JP2003260857A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote saving of sheets. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus has functions of perfecting, 2UP (function for printing two pages of a document while arranging on one page), and the like, and prescribes a plurality of sheet utilization modes of different sheet saving effect by combining these functions. When a user depresses a start key for designating start of copy, the imaging apparatus makes a decision whether there is a mode capable of saving more sheets than those being saved by a sheet utilization mode which has been specified by the user at that time (S30). If there is such a mode, start of print processing is suspended and an alteration is made to a mode capable of saving more sheets or a screen for requesting confirmation of sustaining print operation as it is displayed (S32), and then a designation is received from the user (S34). When the user selects alteration to a mode of higher saving effect, the imaging apparatus performs print processing after making an alteration to that mode (S36). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a technique for saving paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of environmental protection activities, various mechanisms for saving paper resources have been proposed in image forming apparatuses.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-511167 discloses an image forming apparatus having a function of totalizing the number of used sheets for each paper size and displaying the totalized result. Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-255469,
An image forming apparatus is disclosed that has a function of accumulating the contents of copy settings such as whether one-sided copy or two-sided copy is selected and totaling the information for each department in use. With these devices, the tabulation results can be used for paper saving efforts.

Further, in order to positively save paper, double-sided copying and copying using backing paper (paper used for one side) can be set as the default mode, and when there is no explicit instruction from the user, There is also an image forming apparatus that executes image formation in a default mode. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-338314 discloses a device that promotes the use of a backing sheet by imposing different charges on normal paper and backing paper.

Recently, a plurality of (N) sheets are printed on one page of paper.
A function to print the page original images side by side ("N-UP")
Image forming apparatus having a function, referred to as a “N in 1” function, etc.) is also widespread. There is also known an image forming apparatus capable of setting the N-UP function or a copy mode in which the N-UP function is combined with double-sided or backing paper as a default mode.

[0006]

An image forming apparatus capable of setting a copy mode capable of saving paper such as double-sided copy as a default is certainly effective in saving paper.
However, if the next user starts copying after returning to the default mode after the user selects single-sided copying, or if the user who regularly selects single-sided copying habitually selects single-sided copying, etc. Can't save paper. In addition, there is a case where the paper can be saved more than the default mode by combining the double-sided copy and the N-UP function, but it is difficult to think of such a case unless the user has a high awareness of saving.

The case of copying has been described above as an example, but the same problem applies to an image forming apparatus (for example, a printer) other than a copying machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can raise the user's awareness of paper saving.

[0009]

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper use modes having different paper saving effects, and a user selects one of the plurality of paper use modes from among the plurality of paper use modes. Among the plurality of sheet utilization modes provided in the image forming apparatus and the mode designation unit that receives designation of the one to be used, there is a sheet utilization mode having a higher paper saving effect than the sheet utilization mode designated by the mode designation unit. For example, a saving promotion means for executing a predetermined paper saving promotion process is provided.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the paper saving promotion process is a user interface screen for selecting a mode to be used from the designated paper using mode or a paper using mode having a higher paper saving effect. Is displayed on the display device of the image forming apparatus, a user's selection for the display is received, and switching control of the paper use mode to be used is performed.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper use modes having different paper saving effects, and the paper use mode serving as a reference among the plurality of paper use modes. A reference mode storage unit stored as a reference mode, a mode designating unit for accepting designation of one of the plurality of paper utilization modes to be used from the user, and a paper saving effect of the paper utilization mode designated by the mode designating unit. And a saving promotion means for performing a predetermined sheet saving promotion process when the former is lower than the latter and the paper saving effect in the reference mode is compared.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the paper saving promotion processing displays a user interface screen for selecting whether or not to change the paper usage mode to be used to the reference mode, and a user's response to this is displayed. A process of receiving a selection and controlling the switching of the paper use mode to be used according to the selection received as a result.

In a further preferred aspect, it further comprises means for accepting from the user an instruction for setting and changing the reference mode stored in the reference mode storage section.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus comprises index value calculating means for obtaining a predetermined saving index value based on the usage status of the paper of the image forming apparatus, and the saving promotion means is the paper saving. As the propulsion process, a process corresponding to the stage of the size of the saving index value is selectively executed from among a plurality of predetermined processes having different sheet saving effects in stages.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the saving promotion means has a function of displaying a plurality of types of saving recommendation messages with different calling strengths, and the saving index value among the saving recommendation messages is displayed. It is characterized in that the one corresponding to the step of the size of is selected and displayed.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the saving promotion means may be a processing of displaying a saving recommendation message and a paper use mode designated by the mode designating means, as the processing of which the paper saving effect is gradually changed. It is characterized in that it is possible to execute a process of asking the user to confirm whether or not it is possible and a process of prohibiting acceptance of an image forming job.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the saving promotion means limits a paper use mode that can be selected at each stage of the size of the saving index value, and the limited sheets to the user. Make the user select the one to be used within the range of the usage mode.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising threshold setting means for accepting from a user a threshold setting which defines the level of the saving index value.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a saving promotion mode for operating the saving promotion means,
And a general mode in which the saving promotion means does not function,
It is characterized in that the image forming apparatus further comprises means for receiving an instruction from the user as to whether to select the saving promotion mode or the general mode as the operation mode.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a saving promotion mode for operating the saving promotion means and a general mode for not operating the saving promotion means are provided, and the predetermined mode is determined based on the usage status of the sheet of the image forming apparatus. Index value calculating means for obtaining the saving index value of, and operation mode selecting means for selecting one of the saving promotion mode and the general mode as the operation mode of the image forming apparatus according to the value of the saving index value. Prepare

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a means for receiving an instruction from the user to execute the job in the clean copy mode, and an operation mode of the image forming apparatus when the clear copy mode is specified by this means. And a means for temporarily stopping the saving promotion means during the job even when the saving promotion mode is selected as.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the saving index value is a cumulative value of the amount of paper used in the image forming apparatus.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a target registration unit that receives and stores an input of a saving target value that represents a target of paper saving, an actual number of used sheets of a job, and a preset reference sheet usage Based on the estimated value of the number of used sheets assuming that the job is executed in the mode, a saving result calculation means for calculating a saving result value indicating a result of paper saving, the saving target value and the saving result value. And an achievement degree calculating means for calculating a goal achievement degree based on the above, and using the goal achievement degree as the saving index value.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes means for identifying a user who has input a job, and means for storing information on a user management unit to which each user belongs.
The index value calculation unit calculates the saving index value for each predetermined user management unit, and the saving promotion unit performs a paper saving promotion process according to the saving index value of the management unit for each user management unit. It is characterized by executing.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus comprises means for identifying a user who has input a job and means for storing information on a user management unit to which each user belongs, and the index value calculating means. Is characterized in that the saving index value is calculated for each predetermined user management unit, and the operation mode selecting means selects the operation mode for each user management unit according to the saving index value of the management unit.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the control processing according to the present invention is applied. In this figure, a copying machine is illustrated as one type of image forming apparatus. As will be apparent from the following description, the application range of the reset control of the present embodiment is not limited to the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, but can be applied to other image forming apparatuses in general.

As shown in this figure, the copying machine includes a document reading section 10 for optically reading an image shown on a paper document and converting it into an electronic image signal. The document feeder 12
A tray on which a stack of documents to be copied is placed is provided, and the documents placed on the tray are fed to the document reading unit 10 one by one. The printing unit 14 is a mechanism that prints the image of the read document on a sheet-like medium such as paper (hereinafter referred to as “paper”). The printing unit 14 includes a plurality of paper trays 16 and can hold a plurality of types of paper. This printing section 1
The printed paper printed in 4 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 20. The paper discharge unit 20 has a plurality of discharge trays 22.

The machine operation unit (operation panel) 24 is a UI (user interface) mechanism that displays information for operating the copying machine and receives an operation instruction input from the user. The machine operation unit 24 includes a touch panel 26 and various operation buttons. The touch panel 26 has a function of displaying information on the screen and detecting a place where the user touches the screen with a finger. The machine operation unit 24 generates a GUI display that displays various operation menus and operation instruction buttons and causes the touch panel 26 to display the GUI display.
Information on the place touched by the user on the GUI display is received from the touch panel 26, the input content of the user is interpreted, and a processing instruction corresponding to the input content is transmitted to the machine control unit 28. The operation buttons include a start key for instructing the start of a copy job and a numeric keypad for inputting numerical values. When the operation buttons are pressed, the machine operation unit 24 sends a signal to that effect to the machine. It is transmitted to the control unit 28.

The machine control unit 28 is a control mechanism for controlling the units 10 to 26 described above to realize the operation as a copying machine. For example, the machine control unit 28
Supplying a control signal corresponding to a copy operation instruction (for example, number of copies or presence / absence of double-sided printing designation) input from the machine operation unit 24 to the document feeding unit 12, the document reading unit 10, the printing unit 14, and the paper discharge unit 20. Then, the copying process according to the operation instruction is realized. Further, the machine control unit 28 receives a signal indicating the state of each of the units 10 to 26, and when a malfunction such as a paper jam occurs, the machine control unit 28 performs control according to the malfunction. Machine control unit 28
Is realized by processing the control program and various parameter values stored in the ROM or the non-volatile memory by the processor.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, this copying machine can be connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and receives a print instruction from the host computer via this network, Can also be printed out.

This image forming apparatus has a double-sided printing function for printing on both front and back sides of a sheet and a 2UP function for printing two pages of an original image on one page of the sheet. Further, in this image forming apparatus, the backing paper can be selected and printed by setting the backing paper in some of the plurality of paper trays 16. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, it is possible to perform printing in various different paper usage modes depending on the combination of the usage of the double-sided function, the usage of the 2UP function, and the usage of the backing paper. In this way, each paper usage mode determined by a combination of parameters such as the presence or absence of the double-sided function will be referred to as a paper usage mode. For example, a combination of "using both sides function and using 2UP function and not using backing paper" is one paper usage mode, and a combination of "using both sides function and using 2UP function and using backing paper" is one paper usage mode. is there. Further, a mode in which all of double-sided paper, 2UP paper, and back paper is not used is also one paper use mode.

The paper saving effect can be considered for each of these paper use modes, and the paper saving effect can be ranked. This ranking can be determined theoretically, or can be determined according to the saving policy at the site where the image forming apparatus is used. For example, it is theoretically determined that a mode that uses both double-sided and 2UP has a higher paper saving effect than a mode that uses only double-sided. Also, backing paper and double-sided printing are difficult to use in terms of paper usage, but whether to treat these paper saving effects as equal or superior or inferior depends on the saving policy at the site of use of the image forming apparatus. Is.

In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, as a measure for promoting the saving of paper resources, if there is a paper use mode having a higher paper saving effect than the paper use mode selected by the user, this is given to the user. The user's awareness of saving will be improved by informing the user. Further, in this embodiment,
The user interface screen showing not only the notification but also the paper use mode having a higher paper saving effect is presented so that the user can change to the mode having a high saving effect with a simple operation. Hereinafter, the details of the saving promotion process will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus when a user sets a function to be used in a job before starting the job. Here, only the procedure related to the saving promotion process is shown, and the illustration of other general processes is omitted.

The machine control unit 28 is operated by the user on the machine operation unit 2
Waiting for input of various instructions from 4 (S1
0). When the input from the user is detected, the machine control unit 28
Determines whether the input is related to the designation of the paper use mode (S12). If the input is unrelated to the paper use mode (for example, collation designation, etc.), the machine control unit 28 performs conventional processing according to the input and waits for the next input (S10). When the input is the designation of the paper use mode, the machine control unit 28 determines whether there is a mode in which the paper can be saved more than the paper use mode designated by the user at that time (S14).

FIG. 3 shows an example of the determination processing in step S14. In this procedure, the machine control unit 28 first acquires information on the paper use mode designated by the user from the machine operation unit 24 (S20). Then, with reference to the saving effect ranking table (S22), it is determined whether or not there is a paper use mode having a higher rank (that is, a higher paper saving effect) than the designated paper use mode (called a designated mode). Yes (S24). In this determination, if a paper use mode having a higher saving effect than the designated mode is found in the saving effect ranking table, the machine control unit 28 determines that "more saving is possible" (S26). It is determined that saving is sufficient in the mode (S28).

The saving effect ranking table is a table showing the ranking of the paper saving effect of a plurality of paper use modes provided by the image forming apparatus, and is stored in advance in the storage device in the image forming apparatus. Can be referred to from the machine control unit 28. The ranking of the respective paper use modes in the saving effect ranking table may be determined by the device vendor and / or the operation site according to the concept described above.
It is also preferable to provide the image forming apparatus with an updating mechanism for the stored contents of the saving effect ranking table and a user interface mechanism for updating the contents.

Returning to the description of the flow of FIG. 2, the machine control unit 28 is executed after the saving possibility determination process (S14) is executed.
Judges whether or not the judgment result is "more savings can be made" (S16), and if the judgment result is affirmative (Y), displays a saving recommendation message on the touch panel 26 (S18) and waits for input. Return to (S10). If the determination result of step S16 is negative (N), the saving recommendation message is not displayed and the input waiting state (S1
Return to 0).

In the processing procedure of FIG. 2 described above,
The procedure is to judge the possibility of saving for the paper usage mode specified by the user and display a saving recommendation message if it is determined that further savings can be made. It is also possible to carry out the procedure. That is, when the user does not input the paper charge mode, it is considered that the default paper use mode registered in advance (generally, single-sided printing (2UP and backing paper is not used)) is specified, and Just follow the steps.

Now, the process of displaying the saving recommendation message will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 (A),
(B) and (C) are UIs displayed on the touch panel 26.
It is an example of a screen. This UI screen has a message area 100 for displaying a message to the user, and a main area 110 for displaying GUI objects such as buttons and tabs for receiving operations from the user. The saving recommendation message is displayed in the message area 100.

The example of FIG. 4 (A) is an example of a screen when the user has not entered anything yet. Since the paper use mode is the default single-sided mode, more paper can be obtained by using the 2UP and / or double-sided function. A saving recommendation message indicating that saving is possible is displayed in the message area 100. In FIG. 4B, after the user has specified the double-sided function (when the screen for instructing 2UP is opened,
(P is not selected) is an example of the screen. In this case, 2 more
A message indicating that saving paper can be saved by selecting is displayed in the message area 100. Figure 4
(C) is an example of a screen when the 2UP function is further specified after the double-sided function is specified. In this case, the paper use mode having the highest paper saving effect in the image forming apparatus is selected. Therefore, only a message indicating that copying is possible is displayed in the message area 100, and a message statement calling for paper saving is not displayed.

In the present embodiment, by displaying the saving recommendation message calling for paper saving in this way, it is possible to raise the user's awareness of saving. Further, since the message shows which mode can be selected to save more, it is easy for the user to understand how to save.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment has a function of displaying a screen for confirming the paper use mode when the user presses the start key for instructing the job start. The processing contents of this function will be described with reference to FIG.

In this process, the machine control unit 28 first determines whether or not it is possible to save paper from the current designated mode (S30). Whether or not further savings can be made has already been determined in the job setting process shown in FIG. 2 (S16). Therefore, at the time of that process, the designated mode and the result of obtaining a more economical mode are stored. In step S30, the determination may be made based on the stored information. Step S3
If it is determined that the saving is not possible compared to the designated mode (that is, the designated mode is sufficiently economical) (the determination result is N), the printing process (S36) is started as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that it is possible to save more, the machine control unit 28 suspends the start of the printing process, displays the paper use mode confirmation screen on the touch panel 26 (S32), and instructs the screen by the user. Input is received (S34).

FIG. 6 is displayed when the start key is pressed in the screen state of FIG. 4A (that is, when single-sided printing (2UP and backing sheet are not used) is selected). 9 is an example of a paper use mode confirmation screen 120. Although the above-mentioned saving recommendation message is displayed in the message area 100, this paper use mode confirmation screen 120 is displayed in the main area 110. In this confirmation screen, in addition to the explanation 121 that paper can be saved, GUI buttons 122 and 124 for designating a mode for such saving are displayed. In the case of this example, if at least one of 2UP or both sides is selected, paper can be saved compared to the current designated mode (simple one side).
A button 124 for selecting both sides is displayed. Each time the user touches the buttons 122 and 124, the buttons 122 and 124 alternately switch between the selected state and the non-selected state. The user
When looking at this screen 120 and wanting to change the paper use mode for saving, it suffices to touch a desired one of the buttons 122 and 124 to bring it into the selected state. When the user touches the start button 126, the paper use mode indicated by the combination of the buttons 122 and / or 124 in the selected state at that time becomes the designated mode, and the printing process is executed in this designated mode (S3).
6). If the user does not want to change the paper use mode when the confirmation screen 120 is displayed, the user may touch the start button 126 while keeping both the function selection buttons 122 and 124 in the non-selected state. As a result, the printing process is started in the designated mode before the confirmation screen 120 was opened (S36). Further, when the cancel button 128 is touched, the confirmation screen 120 is closed and the basic operation screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed, and the setting of the job use function and the like can be redone from the beginning.

Unlike the saving recommendation message displayed in the message area 100, the paper use mode confirmation screen 120 is different from the start button 126 and the cancel button 12.
The user's confirmation can be obtained with a high degree of certainty because the user cannot input another operation without closing it unless an explicit operation of pressing 8 is performed. Further, on the confirmation screen 120, a button 12 for selecting a paper use mode having a higher saving effect than the current designated mode is provided.
Since Nos. 2 and 124 are displayed, the usage mode can be changed directly from the confirmation screen 120 without returning to the original job setting screen. Therefore, the user can switch to the mode in which the paper saving effect is high with a small operation load.

FIG. 6 shows the confirmation screen 120 displayed when the designated mode is a simplex mode (FIG. 4 (A)). Instead, for example, the designated mode is the duplex mode (2UP is not used). In this case (FIG. 4B), only the GUI button 122 for selecting 2UP is displayed on the confirmation screen 120.

The confirmation screen 120 shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example. For example, instead of this, as shown in FIG. 11A, it is also possible to use a confirmation screen 120a in which GUI buttons 123 for selection are enumerated and displayed for each paper use mode having a higher saving effect than the designated mode. For each button 123, the corresponding paper use mode is indicated by a combination of functions used in that mode (eg, "2UP / double-sided").

In the above description, the paper use mode is defined by the combination of 2UP and the presence / absence of the double-sided function. However, when there are more functions, the paper use mode can be provided by the number of those possible combinations. For example, in addition to 2UP,
Many image forming apparatuses have the functions of 4UP and 8UP.

The above has described one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

[Modification 1] In the above embodiment, it is judged whether or not there is a mode in which the paper saving mode is higher than the paper use mode designated by the user, and if there is such a mode, the user is notified to that effect to save money. It was a recommendation. As a modification to this, a standard paper usage mode (referred to as a standard mode) is defined, and if the user's designated mode is inferior to the standard mode in terms of the paper saving effect, the user is notified of this and a saving is recommended. It is also possible to do In this case, the outline of the processing procedure can use the procedure of the above embodiment, but the saving possibility determination processing (S14) needs to be different from that of the above embodiment (see FIG. 3). is there. The procedure of the saving possibility determination process (S14) of this modification is shown in FIG.

In this procedure, the machine control unit 28 first obtains from the document reading unit 10 and the machine operation unit 24 the number of pages of the document to be printed and the information on the paper use mode (designation mode) designated by the user. Yes (S40). Then, for each of the designated mode and the reference mode, the number of used sheets is estimated assuming that printing is performed in the mode (S
42). Such an estimate is possible because the number of manuscript pages is known. And if you can make a quote,
The number of sheets used in both of these modes is compared (S44), and when the number of standard modes is smaller, it is determined that "more savings are possible" (S46), and not (that is, the number of sheets used in the designated mode is used in the standard mode If it is less than the number of sheets),
It is determined that "the designated mode has saved enough" (S4
8). When it is determined that "more savings are possible", a savings recommendation message is displayed (S18), and the paper use mode confirmation screen 120 is displayed when the start key is pressed (S32). In this case, a button for designating whether or not to change the paper use mode to the reference mode may be displayed on the confirmation screen 120 and the user may be asked to make a selection. In addition,
If it is determined that the designated mode has been sufficiently saved, the recommended saving mode is not displayed, the paper use mode confirmation screen 120 is not displayed when the start key is pressed, and the printing process is started.

It is preferable that the reference mode can be appropriately set or changed according to the needs of the operation site of the image forming apparatus. For this purpose, a GUI screen for setting the reference mode may be prepared in the image forming apparatus. To specify the reference mode on the reference mode setting GUI screen, as in the case of the normal job setting UI, have the user sequentially select whether or not to use each function such as the double-sided function and the 2UP function. do it.

In the procedure of FIG. 7, since the information on the number of pages of the original is required to estimate the number of sheets used, the original set in the original feeding section 12 is read by the original reading section 10 once. After that, the saving recommendation message and the paper use mode confirmation screen 120 are displayed. Therefore, in this procedure, since the possibility of saving is determined after estimating the number of sheets used, the accuracy of the determination is high, but the start of printing is delayed. If this is disliked, if the determination is made according to the saving effect ranking table as in the above embodiment, the accuracy of the determination of the saving possibility is slightly lowered (for example, if the manuscript has two pages, “2UP and double-sided”). And “2UP only” have the same number of sheets used, but using the ranking table, the former is judged to have a higher saving effect), but the delay in the start of printing can be reduced.

[Modification 2] The saving results of paper are totaled by the image forming apparatus, and the saving recommendation function (saving recommendation message display or paper charge mode confirmation screen display) of the above-described embodiment or modification 1 is displayed according to the totaled result. ) Can also be controlled.

The savings record can be measured, for example, as an achievement rate of a predetermined savings target. FIG. 8A is an example of a setting screen used for setting the saving target, and the current value of the saving target is displayed. In this example, the saving target is the saving target number of sheets to be saved with respect to the number of used sheets in a certain standard sheet use mode. The reference mode at this time may be the same as the reference mode described in the first modification, or may be set completely independently of it. For example, when the standard mode for this saving target is 2UP, the actual number of sheets saved is calculated by comparing the number of sheets saved in actual use as compared with the case of printing at 2UP. It will be. Further, it is possible to set how much the actual number of printed sheets per copy can be saved with respect to the number of originals as the actual number of saved sheets.

[Confirm / Change] button 1 from the screen of (A)
When 32 is pressed, the input screen for the target value shown in (B) is displayed. By operating the ten keys 134 or the like on this screen, the target number of sheets to be saved can be input. (C) is an example of a UI screen for confirming the saving target and the saving result. On the UI screen of (C), the saving target value 136, the saving result value 137, and the saving target achievement rate (= actual value / target value (%)) are displayed. The administrator or user of the image forming apparatus can call those screens (A) to (C) from the operation menu screen displayed on the touch panel 26 to make settings and confirmations.

In the above example, the saving target is specified by the number of saved sheets, but instead of this, the saving rate can be used as the saving target. The saving rate can be defined by an expression such as 1-Σ {(total number of print results of job) ÷ (number of originals of job × number of copies)}. Here, Σ means the total sum of all jobs from the start of counting to the present time.
The definition of this saving rate is the same paper usage mode as the original (ie, one-sided original is printed on one side, two-sided original is printed on both sides)
The ratio shows how much the number of sheets used can be actually reduced compared to the number of sheets printed with. With this definition, the target achievement rate can be calculated by the actual value / target value. For example, if the saving target is the saving rate of 50% and the saving actual value is the saving rate of 30%, the target achievement rate is 60%. Of course, this definition is only an example, and the saving rate can be defined by another method.

As a control of the saving recommendation function according to the target achievement rate, a method of controlling the contents of the saving recommendation message (see FIGS. 2 and 4) according to the target achievement rate can be considered. For example, control can be performed such that the saving recommendation message is not displayed when the target achievement rate is sufficiently high, or the saving recommendation message with a stronger tone is displayed as the target achievement rate is lower.

FIG. 9A shows an example of a UI screen for setting the contents of such control. In this example, if the target achievement rate is 70% or more, the saving recommendation message display processing itself shown in FIG. 2 is canceled, and if it is 50% or more and less than 70%, a message with a tone level of “Recommended” (for example, in FIG. (Example) is displayed, and if it is 30% or more and less than 50%, a "warning" with a tone stronger than the "recommended" level
The message level is set to display the level message. By adjusting the switching threshold for each level, the level can be set according to the circumstances of the operation site.

As another example, it is possible to switch the content itself of the saving process according to the target achievement rate. In other words, the lower the target achievement rate is, the more the saving process with the higher paper saving effect is executed. For example, if the target achievement rate is 50% or more, the sheet utilization mode specified by the user is not subjected to restrictive processing such as displaying the sheet utilization mode confirmation screen 120, and the limitation is not reached until less than 50%. It is possible to control that a specific process is added. Of course, it is also possible to switch the processing contents in multiple stages according to the target achievement rate.

FIG. 9B shows an example of a UI screen for setting the contents of such control. In this example, if the target achievement rate is 50% or more, the confirmation screen 120 is not displayed. If the target achievement rate is 30% or more and less than 50%, the confirmation screen 120 is displayed to request the user's confirmation of the paper use mode, and 0% The saving processing level is set so that if the value is 30% or less, the forced saving mode processing is executed. By adjusting the threshold value for switching of each level on this UI screen, the level can be set according to the circumstances of the operation site. In the forced saving mode process, for example, when it is determined that the paper use mode designated by the user has a lower saving effect than the predetermined reference mode, the image formation is performed without the user's operation of changing the paper use mode on the confirmation screen 120. This is a process in which the apparatus forcibly changes the paper use mode to the reference mode. Figure 9
The level of "copy prohibition" shown in (B) is a mode in which the acceptance itself of the copy job from the user is prohibited when the target achievement rate is equal to or less than the set value, and the saving effect is higher than the forced saving mode. , It also has a penal implication for not saving. In the example of FIG. 9B,
Since there is no setting for "copy prohibition",
No matter how bad the goal achievement rate is, you can not copy.

Although the message control and the saving process content control based on the target achievement rate have been described above, these may be used alone or in combination. For example, the combination of the controls in the settings of FIGS. 9A and 9B is as follows. That is, if the target achievement rate is 70% or more, the saving recommendation message and the paper use mode confirmation screen 120 are not displayed regardless of the designated mode. If the target achievement rate is 50 to 70%, the saving recommendation message display processing is performed, but the confirmation screen 120 is not displayed. If the target achievement rate is 30 to 50%, both of them are performed. Then, when the saving achievement rate becomes 30% or less, the printing is performed by forcibly switching to the predetermined reference mode instead of displaying the confirmation screen 120.

In this way, when the contents of the saving process are automatically switched according to the value of the target achievement rate, as shown in FIG. 10, a message 140 notifying that effect may be displayed in the message area 100. It is suitable. In addition, in the message area 100, the current saving target achievement rate 142
If is displayed, it leads to the user's awareness of saving.

An example of the control for automatically switching the processing for paper saving promotion step by step according to the target achievement rate has been described above. In addition to this, for example, it is also possible to control the paper use mode that the user can select in a stepwise manner according to the target achievement rate. That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, in (B) the paper utilization mode confirmation screen 120b when the target achievement rate is low, (A) is displayed on the confirmation screen 120a when the target achievement rate is high. Among the available button 123 of the paper use mode, the button 123 having a relatively low paper saving effect is deleted. As a result, the lower the target achievement rate, the more the paper use mode with the higher saving effect is selected, and the saving can be promoted. Also here
Unless one paper use mode is selected from the options displayed on the confirmation screens 120a and 120b, if the start button 129 cannot be pressed, it is possible to surely select the mode with a high paper saving effect. The threshold value of the target achievement rate, which indicates the stage separation of the options of the paper use mode, can be appropriately set / changed on the operation side.

The control in which the target achievement rate is used as the index value indicating the paper saving state and the contents of the saving promotion process are switched stepwise according to the target achievement rate has been described above. On the other hand, it is possible to perform the same stepwise switching control based on another index value related to the paper saving state. An example of such a saving index value is a paper usage amount (cumulative number of used paper sheets). In the case of the amount of used paper, the larger the value is, the more efficient the saving process is selected. 12A and 12B show examples of UI screens in the case of setting the threshold value of the step setting similar to FIGS. 9A and 9B by the amount of used paper.

[Modification 3] Although the saving promotion processing shown in the above-described embodiment and modification is useful from the viewpoint of paper saving, a saving recommendation message and a paper usage mode confirmation screen 1 are displayed.
Since 20 is displayed, it may be annoying to the user. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also preferable to prepare a UI screen for switching between valid and invalid of the above-mentioned saving promotion processing function itself so that the user or the system administrator can turn the function on and off as appropriate. .

Even when the saving promotion processing function is disabled in this UI, the target achievement rate and the paper usage amount are worse than the predetermined threshold value (which can also be set / changed as appropriate) (savings can be saved). It is also preferable to provide a mechanism for automatically activating the saving promotion processing function in the case of (insufficient direction).

[Modification 4] When preparing a document (such as a document to be submitted to a public office) that needs to comply with a predetermined format, the original document must be correctly copied or printed. In such a case, if the saving promotion processing function described above is activated, there is a possibility that the paper may be erroneously output by 2UP or double-sided printing, and the paper may be wasted. Especially when the control is forcibly switched to the paper-saving mode because the degree of saving is low, there is a high possibility that the print result will have a different form than the user desires. In order to avoid this, it is preferable to provide means for temporarily invalidating the saving promotion processing function.

As such means, for example, FIG.
The touch panel 2 displays the clean copy mode designation screen illustrated in (A).
6 may be displayed. When the user wants to temporarily disable the saving promotion processing function, the user may call this clean copy mode specification screen from the basic operation screen and select the GUI button 150 to specify the clean copy mode. When the clean copy mode is designated, the machine control unit 28 temporarily invalidates the saving promotion processing function. While the saving promotion processing function is temporarily disabled in this way, as shown in FIG. 14B, a message 152 indicating that fact is displayed in the message area 100. This temporary disabled state is
Immediately after that, the job is continued during the job started by the user with the start key or the like. Then, if the non-input state continues for a predetermined period after the end of the job, the saving promotion processing function is re-enabled.

[Modification 5] An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine is provided with an authentication mechanism for authenticating a user to be used by an ID card, a personal identification number, or the like. Some have a function of totaling the usage amount (or the charge itself) of the device.

Using a user authentication mechanism similar to this,
It is also possible to perform the processing of the above-described embodiment and modified examples for each predetermined management unit such as a user unit or a department unit. For example, it is possible to set such that the saving promotion processing described above is performed for the management unit A, but the saving promotion processing is not performed for the management unit B. In addition, the saving target setting, the calculation of the target achievement rate, or the cumulative total of the paper usage amount shown in FIG. 8 are performed for each management unit, and the saving promotion processing according to the target achievement ratio and the paper usage amount is performed for each management unit. Can also be executed. Further, the stepwise switching method of the saving promotion processing illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 12 can also be set for each management unit.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of paper saving processing when a user sets a function used in a job.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a saving possibility determination process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displaying a saving recommendation message and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing relating to paper saving when a user presses a start key instructing to start a job.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a paper use mode confirmation screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure of the saving possibility determination processing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen regarding a saving target.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for setting a threshold value for stepwise switching of the saving promotion process according to the target achievement rate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displaying a message indicating that the content of the saving promotion process is automatically switched.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of switching the paper use mode confirmation screen according to the target achievement rate.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for setting a threshold value for stepwise switching of the saving promotion process according to the amount of used paper.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen for enabling / disabling the saving promotion process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for designating a clean copy mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 original reading section, 12 original feeding section, 14 printing section,
16 paper tray, 20 paper discharge section, 22 discharge tray, 24 machine operation section, 26 touch panel, 28 machine control section.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G03G 21/00 380 G03G 21/00 380 384 384 21/02 G06F 3/12 C G06F 3/12 P G03G 21 / 00 392 (72) Inventor Masaya Kaji 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Ebina Business Office (72) Inventor Isobe Takumasa 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Ebina Business Office, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) ) Inventor Yasushi Sano 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term in Ebina Works (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AR03 HH13 HJ07 HK15 HN19 2C187 AD04 AE01 AE07 AF01 BF36 CC06 DB04 2H027 DA42 DA11 EJ06 FA06 EJ04 FA06 EJ04 FA06 FB19 FC03 GA20 GA25 GA45 GB11 GB14 5B021 AA01 BB01 FF00 KK00 QQ01

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper use modes having different paper saving effects, the mode specifying unit receiving a specification of one of the plurality of paper use modes to be used from a user, and the image. If there is a paper use mode having a higher paper saving effect than the paper use mode designated by the mode designating means among the plurality of paper use modes provided in the forming apparatus, a saving promotion for executing a predetermined paper saving promotion process An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper saving promotion process selects a mode to be used from the designated paper using mode or a paper using mode having a higher paper saving effect. An image forming apparatus, which displays a user interface screen for performing the operation on a display device of the image forming apparatus, receives a user's selection for the user interface screen, and controls switching of a paper use mode to be used. 3. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper use modes having different paper saving effects, wherein a reference mode storage storing a reference paper use mode as a reference mode among the plurality of paper use modes. Copy, a mode designating unit that receives a designation of one of the plurality of paper utilization modes to be used from the user, a paper conservation effect of the paper utilization mode designated by the mode designating unit, and a paper conservation effect of the reference mode When the former is lower than the latter, an image forming apparatus including: a saving promotion unit that executes a predetermined paper saving promotion process. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the paper saving promotion process displays a user interface screen for selecting whether to change the paper use mode to be used to the reference mode. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a process of receiving a selection from a user for the selection process, and performing a switching control of a paper use mode to be used according to the received selection. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for receiving an instruction from a user to set and change the reference mode stored in the reference mode storage unit. apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an index value calculating unit that calculates a predetermined saving index value based on a usage state of sheets of the image forming apparatus, wherein the saving promotion unit is As the paper saving promotion process, among a plurality of predetermined processes in which the paper saving effect is different stepwise,
An image forming apparatus, which selectively executes a process according to the level of the saving index value. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the saving promotion unit has a function of displaying a plurality of types of saving recommendation messages in which calling strengths differ stepwise.
An image forming apparatus, wherein one of the saving recommendation messages corresponding to the level of the saving index value is selected and displayed. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the saving promotion unit is a process of displaying a saving recommendation message and is designated by the mode designating unit, as a process in which the paper saving effect is gradually changed. An image forming apparatus capable of executing a process of asking a user to confirm whether or not a paper use mode is acceptable, and a process of prohibiting acceptance of an image forming job. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the saving promotion unit limits a paper use mode selectable at each step of the size of the saving index value to a user. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that a printer to be used is selected within the range of the limited paper use modes. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a threshold value setting unit that receives a threshold value setting that defines the level of the saving index value from a user. Image forming apparatus. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a saving promotion mode in which the saving promotion unit functions and a general mode in which the saving promotion unit does not function. An image forming apparatus comprising: a unit that receives an instruction from a user as to which of the saving promotion mode and the general mode is selected as an operation mode. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a saving promotion mode in which the saving promotion unit functions and a general mode in which the saving promotion unit does not function, and the image forming apparatus. Index value calculation means for obtaining a predetermined saving index value based on the usage status of the sheet, and one of the saving promotion mode and the general mode is selected as the operation mode of the image forming apparatus according to the value of the saving index value. An image forming apparatus, comprising: 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a means for receiving an instruction from a user to execute a job in a clean copy mode, and a means for accepting the specification of the clear copy mode by this means, An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a unit that temporarily stops the saving promotion unit during the job even when the saving promotion mode is selected as an operation mode of the image forming apparatus. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 or 12, wherein the saving index value is a cumulative value of the amount of paper used in the image forming apparatus. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a target registration unit that receives and stores an input of a saving target value representing a sheet saving target; an actual number of used sheets of a job; Based on an estimated value of the number of used sheets assuming that the job is executed in the set standard paper use mode, a saving result calculation means for calculating a saving result value indicating a result of paper saving, and the saving target. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an achievement degree calculating unit that calculates a goal achievement degree based on a value and the saving actual value, and uses the goal achievement degree as the saving index value. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit that identifies a user who has input a job, and a unit that stores information on a user management unit to which each user belongs. The means calculates the saving index value for each predetermined user management unit, and the saving promotion unit executes a paper saving promotion process according to the saving index value of the management unit for each user management unit. Image forming apparatus. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a unit that identifies a user who has input a job; and a unit that stores information on a user management unit to which each user belongs. The means calculates the saving index value for each predetermined user management unit, and the operation mode selecting unit selects the operation mode for each user management unit according to the saving index value of the management unit. Image forming apparatus.