JP2004343416A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of increasing a limit number by borrowing a part of the limit number for a certain department from another image forming apparatus when a using number corresponding to the department exceeds the limit number in the case of assuming that a job to the department instructed by a user is executed in a certain image formation device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a means for increasing the limit number for the department in the image forming apparatus by communicating with another image forming apparatus connected to a network and borrowing a part of the limit number for the department from the other image forming apparatus when the using number corresponding to the department exceeds the limit number in the case of assuming that the job to the department instructed by the user is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine having a department management function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a copying machine having a department management function, for example, control is performed such that a limit number of copies is set for each department and copying exceeding the limit number is prohibited. There is also a system in which a management server is installed on a network to which a plurality of copying machines are connected, and department management is performed on the management server side. In this type of system, the limit number of sheets for each department is set in the management server. Then, the management server receives the use count of each section from each copying machine via the network, accumulates the count for each section, compares the accumulated value for each section with the limit number of copies, and based on the comparison result, issues a copy inhibition command. Is notified to the copying machine.
[0003]
In a system in which department management is performed by the management server, information of each department and the limit number of copies for each department are registered on the management server side, so that information of each department and the limit number of copies for each department are registered for each copying machine. No need. However, in such a system, a PC for the management server is required, and server software for performing department management needs to be always started.
[0004]
On the other hand, if each copying machine manages departments for each copying machine, it is necessary to individually register the information of each department and the limit number of copies for each department in each copying machine, and the registration work is troublesome. There is a problem that is. Also, when the number of copies for each department is set and assigned to each of a plurality of copying machines, if a job for a certain department in a certain copying machine cannot be executed because the number of copies exceeds the limit. It is necessary to move to another copying machine in which the total number of copies for the section has not reached the limit number and perform copying.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the present invention, in a case where a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated and set for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a job for a department designated by a user in a certain image forming apparatus is performed. If it is assumed that the execution has been performed and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, it is possible to increase the limit by borrowing a part of the limit for the department from another image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus used in a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network, and a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated and set to each image forming apparatus. If it is assumed that a job for a certain department specified by the user has been executed and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, communication is performed with another image forming apparatus connected to the network. In addition, there is provided a means for increasing the limited number of sheets for the section in the own image forming apparatus by borrowing a part of the limited number of sheets for the section from another image forming apparatus.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus used in a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network, and a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated to each image forming apparatus and set. If it is assumed that a job for a department specified by the user has been executed, and the number of sheets used corresponding to the department exceeds the limit, the image forming apparatus is connected to another image forming apparatus connected to the network. A means for transmitting a limit number request command including the department code and the required number of sheets, and when a limit number request command is received from another image forming apparatus, the current available number of sheets for the department code included in the limit number request command Is larger than the requested number included in the limit number request command, and the current If the number is larger than the number, the limit number corresponding to the department code is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the requested number from the current limit number, and a response command including the number of distributions according to the requested number is transmitted to the source of the limit number request command. Means for transmitting, and upon receiving a response command including the number of copies to be distributed from the other party who has transmitted the limit number request command, sets the limit number corresponding to the department code to the distribution number included in the response command in the current limit number. Is updated to a value obtained by adding.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a copying machine will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a system including a plurality of copying machines.
[0010]
A plurality of copying machines 1, 2, 3, and 4 are connected to one another via a LAN 5. Since the configurations of the copying machines 1 to 4 are the same, the configuration of the copying machine 1 will be described.
[0011]
The copying machine 1 includes an operation / display unit 11 having various keys and a display with a touch panel, an image forming / output unit 12 for performing image formation and image output, a LAN connection unit 13 for connecting to the LAN 5, and A control unit 20 for controlling is provided. The control unit 20 includes a self IP address storage unit 14, a department information storage unit 15, a count information storage unit 16, and another IP address storage unit 17. For each of the plurality of copying machines 1, 2, 3, and 4 connected to the LAN 5, a limited number of copies for each department is allocated and set.
[0012]
The own IP address storage unit 14 stores its own IP address, model name, and other information as shown in FIG. The own address and other information are input by a user operation of the operation / display unit 11 as described later. As the model name, a model name preset in the copying machine is used.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the section information storage unit 15 stores a section name, its reading, and a limited number of sheets for each section code. The section code, the section name, the reading and the limit number are basically input by a user operation of the operation / display unit 11 as described later. However, when new department information is registered in one copier or when department information is changed, the content is sent to another copier, and the content is automatically transmitted to the other copier. It is to be registered.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 4, the other IP address storage unit 17 stores, for each of the other copying machines connected to the LAN 5, the IP address, model name, and other information of the other copying machine. The IP address, model name, and other information of the other copying machine are automatically acquired from the other copying machine as described later. As the model name, a model name preset in the copying machine is used.
[0015]
The count information accumulating unit 16 accumulates a count value corresponding to the cumulative value of the number of copies for each department. Each of the copying machines 1 to 4 exceeds the limit number of sheets for each section based on the limit number of sheets for each section stored in the section information storage section 15 and the count value for each section stored in the count information storage section 16. It has a function to prohibit the copying operation. However, if it is assumed that a job for a department specified by the user has been executed and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, the limit for the department from another copying machine will be described later. It is possible to increase the limit number by borrowing a part of the number.
[0016]
FIG. 5 shows a procedure for acquiring an IP address (another IP address) of another copying machine.
[0017]
First, an administrator menu is displayed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6 (step 11). That is, when the administrator inputs the administrator password given to the administrator in advance (step 1), the copying machine determines whether the entered administrator password matches the registered administrator password. It is determined (step 2). If not, the process returns to step 1. If they match, the administrator menu is displayed on the display on the operation / display unit 11 (step 3).
[0018]
FIG. 7 shows an example of the administrator menu. The administrator menu displays a department registration list, a department registration button 101 for registering and editing department information, an IP address setting button 102 for setting a self IP address, and a list of other IP addresses. Or an IP address list button 103 for retrieving another IP address and a retransmit button 131 are displayed.
[0019]
When the administrator menu is displayed, the administrator presses the IP address list button 103. When the IP address list button 103 is pressed by the administrator (step 12), the copying machine displays the IP address list on the display on the operation / display unit 11 (step 13).
[0020]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the IP address list. In the IP address list, IP address information of another copying machine stored in the other IP address storage unit 17 is displayed as a list, and another IP address search button for searching for another IP address and updating the list is displayed. 104 and a close button 105 are displayed.
[0021]
When the administrator presses the other IP address search button 104 (step 14), another device connected to the LAN 5 is searched (step 15). When the device is searched, it is determined whether or not the searched device is a recognizable copying machine (step 16). That is, a device connected to the LAN 5 is searched using a general protocol (for example, SNMP), and whether or not the device is a copy machine is determined between the device and the searched device. Information such as version is exchanged, and it is determined whether or not the searched device is a copying machine having a communication function of IP address information and department information according to this embodiment. If the searched device is a copying machine having a communication function of IP address information and department information according to this embodiment, it is determined that the searched device is a recognizable copying machine.
[0022]
If the searched device is a recognizable copying machine, IP address information is acquired from the copying machine (step 17). Then, it is determined whether or not the acquired IP address information is registered in the other IP address storage unit 17 (Step 18).
[0023]
If the acquired IP address information is not registered in the other IP address storage unit 17, the acquired IP address information is registered in the other IP address storage unit 17 (step 19). Then, the process proceeds to step 20.
[0024]
If it is determined in step 16 that the searched device is not a recognizable copier, and if it is determined that the IP address information acquired in step 18 is registered in the other IP address storage unit 17, the process proceeds to step 20. Proceed to.
[0025]
In step 20, it is determined whether or not there is an unsearched device. If there is an unsearched device, the process returns to step 15. If there is no unsearched device, the current acquisition process of the other IP address ends.
[0026]
FIG. 9 shows a procedure for registering / editing the self IP address.
[0027]
First, an administrator menu as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed according to the procedure of FIG. 6 (step 31).
[0028]
When the administrator menu is displayed, the administrator presses the IP address setting button 102. When the IP address setting button 102 is pressed by the administrator (step 32), the copying machine displays an IP address setting screen on a display on the operation / display unit 11 (step 33).
[0029]
FIG. 10 shows an example of the IP address setting screen. On the IP address setting screen, an input unit 106 for inputting own IP address, an input unit 107 for inputting other information, a registration button 108 and a cancel button 109 are displayed. The administrator presses a registration button 108 after inputting necessary information into the input units 106 and 107.
[0030]
When the registration button 108 is pressed (step 34), the copying machine transmits its own registered IP address information (IP address, model name and other information, see FIG. 2) to another copying machine. Is performed. In other words, in the current self IP address registration / editing process, it is determined whether or not there is another copying machine (other IP address) to which the self IP address information registered (or edited) has not yet been transmitted. It is determined (step 35).
[0031]
If there is an untransmitted other IP address, the IP address information registered at this time is transmitted to another copying machine corresponding to one untransmitted other IP address (step 36). Then, it is determined whether or not the IP address information has been accepted by the other copying machine based on the response from the other copying machine (step 37).
[0032]
If the IP address information has been accepted by the other copying machine, the process returns to step S35. If the IP address information has not been accepted by the other copying machine, an error display indicating that the IP address information has not been accepted by the other copying machine is displayed (step 38). Further, the other IP address for which the IP address information was not accepted (the IP address of the copying machine of the other party) is stored as the other IP address where the IP address information transmission error has occurred (step 39). Thereafter, the process returns to step 35.
[0033]
In this way, if the IP address information transmission processing (including error transmission) has been performed for all other IP addresses, the result is NO in step 35, and the registration / registration of the current self IP address / The editing process ends. The operation of the other copying machine when receiving the IP address information will be described later.
[0034]
FIG. 11 shows a procedure for registering / editing department information.
[0035]
First, an administrator menu as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed according to the procedure of FIG. 6 (step 41).
[0036]
When the administrator menu is displayed, the administrator presses a department registration button 101. When the department registration button 101 is pressed by the administrator (step 42), the copying machine displays the department registration list on the display on the operation / display unit 11 (step 43).
[0037]
FIG. 12 shows an example of the section registration list. In the section registration list, the section information stored in the section information storage unit 15 is displayed as a list, and an add button 110, an edit button 111, a delete button 112, and a cancel button 113 are displayed.
[0038]
The administrator presses an add button 110 to add department information, and presses an edit button 111 to edit department information. To delete the department information, the user selects the deleted department information and then presses the delete button 112. When the delete button 112 is pressed, a confirmation screen including a YES button 114 and a NO button 115 is displayed as shown in FIG. When the YES button 114 is pressed, the selected section information is deleted. As described above, when only the department information is deleted, the transmission of the department information to another copying machine is not performed.
[0039]
When the add button 110 or the edit button 111 is pressed by the administrator (step 44), the copying machine displays the department registration screen on the display on the operation / display unit 11 (step 45).
[0040]
FIG. 14 shows an example of the department registration screen. On the section registration screen, input sections 116 to 119 for inputting a section code, a section name, its reading and a limit number of sheets, a registration button 120 and a cancel button 121 are displayed. The administrator presses a registration button 120 after inputting necessary information into the input units 116 to 119.
[0041]
When the registration button 120 is pressed (step 46), the copying machine determines whether or not the department code is new (step 47). If the department code is new, the copier creates new department information and adds it to the department information storage unit 15 (step 48), and then proceeds to step 50. If the department code is not new, the copier corrects the existing department information and updates the corresponding department information in the department information storage unit 15 to the corrected one (step 49). Go to 50.
[0042]
After step 50, processing for transmitting the department information (department code, department name, reading and limit number, see FIG. 3) registered (or edited) this time to another copying machine is performed. That is, in the current section information registration / editing process, it is determined whether or not there is another copying machine (other IP address) to which the currently registered section information has not been transmitted (step 50).
[0043]
If there is another IP address which has not been transmitted, the section information registered this time is transmitted to another copying machine corresponding to one untransmitted other IP address (step 51). Then, it is determined whether or not the department information has been received by the other copying machine based on the response from the other copying machine (step 52).
[0044]
If the department information has been received by the other copying machine, the process returns to step S50. If the department information has not been accepted by the other copying machine, an error display indicating that the department information has not been accepted by the other copying machine is performed (step 53). Further, the other IP address for which the department information has not been accepted (the IP address of the copying machine of the other party) is stored as the other IP address at which the department information transmission error has occurred (step 54). At this time, in association with the saved other IP address, the department information that should have been transmitted to the other IP address is also saved. Then, the process returns to step 50.
[0045]
In this way, if the section information transmission processing (including error transmission) has been performed for all the other IP addresses, the result of step 50 is NO, and the current section information registration / edit processing To end. The operation of the other copying machine when the department information is received will be described later.
[0046]
FIG. 15 shows a process for retransmitting the IP address or the department information to another copying machine that could not transmit the IP address or the department information in the self IP address registration / editing process or the department information registration / editing process. The procedure is shown.
[0047]
First, an administrator menu as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed according to the procedure of FIG. 6 (step 81).
[0048]
When the administrator menu is displayed, the administrator presses the resend button 131. When the administrator presses the section registration button 131 (step 82), the copying machine determines whether or not another IP address in which an IP address information transmission error has occurred is stored (step 83).
[0049]
In the case where the other IP addresses in which the IP address information transmission error has occurred are stored, the own IP address is included in the other IP addresses stored at the start of the current retransmission processing in the retransmission processing. It is determined whether there is another IP address to which the address information has not been transmitted yet (step 84).
[0050]
If there is another IP address that has not been transmitted, the own IP address information is transmitted to another copying machine corresponding to one untransmitted other IP address (step 85). Then, it is determined whether the IP address information has been received by the other copying machine based on the response from the other copying machine (step 86).
[0051]
If the IP address information has been accepted by the other copying machine, the process returns to step S84. If the IP address information has not been accepted by the other copying machine, an error display indicating that the IP address information has not been accepted by the other copying machine is displayed (step 87). Further, the other IP address for which the IP address information was not accepted (the IP address of the other copying machine) is stored as the other IP address where the IP address information transmission error has occurred (step 88). Thereafter, the process returns to step 84.
[0052]
In this way, the IP address information transmission error has occurred at the start of the current retransmission process. The transmission process of the IP address information to all the other IP addresses stored as the other IP addresses (in the case of error transmission) ), The answer is NO in step 84, and the routine goes to step 89.
[0053]
Incidentally, when it is determined in step 83 that the IP address information transmission error has occurred and that the other IP address is not stored, the process also proceeds to step 89.
[0054]
In step 89, the copying machine determines whether or not another IP address in which the section information transmission error has occurred is stored.
[0055]
In the case where other IP addresses in which a department information transmission error has occurred are stored, the department information is still stored in the other IP addresses stored at the start of the current retransmission processing in this retransmission processing. It is determined whether there is another IP address that has not been transmitted (step 90).
[0056]
If there is another IP address which has not been transmitted, the department information to be retransmitted to the copying machine is transmitted to another copying machine corresponding to one untransmitted other IP address (step 91). Then, it is determined whether or not the department information has been accepted by the other copying machine based on the response from the other copying machine (step 92).
[0057]
If the department information has been received by the other copying machine, the process returns to step S90. If the department information has not been accepted by the other copying machine, an error display indicating that the department information has not been accepted by the other copying machine is performed (step 93). Further, the other IP address for which the department information information was not accepted (the IP address of the copying machine of the other party) is stored as the other IP address where the department information transmission error has occurred (step 94). At this time, in association with the saved other IP address, the department information that should have been transmitted to the other IP address is also saved. Thereafter, the process returns to step 90.
[0058]
In this way, the transmission processing of the IP address information to all the other IP addresses stored as the other IP addresses where the department information transmission error has occurred at the start of the current retransmission processing (the error transmission is also performed) In this case, the determination in step 90 is NO, and the current retransmission process ends.
[0059]
If it is determined in step 89 that the other IP address in which the department information transmission error has occurred is not stored, the current retransmission process is terminated.
[0060]
FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure of the copying machine when IP address information or department information is received.
[0061]
When receiving the IP address information or the department information (step 61). It is determined whether or not the received data is IP address information (step 62). If the received data is IP address information, it is determined whether the received IP address has already been registered in the other IP address storage unit 17 (step 63).
[0062]
If the received IP address is not registered in the other IP address storage unit 17, the received IP address information is additionally registered in the other IP address storage unit 17 (step 64). Then, the current reception processing ends. If the received IP address is already registered in the other IP address storage unit 17, the other information in the corresponding IP address information in the other IP address storage unit 17 is replaced with the other information in the received IP address information. The information is updated (step 65). Then, the current reception processing ends.
[0063]
If the received data is not IP address information, that is, if the received data is department information, it is determined whether the received department code is already registered in the department information storage unit 15 (step 66).
[0064]
If the received department code is not registered in the department information storage unit 15, the received department information is additionally registered in the department information storage unit 15 (step 67). Then, the current reception processing ends. If the received department code is already registered in the department information storage unit 15, the other information in the corresponding department information in the department information storage unit 15 is updated to the other information in the received department information. (Step 68). Then, the current reception processing ends.
[0065]
FIG. 17 shows a processing procedure at the time of executing a copy.
[0066]
When a department code is input by the user (step 101), the copying machine determines whether the input department code matches one of the department codes stored in the department information storage unit 15 (step 101). 102). If they do not match, the process returns to step 101. If they match, a copy setting screen is displayed (step 103).
[0067]
When the user presses the start key after setting the job (step 104), the number of output sheets is calculated (step 105). That is, reading and storing of the document image are performed, and the output number is calculated from the document number and the set copy number.
[0068]
Next, it is determined whether or not a value obtained by adding the output count calculated in step 105 to the current count value of the department code input in step 101 exceeds the limit number corresponding to the department code (step 106). ).
[0069]
If the number does not exceed the limit, after the image is formed (step 107), the count value corresponding to the department code is updated (step 108). Then, the current copy processing ends.
[0070]
If it is determined in step 106 that the number of copies exceeds the limit, the total number of copies requested to other copying machines is calculated (step 109). The total number of sheets required for other copying machines is calculated based on the following equation (1).
[0071]
Requested number of sheets total = {Output number- (Limited number of sheets corresponding to the section-Current count value corresponding to the section)} (1)
[0072]
Next, it is determined whether or not the total requested number is larger than the total obtained number (step 110). When the process proceeds from step 109 to step 110, since the total number of acquired sheets is 0, it is determined that the total number of requested sheets is larger than the total number of acquired sheets.
[0073]
If it is determined that the total number of requested sheets is larger than the total number of obtained sheets, it is determined whether there is another copying machine (other IP address) for which a request for obtaining the limited number of sheets has not been made in this copy processing. Is determined (step 111).
[0074]
If there is another IP address for which the request for obtaining the limited number has not been made yet, the individual requested number for the other IP address is calculated (step 112). The number of individual requests to another IP address is calculated by the following equation (2).
[0075]
Individual requested number of sheets = (Total number of requested sheets−Number of already obtained sheets) ÷ (Number of other IP addresses for which no request for acquisition has been made) (2)
[0076]
Then, a copy number request command including the department code and the individual request number is transmitted to the copying machine corresponding to one other IP address for which the request for obtaining the limit number has not been made (step 113). Then, it is determined whether the request has been accepted or rejected based on a response command from another copy machine of the transmission destination (step 114). If the request is accepted, the acquired number is added to the total number of acquired images (step 115), and the process returns to step 110. If the request is not granted, the process returns to step 110. If the number request command itself has not been received, the process returns to step 110.
[0077]
If there are a plurality of other copying machines (other IP addresses), the processing of steps 110 to 115 (or 114) is repeatedly performed.
[0078]
If it is determined in step 110 that the total number of acquired images is equal to or greater than the total number of requested images, the process proceeds to step 116. In step 111, there is no other copying machine (other IP address) for which a request for obtaining the limited number has not been issued yet, that is, for obtaining the limited number for all other IP addresses. If the request has been made, the process proceeds to step 116.
[0079]
In step 116, the total number of acquired sheets is added to the limited number of sheets corresponding to the department code, and the addition result is set as the limited number of sheets corresponding to the department code. That is, the limit number of sheets corresponding to the department code is updated. Then, it is determined whether or not a value obtained by adding the output count calculated in step 105 to the current count value in the department code exceeds the limit number of sheets corresponding to the department code (step 117). If the number does not exceed the limit, after the image is formed (step 107), the count value corresponding to the department code is updated (step 108). Then, the current copy processing ends.
[0080]
If it is determined in step 117 that the number of copies exceeds the limit, the fact that the number of copies exceeds the limit is displayed (step 118), and the current copy process is terminated.
[0081]
FIG. 18 shows a processing procedure of the copying machine when a number request command is received from another copying machine.
[0082]
When a number request command is received from another copying machine (step 201), the department code and the individually requested number are acquired from the number request command (step 202). Then, the limited number of sheets and the current count value corresponding to the obtained section code are obtained from the section information storage section 15 and the count information storage section 16 (step 203).
[0083]
Then, the number of copies that can be distributed to the other copying machines (distributable number = currently available number) is calculated (step 204). That is, the number of distributable sheets is calculated by the following equation (3).
[0084]
Distributable number = (Limited number of sheets corresponding to the section-Current count value corresponding to the section) (3)
[0085]
Then, it is determined whether or not the calculated number of distributable sheets is equal to or more than the individually requested number of sheets obtained in step 202 (step 205). If the number of distributable cards is equal to or larger than the individual request number, the individual request number is subtracted from the limit number corresponding to the department code, and the subtraction result is set as the limit number corresponding to the department code (step 206). That is, the limit number of sheets corresponding to the department code is updated. Then, after creating a response command including the number of distributions (the individual request number) (step 207), the response command is transmitted to the transmission source of the number request command (step 209).
[0086]
If the number of distributable sheets is smaller than the individually requested number in step 205, a response command indicating that distribution is impossible is created (step 208), and the response command is transmitted to the transmission source of the number request command (step 208). Step 209).
[0087]
According to the above embodiment, the department information (department code, department name, reading and limit number) registered in one copying machine is automatically registered in another copying machine. Work becomes easy. In this embodiment, it is necessary to register the IP address of another copying machine in addition to its own IP address in each copying machine, but the IP address of another copying machine can be automatically acquired. In addition, the work of registering the IP address of another copying machine becomes easy.
[0088]
Further, according to the above-described embodiment, if it is assumed that a job for a certain department designated by the user has been executed in a certain copying machine, and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, Borrowing a part of the limited number of sheets for the department from the copier, the number of limited sheets can be increased.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in a case where a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated and set for each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, a certain image forming apparatus is used for a certain department designated by a user. If it is assumed that the job has been executed and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, the limit is increased by borrowing a part of the limit for the department from another image forming apparatus. Will be able to do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including a plurality of copying machines.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of IP address information stored in a self IP address storage unit 14;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of department information stored in a department information storage unit 15;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of IP address information stored in another IP address storage unit 17;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for acquiring an IP address (another IP address) of another copying machine;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying an administrator menu.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an administrator menu.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an IP address list.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering / editing a self-IP address.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an IP address setting screen.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering / editing department information.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a department registration list.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed when a delete button on a department registration list is pressed.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a department registration screen.
FIG. 15 is a process for retransmitting an IP address or department information to another copying machine that could not transmit the IP address or department information in the self IP address registration / editing process or the department information registration / editing process. It is a flowchart which shows a procedure.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the copying machine when receiving IP address information or department information.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure at the time of executing a copy.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the copying machine when a number request command is received from another copying machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
1-4 Copier 5 LAN
Reference Signs List 11 operation / display unit 12 image forming / output unit 13 LAN connection unit 14 own IP address storage unit 15 department information storage unit 16 count information storage unit 17 other IP address storage unit 20 control unit

Claims (2)

In an image forming apparatus used in a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network and a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated and set to each image forming apparatus,
If it is assumed that a job for a certain department specified by the user has been executed and the number of sheets used for the department exceeds the limit, communication is performed with another image forming apparatus connected to the network. An image forming apparatus including means for increasing the number of sheets for the section in the own image forming apparatus by borrowing a part of the number of sheets for the section from another image forming apparatus. In an image forming apparatus used in a system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network and a limit number of sheets for each department is allocated and set to each image forming apparatus,
If it is assumed that a job for a department specified by the user has been executed, and the number of sheets used corresponding to the department exceeds the limit, the image forming apparatus is connected to another image forming apparatus connected to the network. Means for transmitting a limit number request command including the department code and the requested number,
When a limit number request command is received from another image forming apparatus, it is determined whether the current number of usable sheets for the department code included in the limit number request command is larger than the requested number of sheets included in the limit number request command. If the current available number is larger than the required number, the limit number corresponding to the department code is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the required number from the current limit number, and the distribution number according to the required number is set. Means for transmitting the response command including the limit number request command to the transmission source of the limit number request command, and upon receiving a response command including the number of distributions from the other party transmitting the limit number request command, sets the limit number corresponding to the department code to the current limit number. Means for updating to a value obtained by adding the number of distributed sheets included in the response command to the limited number of sheets,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images