JP2004042323A - Imaging system, imaging method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure security of a document by reducing manual sorting work. <P>SOLUTION: Upon receiving a print command after image data is generated at an image data generating section 37, a print job generating section 38 acquires image data generated at the image data generating section 37 and identification information of a user delivered the print command. When a decision is made that a sheet is discharged to each individual sheet discharge section, the print job generating section 38 informs the user identification information to a discharging position registering section 36. The discharging position registering section 36 informs a sheet discharging position associated with that user identification information to the print job generating section 38 where management information indicative of the informed sheet discharging position is generated. The print job generating section 38 delivers the management information thus generated and the image data to a print control section 39 as a print job, which is then transferred to an imaging apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming system for forming an image on a sheet, and more particularly to handling of a sheet discharge in an environment where a plurality of users jointly use an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image forming apparatus represented by a printer may be connected to a plurality of computers via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In this case, a plurality of users jointly use one image forming apparatus.
However, an ordinary image forming apparatus is often provided with only one discharge position for discharging a sheet on which an image is formed in accordance with a print command. For this reason, when a plurality of users sequentially send a printout command from a plurality of computers, the printed materials of each user must be manually sorted from a large number of paper discharges. In addition, confidential documents requiring confidentiality and general documents may be mixed. At this time, another user sometimes looks at the contents of the confidential document without intention.
[0003]
Therefore, each time a job corresponding to a printout command is completed, a symbol or name such as the identification number of the computer that sent the command is printed on a partition sheet and discharged, and printed materials for each user are sorted by the partition sheet. Sometimes.
[0004]
Japanese Patent No. 3186120 discloses that a general document and a confidential document are sorted and discharged to a plurality of paper output stackers, and the confidential document is stored in a lockable stacker or a specific mark is printed. The technology is disclosed.
[0005]
In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-65150 discloses that a unique ID number that is different for each job relating to printing of a confidential document is given. A technique in which data is read and printed out is disclosed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the printed materials for each user are sorted by the partition paper, the work of manually sorting the printed materials of each user from a large number of papers discharged to one discharge position cannot be avoided. Is often not protected.
[0007]
According to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3186120, confidential documents may be discharged to one stacker by instructions from a plurality of users, and the confidentiality of documents may not be maintained.
[0008]
Further, according to the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-65150, a user must operate an operation unit of a copy machine to print out a confidential document, and a plurality of types of printed matter are continuously printed out. It becomes difficult.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to provide an image forming system capable of reducing the number of manual sorting operations and securing the confidentiality of a document.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of discharge positions; and a plurality of information processing terminals connected to the image forming apparatus via a network,
Discharge position assigning means for assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
User identification means for identifying a user who uses each of the information processing terminals;
When a print command is input at any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the print command corresponding to the user identified by the user identification unit as a user who uses the information processing terminal input with the print command. Print job generating means for specifying a paper discharge position assigned by the paper discharge position allocating means and generating a print job with the specified paper discharge position as a paper discharge destination;
A print control unit configured to transfer a print job generated by the print job generation unit to the image forming apparatus and control a printing operation.
It is characterized by the following.
[0011]
According to the present invention, a discharge position is assigned to each user, and when a print command is input, the discharge position assigned to the user using the information processing terminal to which the print command has been input is determined. A print job to which the paper is to be discharged is generated.
As a result, the paper is discharged to different paper discharge positions for each user, so that manual sorting work can be reduced and the confidentiality of the document can be ensured.
[0012]
The image forming apparatus includes a binding unit that switches between binding using a stapler and binding without using a stapler for a plurality of sheets ejected for each print job,
The print job generating unit creates management information indicating whether to perform stapling using a stapler or stapling without using a stapler based on the number of pages of a document in each print job. It may be job management information.
This makes it possible to easily sort printed materials for each print job.
[0013]
The print job generating unit is configured such that a discharge position is allocated by the discharge position allocation unit to a user identified by the user identification unit as a user using the information processing terminal to which a print command is input. If not, a process for requesting other users to use the paper discharge position may be executed.
[0014]
An image forming method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes:
A discharge position assigning step of assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
A user identification step of identifying a user who uses each of the plurality of information processing terminals,
When a print command is input in any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the user corresponds to a user identified in the user identification step as a user using the information processing terminal to which the print command is input. A print job generating step of specifying the paper discharge position allocated in the paper discharge position allocating step and generating a print job in which the specified paper discharge position is used as a paper discharge destination;
A print control step of transferring the print job generated in the print job generation step to the image forming apparatus and controlling a printing operation.
It is characterized by the following.
[0015]
A stapling step of switching between stapling using a stapler and stapling without using a stapler for a plurality of sheets ejected for each print job;
The print job generating step creates management information indicating whether to perform stapling or stapling based on the number of pages of a document in each print job, The method may further include a step of setting job management information.
[0016]
A program according to a third aspect of the present invention includes:
Computer
Discharge position assigning means for assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
User identification means for identifying a user who uses each of the plurality of information processing terminals;
When a print command is input at any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the print command corresponds to a user identified by the user identification unit as a user using the information processing terminal to which the print command has been input. A print job generating means for specifying a paper discharge position assigned by the paper discharge position allocating means and generating a print job with the specified paper discharge position as a paper discharge destination;
A print control unit configured to transfer a print job generated by the print job generation unit to the image forming apparatus and control a printing operation;
Function as
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown, the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a plurality of computers 101. ₁ ~ 101 _n And a network 102. Image forming apparatus 100 and multiple computers 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Are connected to each other via a network 102 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0019]
The image forming apparatus 100 functions as a printer, and each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n An image corresponding to a print job from the printer is formed on paper and discharged, and includes a paper feed unit 10, a print unit 11, a paper discharge unit 12, and a control unit 13.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feeding unit 10 includes a plurality of paper feeding decks 20. ₁ ~ 20 _i And each paper feed deck 20 ₁ ~ 20 _i And a paper feed transport unit 21 for transporting the paper from the printer unit 11 to the print unit 11.
Multiple paper feed decks 20 ₁ ~ 20 _i Are "A6", "A5", "B5", "A4", "B4", "A3", "Letter", "Legal", "Leisure", "Free", "Square No. 3", Stores paper classified according to the size of the paper, such as "government postcards", and the orientation of the paper.
The sheet feeder 21 transfers the sheet indicated by the command from the CPU 26 included in the controller 13 to a plurality of sheet feed decks 20. ₁ ~ 20 _i , And are conveyed to the printing unit 11 and fed.
[0021]
The printing unit 11 includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a laser diode, a developing device, a transfer electrode, a transport belt, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 10.
[0022]
The paper discharging unit 12 is a part for discharging the paper on which the image is formed by the printing unit 11, and as shown in FIG. 3, a sorting processing unit 22, a paper discharging binding unit 23, and a plurality of individual paper discharging units. Position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j And a general paper discharge position 25.
The sort processing unit 22 controls the position of the guide rail and the rotation of the rollers so that the paper discharged from the printing unit 11 can be transferred to a plurality of individual discharge positions 24. ₁ ~ 24 _j , Or to the general paper discharge position 25 for storage. Here, the sorting unit 22 may sort the paper sent from the printing unit 11 by moving the bins in the vertical direction.
The paper discharge binding section 23 includes, for example, each individual paper discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j At the general paper discharge position 25, the sheets sorted and stored by the sorting processing unit 22 are bound. Alternatively, the paper discharge binding unit 23 temporarily stores the paper sent from the printing unit 11 in the paper transport path on the printing unit 11 side of the sorting processing unit 22, binds the accumulated paper, and then performs the sorting process. It may be sent to the unit 22.
Multiple individual paper discharge positions 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j The general paper discharge position 25 is a plurality of paper discharge storage sections partitioned by, for example, bins and guide rails.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 26, a storage device 27, an image processing circuit 28, and an interface 29.
The CPU 26 is a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 100.
The storage device 27 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like. ₁ ~ 101 _n It stores the image data in the print job sent from the printer, and stores an operation program that defines the operation of the CPU 26.
The image processing circuit 28 includes a computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for converting the protocol of the image data sent from the printer unit and providing the converted data to the printing unit 11.
The interface 29 is connected to each computer 101 via the network 102. ₁ ~ 101 _n This is for transmitting and receiving commands and data between the device and the device.
[0024]
Multiple computers 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Is an information processing terminal such as a personal computer, which includes a CPU 30, a storage device 31, an operation unit 32, an output device 33, and an interface 34, as shown in FIG.
The CPU 30 is a computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n It is a microprocessor for controlling the entire operation.
The storage device 31 includes a semiconductor memory functioning as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk device, and the like, and stores an operation program executed by the CPU 30 and various setting data.
The operation unit 32 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and inputs a command according to a user operation. The command input by the operation unit 32 is transmitted to the CPU 30.
The output device 33 includes a CRT display or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker, and the like, and outputs information indicating a result of processing executed by the CPU 30 and the like.
The interface 34 includes a network card, a cable terminal, and the like, and enables transmission and reception of commands and data with the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 102.
[0025]
Also, each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n For example, the CPU 30 executes an operation program read from the storage device 31 to execute a user authentication unit 35, a discharge position registration unit 36, an image data creation unit 37, and a print job as shown in FIG. It includes a generation unit 38, a print control unit 39, and a spool 40.
[0026]
The user authentication unit 35 displays, for example, a predetermined login screen on a display included in the output device 33, and acquires a user account and a password composed of character data input by operating the operation unit 32. The user authentication unit 35 authenticates the user by comparing the acquired user account and password with authentication information registered in advance, and ₁ ~ 101 _n Determines whether or not the user is allowed to use.
[0027]
The discharge position registration unit 36 stores the user identification information for identifying each user in the plurality of individual discharge positions 24 in the image forming apparatus 100. ₁ ~ 24 _j Is stored in association with any one of the individual discharge positions 24. ₁ ~ 24 _j Can be assigned to the user.
[0028]
The image data creation unit 37 uses an application for creating a document or an application for drawing for creating / editing an image file described in a predetermined format to generate an image to be formed on paper by the image forming apparatus 100. Create corresponding image data.
[0029]
When a print command is input by operating the operation unit 32, the print job generation unit 38 adds printing conditions (for example, paper size, number of pages, paper discharge position, etc.) to the image data created by the image data creation unit 37. ), And a print job is generated by adding management information including an identification code of the print job.
[0030]
The print control unit 39 sends various commands to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 102 and adjusts the timing at which the print job generated by the print job generation unit 38 is sent to the image forming apparatus 100. Control the process of
[0031]
The spool 40 temporarily stores the print job generated by the print job generation unit 38, thereby enabling the transfer of the print job according to the progress of printing in the image forming apparatus 100.
[0032]
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, a user account and a password are assigned to a user of the image forming system in advance. Then, each user is assigned to a plurality of computers 101. ₁ ~ 101 _n When the use of the computer 101 is started, or when the image data creating unit 37 is activated, the user authentication unit 35 executes a user authentication process. ₁ ~ 101 _n The user who uses is identified.
[0033]
Each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n , The discharge position registration unit 36 stores the plurality of individual discharge positions 24 in the image forming apparatus 100. ₁ ~ 24 _j By storing the user identification information in association with any one of the ₁ ~ 24 _j Are individually assigned to users. For example, the discharge position registration unit 36 stores the individual discharge positions 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j , And it is possible to determine whether or not there is an assignment to the user based on whether or not the user identification information is stored in the storage area.
[0034]
The discharge position registration unit 36 is provided for each computer 101. ₁ ~ 101 _n Is turned on, a predetermined time has passed, and a print command has been input by operating the operation unit 32. To send and receive arbitration information. By transmitting and receiving the arbitration information, each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n The discharge position registering unit 36 provided in the printer 1 stores the individual discharge position 24. ₁ ~ 24 _j Grasp the status of assignment to users. Each computer 101 according to this allocation status ₁ ~ 101 _n The discharging position registering unit 36 provided in the server updates the registered contents.
[0035]
Here, a plurality of computers 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n If any one of them is in the halt state, the discharge position registration unit 36 included in the computer cannot transmit and receive the arbitration information with another computer. The “hibernation state” refers to any state that does not respond to a command from another computer, such as a state in which the power of the computer is turned off, a standby state, a sleep state, a suspend state, and the like.
In this case, a plurality of computers 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Of the users, the assignment of the user registered in the discharge position registration unit 36 included in the one in the dormant state is not notified to another computer. Therefore, the paper discharge position assigned to the user on the computer in the sleep state is apparently not assigned to the user.
[0036]
It is assumed that after the image data creating unit 37 creates image data according to the operation of the operation unit 32 by the user, a print command is input by the operation of the operation unit 32 by the user. In this case, for example, the CPU 30 reads the driver program for the image forming apparatus 100 from the storage device 31 and executes the driver program, so that the printing process illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started.
[0037]
When the print processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started, the print job generation unit 38 acquires the image data created by the image data creation unit 37 and the user identification information indicating the user who has input the print command (step S1). The user identification information acquired at this time is, for example, information indicating a user account input from the operation unit 32 when the user authentication unit 35 executes the authentication process.
[0038]
The print job generation unit 38 allows the user to input a plurality of individual paper discharge positions 24 based on a command input by operating the operation unit 32. ₁ ~ 24 _j Then, it is determined whether or not it is desired to discharge the sheet to any of the above (Step S2).
The print job generation unit 38 controls the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Is determined to have been requested (Yes in step S2), a discharge position specifying process described later is executed (step S3) to create management information indicating the discharge position. I do.
On the other hand, the print job generation unit 38 outputs the ₁ ~ 24 _j If it is determined that the discharge of the sheet to any of the above is not requested (No in step S2), the general discharge position 25 is set as the discharge position (step S4), and management information indicating the discharge position is created. I do.
[0039]
The management information created here may include information on whether or not to bind a plurality of sheets discharged for each print job in accordance with a command input by operating the operation unit 32.
For example, the print job generation unit 38 compares the number of pages in the print job with a predetermined reference value, and determines whether the number of pages exceeds the reference value. As the reference value, for example, any one of 5 to 10 sheets is specified.
If it is determined that the number of pages exceeds the reference value, the print job generation unit 38 creates management information including an instruction to bind sheets using staples. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of pages is equal to or smaller than the reference value, the print job generation unit 38 creates management information including a binding instruction without using staples.
At this time, the print job generating unit 38 displays an image indicating whether stapling using staples or stapling without staples is performed on a display of the output device 33. Is also good.
[0040]
The print job generation unit 38 transfers the management information thus created and the image data acquired in step S1 to the print control unit 39 as a print job. The print control unit 39 temporarily stores the print job generated by the print job generation unit 38 on the spool 40, and adjusts the image via the network 102 by the interface 34 in accordance with the progress of the printing operation in the image forming apparatus 100. Transfer to forming apparatus 100 (step S5).
[0041]
Thereafter, when the print completion notification is received from the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 102 (step S6), the print processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 ends.
Note that when the occurrence of a printing error is notified from the image forming apparatus 100, the printing control unit 39 notifies the user of the occurrence of the error by, for example, displaying an image indicating the error message on the display of the output device 33. Thereafter, the printing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 may be ended.
[0042]
Upon receiving the print job, the image forming apparatus 100 controls the operations of the paper feeding unit 10, the printing unit 11, and the paper discharging unit 12 in accordance with the management information read by the CPU 26 of the control unit 13, and has the size indicated in the management information. An image is formed on the paper. That is, the CPU 26 specifies the paper size from the management information of the print job, and sends a command to cause the paper feeding unit 10 to feed the paper. In the paper feed unit 10, the paper feed / conveyance unit 21 receives a command from the CPU 26 and ₁ ~ 20 _n The corresponding paper is taken out from any one of the above and fed to the printing unit 11. At this time, the image data of the print job is subjected to protocol conversion such as conversion into a modulation signal of a laser diode by the image processing circuit 28 and then supplied to the printing unit 11. The printing unit 11 forms an image on the sheet sent from the sheet feeding unit 10 and sends the image to the sheet discharging unit 12.
Further, the CPU 26 sends a command to the sorting processing unit 22 provided in the paper discharge unit 12 and ₁ ~ 24 _j Then, from among the general paper discharge positions 25, the paper discharge position indicated by the management information is designated. The sort processing unit 22 conveys the sheet sent from the printing unit 11 to a discharge position specified by the CPU 26. As a result, for each print job, the paper is stored at the discharge position corresponding to the user who has input the print command.
[0043]
In addition, the individual discharge positions 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Alternatively, when a sheet on which an image is formed is stored in the general sheet discharge position 25, the sheet discharge binding unit 23 may bind sheets discharged for each print job in accordance with a command from the CPU 26. That is, the CPU 26 ₁ ~ 101 _n If the print job management information transferred from the printer job includes a command to bind sheets, the command is sent to the sheet discharge binding unit 23 to bind the sheets sent from the printing unit 11. At this time, the paper discharge binding unit 23 switches between binding with staples using metal needles and the like and binding without using staples in accordance with the number of sheets to be bound. Here, as stapling without staple, a plurality of sheets to be stapled are stapled with glue or an adhesive tape, or a tongue-shaped piece formed at the end of the sheet is attached to the end of the sheet. There is a binding device that inserts into a formed cut to bind. This makes it possible to easily sort printed materials for each print job.
[0044]
In this way, the formation of the image corresponding to the print job is completed, and the paper is transferred to the individual discharge position 24 in the discharge unit 12. ₁ ~ 24 _j Is sent to the general paper discharge position 25, or the CPU 26 creates a print completion notification. This notification of the completion of printing is sent to the computer 101 via the network 102 by the interface 29. ₁ ~ 101 _n Is sent to the computer that was the transfer source of the print job.
[0045]
Next, the paper discharge position specifying process executed in step S3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0046]
When the discharge position specifying process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started, the print job generation unit 38 ₁ ~ 24 _j The user identification information of the user who wants to discharge the sheet to any of the above is notified to the discharge position registration unit 36 (step S10). The discharge position registration unit 36 determines whether or not the user identification information notified from the print job generation unit 38 is stored in any one of the storage areas. ₁ ~ 24 _j It is determined whether any of the above is assigned (step S11).
[0047]
When determining that the corresponding user identification information is stored (Yes in step S11), the discharge position registration unit 36 notifies the print job generation unit 38 of the discharge position associated with the user identification information. The print job generation unit 38 creates management information indicating the paper discharge position notified from the discharge position registration unit 36 (step S12), and ends the discharge position specifying process shown in the flowchart of FIG. Here, the print job generation unit 38 may create an image for notifying the user of the paper discharge position, and display the image on a display of the output device 33 of the computer to which the print command has been input. Alternatively, after displaying an image for notifying the user of the paper discharge position, a print job may be generated in response to the input of a confirmation completion command from the operation unit 32. Thus, the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Among them, management information including a command for discharging to a position registered by the discharge position registration unit 36 is created.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the discharge position registration unit 36 determines that the corresponding user identification information is not stored (No in step S11), the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j It is determined whether or not all have been assigned to any user (step S13).
Here, as described above, the computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n If any one of them is in the pause state, the paper discharge position assigned to the user on the computer is apparently not assigned to the user. If the registered contents of the discharge position registration unit 36 included in the computer are notified to another computer while the computer is in operation, the discharge position assigned to the user on the computer is set. Is already assigned to the user.
[0049]
Individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j If there is any one of which is not assigned to any user (No in step S13), the print job generating unit 38 is notified of the paper discharge position not assigned to any user. Is performed (step S14). The print job generation unit 38 allows the user to confirm the discharge position by, for example, displaying an image indicating the discharge position notified from the discharge position registration unit 36 on a display included in the output device 33. At this time, in response to, for example, inputting a command indicating completion of the discharge position confirmation by the operation of the operation unit 32, the process proceeds to step S12, and the print job generation unit 38 manages the corresponding discharge position. The information is created, and the paper discharge position specifying process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is ended.
[0050]
When a plurality of paper discharge positions are notified from the discharge position registration unit 36, the print job generation unit 38 selects the discharge position notified from the discharge position registration unit 36 by operating the operation unit 32. Is created and displayed on the display of the output device 33. Then, management information indicating the paper discharge position selected by the instruction from the operation unit 32 may be created.
In addition, the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j If there is one that has not been assigned to any user, a process for assigning the paper ejection position to the user who has input the print command is executed, and the ejection position registration unit 36 may be registered.
[0051]
In step S13, the individual paper discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Is determined to have been assigned to any user (Yes in step S13), the discharge position registration unit 36 determines whether the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j A notification indicating that there is no free space is sent to the print job generation unit 38 (step S15). Individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j The print job generating unit 38, which has received the notification indicating that there is no free space, ₁ ~ 24 _j An image for notifying that there is no free space is created and displayed on a display of the output device 33.
[0052]
Here, the operation of the operation unit 32 further sets the individual paper discharge position 24. ₁ ~ 24 _j It is assumed that the discharge of the sheet to any one of them is requested (step S16).
In this case, the print job generation unit 38 ₁ ~ 101 _n Among them, a process for requesting a computer used by another user who has already been assigned the paper discharge position designated as the paper discharge destination to permit printing with the paper discharge position as the discharge destination is executed ( Step S17).
[0053]
More specifically, the print job generating unit 38 controls each computer 101 via the network 102 by the interface 34. ₁ ~ 101 _n And broadcasts the inquiry information to the user authentication unit 35 provided in. This inquiry information includes the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Among them, the user identification information indicating the user who has already been assigned is included in the paper discharge position designated as the discharge destination in step S16.
Each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Of the user corresponding to the user identification information included in the inquiry information. ₁ ~ 101 _n It is determined whether or not is being used.
Computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n When there is a computer used by the user of the user identification information indicated in the inquiry information, the user authentication unit 35 of the computer determines each computer 101 such as the terminal number of the computer. ₁ ~ 101 _n Is sent back to the computer from which the inquiry information was sent as response information.
The print job generation unit 38 is a computer ₁ ~ 101 _n When the response information is returned from any of the above, the request information requesting permission to use the paper discharge position is transmitted to the computer that has returned the response information.
In the computer receiving the request information, for example, an image indicating that the use of the paper discharge position has been requested is displayed on the display of the output device 33, and whether or not the use is permitted is determined based on a command input by operating the operation unit 32. The permission information is created and sent back to the computer that sent the request information.
[0054]
The print job generation unit 38 is a computer ₁ ~ 101 _n When the permission / rejection information is returned from any of the above, it is determined whether or not the use of the discharge position is permitted based on the permission / rejection information (step S18).
If the use of the discharge position is permitted (Yes in step S18), the process proceeds to step S12, where the print job generation unit 38 creates management information indicating the discharge position, and the discharge job shown in the flowchart of FIG. The paper position specifying process ends.
Also, the computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n If there is no computer used by the user of the user identification information indicated in the inquiry information, the print job generation unit 38 determines that the paper discharge position requested in step S16 is not used and The process may proceed to step S12 to create management information indicating the paper discharge position. At this time, based on the response to the confirmation information sent to the image forming apparatus 100, the print job generating unit 38 determines whether or not the printed paper remains at the discharge position designated as the discharge destination in step S16. May be determined, and use of the paper discharge position may be permitted only when no paper remains. As a result, it is possible to prevent confusion with the printed matter of another user, and maintain the confidentiality of the document.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the use of the discharge position is rejected (No in step S18), the process returns to step S16, and a request to discharge the sheet to another discharge position is received. Here, any of the individual discharge positions 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j If the use of is not permitted, management information indicating the general paper discharge position 25 may be created with the consent of the user who has input the print command. Further, when a request to discharge the sheet to the general discharge position 25 is made in step S16, the management information indicating the general discharge position 25 may be created as it is.
[0056]
In this manner, the individual discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Are assigned to any one of the users, by requesting the user to use the discharge position, the individual discharge positions 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Is adjustable between multiple users.
[0057]
As described above, according to the present invention, the individual paper discharge position 24 ₁ ~ 24 _j And when a print command is input, the paper on which the image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge position allocated to the user.
As a result, manual sorting can be reduced, and the confidentiality of the document can be ensured.
[0058]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, each computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Has been described as including the discharge position registration unit 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. ₁ ~ 101 _n May be provided with the discharge position registration unit 36. In this case, when a print command is input from the user, the computer 101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Among them, those not provided with the discharge position registration unit 36 may inquire the discharge position registration unit 36 via the network 102 about the user allocation status.
[0059]
The present invention can be realized using a normal computer or a group of computers without using a dedicated device. That is, a computer or a group of computers functions as the above-described image forming system, or all or a part of an operation program required to execute the above-described processing is stored in a recording medium (an IC memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an optical disk, or the like). (A magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or the like). Further, the operation program may be stored in a file system of an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server or the like on the Internet and downloaded to a computer, for example, by superimposing it on a carrier wave.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an environment in which a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus jointly, it is possible to reduce the manual sorting work of the printed matter and to secure the confidentiality of the document.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sheet feeding unit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a paper discharge unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of each of a plurality of computers.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a discharge position specifying process.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Paper feed unit
11 Printing unit
12 Paper output unit
13 Control unit
22 Sorting unit
23 Paper discharge binding section
24 ₁ ~ 24 _j Individual output position
25 General paper ejection position
35 User authentication unit
36 Ejection location register
37 Image data creation unit
38 Print job generator
39 Print control unit
100 Image forming apparatus
101 ₁ ~ 101 _n Computer
102 Network

Claims (6)

An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of discharge positions; and a plurality of information processing terminals connected to the image forming apparatus via a network,
Discharge position assigning means for assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
User identification means for identifying a user who uses each of the information processing terminals;
When a print command is input at any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the print command corresponding to the user identified by the user identification unit as a user who uses the information processing terminal input with the print command. Print job generating means for specifying a paper discharge position assigned by the paper discharge position allocating means and generating a print job with the specified paper discharge position as a paper discharge destination;
An image forming system comprising: a print control unit configured to transfer a print job generated by the print job generating unit to the image forming apparatus and control a printing operation. The image forming apparatus includes a binding unit that switches between binding using a stapler and binding without using a stapler for a plurality of sheets ejected for each print job,
The print job generation unit creates management information indicating whether to perform stapling using a stapler or stapling without using a stapler based on the number of pages of a document in each print job. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the management information is job management information. The print job generating unit assigns a discharge position by the discharge position assigning unit to a user identified by the user identifying unit as a user using the information processing terminal to which a print command is input. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein when there is no user, a process for requesting another user to use the discharge position is performed. A discharge position assigning step of assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
A user identification step of identifying a user who uses each of the plurality of information processing terminals,
When a print command is input in any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the user corresponds to a user identified in the user identification step as a user using the information processing terminal to which the print command is input. A print job generating step of specifying the paper discharge position allocated in the paper discharge position allocating step and generating a print job in which the specified paper discharge position is used as a paper discharge destination;
A print control step of transferring a print job generated in the print job generation step to the image forming apparatus and controlling a printing operation. A stapling step of switching between stapling using a stapler and stapling without using a stapler for a plurality of sheets discharged for each print job, and
The print job generating step creates management information indicating whether to perform stapling or stapling based on the number of pages of a document in each print job, The image forming method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of setting job management information. Computer
Discharge position assigning means for assigning a user to each of a plurality of discharge positions provided in the image forming apparatus;
User identification means for identifying a user who uses each of the plurality of information processing terminals;
When a print command is input at any of the plurality of information processing terminals, the print command corresponds to a user identified by the user identification unit as a user using the information processing terminal to which the print command has been input. A print job generating means for specifying a paper discharge position assigned by the paper discharge position allocating means and generating a print job with the specified paper discharge position as a paper discharge destination;
A program for transferring a print job generated by the print job generation unit to the image forming apparatus and causing the print job to function as a print control unit that controls a printing operation.

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