JP2005122211A - Image forming device and method for setting maximum frequency of image formation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that can manage the upper limit frequency of image formation easily at every source of the request for use, even at the operation of remote print or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The maximum frequency of the image formation is stored, corresponding to each divisional code specifying the source of the request for use and a list of the stored divisional code information and the maximum frequency of the image formation corresponding to it is displayed. When the maximum frequency of the image formation, corresponding to the selected divisional code information, is input through a ten key group 403 and a clear key 408, by selecting an expected divisional code through the use for a touch key group 611 from the list display, the display of an area 624 about the maximum frequency of the image formation, corresponding to the selected divisional code in the list display, is updated based on the input maximum frequency of the image formation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine and an image formation upper limit number setting method for setting an upper limit number of image formation.

  Some conventional copiers allow the setting of the output number upper limit value for each department for budget management (for example, copy cost management) for each department (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When using this type of copying machine, for example, there is a model equipped with a password mode that allows a user to input a password by using a numeric keypad or the like. In this type, the number of copies is counted for each password.
JP 07-319646 A

  However, when a copier is digitized and connected to a computer or network public line and used as a printer or fax machine (remote printing operation), the output requester is not always near the device. The use restriction mechanism such as a personal identification number is warped and inconvenient.

  On the other hand, as with copy cost management, there is an increasing demand for print cost management based on external output requests. Under these circumstances, if the above-mentioned use restriction mechanism is inconvenient as a printer and the restriction is released, especially in the case of a copying machine arranged on a LAN, an unlimited number of computers can be used without restriction. This makes it possible to perform a printing operation, which not only makes it difficult to manage the budget, but also makes it impossible to perform necessary work in an emergency.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus and an image formation upper limit number setting method capable of easily managing the upper limit of the number of image formations for each use request source even in a remote print operation or the like. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of setting an image formation upper limit number for each use request source, at least one image formation upper limit number is stored in association with code information specifying the use request source. Storage means, code information stored in the storage means, a display unit that displays a list of the corresponding upper limit number of image formations, an input means that receives an operation input from a user, and the display that is displayed on the display means In response to selection of desired code information from the list display via the input means, a control means for controlling the image formation upper limit count corresponding to the selected code information to be input from the input means. And the display means corresponds to the selected code information in the list display based on an image formation upper limit number of times input under the control of the control means. And updates the display of the image forming upper limit number of times.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage step of storing at least one image formation upper limit number in association with code information specifying a use request source in a storage unit, code information stored in the storage unit, and a corresponding image A display step of displaying a list of the upper limit number of formations, and an upper limit number of image formations corresponding to the selected code information in response to selection of desired code information from the list display displayed in the display step And a process for controlling the image forming upper limit number of times inputted under the control of the control process to be updated in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily manage the upper limit of the number of image formations for each use request source. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent an unlimited number of external devices from performing a printing operation in a remote printing operation or the like, and it is possible to accurately execute a job required in an emergency.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image formation upper limit number setting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is applied to, for example, a color copying machine.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured as a color copying machine, in which a digital color image reader unit 50 is arranged at the upper part, and a digital color image printer unit 60 is arranged in the lower part.

  In the reader unit 50, the original 30 is placed on the original table glass 31 and exposed and scanned by the exposure lamp 32, so that the reflected light image from the original 30 is passed through the mirrors 35 and 36 to the full color sensor 34 by the lens 33. The light is condensed and a color separation image signal is obtained. A color-separated image signal obtained by a full-color sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 34 composed of a CCD or the like is subjected to various image processings in an image processing unit 40 (to be described later) through an amplification unit (not shown), and a printer unit 60 Is sent out. Reference numeral 37 denotes a reference white plate, which will be described in detail later.

  In the printer unit 60, the photosensitive drum 1, which is an image carrier, is rotatably supported in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and a pre-exposure lamp 11, a corona charger, and laser exposure optical systems 3a, 3b, 3c around the photosensitive drum 1. In addition, a potential sensor 12, four developing devices 4Y, 4C, 4M, and 4K having different colors, a drum light amount detecting means 13, a transfer drum 5, and a cleaning device 6 are arranged.

  In the laser exposure optical systems 3a, 3b, and 3c, the image signal obtained by the reader unit 50 is converted into an optical signal by the laser output unit 41, and the laser beam output from the laser 42 is reflected by the polygon mirror 3a, and the lens. The light image 43 is projected on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 through 3b and the mirror 3c.

  At the time of image formation in the printer unit 60, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the photosensitive drum 1 after being neutralized by the pre-exposure lamp 11 is uniformly charged by the charger 2, and light is emitted for each separation color. The image 43 is irradiated to form a latent image.

  Next, the developing device of a predetermined color is operated to develop the latent image on the photosensitive drum 1, and a toner image using a resin as a base is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing unit is configured to approach the photosensitive drum 1 alternatively according to each separation color by the operation of the eccentric cams 24Y, 24C, 24M, and 24K.

  Further, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred from the recording material cassettes 7 a, 7 b, 7 c to the recording material supplied to the position facing the photosensitive drum 1 through the transport system and the transfer drum 5. The transfer drum 5 is pivotally supported so as to be rotationally driven, and a recording material-carrying sheet made of a dielectric material is integrally stretched in a cylindrical shape in an opening area of the peripheral surface thereof. As the transfer drum 5 is rotated, a desired number of color images are transferred onto the recording material carried on the recording material carrying sheet by a charger or roller (not shown) as the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 to form a full color image.

  In the case of full-color image formation, when the transfer of the four color toner images is completed as described above, the recording material is separated from the transfer drum 5 by the action of the separation claw 8a, separation push-up roller 8b, and separation charger 8c. The paper is discharged to the tray 10 via the fixing device 9.

  On the other hand, after the transfer, the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to the image forming process again after the residual toner on the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 6.

  In the case of forming images on both sides of the recording material, the recording material drives the conveyance bus switching guide 19 immediately after discharging the fixing device 9, and once led to the reversing bus 21a via the conveyance vertical bus 20, By reversing the reversing roller 21 b, the recording material is retreated in the direction opposite to the direction in which the recording material is fed, starting from the rear end, and stored in the intermediate tray 22. Thereafter, an image is formed on the other surface again by the above-described image forming process.

  Further, in order to prevent scattering of powder on the recording material terminal sheet of the transfer drum 5, adhesion of oil on the recording material, and the like, the brush 14 is opposed to the brush 14 via the recording material carrier sheet. Cleaning is performed by the action of the backup brush 15 and the backup brush 17 facing the roller 16 via the oil removing roller 16 and the recording material supporting sheet. Such cleaning is performed before or after image formation, and at any time when a jam (paper jam) occurs.

  Reference numeral 39 denotes an image leading edge sensor. When the signal blades 38a and 38b cross the sensor 39, an image leading edge signal ITOP is generated. The plates 38a and 38b are at a position opposed to each other by 180 degrees. When the transfer drum 5 rotates once, the ITOP signal is generated twice.

  Reference numerals 90 and 91 denote management key portions. When the key 91 is inserted into the cylinder portion 90 and turned to the right, the CPU described later detects the key attachment. Reference numeral 93 denotes a control card, to which a department code is given optically or magnetically. A card adapter 92 recognizes the department code of the card when the card 93 is inserted, and notifies the CPU described later of the card insertion. Further, the number of output sheets is counted for each department code in accordance with a CUP signal from the CPU, which will be described later, and the count value is added and stored in the adapter or card.

  Next, the details of the image processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image processing unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 described above.

  The image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 34 in FIG. 1 is subjected to gain adjustment and offset adjustment in the CCD processing unit 201 and then converted into 8-bit digital image signals R, G, and B for each color signal by the A / D converter. Converted. Thereafter, it is input to the shading correction unit 202, and known shading correction is performed for each color using the read signal of the reference white plate 37 shown in FIG. Since the R, G, and B of the light receiving unit of the CCD 34 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the sub-scanning synchronization processing unit 203 composed of line delay elements corrects the spatial deviation in the sub-scanning direction.

  An input masking unit 204 corrects turbidity of the R, G, and B filters. Reference numeral 205 denotes a light amount / density conversion unit, which is configured by a look-up table ROM (or RAM), and converts R, G, and B luminance signals into C, M, and Y density signals. 206 is a known masking and UCR circuit, and although detailed explanation is omitted, one of Y, M, C, and Bk signals for output is a signal from the input Y, M, C, and three primary color signals. It is output as V1, and is sequentially output with a predetermined bit length, for example, 8 bits for each reading operation. Reference numeral 207 denotes a selector that selects an image signal to be recorded. The selector 207 switches between a CCD read image signal V1 and an image signal V2 from an external device 219 described later by the CPU 217 at an arbitrary timing.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a known gamma correction unit for recording an image with a desired density / tone according to the characteristics of the printer. A laser drive unit 209 converts a digital image signal into, for example, a pulse-modulated analog signal, and drives a laser (not shown).

  Reference numeral 217 denotes a CPU, which drives and controls a motor 221 that reciprocates the optical system including the lamp 32 and the mirrors 35 and 36 shown in FIG. 1 described above via a motor driver 216. In addition to performing light amount control and ON / OFF control of the document illumination lamp 32 through a regulator 214, the operation panel 213 is controlled through the I / O unit 212. The CPU includes known devices such as RAM and ROM, and stores programs related to the protocols shown in FIGS.

  The communication control unit 211 controls communication with the motor driver 216 and the external device 219. In this embodiment, the communication with the external device 219 refers to information on the paper size and color mode for recording the image signal, a recording start / end command, and the status of the reader unit 50 and the printer unit 60. 219 or the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes a synchronization signal generator, which is based on an ITOP signal generated in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer drum 5 and a BD signal generated in synchronization with the rotation of the polygon mirror, and a clock CLK1 and a line synchronization signal HSYNC1 for each pixel. , HSYNC2, one-page synchronization signals PSYNC1, PSYNC2 are generated. 220 converts the image signal V2 'sent in synchronization with the pixel clock CLK2 from the external device 219 and the one-line image valid section signal LE into an image signal V2 synchronized with the internal pixel clock CLK1 and the line synchronization signal HSYNC1. This is a speed conversion unit.

  The counter 215 has three counters for counting a desired number of CPU-CLK from the CPU 217, and generates interrupt signals TMI-INT, TM2-INT, TM3-INT to the CPU 217 and the motor driver 216.

  A KON signal indicating key input from the cylinder 90 of the management key unit and a CON signal indicating card insertion are sent from the card adapter unit 92 to the I / O unit 212. As described above, the CPU 217 determines whether there is a key or a card. To detect. The CPU 217 turns on a CPU signal indicating the count up to the card adapter unit 92 via the I / O unit 212 for a certain time (for example, 100 msec) every time one sheet is fed (or discharged) in the printer unit.

  FIG. 3 is an external view of the operation panel 213.

  In the figure, reference numeral 400 denotes a touch panel display unit, which is used for setting and displaying a copy mode. A reset key 401 is used to return the copy mode to the standard mode. A stop key 402 is used to stop copying.

  Reference numeral 403 denotes a group of ten keys used for setting the number of copies and inputting other numerical values. Reference numeral 404 denotes a preheating key, which is used when returning to the preheating mode when shifting to the preheating mode for reducing the power consumption of the apparatus. Reference numeral 405 denotes an interrupt key, which is used when a copy being executed is temporarily interrupted and another copy is interrupted. A call key 406 is used to recall the copy mode executed three times before. Reference numeral 407 denotes a secret key used in a later-described secret mode. A clear key 408 returns the number of copies to 1. 409 is a copy start key, and 410 is a function key used when setting various functions.

  FIG. 4 is an external view showing a display example of the touch panel display unit in FIG.

  In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes a magnification display, which is set using touch keys 514, 515, 516, and 517. Reference numeral 503 denotes a paper selection display, which is selected using the touch key 500. Reference numeral 504 denotes a number display. Reference numeral 511 denotes a touch key for selecting a document mode, which selects a document type (a character document, a photo document, or a character / photo mixed document). Reference numeral 513 denotes an ON / OFF key for an automatic density adjustment mode, and 512 denotes a manual density adjustment key.

  506 automatically determines the black / white / color of the original, and selects a monochrome copy for a black and white original, an ACS (auto color select) key for automatically selecting a color copy for a color original, 507 selects a full color copy, and 508 selects a black / white copy. Reference numeral 509 denotes an original detection key for automatically detecting the position and size of the original, and 510 denotes a center movement key for copying the original image to the center of the paper. Reference numeral 518 denotes a mode memory key group for selecting a desired copy mode from nine copy modes stored in advance. Reference numeral 505 denotes a switch key for switching between the local copy mode and the remote print mode for outputting an image from an external device.

  FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are screen views showing examples of display screens in the password mode according to the present embodiment. A user operation that characterizes the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the password key 407, stop key 402, interrupt key 405, and password key 407 are pressed in this order on the operation panel 213 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5A is displayed on the touch panel display unit 400. When a new password is registered, if the “OK” touch key 603 is pressed after the “password registration” touch key 601 is pressed, the screen changes to FIG.

  In FIG. 5B, a department code for registering a password is selected from the corresponding touch key group 611. In FIG. 5B, department codes “001” to “010” are displayed. In this embodiment, department codes “100” are prepared, and the department code displayed by the touch key 612 is 10 departments. Can be increased or decreased in units. After the department code is selected, when a desired password is input using the numeric keypad group 403 and the clear key 408, it is displayed in the area 613 on the right side of the selected department code display. When the input of the password is completed and the OK key 614 is pressed, the screen is changed to FIG.

  The registered password is associated with the corresponding department code and stored in the battery-backed RAM. After at least one set of password is registered, the password registered in the display of FIG. After inputting the same number as one of the numbers and pressing the OK key 632, the display transitions to the display in FIG. In place of the battery-backed RAM, another nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM can be used. In FIG. 5D, the entered password is displayed in the input area 631.

  When copying is performed after the password is entered, the number of copies is counted for each corresponding department code and accumulated in the battery-backed RAM. When a “count display” touch key 605 is pressed in FIG. 5A and an OK key 603 is pressed, the screen shifts to a screen that displays a personal identification number and a count value stored in association with the department code.

  In FIG. 5A, when the “count management” touch key 602 is pressed and the OK key 603 is pressed, the screen transitions to FIG. 5C, together with the password registered in association with the department code. A list of the maximum count values (maximum number of prints) allowed for each department code is displayed.

  In FIG. 5C, after selecting a department code for registering the maximum count value with the touch key group 625 and inputting a desired maximum count value with the ten key group 403 and the clear key 408, it corresponds to the selected department code. Is displayed in an area 624 on the right side of the personal identification number. When the OK key 623 is pressed, the screen changes to FIG. In FIG. 5C, the department codes that can be displayed / set by the key 621 can be increased or decreased by ten. When the personal identification key 407 is pressed after the copying is completed, the screen returns to FIG. 5D and waits for the personal identification number input again.

  FIG. 6 is a memory map diagram showing a storage format of a memory (RAM) that stores management data for each department mode according to the present embodiment.

  The top address of the RAM is TOP, and the top address of the management data area related to the password is ID-TOP. Management data for department code 1 is stored in 8 bytes from ID-TOP + 0 to ID-TOP + 7. The code is defined using 2 bytes of ID-TOP + 0 and ID-TOP + 1, the upper limit number of prints allowed for the section 1 is defined using 3 bytes from ID-TOP + 2 to ID-TOP + 4, and ID-TOP + 5 to ID The settlement value of the number of printed sheets with the secret code corresponding to the department 1 is defined using 3 bytes up to -TOP + 7.

  In the present embodiment, a data area of a total of 800 bytes is continuous for 100 departments. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the PIN code corresponding to the department code i is referred to as Ai by combining 2 bytes, the upper limit number value is referred to as Bi, and the settlement number value is referred to as Ci. Ai is an initial value “0000”, and at this time, it is assumed that the personal identification number is not set. The initial values of both Bi and Ci are “0”, and Ci is incremented by +1 for each print. Further, Ai is set in FIG. 5B, and Bi is set in FIG. 5C.

  7A, 7B, and 8C are explanatory diagrams for explaining examples of commands / statuses in the serial communication protocol between the color image processing apparatus of this embodiment and an external device. (A) is a command table, FIG.7 (b) shows the outline | summary of the attached parameter, FIG.8 (c) has shown the outline | summary of the status.

  The command is sent from an external device to a color image processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus), and is determined and processed by the CPU 217 via the communication control unit 211. The status is returned to the external device side from the CPU 217 via the communication control unit 211 as a response to the command input from the external device.

  The command is composed of 1 byte, and as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the command has attached parameters of 1 to 5 bytes. The COM1 print start request command is used when an external device requests the apparatus to start printing. The COM2 print end request command is used when the print operation is stopped halfway. The number of sheets to be printed is instructed by a print number instruction command of COM3. The sheet supply / discharge stage is instructed by the COM4 sheet supply / discharge stage instruction command. Since this apparatus has an automatic duplex recording mechanism and the second paper feed stage is an intermediate tray, it can be used as both a paper feed stage and a paper discharge stage.

  A color mode to be printed is instructed as a developer to be used by a color mode instruction command of COM5. A password to be input in the password mode is set by a 4-digit ASCII code by a password setting command of COM6. Of course, HEX code or BCD code may be used instead of the ASCII code. A paper size request command of COM7 is used to inquire about the paper size set in the apparatus.

  When the apparatus receives COM7, the apparatus returns STS7 shown in FIG. 8C as a status. The status of the apparatus is inquired by an overall status request command of COM8. When the apparatus receives COM8, it returns STS8 shown in FIG. 8C as a status. Also, STS8 is returned to COM1 to COM6.

  9 and 10 are sequence diagrams showing a protocol between the image processing apparatus of this embodiment and an external device.

  When there is a print request from an external device, the COM 7 inquires about the paper size, obtains the STS 7 from the apparatus, determines the paper feed stage and paper discharge stage having the desired paper size, and instructs the paper supply / discharge stage from COM 4 . Further, a desired color mode is designated by COM5. After instructing the number of prints by COM3, the print start is requested by COM1.

  The apparatus checks whether a code other than “0000” is registered as Ai (i = 1,..., 100) for the management data table shown in FIG. If all of Ai (i = 1,..., 100) are “0000”, it is assumed that the security code is not applied to the device itself, and it is returned as bit 2 = 0 of STS8, and Ai (i = 1, .., 100), if any one other than “0000” is registered, it is assumed that the password needs to be set and returned as STS8 bit2 = 1.

  The external device examines bit2 of STS8, and if it has a password, sets the password by COM6. The personal identification number may be a case possessed by an external device as a device, a case possessed by an operator who has instructed printing, a case possessed by application software used by the operator, or the like.

  The image processing apparatus temporarily stores the set personal identification number in the area A on the RAM, and checks whether there is a match with A in Aj (j = 1,..., 100). If not, STS8 is returned with bit2 = 1. If even one matches, the corresponding upper limit count value Bj is checked, and if Bj = 0, it is determined that there is no upper limit, and STS8 is returned with bit2 = 0 and bit7 = 0.

  If Bj = 0 is not satisfied, it is compared with the current print total value Cj, and when Bj> Cj, bit 2 = 0, bit 7 = 0, that is, STS8 is returned as no error. If Bj ≦ Cj, no more printing is possible, so bit = 0 but bit7 = 1 (number of sheets over error) and STS8 is returned.

  When both the bit 2 and bit 7 of the STS 8 are “0” and there is no other error, the external device issues a print start request of COM 1 and executes print processing.

  Thereafter, the image signal V2 'output from the external device is recorded for a predetermined number of development colors and the number of sheets in synchronization with the vertical synchronization signal PSYNC2 output from the apparatus, and then the printing process is terminated. However, if Bj is not “0”, that is, if the upper limit of the number of prints is limited, CJ and Bj counted up for each print are compared, and when Bj ≦ Cj, STS8 Bit7 = 1 is returned, the operation is stopped, and the print end processing is started.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, for each department, the maximum count value (upper limit value) and personal identification number of the number of prints (number of image formations) can be displayed as a list, and these can be changed. It is easy to manage budgets such as copy costs and PIN numbers. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent unlimited printing from an unspecified number of external devices in a remote print operation or the like, and it is possible to accurately execute a job required in an emergency.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. As a modification thereof, for example, in the above embodiment, the upper limit of the number of printed sheets can be restricted as needed for a certain department, but the upper limit is restricted for each copy / print distinction or each monochrome / color distinction. You may go to

  Specifically, as shown in the memory map of FIG. 11, the upper limit setting and the number of prints are settled for each image source (copy or print) and monochrome / color combination with 26 bytes of data per department. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform desired management for desired operations.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of image processing apparatuses or to a single image processing apparatus. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, the system or the image processing apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention by reading the storage medium storing the program represented by the software for achieving the present invention into the system or the image processing apparatus. It becomes possible.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is an external view of an operation panel. It is an external view which shows the example of a display of the touchscreen display part in FIG. It is a screen figure which shows the example of a display screen of password mode which concerns on embodiment. It is a memory map figure which shows the storage format of the memory (RAM) which stores the management data according to department mode which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the command / status in the serial communication protocol between the color image processing apparatus of embodiment and an external apparatus. FIG. 8 is a continuation of FIG. 7. It is a sequence diagram showing a protocol between the image processing apparatus of the embodiment and an external device. It is a sequence diagram showing a protocol between the image processing apparatus of the embodiment and an external device. It is a memory map figure concerning the modification of an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

50 Digital color image reader unit 60 Digital color image printer unit 201 CCD processing unit 202 Shading correction unit 203 Sub-scanning synchronization processing unit 204 Input masking unit 205 Light quantity / density conversion unit 206 Masking and UCR circuit 207 Selector unit 216 Motor driver 217 CPU
219 External device 210 Synchronization signal generator 211 Communication controller 220 Speed converter

Claims (5)

In the image forming apparatus capable of setting the upper limit number of image formation for each use request source,
Storage means for storing at least one image formation upper limit number in association with code information specifying a use request source;
A display unit for displaying a list of code information stored in the storage unit and the corresponding upper limit number of image formations;
An input means for receiving an operation input from a user;
In response to selection of desired code information from the list display displayed on the display means via the input means, an image formation upper limit number corresponding to the selected code information is input from the input means. Control means to control possible,
The display unit updates the display of the image formation upper limit number corresponding to the selected code information in the list display based on the image formation upper limit number input under the control of the control unit. Image forming apparatus.   The storage means updates an image formation upper limit number corresponding to the selected code information in the storage means based on an image formation upper limit number input under the control of the control means. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. The storage means further stores the code number in association with the code information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit further displays a code number corresponding to the code information and the upper limit number of image forming sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes a numeric keypad. A storage step of storing at least one image forming upper limit number of times in association with code information identifying a use request source;
A display step of displaying a list of code information stored in the storage means and the corresponding upper limit number of image formations;
A control step of controlling an image forming upper limit number of times corresponding to the selected code information so as to be input from an operation unit in response to selection of desired code information from the list display displayed in the display step; ,
An image forming upper limit number setting method comprising a step of storing and updating the image forming upper limit number input under the control of the control step in the storage means.

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