JP2002207584A - Image forming system, image forming device, image forming method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user who occupies an image forming device occupy efficiently the image forming device. SOLUTION: When an occupation command transmitted from a personal computer 301-305 through a network 101 and received by a communication part 21 is supplied to an occupation control part 23, the occupation control part 23 lays an image forming device 202-204 in an occupied state so as to permit the image forming operation by the image forming device only to the output request from the occupying user designated by the occupation command, so that the occupying user can efficiently occupy the image forming device only by transmitting the occupation command from the personal computer without going to the installed place of the image forming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a plurality of information processing terminals are connected via a network. It is suitable for use in

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus for copying an image or outputting an image relating to input output image data has been digitized, and is further used for transmitting and receiving output image data and the like via a network. Image forming apparatuses having a communication function have become widespread. A large number of information processing terminals are connected to the image forming apparatus having the communication function via a network, and the image forming apparatuses output images and the like related to output image data supplied from the large number of information processing terminals. Was.

Conventionally, when an image forming apparatus connected to a number of information processing terminals via a network as described above is occupied and used, ID authentication by key input of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus or image forming The image forming apparatus is occupied and used by physical authentication for reading a control card by a reading unit provided in the apparatus.

[0004]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a user occupies the image forming apparatus and copies an image or outputs an image related to output image data, However, the user has to go to a place where the image forming apparatus is installed and perform an operation for occupying the image forming apparatus, which is inefficient.
Moreover, even if the user goes to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed and performs an operation for occupying the image forming apparatus, the output of the image related to the output image data by another user is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. In some cases, a user who wants to occupy the image forming apparatus cannot immediately occupy the image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied efficiently.

[0005] Also, even if other users are not using,
When the image forming apparatus is operating in a power saving operation state (a state in which a function for detecting a copy or output request from a user is operated and other functions are not operated to reduce power consumption), The image forming apparatus can be occupied. However, it takes a long time from the power-saving operation state to the normal operation state until the image forming apparatus is ready to form an image that can be output from the image forming apparatus. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to immediately copy an image or output an image relating to output image data.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has as its object to enable a user who wants to occupy an image forming apparatus to efficiently occupy the image forming apparatus. . A second object of the present invention is to make it possible to quickly copy an image and output an image related to output image data after occupying the image forming apparatus.

[0007]

An image forming system according to the present invention is an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image and a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected via a network. Command transmitting means for transmitting an occupation request command from the information processing device to the image forming apparatus; command receiving means for receiving the occupation request command transmitted by the command transmitting means; and occupation request command received by the command receiving means Occupancy control means for controlling the use of the image forming apparatus, and the occupancy control means,
An output request from an occupant designated by the occupation request command is accepted, and the image forming apparatus is controlled so as not to accept an output request from anyone other than the occupant.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the occupant is the information processing apparatus specified by the occupation request command. Other features of the image forming system of the present invention include:
The occupant is a user specified by the occupation request command. Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the image forming system includes an authentication unit for authenticating an occupant designated by the occupation request command.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image and an image forming system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected via a network. The information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, each comprising a command transmitting unit for transmitting a command and a command receiving unit for receiving the command,
The command transmitting means transmits an occupation request command from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus. When the transmitted occupation request command is received by the command receiving means, the occupation request command is designated by the image forming apparatus and the occupation request command. The connection with the information processing device other than the selected information processing device is cut off so that the output request from the information processing device other than the information processing device designated by the occupation request command is not accepted, and the image is copied. In this case, there is provided occupation control means for authenticating by the authentication means whether or not the user is specified by the occupation request instruction, and for preventing an output request from a user other than the user specified by the occupation request instruction. Features.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus has a power saving mode that operates in a power saving operation state, and when the command receiving unit receives the occupation request command, When the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving operation state, the image forming apparatus returns from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the image forming system includes an occupation state notifying means for notifying the information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus designated by the occupation request command of the occupation state of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by the following. Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the information processing apparatus displays at least the occupation state of the image forming apparatus notified by the occupation state notification unit.
Is provided.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus includes a second display unit that displays at least an occupation state of the image forming apparatus.

Another feature of the image forming system according to the present invention is that when the command receiving means receives the occupation request command and the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied, the information processing apparatus transmits the occupation request command. The apparatus further comprises a non-occupied state notifying unit for notifying the apparatus that the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied. Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the information processing apparatus includes a third display unit that at least displays that the image forming apparatus, which is notified by the non-occupation state notification unit, cannot be occupied. It is characterized by.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that the command transmitting means requests the image forming apparatus to release the occupation state of the image forming apparatus from the information processing terminal which has transmitted the occupation request command. When a release command is transmitted and the transmitted occupancy release command is received by the command receiving means, the occupancy control means connects the image forming apparatus to an information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus specified by the occupancy request instruction. And the occupation state of the image forming apparatus is released.

Another feature of the image forming system according to the present invention is that the image forming system includes timer means for measuring time, and after the image forming apparatus is occupied by the occupation control means, the information processing designated by the occupation request command. When there is no output request from at least one of the apparatus and the user within a predetermined time, the occupation control unit releases the occupation state of the image forming apparatus.

Another feature of the image forming system of the present invention is that when an output request from at least one of the information processing apparatus and the user specified by the occupation request command is not received within a predetermined time, occupancy control means is provided. Is provided with selection means for selecting whether or not to release the occupation state of the image forming apparatus.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image, and a command receiving means for receiving an occupation request command transmitted from a user occupying the image forming apparatus; In accordance with the occupation request command received by the command receiving means, an occupation is performed so that an output request from the occupying user specified by the occupation request instruction is accepted and an output request from a user other than the occupying user is not accepted. Control means.

Another feature of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus further comprises an authentication unit for authenticating a user on the occupied user side specified by the occupation request command.

Another feature of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is that the image forming apparatus has a power saving mode that operates in a power saving operation state. During operation, the power-saving operation state is returned to the normal operation state.

Another feature of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus further comprises an occupation state notifying means for notifying the user other than the occupying user designated by the occupation request command of the occupation state. .

Another feature of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is that when the occupation control unit receives the occupation release command transmitted from the occupying user requesting release of the occupation state by the instruction receiving unit, The occupation state is released. Another feature of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is that the image forming apparatus includes timer means for measuring time, and after the occupation state is set by the occupation control means, an output request from the occupying user side is received within a predetermined time. When there is no occupancy, the occupancy control means releases the occupation state.

An image forming method according to the present invention is an image forming method for obtaining an image by occupying an image forming apparatus that outputs an image, and receiving an occupation request command transmitted from a user occupying the image forming apparatus. An output request from the occupying user specified by the received occupation request command is accepted, and an output request from a user other than the occupying user is not accepted.

Another feature of the image forming method of the present invention is that when the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving operation state when the occupation request command is received, the image forming apparatus operates in the power saving operation state. It is characterized by returning from the state to the normal operation state.

Another feature of the image forming method of the present invention is that an occupation state of the image forming apparatus is notified to a user other than the occupying user specified by the occupation request command. I do.

Another feature of the image forming method according to the present invention is that when an occupation release command requesting release of the occupation state of the image forming apparatus transmitted from the occupying user side is received, the image forming apparatus receives the occupation release command. The occupation state is released. Another feature of the image forming method of the present invention is that, after the image forming apparatus is occupied, if the output request from the occupying user is not within a predetermined time, the image forming apparatus is occupied. The state is released.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above means is recorded. Another feature of the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is that a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the image forming method is recorded.

According to the present invention configured as described above, when the occupation request command transmitted from the user occupying the image forming apparatus is received, the occupation specified by the received occupation request command is received. Output request from the user side, and does not accept output requests from users other than the occupying user, so that the occupying user does not have to go to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed. The image forming apparatus can be occupied only by transmitting the occupation request command to the image forming apparatus.

When the image forming apparatus is operating in the power-saving operation state upon receiving the occupation request command, the image forming apparatus is returned from the power-saving operation state to the normal operation state. By the time the user issues an output request for copying and outputting an image or outputting an image related to output image data, the image forming apparatus can be brought into a state capable of performing an image forming operation. .

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a LAN (Local Ar
ea Network). 201, 20
Reference numerals 2 and 203 denote image forming apparatuses having an image copying function (hereinafter, referred to as a “copy function”) and an image output function (hereinafter, referred to as a “print function”). 301, 30
Reference numerals 2, 303, 304, and 305 denote personal computers, which are occupation request commands (hereinafter referred to as "occupation commands") for occupying the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203, and from the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203. The output image data to be output is transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203.

The image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 and the personal computers 301 to 305 are all connected via the network 101 so as to be able to communicate with each other. ) Can be transmitted and received.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 in the present embodiment. FIG.
, A communication unit 21 via the network 101 shown in FIG.
This is for receiving a command transmitted from the image forming apparatus 05 and transmitting information on the occupation state of the image forming apparatus to the personal computers 301 to 305. In addition, the communication unit 21 includes the personal computers 301 to 301.
The output image data transmitted from the 305 is received. The communication unit 21 constitutes an instruction receiving unit, an occupation state notifying unit, and an occupation impossible notification unit of the present invention.

The above personal computers 301 to 3
05 includes an occupation command for occupying the image forming apparatus and an occupation release command for releasing the occupation state when the image forming apparatus is in the occupation state (hereinafter, “occupation release”). Command ”). The information on the occupation state includes, when the occupation command is received, an occupation notification notifying that the image forming apparatus shifts from the normal state to the occupation state, and another occupant (the information processing apparatus or its occupant). Occupation disable notification that notifies that the image forming apparatus cannot shift from the normal state to the occupation state because the image forming apparatus is used by the user of the information processing apparatus. Note that the normal state is a state in which the image forming apparatus is not in the occupied state and all users are allowed to perform an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus.

A control unit 22 controls the operation of each function unit of the image forming apparatus, and includes an occupation control unit 23. The control unit 22 controls the image forming apparatus to be in a normal operation state or a power saving operation state, or controls the personal computer 3 received and supplied by the communication unit 21.
Output image data from 01 to 305 is supplied to the image forming / output unit 29.

When an occupation control unit 23 receives an occupation command from the personal computers 301 to 305 via the communication unit 21, the occupation control unit 23 performs occupation control processing for shifting the image forming apparatus from the normal state to the occupation state. When the occupation release command is received, an occupation release process for shifting the image forming apparatus from the occupation state to the normal state is performed. Further, when the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state and there is no output request (print request or copy request) for requesting the image forming operation from the user for a predetermined time, the occupancy control unit 23 sets the image forming apparatus Automatically cancels the occupation state and shifts to the normal state. This occupancy control unit 23 constitutes the occupancy control means of the present invention.

An operation unit 24 allows the user to input settings relating to image forming operations, passwords, and the like.
Is a display unit for displaying the state of the image forming apparatus. This display section 25 constitutes a second display means of the present invention. An authentication unit 26 authenticates whether the output request input from the personal computer 301 to 305 or the operation unit 24 is from the occupied user specified by the occupation command received when the image forming apparatus is in the occupation state. . This authentication unit 26 constitutes an authentication unit of the present invention.

Numeral 27 denotes a timer unit, which is the time elapsed from the reception of the occupation command or the reception of the previous output request,
That is, the time during which there is no output request from the user is measured.
A storage unit 28 stores a control procedure (control program) for controlling the image forming apparatus. 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes an image forming / output unit, which outputs output image data read by an image reading unit (not shown), a communication unit 21, a control unit 22 from the personal computers 301 to 305.
To form and output an image related to the output image data input through the.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the personal computers 301 to 305 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 denotes a CPU. The CPU 31 controls various components connected via the bus 38 to input / output data, transmit / receive data, and the like. Via this bus 38, mutual transfer of address signals, control signals and various data between various components (devices) connected to the bus 38 is performed.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a ROM (read only memory). The control procedure (computer program) of the CPU 31 is stored in the ROM 32 in advance.
When the CPU 31 executes this control procedure, it becomes possible to execute processes such as data input / output, data transmission / reception, and the like. Reference numeral 33 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work memory for input / output of data, transmission / reception, and temporary storage for controlling various components.

Reference numeral 34 denotes an external storage device for storage such as a hard disk storage device. Reference numeral 35 denotes a network interface for connecting each of the personal computers 301 to 305 to the network 101.
Reference numeral 36 denotes an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and reference numeral 37 denotes a display device such as a display. This display device 37 constitutes first and third display means of the present invention.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the occupancy control process of the image forming system shown in FIG. In the following description, a case where the personal computer 301 occupies the image forming apparatus 201 will be described.

First, the personal computer 301
Transmits an occupation command for occupying the image forming apparatus 201 to the image forming apparatus 201 via the network 101. The image forming apparatus 201 transmits the occupation command transmitted from the personal computer 301 to the communication unit 21.
And supplies it to the occupation control unit 23 (step S1).
01).

Next, the occupation control unit 23 causes the image forming apparatus 201 to operate in response to the supplied occupation command.
The personal computer 30 other than the personal computer 301 indicates that it is occupied by the computer 301.
Notification is made to 2 to 305 (step S102). The notification is performed by transmitting an occupation notification to the personal computers 302 to 305 via the communication unit 21 and the network 101.

After transmitting the occupation notification, the image forming apparatus 201 prohibits the reception of new requests such as output requests (print requests) and occupation commands from the personal computers 302 to 305 (step S103).

Next, the occupation control unit 23 controls the personal computer 3 that the image forming apparatus 201 does not occupy.
It is determined whether or not output control is being performed in response to an output request from any of 02 to 305. As a result of the determination, when the output control is being performed in response to an output request from any of the personal computers 302 to 305, the above determination is repeated until the output control ends (step S104).

If the image forming apparatus 201 determines that print control is not being performed in response to a print request from any of the personal computers 302 to 305 as a result of the above determination, the image forming apparatus 201 establishes a network with the personal computers 302 to 305. Disconnect. Here, “disconnecting the network connection” means that the image forming apparatus 201 and the personal computers 302 to 302 are physically connected via the network 101.
This is to make communication such as data transmission / reception with the 305 impossible.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually showing the network connection with the image forming apparatus viewed from the personal computer in a state where the network connection with the personal computers 302 to 305 is cut off as described above. FIG. 5A shows a personal computer 3.
01, and FIG. 5B is viewed from the personal computers 302 to 305.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the personal computer 301 is connected to all the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 via the network 101. On the other hand, personal computers 302 to 3
05, the image forming apparatuses 20 except the image forming apparatus 201 occupied by the personal computer 301
2, 203 are connected via the network 101. That is, the personal computer 30
2 to 305, the image forming apparatus 201 is the network 1
01 appears to be disconnected.

Note that, here, even if the network connection between the image forming apparatus 201 and the personal computers 302 to 305 is not cut off, the authentication control processing described later will
The occupied personal computer 301 may be identified, and it may be determined whether or not the user is the occupied user.

Returning to FIG. 4, next, the occupation control unit 23 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 201 is in a power saving operation state (power saving mode) in which an image forming operation cannot be immediately performed (step S105). ). As a result of the determination, when the image forming apparatus 201 is in the power saving operation state, the occupation control unit 23 releases the power saving mode by the control unit 22 and switches from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state (normal mode). The image forming apparatus 201 is returned (step S106), and the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S105, if the image forming apparatus 201 is not in the power saving operation state, the process proceeds to step S107.

In step S107, the occupancy control unit 23
Determines whether the image forming apparatus 201 is in a state in which the image forming operation can be performed. That is, step S10
In step 7, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 201 is ready to output an image related to output image data in response to an output request from the occupant user.

If the result of the determination is that the image forming apparatus 201 is ready to perform an image forming operation, the occupancy control process ends. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 201 is not in a state in which the image forming operation can be performed, the state is set to a state in which the image forming operation can be performed, and the occupation control process ends.

When the occupancy control process is completed, the image forming apparatus 201 is in the occupied state, and performs image forming operation only in response to an output request from the personal computer 301 until the occupation state is released by the occupation release process described later. Then, an image related to the output image data is output.

In the above description, the image forming apparatus 2
Although the case where the personal computer occupying 01 is a single personal computer has been described,
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer that occupies the image forming apparatus 201 may be a personal computer group 306 (hereinafter, referred to as an “occupied group”) including a plurality of personal computers 301 and 302. .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually showing a network connection with the image forming apparatus as viewed from each of the personal computers 301 to 305 when a plurality of personal computers 301 and 302 occupy the image forming apparatus 201. It is. FIG. 6A is viewed from the occupation group 306 occupying the image forming apparatus 201, and FIG.
(B) is viewed from the personal computers 303 to 305.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the occupation group 3
06 are connected to all the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 via the network 101 from the personal computers 301 and 302. On the other hand, the personal computers 303 to 305 are connected to the image forming apparatuses 202 and 203 except the image forming apparatus 201 occupied by the occupation group 306 via the network 101.

The above-described occupancy control processing is performed by the personal computer 30 connected via a network.
1 to 305 as well as image forming apparatuses 201 to 20 from a user.
An output request (copy request) requesting the third copy operation is also made.

A case in which a user making an output request (copy request) occupies the image forming apparatus 201 will be described below. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing occupancy control of the image forming apparatus 201 in a copy operation by a single user. In FIG. 7, 401, 402, 403, 4
04 and 405 are users. In the following description,
A case where the user 401 occupies the image forming apparatus 201 will be described.

First, a user 401 who wants to occupy the image forming apparatus 201 transmits an occupation command to the image forming apparatus 201 using a personal computer or the like used by the user 401. After transmitting an occupation command to the image forming apparatus 201 via a personal computer or the like, the user 401 goes to a place where the image forming apparatus 201 is installed. Here, the personal computer used by the user 401 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 201 via a network, for example, like the personal computers 301 to 305 shown in FIG.

When receiving the occupation command transmitted from the personal computer or the like, the image forming apparatus 201 performs the occupation control process shown in FIG.
At this time, when the image forming apparatus 201 is in the power saving operation state as described above, the image forming operation cannot be performed immediately, so the occupation control unit 23 returns the power saving operation state to the normal operation state. I do.

That is, after the user 401 transmits an occupation command to the image forming apparatus 201 via a personal computer or the like, when the user is moving to a place where the image forming apparatus 201 is installed, 20
1 performs occupancy control processing. Therefore, user 4
01 is a state where the image forming apparatus 201 can perform an image forming operation for a time required to reach the installation place of the image forming apparatus 201 rather than starting an occupying operation at the installation place of the image forming apparatus 201. It is possible to shorten the time required for the operation.

Then, the user 401 enters the image forming apparatus 20
When the image forming apparatus 1 reaches the place where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, the image forming apparatus 201 starts an image forming operation (copy operation). At this time, when receiving the output request (copy request), the image forming apparatus 201 performs an authentication control process described later to confirm whether the user making the output request is the user 401 that transmitted the occupation command. As a result of the above processing, when the user making the output request is the user 401, the image forming operation (copy operation) is performed according to the output request.

On the other hand, the user making the output request is
If it is not 1, the image forming operation (copy operation) is not performed. At this time, the display unit 25 of the image forming apparatus 201 may display that the image forming apparatus 201 is occupied by another user.

In the above description, the image forming apparatus 2
The case where the user occupying the image forming apparatus 01 is the single user 401 has been described. However, the user occupying the image forming apparatus 201 is not limited to the single user, and for example, a user group including a plurality of users as shown in FIG. 501, 502, 5
03 may occupy the image forming apparatus 201. Further, a single user and a user group including a plurality of users may be mixed. When a user group including a plurality of users is included, the occupancy control process may be performed with the user group as one user.

Next, the authentication control processing will be described. The authentication control process is for confirming whether the user who has made an output request to the image forming apparatus is the occupied user who has occupied the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state as described above. This is the processing to be performed. The above-described authentication control processing is performed when the network connection of a personal computer other than the personal computer occupying the image forming apparatus is not disconnected, or when an output request (copy request) is received from a user in an image forming operation (copy operation). This is the processing to be performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the authentication control process by the image forming apparatus. There is an output request (print request) from the personal computer via the network to the occupied image forming apparatus after the occupation control processing is completed, or an output request (copy request) from the user via the operation unit 24 or the like. ) Is performed, the image forming apparatus starts an authentication control process.

First, in step S201, the authentication unit 26 in the image forming apparatus checks whether an output request (print request or copy request) is an occupied user specified by an occupation command. Perform authentication processing.

In the above-described authentication processing, when an output request (print request) is received from a personal computer, identifiable information such as an IP address of the personal computer is transmitted and received, and the occupation specified by the occupation command is performed. You may confirm whether it is a user. Alternatively, the password may be transmitted together with the output request (print request) from the personal computer, and it may be confirmed whether the user is the occupied user specified by the occupation command using the password.

In the authentication process for an output request (copy request), for example, physical authentication using a control card or the like in which information on the user is stored may be used to confirm whether the user is the occupied user specified by the occupation command. good. Further, the user making the output request may be caused to input an identification number such as an ID number possessed by the user using a key provided in the operation unit 24, thereby confirming that the user is the occupied user specified by the occupation command. good.

Next, based on the result of the authentication processing in step S201, when the authentication unit 26 determines that the one that has issued the output request (print request, copy request) is the occupied user specified by the occupation command. (Step S2
02), the control unit 22 permits the user who has made the output request to perform an image forming operation (step S203), and ends the authentication control process. That is, when it is confirmed that the request is an output request (print request or copy request) by the occupying user specified by the occupying command, the occupying user is permitted to perform an image forming operation, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, based on the result of the authentication processing in step S201, when the authentication unit 26 determines that the one that has issued the output request (print request, copy request) is not the occupied user specified by the occupation command (step S201). S2
02), the control unit 22 rejects the output request from the user and prohibits the image forming operation (step S204), and returns to step S201. That is, it is determined that the request is an output request (print request or copy request) from a user other than the exclusive user specified by the exclusive command, and the image forming operation based on the output request from the user is prohibited.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the occupancy release processing of the image forming system. It is assumed that the occupancy release process is repeatedly performed by the occupancy control unit 23 in the image forming apparatus.

First, the occupation control unit 23 in the image forming apparatus
Is currently used by any occupant (any personal
It is determined whether or not the computer or user is occupied (step S301). When the occupation control unit 23 determines that the image forming apparatus is not in the occupied state as a result of the above determination, the occupation control unit 23 repeats the above determination (step S301) until the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state. On the other hand, if the occupation control unit 23 determines that the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state as a result of the determination in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302, and the timer unit 2
The counter value i of the measurement counter included in 7 is cleared to “0”.

Next, the occupation control unit 23 determines whether or not there has been an image forming operation (print operation or copy operation) in response to an output request (print request, copy request) from the occupying user (step S303). As a result of the determination, if there is an image forming operation in response to an output request from the occupying user, the process returns to step S302, and the occupation control unit 23 clears the counter value i of the measurement counter to “0” again.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S303,
If there is no image forming operation due to the output request from the occupying user, the occupation control unit 23 adds “1” to the count value i of the measurement counter (step S304). This allows
When the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state, the time during which there is no output request from the occupied user is measured.

Next, the occupation control unit 23 determines the count value i of the measurement counter and the maximum time MAX_TIME (hereinafter, referred to as “MAX_TIME”) to maintain the occupation state without an output request from the occupation user.
This is referred to as the “maximum occupation state maintenance time”. ) To determine whether or not the count value i of the measurement counter exceeds the occupation state maximum maintenance time MAX_TIME (step S305).

As a result of the determination in step S 305, the count value i of the measurement counter indicates that the occupation state maximum maintenance time M
When AX_TIME is exceeded (i> MAX_TIM
In E), the process proceeds to step S307, and the occupation control unit 23
Releases the occupation state of the image forming apparatus and shifts to the normal state. That is, the occupation control unit 23 determines that there has been no output request from the occupied user for a long time even though the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state, and in order to construct an efficient image forming system, Release the occupancy status.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S305, when the counter value of the measurement counter does not exceed the occupation state maximum maintaining time MAX_TIME (i ≦ MAX_TIME).
(TIME), the process proceeds to step S306. Step S
At 306, occupation control section 23 determines whether or not an occupation release command has been received from the occupying user via communication section 21.

If it is determined in step S306 that an occupancy release command has been received from the occupying user, the flow advances to step S307, where the occupation control unit 23 releases the occupation state of the image forming apparatus and shifts to the normal state. Let it. On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S306 is that an occupancy release command has not been received from the occupying user, the process returns to step S303, and the above-described operation is repeated. And continue measuring the time when there is no output request.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatuses 201 to 20 are transmitted from the personal computers 301 to 305 via the network 101.
The communication unit 21 receives the occupation command for occupying the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 transmitted to the communication control unit 3 and supplies the occupation command to the occupation control unit 23. The occupation control unit 23 supplied with the occupation command permits the image forming apparatus to perform an image forming operation in response to an output request (print request, copy request) from the occupying user specified by the occupation command. For an output request from a user who is not the exclusive user, an exclusive control process is performed so that the output request is rejected and the image forming operation is prohibited, and the image forming apparatus is set in the exclusive state.

Thus, the occupied user can send an occupation command from the personal computers 301 to 305 to the image forming apparatuses 201 to 205 via the network 101 without going to the place where the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 are installed. Just by transmitting, the image forming apparatus 20
The image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 can be efficiently occupied.
Also, even if the user does not go to the place where the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 are installed, the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 can be used.
3 can be occupied, the image forming apparatuses 201 to 201
The time required to occupy 203 can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatuses 201 to 205
When an occupation command transmitted from the image forming apparatus 201 through the network 101 is received from the
When the power-saving operation state 05 is the power-saving operation state, the mode is changed from the power-saving operation state to the normal operation state. On the other hand, copying of an image and output of an image related to output image data can be performed quickly, and the efficiency of an image forming operation can be increased. In particular, when the occupying user performs a copy operation of copying an image while occupying the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203, the occupying user moves to the place where the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 are installed. In this case, since the transition from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state is performed, the efficiency of the image forming operation can be significantly increased.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the image forming apparatus in the occupied state receives the occupation release command from the personal computer that transmitted the occupation command, or when there is no output request from the occupying user, When the maintenance time MAX_TIME has elapsed, the occupation control unit 23 releases the occupation state of the image forming apparatus and shifts to the normal state, so that the user can efficiently use the image forming apparatus of the image forming system. .

Further, the occupation state of the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 is notified to a personal computer other than the occupied user and is displayed on the display unit 25 of the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203.
It is possible to easily indicate to users other than the occupying user that ２０３203 is in the occupying state. For example, when a notification is sent to a personal computer other than the occupied user, the user can know that the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state without going to the place where the image forming apparatuses 201 to 203 are installed and checking the location. become.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when an image forming operation is performed in response to an output request from a user other than the exclusive user in the exclusive control process,
It waits until the above-mentioned image forming operation is completed, and after the completion, the occupancy control process is continuously performed. When the image forming operation is performed by an output request from a user other than the occupying user, an occupation command is transmitted. The occupation control process may be terminated by notifying the personal computer that the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied.

Further, when notifying that the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied, the user of the personal computer having transmitted the occupation command waits until the image forming operation is completed, and then continues the occupation control processing. Alternatively, it is possible to select whether to end the occupancy control process immediately, and to perform the occupancy control process accordingly. In addition,
The state in which the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied not only when the image forming operation is being performed by an output request from a user other than the occupant but also when the image forming operation cannot be performed due to a failure of the image forming apparatus or the like. May be notified.

Further, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is in the occupied state and the occupation state maximum maintaining time MAX_TIME has elapsed without an output request from the occupied user,
Although the occupation state of the image forming apparatus is released and automatically shifted to the normal state, the occupation state maximum maintenance time M
A selection unit is provided for selecting and setting whether to release the occupation state of the image forming apparatus and shift to the normal state when AX_TIME has elapsed, and to control the image forming apparatus according to the setting of the selection unit. You may do it.

(Other Embodiments of the Present Invention) In order to operate various devices for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments, an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in a system is connected to the above-described embodiment. Supply the software program code to realize the functions of
The present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.

In this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer are provided.
For example, a recording medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, R
OM or the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other operating system running on the computer. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software and the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the first embodiment performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When receiving the occupation request command transmitted from the user occupying the image forming apparatus that outputs at least one of the copied image and the image related to the output image data, the occupied user specified by the received occupation request command is received. An output request from the user is accepted, and an output request from a user other than the occupying user is not accepted.

Thus, the occupying user can occupy the image forming apparatus only by transmitting the occupation request command to the image forming apparatus without going to the place where the image forming apparatus is installed. The image forming apparatus can be occupied efficiently.

When the occupation request command for occupying the image forming apparatus is received and the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving operation state, the image forming apparatus is changed from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state. In the case where the image forming apparatus is returned to the state, the image forming apparatus can be brought into a state in which the image forming operation can be performed before the user occupying the image forming apparatus issues an output request. Therefore, after the user occupying the image forming apparatus occupies the image forming apparatus, it is possible to quickly copy the image and output the image related to the output image data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a personal computer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an occupancy control process of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually showing a network connection with the image forming apparatus viewed from a personal computer in a state where the image forming apparatus is occupied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually showing a network connection with the image forming apparatus viewed from a personal computer in a state where the image forming apparatus is occupied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing occupancy control of the image forming apparatus by a single user.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing occupancy control of the image forming apparatus by a plurality of users.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an authentication control process performed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an occupancy release process of the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Communication part 22 Control part 23 Occupation control part 24 Operation part 25 Display part 26 Authentication part 27 Timer part 28 Storage part 29 Image formation / output part 101 Network 201-203 Image forming apparatus 301-305 Personal computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 396 G03G 21/00 398 398 H04N 1/00 107Z H04N 1/00 107 G03G 21/00 390 ( 72) Inventor Tetsuya Morita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Atsushi Nakagawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tomoyasu Yoshikawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mitsuo Nimura 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuki Miyamoto Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku F-term (reference) in Canon Inc. 2C061 AP01 HH03 HH11 HJ06 HK04 HK11 HN05 HN15 HT07 HT09 2H027 DA28 DA40 DE07 EE10 EF16 EJ03 EJ13 EJ15 GB05 ZA01 ZA07 ZA09 5B021 AA01 BB01 EE03 EE05 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA35 AB20 AB22 AB38 AB40 AB49 AB53 AC04 AC38 AC42 AF01 AF12

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An image forming system in which an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image and a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus requests the image forming apparatus to occupy the image forming apparatus. Command transmitting means for transmitting a command; command receiving means for receiving an occupation request command transmitted by the command transmitting means; and occupancy controlling use of the image forming apparatus in accordance with the occupation request command received by the command receiving means. Control means, wherein the occupancy control means controls the image forming apparatus so as to accept an output request from an occupant designated by the occupation request command and not to accept an output request from anyone other than the occupant. An image forming system comprising: 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the occupant is an information processing device specified by the occupation request command. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the occupant is a user specified by the occupation request command. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit configured to authenticate the occupant designated by the occupation request command. 5. An image forming system in which an image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image and a plurality of information processing apparatuses are connected via a network, wherein the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus include: A command transmission unit for transmitting a command; and a command reception unit for receiving the command. The command transmission unit transmits an occupation request command from the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus. Is received by the command receiving means, the connection between the image forming apparatus and the information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus specified by the occupation request command is disconnected, and the information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus specified by the occupation request command is disconnected. Not to accept the output request from the information processing device of Image forming system, characterized in that it comprises an occupation control means or were authenticated by the authentication means, so as not to accept the output request from other than the user specified by the occupancy request command. 6. The image forming apparatus has a power saving mode operating in a power saving operation state, and operates when the image receiving apparatus receives an occupation request command by the command receiving unit. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation returns from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state when the operation is being performed. 7. An information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus designated by the occupation request command, comprising an occupation state notifying unit for notifying the occupation state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a first display unit that displays at least an occupation state of the image forming apparatus notified by the occupation state notification unit. Forming system. 9. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a second display unit that displays at least an occupation state of the image forming apparatus. . 10. When the image receiving apparatus receives the occupation request command and the image forming apparatus cannot be occupied, the image processing apparatus cannot transmit the occupation request command to the information processing apparatus. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an occupation-disabled state notifying unit that notifies the user of the fact. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: third display means for displaying at least that the image forming apparatus, which has been notified by said non-occupation state notification means, cannot occupy. 3. The image forming system according to 1. 12. The command transmitting means transmits an occupancy release command for requesting release of the occupation state of the image forming apparatus from the information processing terminal which has transmitted the occupation request command to the image forming apparatus. Upon receiving the occupancy release command by the command receiving means, the occupancy control means restores the connection between the image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus other than the information processing apparatus specified by the occupation request command, and The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the occupation state of the image forming apparatus is released. 13. An output request from at least one of an information processing apparatus and a user designated by the occupation request command after the image forming apparatus has been occupied by the occupation control means, further comprising timer means for measuring time. Wherein the occupancy control means cancels the occupation state of the image forming apparatus when is not within a predetermined time.
13. The image forming system according to claim 12. 14. The occupancy control means releases the occupation state of the image forming apparatus when an output request from at least one of the information processing apparatus and the user specified by the occupation request command is not received within a predetermined time. The image forming system according to claim 13, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether or not the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the image forming apparatus is in the image forming system. 15. An image forming apparatus having a function of outputting an image, wherein the command receiving means receives an occupation request command transmitted from a user occupying the image forming apparatus, and the command receiving means receives the command. According to the occupancy request command,
Occupancy control means for accepting an output request from the occupying user specified by the occupation request command and not accepting an output request from a user other than the occupying user. Forming equipment. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an authentication unit configured to authenticate a user of an occupied user specified by the occupation request command. 17. A power saving mode that operates in a power saving operation state, and when the command receiving means receives an occupation request command and operates in the power saving operation state, the power saving operation state is changed to a normal mode. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus returns to an operation state. 18. An occupation state notifying means for notifying an occupation state to a user other than the occupying user specified by the occupation request command.
18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, 19. The occupancy control means cancels the occupation state when the occupation release command transmitted from the occupied user requesting cancellation of the occupation state is received by the instruction receiving means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. 20. A timer for measuring time, wherein the occupancy is controlled by the occupancy control means, and when the output request from the occupied user is not within a predetermined time, the occupancy control is performed. 20. An image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said means releases the occupation state. 21. An image forming method for obtaining an image by occupying an image forming apparatus that outputs an image, comprising: receiving an occupation request command transmitted from a user occupying the image forming apparatus; An image forming method comprising: receiving an output request from the occupying user specified by a request command; and not receiving an output request from a user other than the occupying user. 22. Upon receiving the occupation request command, when the image forming apparatus is operating in the power saving operation state, the image forming apparatus is returned from the power saving operation state to the normal operation state. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein
2. The image forming method according to 1., 23. The occupation state of the image forming apparatus is notified to a user other than the occupying user designated by the occupation request command.
23. The image forming method according to 1 or 22. 24. An occupation state of the image forming apparatus is released when an occupancy release command transmitted from the occupying user requesting release of the occupation state of the image forming apparatus is received. Item 24. The image forming method according to any one of Items 21 to 23. 25. After the image forming apparatus is occupied, if the output request from the occupied user is not within a predetermined time, the occupied state of the image forming apparatus is released. The image forming method according to any one of claims 21 to 24. 26. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to function as each means according to claim 1. Description: 27. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the processing procedure of the image forming method according to claim 21 is recorded.