to learn the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, "ID card"
Is not limited to a card shape, and includes not only a card shape but also a bar shape such as a pen shape.

Therefore, the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus is learned by the learning means. When the holder of the ID card approaches the image forming instruction device, the ID code stored in the RF-ID element incorporated in the ID card is read by the RF communication device. Then, the setting mode learned by the learning means is stored in the personal setting file by the mode storage means. Therefore, when an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, the setting mode is called from the personal setting file, so that personal settings can be easily performed on the image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, when an ID code is read from an RF-ID element of an ID card approaching the image forming instruction device by an RF communication device, a personal setting file is created. And a mode setting unit for calling a setting mode stored in the personal setting file to set a setting mode of the image forming apparatus to which an image forming command is sent by the image forming instruction apparatus.

Therefore, when the operator approaches the image forming instruction device, the setting mode stored in the personal setting file is called, and the setting mode of the image forming device to which the image forming instruction is sent by the image forming instruction device is changed to the personal setting mode. Set to the configuration mode called from the file. Thus, personal settings can be easily performed on the image forming apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, the image forming instruction device includes:
It is provided integrally with the image forming apparatus. In this case, the image forming instruction device is configured by a start button or the like provided on the image forming device. In such a case, the RF communication device can also be provided integrally with the image forming device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, the image forming instruction device includes:
It is arranged separately from the image forming apparatus.
In this case, the image forming instruction device is configured by, for example, a personal computer connected to the image forming device via a LAN.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above, further comprising a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, wherein the personal setting file is managed by the computer. As a result, the personal settings file is managed by the computer,
Put multiple image forming devices under computer control,
By providing a personal setting file for each image forming apparatus, personal settings can be easily performed in a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6.
In the image forming system according to any one of the above, the personal setting file stores a plurality of setting modes for each ID code, and further includes a selection unit that selects a setting mode set by the mode setting unit. Therefore, a desired setting mode is selected by the selecting means from the plurality of setting modes. That is, the invention according to claim 7 enables setting / selection of a plurality of setting modes.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the entire system. In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, a plurality of copying machines 1 and a plurality of printing machines 2 serving as image forming apparatuses are connected to a host computer 4 and a plurality of personal computers 5 as computers via a LAN control device 3. LAN connection. That is, the LAN control device 3 includes a hub, a router, and the like, and enables communication between the host computer 4, the personal computer 5, the copying machine 1, and the printing machine 2. The storage device 6 is connected to the host computer 4.
The storage device 6 may be of any type, such as a hard disk device or a magneto-optical disk device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of the RF-ID system. In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, identification of individuals by RF-ID and transmission / reception of data are performed between the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 and the operator 7 thereof. Here, RF-ID means "Radio Freque
ncy Identification ”.
The ID is a system that uses a combination of a small recording medium (data carrier) and a reader / writer to identify an individual and transmit and receive data using radio waves. In addition, RF-I
D is a well-known technique introduced in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-273208, and will not be described.

In this embodiment, the host computer 4
An RF communication device 8 is built in the copying machine 1 connected to a LAN, and an RF-ID element 10 built in an employee ID card 9 as an ID card worn by the operator 7 and the RF communication device 8 are connected. It is configured to communicate between them. Although not shown, the printing press 2 also has a built-in RF communication device 8, and the RF-ID element 10 and the RF communication device 8 built in an employee ID card 9 as an ID card worn by the operator 7. It is configured to communicate between.

As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 and the schematic block diagram of the copying machine 1 of FIG. 3, the copying machine 1 has a built-in RF communication device 8 and includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12. A drive control circuit 13 for controlling the driving of the RF communication device 8, the image reading unit 11, and the image forming unit 12 is provided. The drive control circuit 13 is constituted by a microcomputer, and executes various control operations according to an operation program stored in a ROM of the microcomputer. For example, the image reading operation by the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 1
2, an image forming operation of the read image is performed. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading operation and the image forming operation are executed under the control of the microcomputer with the start button 14 of the copying machine 1 being pressed as a trigger. Is executed.
However, the image forming operation may be started by a command from a personal computer 5 or the like connected to the copying machine 1 via a LAN via the communication circuit 15 connected to the drive control circuit 13. In this case, a copy command or a print command in the personal computer 5 or the like is executed as a function of the image forming instruction device. Then, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the start button 14 described above, the ten key 1
7 and a touch panel 18 are also arranged. When a copy command or a print command in the personal computer 5 or the like is executed as a function of the image forming instruction device, the RF communication device 8 is built in or connected to the personal computer 5 and is nearby. Will be placed.
Further, each section 8, 11, 1 in such a copying machine 1
2, 13, and 15 operate by power supply from the power supply circuit 19.

Here, FIG. 3 shows an example of the copying machine 1, but the printing machine 2 also has substantially the same block configuration.

Next, as shown in a schematic block diagram of the RF-ID element 10 in FIG.
An RF circuit 22 is connected to the control circuit 21 to which the PROM 20 is connected.
Are connected and configured. The RF circuit 22 is an analog circuit for realizing radio wave communication.
Is a digital circuit for processing data transmitted and received via the RF circuit 22. And, in the EEPROM 20,
ID of the owner of the employee ID card 9 incorporating the RF-ID element 10
The code is stored and held.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing characteristics of a visible display portion of the employee ID card 9. A photograph of the face of the employee who is the owner is affixed to the employee ID card 9, and employee information such as the name, affiliation name, and assignment destination of the employee is visually recorded. A rewritable reversible material is used for a portion where such employee information is recorded. In other words, the reversible material means a material whose light reflection characteristic upon returning to normal temperature changes reversibly to at least two types in accordance with the applied energy. Examples of the applied energy include heat, light, and the like.
An electric field, magnetism, or the like is used. Such a reversible material, while maintaining the transparency or color tone at normal temperature, by applying energy, the light reflection properties, specifically,
Any material may be used as long as its transparency or color tone changes reversibly. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-689 discloses a thermoreversible material whose light reflection characteristics change due to heat.
No. 78, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-6844 and the like. As described above, such a reversible material itself is known, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the host computer 4 has various file structures in its storage device 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the file structure of the personal setting file. The personal setting file 23 contains the RF-I embedded in the employee ID card 9.
A setting mode, that is, a personal mode number 25 and setting contents 26 are stored for each ID code 24 corresponding to the ID code stored in the EEPROM 20 of the D element 10. The personal mode number 25 and the setting content 26 include one ID code 2
4 can be set multiple times. Here, the setting mode means various settings at the time of image formation, such as image formation size, double-sided copy, sort, stapling, and the like.

In such an image forming system, processing when an employee who is the operator 7 approaches the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. When the employee wearing the employee ID card 9 approaches the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, an RF response occurs in the RF communication device 8 (step S101 in FIG. 7 and step S201 in FIG. 9). In these cases, the process for learning the settings in the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 and storing the setting mode as a result in the personal setting file 23, and the personal setting set in the personal setting file 23 Any of the processes for calling the mode and setting the copy machine 1 and the printing machine 2 can be executed. Therefore, here, the two processes will be described separately.

[Process of Saving Setting Mode in Personal Setting File 23] FIG. 7 shows the processing of the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 for learning the settings of the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 and storing them in the personal setting file 23. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of FIG. FIG. 8 shows a host computer 4 for storing the learned settings of the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 in the personal setting file 23.
6 is a flowchart showing the process in step S1.

First, when the employee who is the operator 7 approaches the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, an RF reaction occurs (step S10).
1). That is, in the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, the RF-ID element 10 built in the employee ID 9 worn by the employee.
A signal is transmitted and received by radio waves between the communication device and the RF communication device 8, and the ID code stored in the EEPROM 20 is changed to the RF signal.
Read by the communication device 8. In this state, it is determined whether various setting operations such as double-sided printing and sort printing have been performed by the operation on the touch panel 18 (step S102), and it is determined that some setting operation has been performed. (Y in step S102), a mode setting operation is performed in which the setting contents are temporarily stored in a work area of a RAM built in the drive control circuit 13 of the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 (step S103). ). Thereafter, a process of transmitting the setting contents to the host computer 4 is executed (step S1).
04). The transmitted setting contents are transmitted to the host computer 4 via the LAN line via the LAN control device 3 together with the ID code read by the RF communication device 8. On the other hand, when it is determined that no setting operation is performed (N in step S102), the processing in FIG.
Is completed. In other words, when it is determined that any setting operation has been performed (Y in step S102), the function of the learning means of learning the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 is executed. Will be.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the host computer 4 receives the ID code and the setting contents from the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 (step S111), the host computer 4 stores the ID code and the setting contents in the personal setting file 23 of the corresponding ID code. Store the received content. That is, the microcomputer (CPU, memory, etc.) incorporated in the host computer 4 automatically assigns the personal mode number and registers the setting contents (step S).
112). Here, the function of the mode storage means for storing the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus such as the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 in the personal setting file 23 is executed.

[Process for Setting Setting Mode in Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 9 shows the copying machine 1 for setting the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 based on the setting contents stored in the personal setting file 23 and the printing. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the device 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process in the host computer 4 for setting the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 based on the setting contents stored in the personal setting file 23.

First, when the employee who is the operator 7 approaches the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, an RF reaction occurs (step S20).
1). That is, in the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, the RF-ID element 10 built in the employee ID 9 worn by the employee.
A signal is transmitted and received by radio waves between the communication device and the RF communication device 8, and the ID code stored in the EEPROM 20 is changed to the RF signal.
Read by the communication device 8. In this state, when the task of copying / printing is selected in the personal mode from the touch panel 18 (step S202), the setting of the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 is performed based on the setting contents stored in the personal setting file 23. Is performed. That is, the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 inquire of the host computer 4 about the personal mode set through the LAN line (step S
203), and waits for a response from the host computer 4 (step S204). In this case, the inquiry to the host computer 4 is a transmission request of the personal mode number in the personal setting file 23 regarding the ID code read by the RF communication device 8 and the setting contents.

As shown in FIG. 10, the host computer 4 receives an inquiry in the personal mode (step S).
211), corresponding personal mode, that is, corresponding ID
A process of responding to the inquired device (the predetermined copying machine 1 or the predetermined printing machine 2) about the personal mode number in the personal setting file 23 and the setting contents of the code is executed (step S212).

When a response from the host computer 4 is received (Y in step S204), the set personal mode (personal mode number and setting contents) is copied.
Or on the touch panel 18 of the printing press 2 (step S205). Then, when a personal mode number is selected by a touch operation on the touch panel 18 (step S2).
06), the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 are set to the selected personal mode (step S207). The function of the mode setting means is executed by such a series of processing (steps S203 to S207), and the function of the selecting means for selecting the setting mode is executed by the processing of step S206.

As described above, according to the image forming system of the present embodiment, the image forming size, double-sided copying,
Various settings such as sorting, stapling, and the like at the time of image formation can be easily performed on the copying machine 1 and the printing machine 2 as image forming apparatuses. This makes it possible to easily perform personal settings on the image forming apparatus.

Further, in the employee ID card 9, a portion where various employee information is recorded is formed of a reversible material.
Recorded employee information can be easily rewritten.
Therefore, when there is a change in the department, affiliation, or last name, the necessary information can be easily rewritten.

In this embodiment, the example in which the personal setting file 23 is managed by the host computer 4 has been described. However, in the embodiment, the personal setting file 23 is managed by the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2. May be
The EEP of the RF-ID element 10 built in the employee ID card 9
The file may be stored in the ROM 20. When the personal setting file 23 is configured to be managed by the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, the personal setting file 23 may be configured to be connected to and managed by each of the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2. Only one personal setting file 23 may be provided, and this single personal setting file 23 may be accessed as needed. Also, personal settings file 2
3 is a configuration in which each of the copying machines 1 and the printing machines 2 is individually connected and managed, if information is set / updated in one personal setting file 23, all other personal setting files 23 are also set. Similarly, it may be configured to be set and updated. Further, the personal setting file 23 is RF-
When the file is stored in the EEPROM 20 of the ID element 10, information is read and written between the personal setting file 23 and the copying machine 1 / printing machine 2 by radio waves.

Also, in the present embodiment, as a learning means, an example has been shown in which, when a setting operation is performed even once in the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2, the setting content is learned as a setting mode (FIG. Steps S102 and 10 of 7
3), the implementation is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when an operator having the same ID code performs the same setting more than a predetermined number of times, the setting content is learned as a setting mode, and in such a case, a period is limited. Is also good. In order to realize such a configuration, the copying machine 1 or the printing machine 2 may have a personal management file indicated by an ID code in the copier 1 or the printing machine 2 or may be provided on a network, for example, the host computer 4.
May have such a management file.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming system outputs an image forming command to the image forming apparatus by using the RF-ID element of the ID card which is close to the image forming instruction apparatus.
The ID code is read by the communication device,
When the D code is read, the setting mode set in the image forming apparatus learned by the learning means is stored in the personal setting file. Therefore, when performing image formation by the image forming apparatus, the personal setting file is used. By calling the setting mode from, personal settings can be easily performed on the image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, when an ID code is read from an RF-ID element of an ID card approaching the image forming instruction device by an RF communication device, a personal setting file is created. And the setting mode of the image forming apparatus to which the image forming instruction is sent by the image forming instruction apparatus is set to the setting mode called from the personal setting file. Can set the setting mode of the image forming apparatus to the setting mode called from the personal setting file only by approaching the image forming instruction apparatus, and therefore, it is possible to easily perform personal setting for the image forming apparatus. it can.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, the image forming instruction device is provided integrally with the image forming device. Even when a command is given, the effect of the invention described in claim 1 can be produced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, since the RF communication apparatus is also provided integrally with the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus can be used alone and the image forming instruction apparatus and R
The function of the F communication device can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first or second aspect, since the image forming instruction device is disposed separately from the image forming device and separated from the image forming device.
The effect of the invention described in claim 1 can also be produced when the card holder gives an image forming command to the image forming apparatus from a position separated from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
In the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above, further comprising a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, so that the personal settings file is managed by the computer, put a plurality of image forming apparatuses under the management of the computer, By providing a personal setting file for each image forming apparatus, personal settings can be easily performed in a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

The invention described in claim 7 is the invention according to claims 1 to 6
In the image forming system according to any one of the above, a plurality of setting modes can be stored for each ID code in the personal setting file, and a desired setting mode can be selected from the plurality of setting modes by the selection unit. Therefore, a plurality of types of personal settings can be easily set in the image forming apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an entire system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of an RF-ID system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an image forming apparatus (copier).

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an RF-ID element.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing characteristics of a visible display portion of an ID card (employee card).

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a file structure of a personal setting file.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the image forming apparatus for learning settings of the image forming apparatus and storing the learned settings in a personal setting file.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in a computer (host computer) for storing settings of the image forming apparatus in a personal setting file.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process in the image forming apparatus for setting the image forming apparatus based on the setting content stored in the personal setting file.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a computer (host computer) for setting the image forming apparatus based on the settings stored in the personal setting file.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of display contents showing a procedure for a predetermined setting operation in the image forming apparatus as an example of the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 image forming apparatus (copier, printing machine) 4 computer (host computer) 8 RF communication device 9 ID card (employee card) 10 RF-ID element 23 personal setting file 24 ID code S103 learning means S112 mode storage means S203 To 207 Mode setting means S206 Selection means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06K 19/00 G06K 19/00 T 5B058 9A001 (72) Inventor Mutsugu Ogawa Shibata-cho, Shibata-gun, Miyagi Prefecture No. 3 Shinmeido, Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Matsuo Yogoda, Inventor Matsuo Shibata-machi, Miyagi Prefecture 1 in Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd., 3 of Tomei Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideaki Matsuda 1 in 3, Tomei Ricoh, Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 BB10 CL08 2H027 EJ02 EJ03 EJ04 EJ05 EJ08 EJ15 FA35 FB07 GB14 ZA07 5B020 BB05 BB10 GG22 5B021 AA01 AA19 BB01 FF0 3 LE01 PP04 5B035 BB09 BC01 BC03 CA06 CA23 5B058 CA17 KA02 KA06 KA37 YA13 9A001 BB04 CC02 CC05 CC08 HH05 HH23 KK42

Claims (7)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus configured to execute an image forming operation in response to an image forming command from the image forming instruction apparatus;
An RF communication device that reads the ID code from the RF-ID element of an ID card that incorporates an RF-ID element that stores a D code; a personal setting file that stores a setting mode for each ID code; Learning means for learning the setting mode set in the above, and, when the ID code is read by the RF communication device from the RF-ID element of the ID card approaching the image forming instruction device, learning is performed by the learning means. And a mode storage unit for storing the setting mode in the personal setting file. 2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
When the ID code is read from the RF-ID element of the D card by the RF communication device, a setting mode stored in the personal setting file is called, and an image forming instruction is sent by the image forming instruction device. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a mode setting unit that sets a setting mode of the forming apparatus to a setting mode called from the personal setting file. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming instruction device is provided integrally with the image forming device. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the RF communication device is provided integrally with the image forming device. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming instruction device is disposed separately from the image forming device. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a computer connected to the image forming apparatus, wherein the personal setting file is managed by the computer. 7. The personal setting file according to claim 1, wherein the personal setting file stores a plurality of setting modes for each of the ID codes, and further includes a selection unit for selecting a setting mode set by the mode setting unit. An image forming system according to any one of the preceding claims.