JP2003263289A - Image forming device, image forming system and image outputting service - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device, an image forming system and an image outputting service which are able to control an image output from the image forming device connected to a network, without having a dedicated server on the network, and ensure confidentiality of user's image data and cope with the user's prioritized printing output. <P>SOLUTION: The system has a storage means to store personal information or the like, connects the image forming device to execute individual attestation by a portable storage medium to the network, transmits information via the network and outputs the image from the image forming device on the network. The system comprises the image forming device in which the image output from the image forming device on the network is controlled, after individual attestation is performed, the image forming system and the image outputting service. <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 and an image forming system which can be connected to a network, and more specifically, to a personal information stored in an image forming apparatus without installing a dedicated server for storing and managing data. An image forming apparatus for controlling print output from an image forming apparatus on a network by giving a function as a server for centralized management, an image forming system, and a charging system for a print service to a user by the image forming system. The present invention relates to an image output service for issuing a certain bill.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A tandem for transmitting image data such as print data from an information processing device such as a personal computer via a network and outputting it, or transmitting and outputting image data between a plurality of image forming devices via the network. There is an image forming system called.

In such an image forming system, user's personal information such as a user account name and password is registered in advance in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus which has received the print instruction sends the personal information sent at the same time as the print instruction. And print it out after verifying and authenticating the registered personal information.

As a means for registering data such as personal information in the image forming apparatus and for identifying the personal information performed by the image forming apparatus when a print instruction is given, it is easy and compact to handle like an IC card or a mobile phone. However, a medium that can store a certain amount of information is used. JP 200
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 0-231309 discloses an image forming apparatus for identifying personal information using such a storage medium.

Further, in an image forming system via a network, it is assumed that a plurality of users share an image forming apparatus connected to the network. However, individual image data may be seen by other people indiscriminately, or the person himself / herself may see it. There should not be any unauthorized output in a place you do not know. Therefore, some techniques have been proposed in which the confidentiality of image data in an image forming apparatus connected to a network is taken into consideration.

[0006] Among them, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-4238 discloses storing print output data from a workstation and outputting the print output data when directly receiving a personal identification number or a print instruction from a person who requests the print output. A printing device for performing is disclosed. In addition, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-24859,
Disclosed is a network printing system that prevents printing due to unauthorized use of a terminal by reading information from a storage medium such as an IC card and collating the read personal information with personal information when connecting to a network before printing. Has been done.

In the image forming system disclosed in the above document, a dedicated server is provided on the network, and when the user instructs the output from the image forming apparatus, the server stores the personal identification information such as the user ID input to the personal computer. The image is output by collating and identifying, customizing the operation of the image forming apparatus. Providing a dedicated server on the network in this way enables centralized management such as storage of data in the server, collation and identification of personal information of each user, or management of the image forming apparatus, but it is economical with installation. Burden and maintenance of the dedicated server were troublesome.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-212051, a large-capacity storage medium is provided in the image forming apparatus itself, and data such as personal identification information and print information is stored in the built-in storage medium to manage the data. An image forming apparatus for performing is disclosed. This image forming apparatus can disperse and store data in each image forming apparatus on the network. However, when outputting unprinted print data to the image forming apparatus which the user intends to output, all the data on the network is unified. I had to retrieve the data from a dedicated server to manage and use it. Further, in a network environment in which a server is not installed, the image forming apparatus having the corresponding data is forced to print out, and it cannot be output unless the personal identification information of the user is registered in the image forming apparatus to be output. Therefore, the user has to purposely register his or her personal identification information in all the image forming apparatuses on the network.

Further, the image forming apparatus connected to the network performs print output from a plurality of users in the order in which the output instructions are received. However, after a large number of print instructions are input from a plurality of users, another user hurries up. If you want to print out prints, it is not possible to cancel reservations drawn in advance and give priority to printouts for urgent users, so even urgent users can make their own print reservations. I had to wait a long time to come.

As described above, all the data on the network can be centrally managed and the print output from each image forming apparatus can be controlled without installing a dedicated server on the network, and a plurality of users can form an image. An image forming system in consideration of sharing a device has not been found yet.

There is also a need for a billing system capable of accurately billing a user who has received a print output service using an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network. . However, if there is no server on the network, it is not possible to centrally manage the billing information based on the print history, so each image forming apparatus is accessed, the usage status is confirmed and tabulated, and then the You must make a bill.

A charging system has also been proposed in which a history of print output services is stored in a storage medium such as an IC card that can be carried by a user, and a fee is charged based on the recording of the storage medium. In order to refer to the billing information recorded in, it is necessary to display the information in the storage medium on a monitor or output it on paper. In particular, when the billing information is output on paper, it is necessary to generate an unnecessary paper fee, but the more users who receive the print output service, the more expensive the output paper costs.

Further, even when outputting to the monitor, if some useful information can be provided to the user at the time of displaying the print price request, it is expected that the number of print service users will further increase, and the profit will further increase. Be expected.

The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-212051 discloses a digital copying machine capable of synthesizing and outputting an image of advertisement information or the like on an image of a copy fee bill drawn. The charge bill for the image forming apparatus accessed is only for the image forming apparatus accessed, and the copy charge bill for all the image forming apparatuses on the network available to the user is not issued. As described above, the billing system that bills the printing fee for all the image forming apparatuses connected to the network used by the user is still in the developing stage.

[0015]

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems.

That is, the first object of the present invention is to provide data to be printed out from any image forming apparatus on the network without providing a server for centrally managing the data on the network. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can print out even if they are not recorded in the image forming apparatus.

A second object of the present invention is to form any image on the network without providing a dedicated server on the network and without setting and registering the user's personal information in each image forming apparatus on the network. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient image forming system capable of printing output from an apparatus.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an individual output when an image forming system connected to a network and a plurality of users share an image forming apparatus to perform print output, or when performing print output in the image forming apparatus. By providing an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which security is considered for image data, which prevents unauthorized prints from being seen by other people or unauthorized output of personal image data by others. is there.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of smoothly performing print output from an image forming apparatus desired by a user without installing a dedicated server on a network. Is to provide.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an image forming apparatus which are connected to a network and in which a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus to print out.
For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a print output priority function of stopping the previous print output and prioritizing the urgent print output when a rush print output instruction is received.

Further, a sixth object of the present invention is to issue a value-added bill to a user who is receiving a print output service from an image forming apparatus connected to a network, and at the same time, An image output service that is a billing system in which a fee bill issued to a user can be billed including the print cost output by another image forming apparatus on the network used by the user other than the image forming apparatus for which the bill is issued. Is to provide.

[0022]

Means for Solving the Problems The researchers of the present invention have found that the above-mentioned object of the present invention can be achieved by the constitution described in any one of the following items after intensive studies. It was

According to the first aspect of the present invention, "information is transmitted between a connection means for connecting to a network, a storage means for storing information, and another image forming apparatus connected to the network. In an image forming apparatus having a communication unit for performing the output and an output unit for outputting the information, the image forming apparatus stores a personal information stored in at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network. Connection means, reading means for reading the personal information stored in the storage medium, authentication means for authenticating with the personal information read by the reading means, and connection to the network after the authentication by the authentication means. And an image forming apparatus for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the personal information is authenticated by the image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to install a dedicated server for centrally managing the personal information on the network. The present inventors have found an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the capital investment and controlling the output of image data dispersedly recorded in each image forming apparatus on the network by the image forming apparatus that centrally manages personal information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, after the authentication is performed without providing the dedicated server on the network and without setting and registering the personal information of the user in each image forming apparatus on the network. Has a control means for controlling the image output from all the image forming apparatuses connected to the network, so that the print output from all the image forming apparatuses on the network can be controlled and the image forming is highly convenient. Enabled equipment. Further, claim 1
According to the invention described in (1), the specific image forming apparatus manages the personal data of the print data of each user that is distributed and stored in each image forming apparatus on the network, thereby making the individual image data illegal to other people. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is not output to the image forming apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the "image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the image forming apparatus has a writing unit that writes information in the storage medium." is there.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the storage medium can be initialized by any image forming apparatus connected to the network, the user can easily initialize the storage medium. Since the personal information recorded in each image forming apparatus connected to the network can be recorded from any image forming apparatus on the network, the user can quickly and easily without connecting a storage medium to each image forming apparatus. And, to provide an image forming apparatus capable of recording personal information in a storage medium.

According to a third aspect of the invention, "the control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, the image forming apparatus which has authenticated the personal information is connected to the network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which outputs image information of another image forming apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, "the control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network outputs the image from the image forming apparatus having the image information desired by the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, "the control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network outputs the image from the image forming apparatus having the personal information used for the authentication. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, "the control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network indicates the image forming apparatus that has performed the authentication and the personal information used for the authentication. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image in cooperation with the image forming apparatus.

According to the invention described in claims 3 to 6, since the user can set the image forming apparatus to be printed out in advance and then print out the image forming apparatus, a plurality of users can print images on the network. When printing out with an image forming system that shares a forming device, individuals can not see prints that they do not want others to see,
Further, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which security is ensured for image data that does not illegally output personal image data by others without permission.

The invention according to claim 7 is that "the authentication means authenticates personal information using an IC card in which personal information is stored. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.

The invention according to claim 8 is that "the authenticating means has a function of receiving a call from a mobile phone in which personal information is stored and receiving a caller number notification, and the received caller number. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the personal information is authenticated according to the above.
Is.

According to the seventh and eighth aspects of the invention, the storage medium for supplying the personal information to the image forming apparatus has a portable form for the user, so that the storage medium for each user can be managed and managed. This makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is extremely easy to transport.

The invention according to claim 9 is that "the image forming apparatus has a confirmation means for confirming an authentication level of the storage medium. Image forming apparatus. ”

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the image forming apparatus has the authentication level of the storage medium, the plurality of users share the image forming apparatus connected to the network and print out. In a situation like
For example, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of canceling the already reserved print output and prioritizing the urgent print output when the urgent print output is desired.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, "a counting means for counting the number of recording media for each size outputted from the output means for outputting the information, a designation means for terminating the image output work, and a recording medium The charge storage means for each size, the charge for the size of the recording medium used until the end of the image output work, and the use charge calculation means for calculating the use charge from the number of sheets counted by the counting means, and the use charge calculation means. 10. A storage unit for storing the format of a charge bill when the obtained charge amount is output from the output unit.
The image forming apparatus according to item. It is.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, a single bill is required when all the image forming apparatuses on the network are used, and the bill can be issued without wasting paper. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can output a clear fee bill that is easy for the user to understand.

The invention according to claim 11 has "a storage means for storing image information to be displayed in the format of the charge bill, and the image stored in the storage means and the use charge calculation means. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising control means for controlling the output from the output means by combining the billed charges.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the advertisement information is fetched into the storage means of the image forming apparatus, and the advertisement information is combined with the fee bill for the image output service to be used for the fee bill. It is possible to collect an amount of paper money to be paid from an advertiser of an advertisement displayed on a charge bill, and to enable an image forming apparatus in which the charge bill to the user can also be used as an information providing medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, "an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, information is transmitted through the network, and an image from the image forming apparatus is transmitted by the information. In an image forming system for outputting, a storage medium storing personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network is connected to any image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the storage is performed. An image forming system characterized in that, after authenticating personal information stored in a medium, the arbitrary image forming apparatus controls image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network. ".

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, a dedicated server for centrally managing personal information on the network is provided by adding a function of authenticating the personal information to any image forming apparatus on the network. Since it is possible to manage the image data distributed and recorded in each image forming apparatus on the network by any image forming apparatus on the network without needing to install the image forming apparatus on the network, It has become possible to provide an image forming system that centrally manages the print output of.

According to the invention described in claim 12,
After authentication, the user can output images from all image forming apparatuses connected to the network without registering and setting personal information in each image forming apparatus connected to the network. It has become possible to provide a highly convenient image forming system capable of controlling print output from a printer. Further, a specific image forming apparatus manages the personal data of the print data of each user, which is distributed and stored in each image forming apparatus on the network, so that the image forming system of the individual is not illegally output to the other person. Made possible.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, "Personal information stored in the storage medium is connected to the image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the storage medium is connected to the network. 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein personal information possessed by at least one image forming apparatus connected thereto is written and stored.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, "The storage medium is connected to any image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the storage medium is stored in the image forming apparatus connected to the image forming system. 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the personal information is written.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, since the storage medium can be initialized by any image forming apparatus connected to the network, the user can easily initialize the storage medium. In addition, the personal information recorded in each image forming apparatus connected to the network can be recorded from any image forming apparatus on the network, so that the user can quickly perform the recording without connecting a storage medium to each image forming apparatus. Moreover, it is possible to easily record the personal information in the storage medium.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, "the storage medium has a portable shape.
The image forming system according to any one of 2 to 14. "
Is.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the storage medium for supplying the personal information to the image forming apparatus has a form that can be carried by the user, thereby managing and transporting the storage medium of each user, and the storage medium. It is possible to provide an image forming system that is extremely easy to handle.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, "the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, is controlled so that the arbitrary image forming apparatus is connected to the network. The image forming system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the image data of another image forming apparatus is output as an image.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, "the image output control of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, is an image forming apparatus having image data desired to be output by a user. The image forming system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, which further outputs an image.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, "the control of the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, displays the authenticated personal information of the arbitrary image forming apparatus. 13. An image forming apparatus which has an image output device.
15. The image forming system according to any one of 15. It is.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, "the image output control of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, controls the arbitrary image forming apparatus and the arbitrary image forming apparatus. 19. The image forming system according to claim 18, wherein the image is output in cooperation with an image forming apparatus having the authenticated personal information of the apparatus.

According to the invention described in claims 16 to 19,
Since a user can select an image forming apparatus desired to be printed out from the image forming apparatuses connected to the network in advance and print it out, an image forming system in which a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus on the network It is possible to provide an image forming system in which a print output that is not desired to be seen by another person is not seen unintentionally by another person or is not illegally output when printed out by.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, "An image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, information is transmitted through the network, and an image from the image forming apparatus is transmitted by the information. In the image forming system for outputting, the image forming apparatus connected to the network is at least one connected to the network.
A personal computer that authenticates personal information using a storage medium that stores personal information of one or more image forming apparatuses, and outputs images from the image forming apparatuses in the order in which the certification is performed. When personal information is authenticated by, the image forming system is characterized by preferentially outputting an image of a storage medium having the authentication level. It is.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, in a situation where a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus connected to the network to perform print output, for example, a request from a user who desires urgent print output. On the other hand, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of canceling print output which is reserved in advance and is being executed and preferentially executing urgent print output.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, "an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, information is transmitted through the network, and an image from the image forming apparatus is transmitted by the information. In an image forming system for outputting, a storage medium storing personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network is connected to an arbitrary image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the storage is performed. The personal information is authenticated by the personal information of the medium, and the arbitrary image forming apparatus controls the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network in the order of the authentication. When the personal information is authenticated by the storage medium having, the priority is given to the control of the image output based on the storage medium having the authentication level. Image forming system, characterized in Ukoto. "A.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, in an image forming system in which a plurality of users share a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network and print out, for example, a particular image forming apparatus is urgent. By responding to the user's request for print output from the image forming apparatus close to the image forming apparatus desired to output by print output, priority output of images according to the authentication level of the storage medium is not far from the output requesting machine. By dealing with adjacent devices, it is possible to satisfy the output needs of each user who uses the network.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, "The storage medium having the authentication level has an identification means for performing the identification with the storage medium having no authentication level through the sense of the human sense organ. 22. 21.
The image forming system according to 1. It is.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, since the user identifies the authentication level of the storage medium through the sense of sight, touch, etc., the identification can be performed easily, quickly and surely. It becomes possible to provide an image forming system capable of providing a quick print output service corresponding to the output needs of each user.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, "an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, and an image output instruction from a user who is permitted to access the network is issued to the network. In the image output service, which outputs an image from the image forming apparatus via the image forming apparatus and charges a fee based on the image output recording stored in the image forming apparatus connected to the network, the image output recording is connected to the network. A storage medium for storing personal information possessed by at least one or more image forming apparatuses, connecting to any image forming apparatus connected to the network, and authenticating the personal information by the stored personal information; An image forming apparatus that is organized and stored for each image forming apparatus connected to the network, and that performs the authentication on the storage medium. An image output service characterized by connecting, calculating a billing charge using the image output record of the storage medium, and issuing a bill of charge from the output means of the authenticated image forming apparatus. " is there.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the invention, it becomes possible to confirm the charges for all the image forming apparatuses on the network used by the user on a single charge invoice, and the paper charge for issuing the charge invoice is required. We have realized an image output service that prevents unnecessary use and provides clear bills to users.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, "the charge bill in which the advertisement information stored in the storage means of the image forming apparatus is combined with the billing charge information and the advertisement information is posted in the charge bill. 24. Issuing
Image output service described in. It is.

According to the invention described in claim 24, in addition to the effect achieved in claim 23, by providing the advertisement information in the fee bill for the image output service, it is used when the fee bill is issued. Achieves the provision of image output services with added value by allowing information bills to be used as a means of providing information, as well as making it possible to generate paid paper costs from advertising expenses. is doing.

[0065]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As described above, in the image forming system according to the present invention, personal identification information and each image forming apparatus are stored in a configurable external storage medium built in any image forming apparatus connected to a network. Information, print usage status, billing information for billing, etc. are stored, and the data stored in this storage medium is used by an arbitrary image forming apparatus on the network to collectively store this information. By managing, it becomes possible to control the image output from the image forming apparatus on the network without providing a dedicated server on the network.

These pieces of information stored in the external storage medium are stored and stored in the storage medium through the storage medium communication interface of the image forming apparatus, and as described above, the data stored in the storage medium is used to make a copying machine. It is possible to manage personal information only by itself and control the output of all image forming apparatuses connected to the network.

The information stored and managed in the image forming apparatus having the storage medium according to the present invention is roughly classified into personal identification information and copying machine information. Examples of personal identification information include name data and authentication password data. , Priority determination level data, and the like. The copy machine information includes, for example, copy machine identification information such as a network address, access information such as the number of times of access to each copy machine,
Examples include usage content information such as the number of prints output from each copying machine and billing information.

An embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the image forming system.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be connected to a network, and a toner image formed by developing an electrostatic latent image formed by charging and image exposure on a photoconductor with a developer is formed. An apparatus that forms an image by performing a fixing process after transfer onto a recording medium such as transfer paper, and specifically includes a copying machine, a printer, and the like.

The image forming system is a system in which the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4 and the information processing apparatus 3 are connected via a network. That is, data can be transmitted between the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4 and the information processing apparatus 3 or between the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4 via the network by the communication unit 17 incorporated in the image forming apparatus. It is configured like this. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the first image forming apparatus 1, the other image forming apparatus 4 and the information processing apparatus 3 are connected to the network, the other image forming apparatus, the information processing apparatus, Furthermore, another device may be connected. Here, the network is composed of signal lines (parallel or serial) or infrared rays and can exchange data, and of course includes Ethernet (R) (LAN or WAN) and the like. It is what is done.

The first image forming apparatus 1 which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus which forms an image based on image data on a recording sheet, and in the present embodiment, is configured as an external storage medium 2. Connection means 11, reading means 12 for reading information stored in the external storage medium 2, authentication means 13 for authenticating personal information, storage means 14, control means 1 for controlling image output from an image forming apparatus connected to a network.
5, an image output unit 16, a communication unit 17 for exchanging information via a network, a network connection unit 18, and the like. It has a writing means 19 for writing information to an external storage medium.

In FIG. 1, the reading means 12 and the writing means 1
However, in the present invention, the reading means 12 and the writing means 19 may be independent devices in addition to those shown in FIG.

The storage means 14 of the first image forming apparatus 1 stores data, for example, name data such as a user ID, password data for authentication, personal information such as priority discrimination authentication level, image forming apparatus. Authentication information of the image forming apparatus such as the ID number and network address of the image forming apparatus, information about the image forming apparatus such as the number of prints, usage history, or billing information, and image data information. Since the storage means 14 stores a large amount of large-capacity data for image formation, a large-capacity hard disk is specifically preferable, but the storage means 14 is a storage means built in another image forming apparatus. Those having a certain large capacity are preferable.

In addition to this, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image of the original is read and the image reading means which is means for obtaining the image data, and the image data obtained by the image reading means are compressed to generate compressed data. It has a compression means which is a means and a decompression means which is a means for decompressing the compressed data stored in the storage means 14 and reproducing the image data.

The compression means is composed of a so-called integrated circuit in which a predetermined compression algorithm is implemented as a hard circuit, and shortens the time required to execute the compression algorithm on the hard circuit to compress the image data ( However, the CPU as the control unit 15 of the first image forming apparatus 1 may compress the image data based on a compression program in which the compression algorithm is softened. The image compression method may be reversible or irreversible.

The above-mentioned storage means 14 may be a storage means for storing the compressed data generated by the compression means. Further, as will be described later, the storage means can also store the compressed data transmitted from the information processing device 3 or another image forming device 4 via the network.

The expansion means expands the compressed data stored in the storage means 14 to generate (reproduce) the image data.
It is a means. This decompression means is composed of a so-called integrated circuit in which a predetermined decompression algorithm is implemented as a hard circuit, and shortens the time required to execute the decompression algorithm on the hard circuit to decompress compressed data (real-time processing). However, the CPU as the control unit 15 of the first image forming apparatus 1 may decompress the compressed data based on the decompression program in which the decompression algorithm is software.

The image output means 16 is an image forming means for forming an image on a recording sheet based on image data, and for example, an electrophotographic type or ink jet type image forming means can be used. Network connection means 18
Is an interface unit for connecting the first image forming apparatus 1 to a network, and is a unit for connecting the communication unit 17 to exchange information with the information processing apparatus 3 and another image forming apparatus 4.

The first image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention can of course be used alone. That is, the case of using as a copying machine will be briefly described.

First, the user places a plurality of originals on an original placing table (not shown) and presses a copy start button (not shown) provided on the operation unit (not shown). Based on this, an automatic document feeder (not shown) sends out the originals one by one from the original placing table, the image of the original is read by an image reading means (not shown), and this is sequentially repeated to obtain a plurality of originals. Read the image. The read image data is compressed by the compression means and stored in the storage means 14 as compressed data. The compressed data stored in the storage unit 14 is decompressed by the decompression unit to be the image output unit 16
Be used for. Then, an image based on the image data expanded by the expansion means by the image output means 16 is
It is formed on the recording paper.

Further, as described above, in the first image forming apparatus 1, the image data read by the image reading means (not shown) via the communication means 17, the network connection means 18, and the network is changed to another image on the network. It is also possible to configure a tandem image forming system in which the image output unit 46 outputs the image to the recording medium based on the image data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 4 and transmitted to the other image forming apparatuses 4. Alternatively, the image data transmitted from another image forming apparatus 4 is stored in the storage unit 14 of the first image forming apparatus 1.
It is also possible to store the image in the memory and output the image by the image output means 16.

The other image forming apparatus 4 connected to the network has a storage means for storing information such as image data like the first image forming apparatus 1 described above. Although the image forming apparatus 1 has the same configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 1, it is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate image information with other apparatuses via a network and can output images. Not something.

The information processing device 3 is a so-called general-purpose personal computer, executes various application programs, creates images such as documents, displays images on the display means 33, and further via a network. , A document (data using a page description language such as Postscript) can be transmitted to the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4 (in the transmitted image forming apparatuses 1 and 4, the image on the recording paper is based on this document). Form). The information processing device 3 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 31, a recording medium 32, a display unit 33, a network connection unit 34, and the like.

The CPU 31 is means for reading the program recorded in the recording medium 32 and executing the program while using the work area (so-called RAM) of the recording medium 32. The recording medium 32 stores various programs and data (data such as documents and image data) and the like (for example, is constituted by a removable storage such as a ROM, a hard disk, and a floppy (R) disk), and a work area of the CPU 31. It is a storage unit that is used as (so-called RAM) or stores the data displayed by the display unit 33 (so-called VRAM). The display unit 33 is a display unit that displays the data recorded in the recording medium 32 as an image. The network connection means 34 is an interface means for connecting the information processing apparatus 3 to the network, and is a means for exchanging information with other information processing apparatuses (not shown) and the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4.

The information processing device 3 includes the image forming devices 1, 4
A compression program in which a compression algorithm hardened by the compression means is softened, and the image forming apparatus 1,
A decompression program in which the decompression algorithm hardened by the decompression means 4 is softened is stored. That is, the CPU 31 can read out the compression program or the decompression program from the recording medium 32 and compress or decompress the data (image data) recorded in the recording medium 32. In other words, this information processing Device 3
Has a compression function for compressing image data into compressed data and a decompression function for decompressing the compressed data. The point is that this compression program is a program for compressing image data into compressed data that can be expanded by the expansion means of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4, and the expansion program compresses the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4. Any program may be used as long as it is a program for decompressing the compressed data compressed by the means into image data. Of course, since the information processing apparatus 3 is a general-purpose computer, the compression function and the decompression function may be programs, but like the compression means and decompression means of the image forming apparatuses 1 and 4, compression is performed. It may be configured by a so-called integrated circuit in which an algorithm or a decompression algorithm is implemented as a hard circuit.

In the present invention, the external storage medium 2 is connected to the recording medium communication interface which is the connecting means 11 of the first image forming apparatus 1, and the writing means 19 causes the storage means 14 to be connected.
It is possible to write the personal information stored in the external storage medium 2. In addition to the personal information, the writing to the storage medium 2 may be information such as a network address and the number of prints (hereinafter also referred to as image forming apparatus information) relating to the image forming apparatus. In addition, the first image forming apparatus 1
The control means 15 can store personal information and image forming apparatus information of other image forming apparatuses connected to the network.

Further, in the present invention, the external storage medium 2 in which the data is stored is connected to the connection means 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the reading means 12 reads and reads the personal information contained in the storage medium 2. By collating and authenticating the obtained data by the authentication means 13, the first image forming apparatus 1 can be made to function as a server on the network.

The external storage medium 2 will be described in detail. The storage means for storing personal information and the like used in the present invention has a form that can be carried by a user and has a certain storage capacity. Specifically, an IC card is connected to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the personal information stored in the IC card is authenticated by the authenticating means 13, and the personal information is identified by a mobile phone having a storage capacity. In the case of using a mobile phone, in addition to directly connecting the mobile phone to the connection means 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the built-in personal information, the image forming apparatus 1 receives a call from the mobile phone. It may have a means for identifying the personal information by receiving the caller number notification by receiving the caller number notification. It may be capable of outputting. In the case of using a mobile phone, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with voice input means for inputting voice, and the authentication means 13 collates the input voice from the voice input means with voice data of a speaker registered in advance. Authentication may be performed.

Next, image output by the image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an image forming flow chart including the initialization work of the storage medium in the image forming system according to the present invention.

In the present invention, in order to use the external storage medium 2 for image formation, it is necessary that personal information and image forming apparatus information be stored in the external storage medium 2, and this information is stored. If not (No in S2), it is necessary to write and initialize these data. Specifically, a storage medium that does not have any personal information or image forming apparatus information and needs to be initialized is initialized through a storage medium communication interface that is the writing unit 19 of the first image forming apparatus 1 ( S3).

Through the storage medium communication interface,
User I stored in the storage unit 14 of the first image forming apparatus
Personal information such as D and password, and image forming apparatus information are input by an operation unit (keyboard, mouse, etc.) not shown (S4), and then input is confirmed by the reading means of the image forming apparatus (S5). After confirming that the information has been surely input, the personal information and the image forming apparatus information stored in the other image forming apparatuses in the network are written in the storage medium (S6).

As described above, the external storage medium 2 that has been initialized (S7) is used to perform authentication in any image forming apparatus connected to the network (S8). The storage medium 2 is connected to the storage medium interface of the image forming apparatus (S9), and the personal information stored in the storage medium is compared with the personal information stored in the image forming apparatus 1 to perform authentication work ( S10). The name data constituting the personal information is used for managing the personal data. The data of the authentication password is limited to individual users and can be stored in the storage medium. Any data can be stored as long as it can be input by the operation unit and collated by the authentication means 13 in the image forming apparatus. Image data such as strings, voices, and fingerprints, operation sequences, and the like can be given.

Generally, since an operation unit (not shown) is provided with an interface for inputting a character string such as a keyboard screen, a combination of character strings that can be remembered by the user is preferably used for authentication.

The image forming apparatus that has completed the authentication (S11) (hereinafter, also referred to as an authentication machine), based on the personal information at the time of authentication,
The other copying machine on the network is inquired whether or not there is image data already stored by the user using the personal name data as a search key (S12). The image forming apparatus that stores the corresponding image data returns a list of the data (S13). The data returned from each image forming apparatus is accumulated (S14), and the image forming apparatus desired by the user for printing is collected and printed (S15). It is needless to say that the user can select the necessary one from the created list and output the image. In this way, print output is performed in the image forming system according to the present invention.

In the image forming system according to the present invention, the image output method at the time of image output is controlled by the control means 15 in the authenticated image forming apparatus, for example, the output from the authenticated image forming apparatus, In addition to the output from the image forming apparatus that stores the image data, tandem image output from both sides, output from other image forming apparatuses on the network, etc. from all image forming apparatuses connected to the network. Any print output is possible.

In the present invention, since the user job looks the same from any image forming apparatus that performs the tandem operation,
There is no need to manage the storage status, and there is no need to install a dedicated server on the network for managing information related to image formation.

Further, according to the present invention, when the external storage medium 2 is initialized, in addition to the above-described storage of personal information for each individual user, for example, one storage medium is shared by a plurality of people. In the case where the network is not connected to other external organizations and a large number of people use it inside a closed organization and it is not necessary to identify it from other organizations by personal information,
It is also possible to use the authentication medium itself as a key by automatically setting unique anonymous data.

Further, according to the present invention, since the above-described configuration allows the print output from the image forming apparatus desired by the user to be output, the user performs print output after designating the image forming apparatus desired to output. , It is possible to reliably output output data that is not desired to be seen by others without being known to others.

Further, in the image forming system according to the present invention, since the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention has a confirmation means for confirming the authentication level of the external storage medium 2, for example, an image output instruction of a urgent user is input. The present invention provides an image forming system capable of terminating the output of the previous contract which has already been input and preferentially outputting the image of the user in a hurry.

First, the external storage medium preferably used in the present invention has an authentication level for priority discrimination that can be identified by the user. That is, the authentication level for priority determination given to the external storage medium according to the present invention is preferably set in accordance with the storage medium itself and normally cannot be changed, so that the user can easily identify the determination of priority. It is possible.

More specifically, characters that can be visually identified such as providing characters on the storage medium, color-coding the storage medium according to priority, and arranging specific symbols on the storage medium. , Which enables the tactile identification by changing the material according to the priority of the container of the storage medium and giving a change in the touch, or for example, the content of the dial tone of the above-mentioned mobile phone depending on the priority. And the like, which enables distinction by hearing, such as different things.

As described above, the authentication level for priority determination, which is preferably used in the present invention, becomes more convenient by displaying it on the external storage medium.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of users issue an image output instruction at the same time, the tandem image forming apparatus capable of multi-jobs can output images using both machines at the same time. It is possible to preferentially process one of the image output instructions issued at the same time.

That is, the external storage medium preferably used in the present invention is provided with an authentication level, so that even if the image output job has already been executed, the external storage medium has a higher authentication level than the user who is executing the job. When an image output request is made by, the output being executed can be stopped and priority processing can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the priority of the execution job according to the authentication level of the external storage medium in the image forming system according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, the image output request to the image forming apparatus is made in the order of job 1, job 2, and job 3. A white portion forming each job indicates that the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to output each image, and a shaded portion indicates that the image forming apparatus is executing printing.

FIG. 3A shows that the three image output jobs, job 1, job 2, and job 3 have the same output priority, or that job 2 has a lower priority than job 1,
This is the case where job 3 has a lower priority than job 2. In this case, the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the present invention indicates that the print output is executed in the order in which the reservation of the image output from each user is received. Figure 3 (A)
As shown in (1), the user who made the output request for job 3 was an output request slightly later than the output request for job 2, so
It is shown that the user must wait for a long time because his / her own image is output after the print output by job 2 is completed.

On the other hand, in FIG. 3B, an image output request is made under the same conditions as in FIG. 3A, but the storage medium of the user of job 3 is higher than that of each user of job 1 and job 2. This is the case when it has an authentication level. In this case, when the image output request for the job 3 is made, the image forming apparatus interrupts the image output of the job 1 which is already being executed and gives the image output of the job 3 the highest priority. Then, it is shown that after the image output of the job 3 is completed, the interrupted image output of the job 1 is restarted, and after the image output of the job 1 is completed, the image formation of the job 2 is performed.

As described above, the authentication level is provided in the external storage medium preferably used in the present invention, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the means for identifying the authentication level. The priority of the execution job such as image output is decided accordingly, and when the execution job of the authentication level of the high priority comes, the execution job of the authentication level of the low priority is postponed and the execution job of the high authentication level is executed first. Work is done from.

On the contrary, if the authentication level of the requested job is low,
When work is performed after a job that has already been requested or a job that is currently being executed, or when a request job with a high priority arrives midway, it is given priority and then executed.

As for the order of priority of the authentication level, the one that has been authenticated first is prioritized. However, if the authentication is performed at exactly the same time, the ID number of the image forming apparatus registered in the storage medium. It is also possible to determine the priority based on such data.

Further, the image forming system according to the present invention is
For example, in an environment where a plurality of image forming apparatuses are arranged adjacent to each other, when an image output request is received from a user with a high authentication level, the output destination is changed so that the image forming apparatus adjacent to the output requesting apparatus outputs the image and the execution is performed. It may be a system that responds to a high-priority output request without interrupting the internal output.
In this system, when an output from a user with a high authentication level is requested, it is output instantaneously from an adjacent image forming device, and when a user with a low authentication level wants to complete the output urgently, the output is interrupted by priority output. Since it is possible to prevent this, the needs of both users can be satisfied at the same time. In this method, for example, when the image forming apparatus identifies the authentication level and the output requesting machine is in use, an authentication signal is automatically transmitted from the output requesting machine to the adjacent apparatus. This is implemented by allowing the adjacent device to authenticate a user with a high authentication level, such as by setting it as a means.

Further, the authentication level identifying means arranged in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an identification means provided in the image forming apparatus for identifying by the human sensory organ attached to the external storage medium. The authentication level of each user may be stored when being read by the apparatus or when the storage medium is initialized, and the authentication level collation and authentication may be performed at the same time when the authentication is performed by the image forming apparatus. For example, a storage medium reading unit of an image forming apparatus is provided with an optical sensor that is sensitive to a specific wavelength, and when an external storage medium of a corresponding color is used, it is detected that the authentication level of the storage medium is high at the same time. Examples thereof include a bar code for authentication level identification provided above and a bar code reader arranged on the image forming apparatus, and a light emitting element arranged on a storage medium to emit light when mounted on the image forming apparatus.

Further, in the image forming system according to the present invention, the charging information based on the image output record in which the output from the plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network used by the user for image output is recorded is used by the user. The respective image forming apparatuses are listed and written in the above-mentioned external storage medium, and the billing information is stored until the time of payment. As described above, in the present invention, since the billing information is managed by the external storage medium, it is not necessary to provide a server for storing and managing the data for charge management. Further, since the billing information is stored as a list for each image forming apparatus used by the user, the billing information stored in the storage medium can be effectively used. In particular, the invoice is not a uniform format, such as making the contents of the invoice collectively or confirming the usage result of each image forming apparatus, but a format that immediately responds to the needs of each user It is possible to issue the invoice.

The billing information based on the image output record in the storage medium is automatically updated when the user uses the system, and is managed as a total value until the actual payment is made. Also, a usage history may be added as additional information to the billing information.

At the time of payment, the billing information accumulated in the storage medium is initialized, but personal information, information about the image forming apparatus, and usage history such as print history remain in the storage medium. It is possible to provide an image output service according to the number of times.

For example, the charge is discounted in proportion to the number of times of use, the discount charge is displayed on the bill, or the information is stored in advance in the storage means of the image forming apparatus at the time of payment and the bill is output. At this time, the information of the storage means is also output together with the charging information of the charge request. For example, if the stored information is a thank-you discount coupon for the copy service, print the discount ticket in the blank space of the invoice,
If it is advertisement information, it is possible to output a bill having an advertisement display on a paper medium. Displaying advertisements on bills can provide useful information to users via bills, in addition to the merit of advertising expenses as a measure against the cost of paper consumed for bill output. It is possible and expected to add further added value to the image forming system.

In the present invention, when the billing information such as a bill is printed out on paper, it does not matter whether the billing information for the entire network is output from the user machine or each image forming apparatus on the network outputs it. However, it is preferable to collectively output the billing information of the entire network from the viewpoint of paper cost. Further, the paper output of the billing information is shown in FIG.
Even if the billing information is described together with the device information such as the IP address for each image forming apparatus as shown in FIG.
A bill may be issued for each paper size as shown in (B).

Next, an example of the image output service according to the present invention will be described based on the flow chart of the bill output process of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the storage medium 2 is connected to any image forming apparatus 1 connected to the network, the count value recorded in the storage medium by the connecting means 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 becomes It is counted for each image forming apparatus used by the user and for each recording paper size (S2
1). Next, the copy fee set in advance for each recording paper size is read (S22), and the billing fee for each machine is calculated from the number of copies and the copy fee (S23). The information regarding the copy fee may be preset in the storage medium 2 or in the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, after the image for composition previously recorded in the storage means 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 is read into the memory in the control means 15 (S24), the calculation result of the invoice is calculated by the control means 15. The bill image is sent to the memory and drawn (S25).

The image drawing data thus obtained is output from the image output means 16 (S26). When the discharging of the bill from the image forming apparatus 1 is completed (Yes in S27), the counter value is reset (S28), and the process is ended. Even if the counter reset in the storage medium is automatically reset when a series of charge settlement is completed, the storage medium is provided with a reset means such as a reset button so that the user can set the counter when the charge settlement is completed. May be manually reset or any of them may be used.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a composite bill output bill. Image information 6 specified in the bill, as in this example
It is possible to effectively use the margin of the bill by synthesizing 1 with the bill described in the image 62 of the billing information. Further, in the composite output bill according to the present invention, the image to be combined may be output not only on the same surface as the charge request column as shown in FIG. 6 but also on the back side of the charge request column. Good. Further, the bill may be provided with a means for easily performing settlement such as a barcode 63.

[0123]

According to the present invention, without providing a dedicated server for centrally managing data on the network,
When you print out from any image forming device on the net, even if the data you want to print out is not in that image forming device, you can retrieve the corresponding data from the device that has the data and print it out. To achieve an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of forming an image according to needs.

Further, according to the present invention, any image forming apparatus on the network can be provided without providing a dedicated server on the network and without setting and registering the user's personal information in each image forming apparatus on the network. It is possible to provide an image forming system with excellent convenience that enables print output from the printer.

Further, according to the present invention, in an image forming system or an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network and a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus to print out,
Without considering the dedicated server on the network, the security consideration for the image data that the print output by the individual is not seen by others or the image data of the individual is not output illegally without the permission of others. The image forming apparatus and the image forming system can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of smoothly performing print output from an image forming apparatus desired by a user without installing a dedicated server on the network. Is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, in an image forming system or an image forming apparatus which is connected to a network and a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus to perform print output,
For example, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system having a print output priority function of stopping the previous print output and prioritizing the urgent print output when a rush print output instruction is received.

Further, according to the present invention, a value-added fee bill is issued to a user who receives a print output service from an image forming apparatus connected to a network, and is issued to each user. It is possible to provide an image output service in which the bill to be charged can be billed including the print cost output by another image forming apparatus on the network used by a user other than the image forming apparatus to which the bill is issued.

The claims of the present application that achieve the above object are as follows. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the personal information is authenticated by the image forming apparatus, it is not necessary to purposely install a dedicated server for centrally managing the personal information on the network. It is possible to achieve an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing investment and controlling the output of image data dispersedly recorded in each image forming apparatus on the network by the image forming apparatus that centrally manages personal information. Is.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even after the authentication is performed without providing the dedicated server on the network and setting and registering the user's personal information in each image forming apparatus on the network. Has a control means for controlling the image output from all the image forming apparatuses connected to the network, so that the print output from all the image forming apparatuses on the network can be controlled and the image forming is highly convenient. Enabled equipment. Further, claim 1
According to the invention described in (1), the specific image forming apparatus manages the personal data of the print data of each user that is distributed and stored in each image forming apparatus on the network, thereby making the individual image data illegal to other people. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is not output to the image forming apparatus.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the storage medium can be initialized by any image forming apparatus connected to the network, the user can easily initialize the storage medium. Since the personal information recorded in each image forming apparatus connected to the network can be recorded from any image forming apparatus on the network, the user can quickly and easily without connecting a storage medium to each image forming apparatus. And, to provide an image forming apparatus capable of recording personal information in a storage medium.

According to the third to sixth aspects of the invention, the user can preset the image forming apparatus to be printed out and then print out the image forming apparatus. When printing out with an image forming system that shares this image forming apparatus, individuals can not see prints that they do not want others to see, and others can illegally output individual image data without permission. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which security is ensured for missing image data.

According to the invention described in claims 7 and 8, since the storage medium for supplying the personal information to the image forming apparatus has a portable form for the user, the storage medium of each user can be stored. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is extremely easy to manage and transport.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since the image forming apparatus has the authentication level of the storage medium, the plurality of users share the image forming apparatus connected to the network. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can cancel the already reserved print output and give priority to the urgent print output when the print output is desired, for example, when a rush print output is desired. It is something to do.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10,
Only one bill is required when using all image forming devices on the network, and bills can be issued without wasting paper, making it possible for users to output clear bills that are easy to understand. It is possible to provide a reliable image forming apparatus.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the advertisement information is fetched into the storage means of the image forming apparatus, and the advertisement information is combined with the fee bill for the image output service. This makes it possible to generate the price from the advertisement cost and to provide the image forming apparatus capable of providing the user with the information provision in the bill.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a dedicated server for centrally managing personal information on the network is provided by adding a function of authenticating the personal information to any image forming apparatus on the network. Since it is possible to manage the image data distributed and recorded in each image forming apparatus on the network by any image forming apparatus on the network without needing to install the image forming apparatus on the network, It has become possible to provide an image forming system that centrally manages the print output of.

Further, according to the invention of claim 12,
After authentication, the user can output images from all image forming apparatuses connected to the network without registering and setting personal information in each image forming apparatus connected to the network. It has become possible to provide a highly convenient image forming system capable of controlling print output from a printer. According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the specific image forming apparatus manages the personal data of the print data of each user, which is distributed and stored in each image forming apparatus on the network. It has become possible to provide an image forming system in which data is not illegally output to others.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects of the present invention, since the storage medium can be initialized by any image forming apparatus connected to the network, the user can easily initialize the storage medium. In addition, the personal information recorded in each image forming apparatus connected to the network can be recorded from any image forming apparatus on the network, so that the user can quickly perform the recording without connecting a storage medium to each image forming apparatus. Moreover, it is possible to easily record the personal information in the storage medium.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the storage medium for supplying the personal information to the image forming apparatus has a form that can be carried by the user, management and transportation of the storage medium of each user, and the same can be achieved. It is possible to provide an image forming system that is extremely easy to handle.

According to the invention described in claims 16 to 19,
Since a user can select the image forming apparatus to be printed out from the image forming apparatuses connected to the network in advance and then print the image, a plurality of users can share the image forming apparatus on the network. This makes it possible to provide an image forming system in which, when printed out by a system, the printed output which is not desired to be seen by others is not seen unintentionally by another person or is not illegally outputted.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, in a situation where a plurality of users share the image forming apparatus connected to the network to perform print output, for example, to a user who wants to perform urgent print output. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming system in which the output of the previously reserved print is stopped and the urgent print output is given priority.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, in an image forming system in which a plurality of users share a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network to perform print output, for example, a particular image forming apparatus is urgent. For users who want to print out, it is possible to distribute printouts to nearby image forming devices that do not disturb the user and respond to urgent printouts. Achieved to meet the output needs.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, since the user identifies the authentication level of the storage medium through the sense of sight or touch, the identification can be performed easily, quickly and surely. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming system capable of providing a quick print output service corresponding to the output needs of each user.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the invention, it becomes possible to confirm the charges for all the image forming apparatuses on the network used by the user on a single charge invoice, and to print the paper when issuing the charge invoice. We have realized an image output service that prevents unnecessary use and provides clear bills to users.

According to the invention described in claim 24, in addition to the effect achieved in claim 23, the advertisement information is included in the fee bill for the image output service, so that it can be used in issuing the fee bill. It is possible to generate the price of paper from advertising costs and also to enable the bill to be used as a means of providing information, thereby providing an image output service with added value by providing information. ing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming system.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of image formation including an initialization operation of an external storage medium.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating job priority according to an authentication level of an external storage medium.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an output example of charging information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a bill output process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a composite output bill.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image forming device 2 External storage medium 3 Information processing equipment 4 Image forming device 11 Connection means for external storage medium 12 Reading means for storage medium 13 Authentication means 14 storage means 15 Control means 16 Image output means 17 Communication means 18 Network connection means 19 Means for writing to external storage medium 61 Image information 62 Image of billing information 63 bar code

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 CL08 HH03 HJ06 HJ08                       HK07 HK11 HK15 HL01 HN02                       HN05 HN15                 2C187 AD14 AE11 BF02 BF03 BF19                       BF24 BF26 BH11 GD02                 5B021 AA01 BB10 EE03 NN18 PP01                 5C062 AA05 AA35 AB10 AB12 AB22                       AB38 AB42 AC04 AC22 AC24                       AE01 AF12

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A connection unit for connecting to a network, a storage unit for storing information, a communication unit for transmitting information between another image forming apparatus connected to the network, and a storage unit for storing the information. An image forming apparatus having an output unit for performing output, wherein the image forming apparatus connects to a storage medium storing personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the storage unit. A reading unit that reads the personal information stored in the medium, an authentication unit that authenticates the personal information read by the reading unit, and an image output of an image forming apparatus connected to a network after the authentication by the authentication unit is performed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a writing unit that writes information in the storage medium. 3. An image possessed by another image forming apparatus connected to the network by the image forming apparatus that has authenticated the personal information by a control unit that controls the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs information. 4. The control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network outputs the image from the image forming apparatus having the image information desired by the user. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2. 5. The control means for controlling the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network outputs the image from the image forming apparatus having the personal information used for the authentication. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. 6. A control unit that controls image output of an image forming apparatus connected to the network links the image forming apparatus that has performed the authentication with the image forming apparatus that has the personal information used for the authentication. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit authenticates personal information using an IC card in which personal information is stored. 8. The authentication means has a function of receiving an outgoing call from a mobile phone in which personal information is stored and receiving a caller number notification, and authenticating the personal information by the received caller number. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has a confirmation unit that confirms an authentication level of the storage medium. 10. A counting means for counting the number of recording media for each size output from the output means for outputting the information, an image output work end designating means, and a charge storage means for each recording medium size. A usage fee calculation means for calculating a usage fee from the fee of the size of the recording medium used until the end of the image output work and the number of sheets counted by the counting means; and a means for outputting the billing fee obtained by the usage fee calculation means The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a storage unit that stores a format of a charge bill for further output. 11. A storage unit is provided for storing image information to be displayed in the format of the charge bill, and the image stored in the storage unit and the charge charge obtained by the charge calculation unit are combined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising control means for controlling the output from the output means. 12. An image forming system for connecting an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means to a network, transmitting information through the network, and outputting an image from the image forming apparatus according to the information, A storage medium storing personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network is connected to an arbitrary image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the personal information stored in the storage medium is used. An image forming system, wherein the arbitrary image forming apparatus controls image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network after authenticating the personal information. 13. The personal information stored in the storage medium connects the storage medium to any image forming apparatus connected to the network, and at least one of the storage medium connected to the network.
Write the personal information of more than one image forming device,
The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the image forming system is stored. 14. The storage medium is connected to any image forming apparatus connected to the network, and the personal information stored in the image forming apparatus connected to the image forming system is written in the storage medium. The image forming system according to claim 12, which is performed. 15. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the storage medium has a portable shape. 16. The control of the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, is carried out by another image forming apparatus connected to the network. 16. The image data is output as an image, according to claim 12.
The image forming system according to item. 17. The image output control of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, is to output an image from an image forming apparatus having image data desired by a user. Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The image forming system according to any one of 2 to 15. 18. The image output control of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, outputs the image from the image forming apparatus having the authenticated personal information of the arbitrary image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. 19. The control of the image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, which is performed by the arbitrary image forming apparatus, includes the authenticated personal information of the arbitrary image forming apparatus and the arbitrary image forming apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 18, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs an image in cooperation with the image forming apparatus. 20. An image forming system, wherein an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, and information is transmitted through the network and an image is output from the image forming apparatus according to the information. The image forming apparatus connected to the network authenticates the personal information by using a storage medium storing the personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network, and performs the authentication in the order of the authentication. An image is output from the image forming apparatus, and when personal information is authenticated by a storage medium having an authentication level, the image output of the storage medium having the authentication level is given priority. Image forming apparatus. 21. An image forming system for connecting an image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means to a network, transmitting information through the network, and outputting an image from the image forming apparatus according to the information, A storage medium storing personal information of at least one image forming apparatus connected to the network is connected to an arbitrary image forming apparatus connected to the network, and personal information of the personal information stored in the storage medium Authentication is performed, and the arbitrary image forming apparatus controls image output of the image forming apparatus connected to the network in the order in which the authentication is performed. When the authentication is performed, the image output control based on the storage medium having the authentication level is preferentially performed. Adult system. 22. The storage medium having the authentication level,
22. The image forming system according to claim 20, further comprising an identification unit that identifies the storage medium that does not have an authentication level through a sense of a human sense organ. 23. An image forming apparatus having at least one or more storage means is connected to a network, and an image output instruction from a user who is permitted to access the network is output from the image forming apparatus via the network. In an image output service for outputting and billing based on an image output record stored in an image forming apparatus connected to the network, the image output record includes at least one image connected to the network. An image forming device connected to the network is stored in a storage medium that stores personal information of the forming device, connects to any image forming device connected to the network, and authenticates the personal information based on the stored personal information. The storage medium is organized and stored for each device, and the storage medium is connected to the authenticated image forming apparatus, and the storage medium is stored. That the image output recorded using the calculated billing rates, image output service, characterized in that to issue the bill from the output unit of the image forming apparatus that has performed the authentication. 24. The advertisement information stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is combined with the information of the billing fee in the bill, and the bill having the advertisement information is issued. The image output service according to claim 23.